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Old 3rd March 2009, 06:24 AM
MARJOLI MARJOLI is offline
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Users Flag! Originally from uk. Users Flag! Expat in malaysia.
Default living costs malaysia

Dear Tumbleweeds,

Thank you so much for you quick reply. This is giving me loads to think about. Im not sure I have the exchange rate down yet? 1300rm is only 3000hkd is that right? wow, I should move tomorrow at that rate.

The reason I need to be where the expats are is that I work for the education system I have a performing arts company here that I will be setting up for the expats in Malaysia , piano, dance, singing etc., I actually thought I could do this from home, but will probably rent somewhere for seperation for my home life.

So glad you mentioned it is easy to get around, that means I could pretty much live anywhere. Kool. Its quite cold here at the moment, Im so looking forward to seeing the sun.

Marjoli


Quote:
Originally Posted by tumbleweeds View Post
2000 rm is actually fairly expensive for Brickfields - that was for a 3 bedroom, fully furnished condo in a security building with a pool, etc. You should be able to find something unfurnished in a "regular" sort of place for about half that (figure 1000 - 1300 rm/month) - still in a good neighborhood, especially if you can agree to a year's lease. Ex-pats live pretty much everywhere in KL - more in some areas, like Bangsar and Hartamas and Mont Kiara, than in others. I preferred living in a mainly local area, or at least in a place where most of the ex-pats were not Westerners - Brickfields was perfect for that.

Many ex-pats live in Penang, both in Georgetown and in various places along the coast. Rents can be quite low there - less than in KL. There are also a handful of ex-pats living in Ipoh, which is even less expensive than Penang. There is a lot to do around Ipoh - and Penang, too - but you really would need a car to get around. That's an expense that you don't really have in KL, where the public transportation is good and goes practically everywhere.

If you don't mind being a little more remote, there are some choice areas in Sarawak and Sabah, where ex-pats sometimes end up. Costs are a little more than on the Malaysian mainland, though.
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