Cost of Living in Malaysia

[tumbleweeds]

Most places will ask for a 1 year lease. Some owners will agree to a shorter time frame (6 months) but will likely raise the rent somewhat for this. A good agent can help negotiate for you. Generally, you'd have to pay the first month, one month's deposit and a utilities deposit. You'll also have to pay for the "stamp fee," where the rental is registered with the government (the agent does this for you, but you have to pay for it - I believe it's roughly 300 rm).

Sorry - can't help you on neighborhoods around Georgetown/Penang. It's something to discuss with the agent - or you might try posting the question on another forum, such as Lonely Planet's Thorntree or the Expat KL forum. I'd suggest being open to all areas, then making your decision once you've gotten your bearings. The area of KL that I eventually settled on was in an Indian neighborhood - very, very few "western" ex-pats. I loved that neighborhood, but people that I would talk to would make faces and wonder why on earth I chose to live in Brickfields when there were "such nice ex-pat areas" so close by.

[MARJOLI]

Is it still possible to get rents like this in Brickfields? If you dont mind, what other areas would also be suitable for a single expat. (I like peace and quiet though, but would not want to be too isolated. I will be moving in Malaysia just after Easter. Im currently living in Hong Kong, so looking forward to being in Malaysis, heard the people are great and plenty of stuff to do. Im British.

Would appreicate any advice.
Thanks

Originally Posted by tumbleweeds

I've been living in KL for the past 2 years in a 3 bedroom condo in Brickfields - nice place, fully furnished - that's costing me US$555 per month (2000 rm). Food is cheap, especially if you shop at the markets or eat at hawker food (which is often cheaper than cooking at home). We use public transportation and do not have a car. So, living comfortably - going to movies, eating mainly non-imported foods, occasional wine or beer, health care, clothes, transportation, utilities, trips to get away now and then, rent, health care, eating out 3 or 4 times a week (at least twice at local or hawker type places, and once or twice at nicer places) - our average monthly expenses are under US$1500 per month (5400 rm). Obviously, if you need to have a car, gas, insurance, etc would add more onto that.

Most Malaysians earn somewhere between 1000-1500 RM per month and are able to get by pretty well. So, much of it depends on the lifestyle that you want to have. And KL is probably the most expensive part of Malaysia to live, so your living expenses would be less if you wanted to live in attractive Penang, for instance, or Ipoh (where housing is really cheap and it's a nice part of the country to live, too).

[tumbleweeds]

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.

[MARJOLI]

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

Originally Posted by tumbleweeds

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.

[Malaysiana]

Originally Posted by ztempest

Hello out there !!!

How much money do I need to make yearly to live comfortably in Malaysia ??? In US dollars please ....

Thank you !!!

Cheers !!
{z}}}

Cost of living in Malaysia is relatively cheap. Indications on the living expenses in Malaysia are as follows:

Meals for a day RM20.00 / USD5.20

A 2-bedroom apartment RM100,000 / USD26,300

A bungalow with a 6000sqft land RM500,000 / USD131,578

A desktop computer RM1,000 / USD263

A visit to the doctor for flu (with medication) RM30 / USD7.90

Based on conversion rate of RM3.8=USD1.00

[expat-wannabe]

I need help deciding. I got an offer of 2500 USD a month net, education for kids, and housing allowance. Medical insurance covers only me. Dependents are not covered. Is this a fair and acceptable offer? Considering my child has asthma and has frequent attacks, should I ask for more in anticipation of frequent hospitalization? How much do HMOs cost? Thanks a lot.

[andyong]

It depends, but if you're a budget traveller, then you will need to spend approximately about 85 USD for food, accomodation and transportation.

[tumbleweeds]

Originally Posted by andyong

It depends, but if you're a budget traveller, then you will need to spend approximately about 85 USD for food, accomodation and transportation.

Say what?!? For US$85 a day, you can live very, very comfortably and still have cash left at the end of the day!

[pero]

2000$ min

[marijke16]

Originally Posted by ztempest

Hello out there !!!

How much money do I need to make yearly to live comfortably in Malaysia ??? In US dollars please ....

Thank you !!!

Cheers !!
{z}}}

Good morning from a sunny Penang/Malaysia. I have absolutely no idea how many replies you've had. I'm new here. I can however answer your question. the norm is RM4000 - US$1300. I immediately say that is false. You'll need RM10.000 per month to live comfortable and that is US$3250. Rents are anything from RM1500 for something decent and go as high as RM4000. Renting might be an option however I say immediately that you need to know that whatever you rent might come up for sale. We are in the process of selling our condo and have been looking around for something to rent. We have been warned! Property belongs often to older citizens and when they die their offspring want to see money and it is for that reason they want to sell and fast! Long leases are no available so you need tot be very very sure of what you want. We live in Penang and for investment purposes that is the place to be apart from the beautiful scenery and being a "food paradise". Any time you need some info please feel free to email me.
Have a safe and Happy New year!