Cost of Living in Malaysia

ztempest · #1 (**permalink**) 1st February 2009, 11:35 PM

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}}}

JOHNKL2SING · #2 (**permalink**) 2nd February 2009, 08:22 AM

comfortable is to general a word, are you single, i guess so a married guy would not ask uch a question. Does comfortable mean eating out drinking and clubbing, girls etc there !!!

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

Thank you !!!

Cheers !!
{z}}}

[/QUOTE]

ztempest · #3 (**permalink**) 2nd February 2009, 10:58 AM

Hi John, sorry I was vague.

Married (w.husband) and dog. Would like to purchase living accommodations and go to the movies occassionally. I don't eat that much and so boring, we don't drink or club, but like movies and museums .... Currently (we are American) living in the czech republic, husband is contemplating a job in Malaysia .... and not sure what to ask for in salary ... hence the question ....

Thank you for any advise you can give. We have been to Malaysia on holiday, around KL and drove the countryside, visiting Sarwack, Kuching, etc. We think it is a very beautiful country and the people are very kind.

Cheers,
{z}}}}

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOHNKL2SING

comfortable is to general a word, are you single, i guess so a married guy would not ask uch a question. Does comfortable mean eating out drinking and clubbing, girls etc there !!!

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

Thank you !!!

Cheers !!
{z}}}

[/QUOTE]

JOHNKL2SING · #4 (**permalink**) 2nd February 2009, 11:21 AM

[well it is a great place to live just spent two years there now in Singapore. ref buying a place the market is falling everyday and there are so many new builds to pick from, my advise would be to rent first, a nice condo two bed 2500 -5000MYR per month,sorry check out the x rate and then decide on both an area- will you want a school near by in due time and type of place you want, house or condo etc.
be aware CITY traffic is an issue and want takes 15 minutes on sunday viewing can take 45 -60 at peak times and 1.5 hour plus if it rains, which it does most evening in the season all be it just for an hour. eating out varies again from street food -which is great and super value to top of the range 'how much" the people are warm and frendly security is not a major worry but thier concept of service i not based on a USA MODEL. time is vague and prices are higher until you learn to bargain.

THE ONLY DOWNSIDE the taxis are a national disgrace, smal oftenl dirty smelly and meter not working, but that aside it is a great place to live --enjoy

ps- moives you can always buy the latest one on boot leg cd 10MYR plain cinama ticket 8 MYR gold class recliner leather chairs waiter service 50MYR

hope it helps

]Hi John, sorry I was vague.

Married (w.husband) and dog. Would like to purchase living accommodations and go to the movies occassionally. I don't eat that much and so boring, we don't drink or club, but like movies and museums .... Currently (we are American) living in the czech republic, husband is contemplating a job in Malaysia .... and not sure what to ask for in salary ... hence the question ....

Thank you for any advise you can give. We have been to Malaysia on holiday, around KL and drove the countryside, visiting Sarwack, Kuching, etc. We think it is a very beautiful country and the people are very kind.

Cheers,
{z}}}}

[/QUOTE][/QUOTE]

rjnpenang · #5 (**permalink**) 3rd February 2009, 02:25 AM

Hi, A friend of mine has just rented a government house (though an agent) very near the center of Georgetown, Penang for 1,300 RM a month!. Regards Rob

sandielenton · #6 (**permalink**) 3rd February 2009, 11:57 PM

Depends on your expectations! You don't say if you are on your own or with partner, children etc. Rent of a good 2 bedroom apartment from about $300 per month; running costs probably around another $100. Fuel is reasonable - to fill an average car costs about $20; Food is cheap - you can eat at hawker stalls for about $10. Plenty going on if you want to join things. I would guess for a single person with average requirements you probably need around $800 per month. I am sure that you can do it cheaper and I know that you can do it a lot more expensive!

Regards
Sandie

sandielenton · #7 (**permalink**) 3rd February 2009, 11:58 PM

I see you spend 6 months in Southern Spain - I lived there for years and still have a place near to Sabinillas. Whereabouts are you when you are there?

Sandie

sandielenton · #8 (**permalink**) 4th February 2009, 12:02 AM

Hi Z,

As the last person said, cinema is cheap and rogue DVDs cheaper still; the International Women's Association is very strong and there are plenty of very varied activities for all types. Now that I know you are a couple then I would say that $2000 per month would be adequate. Most condos do not allow pets so be careful before renting or buying to be sure that you are able to take yours.

Regards
Sandie

sandielenton · #9 (**permalink**) 4th February 2009, 12:03 AM

PS I am English but my husband is American - the mix of nationalities is one of the main attractions here.

Sandie

tumbleweeds · #10 (**permalink**) 4th February 2009, 01:13 AM

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).