Cost of Living in KL

[slayerized]

Originally Posted by synthia

Would they bring you in on an expat package? Probably not, I guess.

I think there is a chance (or it will atleast be negotiable) since I have been in the US for 6years and did all my education here. I will know in a week, t would be great if you could let me know expat package or otherwise, what pay I can expect so that I will know If they are right on the mark or way off when the make me an offer.

Thanks

[synthia]

I'm sorry, but I really don't know what an expat package would include in Malaysia. They frequently include allowances for things that are more expensive than the home country, which is probably not going to be an issue for you.

If you are a permanent US resident you will have to continue to file US tax returns, and should ask for tax preparation. Medical insurance, of course. Some packages provide a round-trip ticket home every year or two. If you have children, they might pay for a private international school.

Expat packages are, I think, usually attached to contracts, rather than permanent employment.

[kpraveen]

hi all...

i will be traveling to KL soon in an onsite project from india. i work in a software firm.

i have been informed that i will get getting paid a RM 6K per month.

will this be sufficient for me to live in KL?

Can anyone have an idea of how much the taxes that is deducted from my sal (i.e 6K) ?

at present i have no idea where i will be staying or where my office is located where i will be working... so cant give you all any more details.

please suggest...

thanks in advance

praveen

[synthia]

Welcome to the forum, Hopefully someone who is familiar with KL will chime in here. KL is a big city, so a lot will depend on where you will be working and where you will live. Will you need a car to get to work? Is anything else being provided, like a housing allowance, or a car if needed?

[asciii]

Originally Posted by kpraveen

hi all...

i will be traveling to KL soon in an onsite project from india. i work in a software firm.

i have been informed that i will get getting paid a RM 6K per month.

will this be sufficient for me to live in KL?

Can anyone have an idea of how much the taxes that is deducted from my sal (i.e 6K) ?

at present i have no idea where i will be staying or where my office is located where i will be working... so cant give you all any more details.

please suggest...

thanks in advance

praveen

6k should be more than enuf to live in KL. If your work area is located at KLCC, then I suggest that you live somewhere close to a LRT station. The further u live from KLCC, the cheaper the rent gets.. You will be able to get to KLCC easily by LRT.

As for the tax calculation..I cant remember that one..I have to check back on that

asciii

[tsrobinson115]

Good post. I appriciate it

[tumbleweeds]

Yes, 6k rm should give you a very comfortable lifestyle in KL. If you're from the US, I believe that the first US$90,000 or so that you earn in a foreign country is exempt from federal income tax, so you'd just need to pay the Malaysian taxes, whatever that comes out to be.

If you get a place right in the KLCC area, figure 2000-3000 rm for rent. Prices will go way down just by finding a place in Brickfields, Ampang or out in Petaling Jaya, Kelana Jaya or other outlying area. As the previous poster said, try to get a place near public transportation if you can, so you're not having to rely on taxi's or having your own vehicle - KL isn't the best place to drive in if you can avoid it! I like the Brickfields area, personally - it's close to the monorail and KL Sentral, and it's in an interesting part of the city, with lots of good restaurants and a great market. You would have no problem finding good accommodation around there for 2500 rm/month or less.

[Serendipity2]

If you are a permanent US resident you will have to continue to file US tax returns, and should ask for tax preparation. Medical insurance, of course. Some packages provide a round-trip ticket home every year or two. If you have children, they might pay for a private international school.

Expat packages are, I think, usually attached to contracts, rather than permanent employment.[/QUOTE]


Synthia,

Here's the latest I could find regarding Americans living abroad. It changes and I didn't spend much time fact checking but it IS from an attorney and we all know we can always trust attorneys!

The URL below gives a pretty good guideline for Americans. I think!

US INCOME TAXATION OF AMERICANS AND EXPATRIATES LIVING ABROAD