Cost of Living in KL

carrillowu · #1 (**permalink**) 17th July 2008, 03:50 PM

My company is proposing that one of us, could move to KL for business purposes , but we don't have an idea of what should we ask monetary. I have been looking in several webistes for Senior System Engineer positions salary, but it all comes out to equivalent USD$37K annual, but it seams too little. Can somehow give me an idea of how much should an expat ask for that type of position? We would rent an apartment (2br min), car, maybe international school for 1 kid, etc.

rjnpenang · #2 (**permalink**) 17th July 2008, 08:14 PM

I don´t know about your salary but Malaysia is very cheap. Its more reasonable to eat out than cook at home. Live-maids are also cheap by international standards. Have a look at this site;
http://www.expatforum.com/articles/c...-malaysia.html

carrillowu · #3 (**permalink**) 17th July 2008, 08:20 PM

Thank you for the information, but in general numbers can an expat live in an apartment (safe area of course), have a vehicle, kids in international school, money for entertaiment, with USD$4000 a month? Just know when i get the offer from my boss..

rjnpenang · #4 (**permalink**) 18th July 2008, 07:02 AM

I can´t say how much a school is but here on Penang there are quite a few expats working down in the duty free zone. We have an apartment in a block, over half foreign owned, quite a few are being rented out at about 5,000 RM a month. Your 4,000 US equates to 12,900 RM so it looks if that a fair percentage is going to go on rent!. 37,000 US seems very low for a senior engineer!.Find out quick what an international school costs, add the 2 together then see your boss!. If you´re so skilled he probably needs you more than you need him. Regrds Rob

viv.destiny · #5 (**permalink**) 20th July 2008, 06:53 PM

International schools in Kuala Lumpur are expensive, especially those using the American ad British curriculum, and could cost from USD 3,000 to 15,000 per annum. Rental of a decent 2-bedroom apartment in KL costs RM 2,500 onwards and cars aren't cheap. I definitely suggest for you to approach the HR department of your company to provide for your child's education and apartment. With that taken care of, you can live comfortably on RM10,000 with your wife and kid in KL.

synthia · #6 (**permalink**) 21st July 2008, 07:40 AM

And ask for tax preparation as part of the deal. What does the offer include? Schools for your children? A company car? A housing allowance in additon to salaray? Any other perks?

Also watch out for taxes. I met an American who was teaching in an international school, and he told be everybody leaves after two years because they can't travel. What he said was that if you left Malaysia for any reason, your income tax rate would go way up. So even though people were happy with their lives, once they'd explored Malaysia, they had to leave. Sounds weird, and I can't vouch for it, but ask.

carrillowu · #7 (**permalink**) 21st July 2008, 07:47 PM

How about taxes for expats in KL? One of the post commented something about a duty free zone in penang, but how about KL?

rjnpenang · #8 (**permalink**) 21st July 2008, 08:10 PM

Taxes I don´t know, the duty free zone in Penang is, I think, for companys to import,assemble & re-export, all the BIG names are there, Intel, Bosch, Bausch, Osram etc.Whether the expats (lots of Japanese) pay local taxes, no idea, Sorry!.

slayerized · #9 (**permalink**) 26th September 2008, 03:55 AM

I'm sorry to be hijacking this thread; I have a job offer (unofficial) to work at Intel in Penang. I have 3-years of work experience in the US, and am considering moving back since I am originally from there. I was wondering if anyone has an idea as to how much Intel pays in Malaysia. It might help me in getting a clear picture on what I should reflect on in my offer. I'm sure Intel doesn't pay for car/housing etc.

synthia · #10 (**permalink**) 28th September 2008, 07:20 AM

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