Advice on KL move

LOL sorry it is indeed west. We just moved east from BF hence me confusing east and west now! That dam/reservoir is new and is also where the International Dragon Boat Racing takes place. The Butterfly Farm is situated just there and aaaaaaaaaaaargh someone is now developing a waterpark nearby and looks like hotels will follow :( That is such a nice stretch, especially with the mangrove towns etc further south and west and really an amazing part of the island (which many tourists of course hardly ever see). I guess we live very nearby to where you lived. We are the last (and newest, about 2 years old) development bordering the rainforest in the hills of Tanjung Bunga - one of the nearby little neighbourhood centres is the one with the Bulgarian, German, Indian etc eatery, 7/11, Happy Supermarket and Guardian pharmacy. <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 21/04/2011</em>

You got me thoroughly confused, I just looked at a map and Teluk Bahang is west of Batu Ferringi. We used to go to some swimming holes just south of there. I see on the map there is a large lake/reservoir there now, that wasnt there either when we were there. We lived in Tanjung Bungah/Hillside.

I need to update the blog and will add a few pics. One day when I have time I will add text too. I love the Pulau Tikus market and shop/eat brekkie there too. Teluk Bahang is the next town east from Batu Ferringi bordering the National Park. I don't know about rents for KL but I can tell you that rent in Penang is nothing like Dubai - we pay about a fifth of what the same place would cost in Dubai. I also have no idea about salaries. DH works in Vietnam and commutes.

Yes Blimey we love it here :) I would say you have a million times over reason to be proudly Penangite. This is my photoblog if you want to take a look Lomond. As soon as you give me the heads up I will remove the details again. Don't fancy keeping it open on EW :) Loved your blog singapore sling. I lived in Penang in the early 80's, before the bridge was open. Your photos brought back so many lovely memories. Pula Tikas markets, Teluk Bahang? Is that the next town on from Batu Ferringhi? It was just a tiny very isolated fishing village when I was there. I lived at the base of Waterfalls road

Wow after reading all this sounds like KL is a great place. Whats the rent like for a Villa there? is it pay monthly unlike the dreaded pay 12 months in advance.... Also my dh was asking as the cost of living seems lower than the Dubai, are the packages/wages good for the proffesionals? tia

Yes Blimey we love it here :) I would say you have a million times over reason to be proudly Penangite. xxxxx This is my photoblog if you want to take a look Lomond. As soon as you give me the heads up I will remove the details again. Don't fancy keeping it open on EW :) <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 21/04/2011</em>

We just moved house and I am currently sorting out home telephone/wireless internet/sat tv etc. Wow! The service is amazing. These people are obviously trained technicians and not slaves from the subcontinent. It took both the telephone dude and the sat TV people less than 3 minutes to sort us out. I added another 30s to this when I asked them to also install our DVD player. No need to go into any office either. Everything was arranged telephonically (contract details were recorded over the phone too) and payment took place in cash at home. Just make sure you ask neighbours for recommendations. There are so many service prividers and not all them cover all areas. Our new neighbour gave me a number and within 30 minutes of phoning the person, he arrived to deal with all matter telecom. Wireless internet will follow in another 2 days. As for our visas - that was sorted within a week too. This is not Switerland (LOL) but things move compared to Dubai. Start-up costs for gas (cooking) is MYR 50 deposit and then MYR28 for 14kg gas - something to add to cost of living ;-) Public tansport runs smoothly. Again speaking from Penang side of Malaysia, but busses are plenty and cheap and in KL you have many more transport options. Our school charges MYR 1000 (AED 1216) per term to give you an idea of what that might cost you should that be an option. Malaysia is a great destination :) Do a google search for all the fabulous foodbloggers in KL. The people here love to vlog, phlog and flog tee heee - meaning video blogging, photo blogging and food blogging :) Reading the good experience that you have had so far definitely make me feel proud to be both Malaysian and Penangite. Hope this good experience will last for the rest of your stay :)

Janesul lived in KL she might also be able to give you tonnes of info :) As for the schools - the only PYP in Malaysia is actually the school here in Penang hence us living here and not in KL (DH commutes between Vietnam and Malaysia). I have to say though that the other Brit and American Curriculum schools in Penang seem to be just as active with sports and field trips which is really great given the weather and environment. Guess it will be the same in KL http://www.ibo.org/school/ - Click on find an IB world school for info on all the IB's on offer. We just moved house and I am currently sorting out home telephone/wireless internet/sat tv etc. Wow! The service is amazing. These people are obviously trained technicians and not slaves from the subcontinent. It took both the telephone dude and the sat TV people less than 3 minutes to sort us out. I added another 30s to this when I asked them to also install our DVD player. No need to go into any office either. Everything was arranged telephonically (contract details were recorded over the phone too) and payment took place in cash at home. Just make sure you ask neighbours for recommendations. There are so many service prividers and not all them cover all areas. Our new neighbour gave me a number and within 30 minutes of phoning the person, he arrived to deal with all matter telecom. Wireless internet will follow in another 2 days. As for our visas - that was sorted within a week too. This is not Switerland (LOL) but things move compared to Dubai. Start-up costs for gas (cooking) is MYR 50 deposit and then MYR28 for 14kg gas - something to add to cost of living ;-) Start up costs for telephone is MYR1075 refindable deposit for all foreigners in Malaysia. This is about the only expensive thing here. House rental is payable monthly. Our waterbill is MYR 7 (up from MYR 6 LOL) and electricity in an apartment (2 aircons on at night) was about MYR150. I guess the villa will be more and am budgeting for around MYR250-300. Also whatever you need and can't find - shops will order for you (Shampoo, laptop battery, PSP games etc). These are the things I have ordered over the past 7 months. Public tansport runs smoothly. Again speaking from Penang side of Malaysia, but busses are plenty and cheap and in KL you have many more transport options. Our school charges MYR 1000 (AED 1216) per term to give you an idea of what that might cost you should that be an option. Malaysia is a great destination :) Do a google search for all the fabulous foodbloggers in KL. The people here love to vlog, phlog and flog tee heee - meaning video blogging, photo blogging and food blogging :)

Ooops one last thing and then I am logging out. International companies often give an allowance/consession on cars. This way you can acquire a car tax free. Also if you buy/rent local, it is much cheaper. The local cars are very bland in design, but who cares - petrol is cheap and Malaysia is big. So long as one is mobile. Local car brands are Proton and Perodua and are often copies of other known vehicles but locally produced and branded. The dreadful Daihatsu Terios here is known as the Perudua Kembara. Silly car, but hey we get to where we need to be ;)

Good luck Lomond, I have very fond memories of my childhood in KL (that wasn't too long ago, I graduated from high school in 2007 and make annual visits home). There was a good mix of expat and local kids at my school and the expats always raved about how much they loved KL, in fact most of my expat friends are still living in Malaysia as they consider it home. Its a beautiful country and I have no doubt that you'll grow to love it as much as I do. Just a note regarding the crime rate. Yes it is high, petty crime is common on the streets so you do have to keep your wits around you. But as long as you practice common sense (no dazzling jewelry when you're alone, keeping your purse out of sight etc) you should be fine. Thanks so much Sea of Love! Sounds like a pretty idyllic childhood! Lucky you! "no dazzling jewelry " - don't tell DH - it'll just be another excuse to avoid the jewellers like the plague! LOL! Are house break-ins and violent crime more prevalent too? I come from a big city with a high crime rate but it's one of the reasons we were happy to travel! Thanks again Sea of Love - Hope you're loving Dubai too!;) edited by Lomond on 20/04/2011 DH and I are planning to move to KL for a couple of years, he's really excited after hearing my stories! House break ins are unfortunately common, and the newspapers usually have stories about robberies (its usually handbags being ripped away while you're walking, and unfortunately people get hurt in these cases). You'll find that most houses in KL are gated and the windows are barred, and it would be wise to have a good security system in place as well (my parents are paranoid and we had a panic button in each room, but that may be going abit too far). If you find a villa in a nice community they usually have tight security and you'd find guards patrolling the compound 24/7, the good news is if your alarm goes off they'll be at your place in a jiffy. Agree. Look out for either a great apartment or a villa in a gated community. We don't have an alarm system and I won't be getting one either, but would have done so had we lived in an independant villa.

Hi Lomond, we are still virgins here having moved end September last year. I am still in love with the food, culture, nature and people. Yip, I am sooo pleased about the impact of the environment on the kids. Mine are 8 and 11 and they have completely different interests and attitudes now. Gone is the emphasis on all matter technology, electronics, internet social networking, fashion, make-up etc. They still enjoy those things but balanced with nature and cultural interests and activities. Even birthday parties are simple affairs with emphasis on swim/fun, a slice of cake and 4 pieces of candy in a loot bag LOL. The emphasis here is on family values and culture, eating dinner together etc. I also LOVE the school field trips. There are so many different and interesting places to visit in Malaysia compared to Dubai. There is also huge emphasis on both competition and collaboration among the schools not only of Malaysia but also the greater South East Asia. School Field trips within the greater region is common practice and affordable due to Air Asia/Busses. Our kids attend an IB school where there is perhaps more emphasis on field trips compared to the BC but I know that Alice Smith definitely has a great reputation. To give you an idea of field trips: Year 4 kids studied rainforests. They visited over a period of 7 weeks no less than 4 different sites (OrangUtan sanctuary, butterfly and insect farm, botanical gardens and spice gardens). Year 3 kids studied communication and visited amongst others a school for the blind. Year 6 studied Believes and visited 4 different temples/churches during two trips. There are 6 Units every year and within one unit alone the kids visit between 1 and 4 different sites. That is great IMHO. They also do PE 4 times a week - 2 swimming, 1 multipurpose hall and 1 field. We very quickly realised how poor sport education in Dubai was . . . Make no mistake - I am not shooting down Dubai, but the weather has a bigger impact than one realises. We lived there for a long time and to the kids it is home. It has it's own conveniences (being so close to Europe for e.g.). Oh, it is also refreshing to see teens having normal relationships with one another. Walking hand in hand, yearning for that stolen kiss LOL. Why should that be a crime? Enough said ;-) http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/m18adian/Article/art_print This is an article about the crime/crime rate. All in all I would say there are certain hotspots and that one should keep your bag close to your body and be smart with your i-phone or camera - same as any major city. I also only carry copies of my passport and driver's licence with me as advised by numerous people. So far, no problems but I am alert. We live in a security village and within the village we have never experienced any problems, but I do keep my car locked etc Eveybody keep their entire shoe collections in cuboards in the garage for instance. Being South African, we don't LOL. I like my shoes and would be furious if it does get stolen.

Good luck Lomond, I have very fond memories of my childhood in KL (that wasn't too long ago, I graduated from high school in 2007 and make annual visits home). There was a good mix of expat and local kids at my school and the expats always raved about how much they loved KL, in fact most of my expat friends are still living in Malaysia as they consider it home. Its a beautiful country and I have no doubt that you'll grow to love it as much as I do. Just a note regarding the crime rate. Yes it is high, petty crime is common on the streets so you do have to keep your wits around you. But as long as you practice common sense (no dazzling jewelry when you're alone, keeping your purse out of sight etc) you should be fine. Thanks so much Sea of Love! Sounds like a pretty idyllic childhood! Lucky you! "no dazzling jewelry " - don't tell DH - it'll just be another excuse to avoid the jewellers like the plague! LOL! Are house break-ins and violent crime more prevalent too? I come from a big city with a high crime rate but it's one of the reasons we were happy to travel! Thanks again Sea of Love - Hope you're loving Dubai too!;) edited by Lomond on 20/04/2011 DH and I are planning to move to KL for a couple of years, he's really excited after hearing my stories! House break ins are unfortunately common, and the newspapers usually have stories about robberies (its usually handbags being ripped away while you're walking, and unfortunately people get hurt in these cases). You'll find that most houses in KL are gated and the windows are barred, and it would be wise to have a good security system in place as well (my parents are paranoid and we had a panic button in each room, but that may be going abit too far). If you find a villa in a nice community they usually have tight security and you'd find guards patrolling the compound 24/7, the good news is if your alarm goes off they'll be at your place in a jiffy.

Good luck Lomond, I have very fond memories of my childhood in KL (that wasn't too long ago, I graduated from high school in 2007 and make annual visits home). There was a good mix of expat and local kids at my school and the expats always raved about how much they loved KL, in fact most of my expat friends are still living in Malaysia as they consider it home. Its a beautiful country and I have no doubt that you'll grow to love it as much as I do. Just a note regarding the crime rate. Yes it is high, petty crime is common on the streets so you do have to keep your wits around you. But as long as you practice common sense (no dazzling jewelry when you're alone, keeping your purse out of sight etc) you should be fine.

Ooh KL! Love it there! So beautiful!

http://www.my2home.info/index.php Hi Lomond - the above site provides similar info to EW and I find the most active of the info forums. Although it is geared towards MM2H visa holders, it is just as applicable to expats in general. We are loving every moment of Malaysian living (We are not based in KL, however, many of what I mention below concerns Malaysia in general). I would say the lifestyle is much better than Dubai as the weather allows for so many more activities, everything is much better value for money, people are much more laid back, travelling within the area is great, the food, music and culture scene is pulsing etc. You will find a lovely street culture here that Dubai lacks - possible due to the extreme heat and of course absence of pavements/walking space for pedestrians and the overregulation of small industries in the UAE. I also like being able to integrate and socialise with the locals as mentioned further down. The expats in general are a friendly, down to earth bunch even though some of them might be loaded with money (Money is secomndary to existance here). I really like the kids and the attitudes of the kids in Malaysia (expats and locals). They are still kids and not mini adults and seem to treasure things like nature more than consumerism. To give you an idea of cost of living: Petrol: RM 1.90 per litre (AED2.30 - that is for the lower octane) Medical costs are so different to Dubai. We go to the Gleneagles Medical Centre (private) where a specialist cost Rm50 (AED60) and a normal dr Rm40 (AED48.50). My DD fractured her wrist and we paid double tariffs because it was a Sunday. On the Sunday they took X-rays, she saw a specialist and they gave her a cast. She then saw the specialist again after 3 weeks. Then again after 5 weeks and x-rays were taken once again. The entire procedure over 5 weeks added up to Rm 557.60 (AED675). I am completely impressed with the cost of medical services as well as the quality of the care but would NOT visit government hospitals. DS had tosillitis and a visit to the paed + antibiotics cost Rm90 (AED110) Magazines (local versions of Harpers Bazaar, New Women, Elle, Cosmopolitan etc) between RM 8 and Rm10. The UK Vogue only at Rm22. (That is AED26) and similar for other imported magazines at MPH, Popular, Borders and Kinokunya Eyebrow threading Rm8 Mani/Pedi Rm75 Cleaners (maids) Rm50 for 4 hours but can cost as little as Rm8-10 per hour. If they bring their own cleaning stuffs it cost Rm75 for 4 hours. Groceries (food) from Cold Storage is priced similar to Spinneys (Cold Storage also stocks Waitrose). Alternatives are Carrefour, Tescos, Giant etc. I buy fresh veg and fruit from the wetmarket and with a mere Rm20 I walk away with 2 bags/boxes full of veg and fruit. Candy and chocolates are more expensice than Dubai. So is cheese. Coffee and cake cost about a third of what you would pay in Dubai Where we are at least). Beach club membership at the 5star Hard Rock Hotel in Penang for e.g. cost Rm750 per family per year. That is a mere AED910 per year and includes complimentary one night stay + breakfast for family of 4, 30 min footmassage, Rm50 redeemable dining voucher, unlimited pool and beach for obe year, 50% discount on pool and beach entry for any guests accompanying the family of 4 for a whole year, 25% off at the kids club (most of the time they don't charge anyway) etc etc. Travelling within the area is dirt cheap. Return Airtickets on Air Asia between KL and Penang for example can cost as little as Rm100. I just book for next week and it cost me Rm131 per person return. We went to see Rio in a brand new Imax last week and 1 Adult + 2 Kids Imax tickets including the glasses cost Rm44 in total. Normal movie tickets vary between Rm5 and about Rm12 - dependant on time and day of the week. Mobile line RM5 to register for pay as you go. Internet 4Mbps wi fi + free local calls on telephone Rm140 per month http://www.tm.com.my/ap/personal/internet/Pages/broadband1.aspx Grade 6 RAD ballet classes Rm130 per month for a 3 hour session per week. Yoga at school per term about Rm180 Tae Kwono per term about Rm120 Haircut Rm40 at a really good salon too! About Rm288 at the Hard Rock for a cut, colour, blowdry and conditioning treatment. Kids haircut from about Rm18 for a really good cut too. Brekkie on the beach can cost as little as Rm5 for two slices of toast and eggs or baked beans. Our nearest bakery sells preservative sugar free bread. Coffee/Tea and a long full grain roll with chicken/tuna/egg + verg cost Rm5. Our Christmas lunch buffet for 4 people at a 5star boutique hotel was only Rm125. Kids ate free and this meal was similar to the buffets at say the Royal Mirage. Eating out here is really very affordable. We are honestly having a blast. The lifestyle is fantastic and there is so much to do and it cost very little but most of all being able to integrate with straight forward normal folk is refreshing. Please give me a shout if there is anything in particular you need more info on. edited by Singapore Sling on 19/04/2011 <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 19/04/2011</em>

I'm from Scotland so I shouldn't really be afraid of the rain but it's probably one of the reasons we moved abroad! It's a cold, driven rain there though! What about the crime rate? Did you feel safe there? I'm starting to feel more positive about the move!:) Rain in Malaysia....different than Scotland. They just come down pouring really heavily and not drizzle all day. Just pour yourself a cup of kopi-O and have some biscuits or fried bananas. Honestly, crime rate in KL is definitely higher than dubai. It's more so in certain areas. It's good to choose areas that are not too isolated and perhaps, a bit more family oriented with community spirit...and gated community is highly recommended. I have not lived in KL for the past 6 year and so many have changed since then from what I saw when I visited last December. Certain well known places have become quieter and certain new places have come up and become livelier. That's why I think it would be more helpful to get recommendation from the ones that are currently living there when it comes to preferred residential areas. another website that you could go to: http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=148 I am a bit bored at work....i thought i give you a link to an estate agent. She has a list of properties that you could look at to give you an idea of what are available. I think you would be looking at bungalow or semi detached types of house. Look at areas like U-Thant, KLCC, Mont Kiara, Bangsar, Kenny Hill, Damansara Height, TTDI and Sri Hartamas. http://www.elaineliang.iagent.my/default.aspx?p=Listings&type=BG <em>edited by blimey on 19/04/2011</em>

Thank you Blimey, DH company's office is currently in KLCC but they are moving out of the centre and we don't know where yet. I guess I was thinking there might be expat areas/ housing compounds/ communities.... proximity to parks/schools? Thank you for the link, I'll have a good look through :) I posted here as I was hoping someone could give me some comparisons between UAE and Malaysia. :) Did you live in KL? Did your children attend Alice Smith? Well, expats is a very small community in KL or any part of Malaysia. So, in KL you would see more integration between locals and expats. Some expats may keep to themselves but most expats that I know of including my DH (I am a Malaysian) go out with their local friends a lot. We didnt have DD back when we lived in KL but for many many years, Alice Smith International school has always been at the top. Unlike here, ...well, I don't know whether it still is....you never see any bickering from expat parents on expat forum about the quality of international schools in Malaysia. Among western expats, I would say that Bangsar, Damansara, Ampang (closer to city center area) and Kenny Hill are the favourite. Most new gated residential area would have children playground as well. There are several parks in KL that you could go to but personally, I think KLCC Park is one of the best park in KL for children to play and for you to jog around. Unfortunately, the residential properties around the park are apartment type. KL have many private hospitals as SeaofLove mentioned. The famous ones would be SJMC, Gleneagles Hospital, Ampang Puteri and Pantai Hospital. There are many private clinics as well. They are very cheap.....I used to pay about AED50 for consultation + medicines which you would get from the clinics itself. Depending on your location, you could ask for recommendation for the expat website. Just do not expect the doctors to be an expat as well ;) <em>edited by blimey on 19/04/2011</em>

Hello and congratulations! KL is a beautiful place and Im sure you'll love it there. (I grew up there, so yes I'm biased!) 1. Overall quality of life: I'd say its comparable to Dubai. KL has big flashy malls, great food and everything you need is right at your fingertips (delivery etc). Plenty of outdoor activities are available, and its mostly sunshine throughout the year. 2. Schools: International schools: Alice Smith and Garden International are excellent schools (I think they offer IB as well). If you would like your children to learn Malay or interact more with locals, there are several good private schools: Sri KDU, Sri KL (in short, any school starting with "sri" means its private). Sri KDU offers an IB programme. 3. Housing/areas: There are some good apartments in KL but if you're looking for a Villa, Damansara is a good area to start. Setia Eco Park has beautiful villas in a compound, comes with health clubs etc. 4. Healthcare: Assuming you're covered by good insurance, I'd avoid the government hospitals and go for private. Subang Medical Centre has a good rep and is quite central. 5. Health and social clubs: Numerous ones including Fitness First, in fact you may be hard pressed to find a mall wihtout a Fitness First in it. The Royal Selangor Club is an exclusive social club and would be my starting point (they offer golf, activities for children etc). 6. Weather: It rains plenty during monsoon season but it'll be wet for 2 months or so, but weather's gorgeous the rest of the time. I wouldn't say the rain is oppresive, there may be a day or so in a year where it really rains cats and dogs (and flooding may happen if you're in a villa). Good luck!

Not sure where your DH office would be, so can't really suggest which location for you to live....Bangsar, Ampang, Damansara, kenny hill. Alice Smith International School has a very good reputation in KL (http://www.alice-smith.edu.my/html/s01_home/home.asp). Why don't you ask the expats who are currently living there? http://www.alloexpat.com/malaysia_expat_forum <em>edited by blimey on 19/04/2011</em>