Help - Info on Cost of Living in Kuala Lumpar please

Thanks SS

That's great, thanks very much blimey and SS :)

Hi Lakshmi - http://www.pah.com.my/specialties/dentistry/index.asp on the island or http://www.pidc.edu.my/ in Butterworth. The DH visited the dentist next to island Plaza in Tanjung Tokong but will have to check the name when I drive past there again. I think it is KK Ong. Penang Dental Surgery also has an excellent reputation but I think they are slightly more expensive than the others, They are located in 287 Jalan Burma, Telephone: 04 - 226 2440

Singapore Sling or anybody else, can you recommend a dentist in KL or Penang? I'll be there in two weeks and thought I'd take the chance to have a check up cheaper than I'd pay in Dubai. Thanks :) Unless it's operation or root canal, I usually go to government dentist as it only cost me MYR1.00 for the service. A well known fertility expert in Malaysia recommend this dentist on his FB if you want to try: http://bangsardental.com/about-us/fees-payment.html

Singapore Sling or anybody else, can you recommend a dentist in KL or Penang? I'll be there in two weeks and thought I'd take the chance to have a check up cheaper than I'd pay in Dubai. Thanks :)

Weather is not exactly like Dubai weather in any month. It the same as South Asian cities in August. 32-33 during daytime. If its sunny, its not comfortable to walk long distances between 12 and 4pm Evenings are 26-30, so its more comfortable but its almost always a bit humid . Rain is there on many days but through small bursts and not day long rain In KL temperatures stay roughly the same all 12 months, Up north in penang and Langkawi, Nov-Feb is slightly cooler with less rain

I think that living in Penang will be completely different from living in KL. Penang is a laid back town popular for nature and good food, KL city center will not be much different from Dubai, infrastructure wise anyway. Its a bit of a concrete jungle, there's quite a lot of pollution (you can smell diesel walking through the city) and there are areas where you'll feel congested - its not all green and beautiful. That being said, there is a tropical forest reserve in the middle of the city so if you're looking to hike that's a good place to start. And for anyone planning a holiday to KL, I'd recommend a short break to the Banjaran Hot Springs Retreat in Ipoh. Its another state a few hours away from KL and absolutely breathtaking, its one of the most beautiful places in the world!

Thank you for all the information....what a great and international website this is - you can get help with anything!

Bellarooni the weather can be likened to Dubai during April/May I would say. It is hot and humid but after about 6 months of living here you won't sweat like a *** any longer. Everybody lives an outside, outdoors lifestyle. Nature is awesome making from a fantastic difference to Dubai. Here in Penang there are ladies who walk and climb Penang Hill every week and they always welcome new women into the group. There are many hiking trails throughout the country and close to KL, even the small Penang is full of hiking trails. There is a strong group of cyclists here too and they are very active. Our school host all their assemblies and meetings in the open. The school is designed with huge patios, under roof to protect from rain and sun, but open and this is where we gather. They just switch on the fans ;-) and I make sure I sit directly under one of the fans. All the cafes also have indoors/outdoors seating and the hawker food centres are all under roof, but open, fans no aircon. tkoshy our income was earned in Vietnam and now Thailand so for us no tax here. There are free zone areas in Penang where the companies function duty free and this is where the international companies operate from. I don't know how about KL but here is a short article http://www.iproperty.com.my/news/2411/A-MALAYSIAN-TAX-GUIDE-FOR-EXPATS-AND-NON-RESIDENTS moonbeam start networking and also take a look at which international giants have companies, manufacturing plants etc here. There are not that many expat positions available here and you don't want to earn a local salary as it will be VERY low income. You want to work for an international group in an expat position such as Phillips etc and the best is to target them directly.

Apologiesin advance for the hijack, but a question for Singapore Sling. Do you pay taxes there as an expat? If so, how much? We were looking at moving and got very confusing replies. Thanks

Oh reading this thread has made me want to jump onto a plane NOW!!! how does one go about finding a job in KL?

Can I also ask a few questions as my husband is looking at a job in KL too. Is the humidity really oppressive or can you still spend time outside and sit and eat outside in the evenings? Also, are there places to go walking?? Really miss going for nice country walks here in Dubai!

Oh just a quick one on redtape - organising and execution of services such as TV, interrnet, visa, residency etc is speedy and effective. Technicians are not imported labourers but are properly trained and skilled Malaysians. It took the technician less than 4 minutes to install and have our wifi/internet up and running. Same for the phone. Shop assistants however are utterly and completely useless.

You can employ someone full-time, it is quite a tedious process due to a shortage of cleaners, but you will do it through an agency at least. How much it will cost you depends on whether the agency has any trained cleaners available or not. There is a huge shortage of cleaners due to some countries banning Malaysia from employing their citizens (such as Cambodia). The agencies cannot even supply in the demand of part time cleaners at the moment. The fee is fixed by the government, but then the agency portion varies and is determined by the agency itself. You can also employ a Malaysian cleaner full time/live in. <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 24/10/2011</em>

One year into Malaysia living and we still love it. Our home is at the edge of the rainforest, it is like being on holiday 24/7, we drive past monkeys and a glorious turkoois ocean en route to school every morning, the kids do their PE either in the pool, on the field, in the MPH Hall or on the beach!! or they run along the aqueduct in the middle of the rainforest. Our school also borders the forest. It is unbeatable living :d Looks like we are swopping it for Bangkok living though and we are also excited about the idea, but will certainly miss this blissful existence that is Penang. Dubai is freaky expensive, in the 8 years we lived there prices spiraled completely out of control.

Such a great post, Singapore Sling! Makes me want to live in KL and makes me feel bad about being ripped off in Dubai! I have a Swedish friend who moved to KL from Dubai 3 years ago, he absolutely loves living there, new beautiful house in a posh area, cheap outings, lots of new friends... It took him less time to settle down in KL than in Dubai.

Hi The best info forum at the moment is http://www.my2home.info/index.php Just skip the first bit that deals with MM2H applications and the rest are all about living in Malaysia. We live in Penang and I will be able to give figures from this perspective. It will still help you as the cost of internet etc is the same throughout the country of course. On average the cost of living (if you exclude schooling) is about a third to a half of what it cost us per month to keep the family afloat in Dubai. 1 MYR = 1,16 Dhs 1 Dhs = 0,85 MYR Petrol Dubai is currently Dhs 1,72 per litre. We pay Dhs 2,21 per litre or Myr 1,9 Medical is incredibly affordable in Malaysia and the Dr's + medical care amazing. We pay MYR 30 per consultation I kid you not. A consultation + antibiotic + panadol for tonsillitis set me back MYR90 at a private clinic. A broken wrist + x-rays twice + 3 consultations (the first visit on a Sunday when they charge double fees) + splint was less than MYR700 in total for the care over 6 weeks, private hospital, specialist dr. at the Gleneagles Hospital Cleaning of teeth + 2 fillings MYR 128 Maternity package a grand total of MYR1900 !!! at the Adventist Hospital Total costs of braces + monthly orthodontist visit - two step treatment to align lower and upper jaw costs MYR6000 and payment is MYR 1500 deposit and then MYR 200 per month. Guess this will give you a good idea of medical care and will show what an absolute rip off medical care in Dubai has become Groceries at Cold Storage, similar to Spinneys and they also carry Waitrose is slightly less than Dubai. Milk, yoghurt, cheese is expensive here. Eggs, meat and veg is cheap. Produce are far fresher than Dubai. Eating out is silly cheap. Many cafes serve a set menu for lunch as an option. A German place nearby charges between MY8-12 per set menu which includes an ice lemon tea, one main and one desert. Portions are HUGE and include one meat (cottage pie, sausage etc), a portion of mashed potato/potato salad, french fries, sauerkraut and stewed lentils. Another places asks MYR25 for one soup, one orange juice, one pasta and one desert. These are expat run places, the local ones are even cheaper. Last night we ate at a place we frequently dine at and the bill was MYR 55. We ordered: 1 Ice Cappuccino, 3 Ice Honey Lemon Teas, 1 pesto fish + grilled veg, 1 Spaghetti Carbonara, 1 apple pie and ice cream, 2 chocolate brownies + ice cream. ALL organic, no MSG, no preservatives. Milo, coffee, ice teas often cost MYR1,8, mostly about MYR 4-6 and sometimes in the Malls about MYR 10. We love to eat here http://www.thedeliciousgroup.com/ and you can take a look at the menu, more expensive than the average cafe but you still get 3 cupcakes or 3 scones+jam+cream or 3 croissants for MYR6,90 total!\ Butter Chicken + two naan enough actually for 2 people MYR 10 Dosa + filling + 3 sauces + 2 chutneys MYR2,5-MYR5 depending on meat/seafood etc To get an idea of our cafes: I love going here http://www.foodbuzz.com/blogs/my/malaysia/2235775-amelie-cafe-armenian-street-penang and http://penangfoodreviews.com/102/amelie-cafe/ You will see the prices. Owners cook, serve and decorate themselves and these places actually have yards of atmosphere. Also http://www.millymin.com/2011/05/smcpg4-chai-diam-ma/ and http://photo-dannylim.blogspot.com/2011/03/moontree-47-kopitiam-in-penang-heritage.html All taken from random blogs and all places where lunch for 4 people will set you back well below MYR100. A dinner for 3 at the hawker type stalls/night markets cost about MYR30 for food and drinks. Christmas brunch set us back a grand total of MYR140 for the whole family at the Lone Pine 5 star boutique hotel. Kids ate for free and it was MYR70 per adult. The buffet was exactly like the ones served at say The Royal Mirage in Dubai. The most expensive I saw advertised incl alcohol over Christmas charged MYR220 per person, kids free. Ballet fees MYR125 per month for a 3 hour lesson per week - grade 6 RAD. Another MYR 80 for a one and half hour en pointe class, once a week so we pay a total of MYR205 for advanced ballet per month. Owner is an RAD examiner and the piano is actually played by a living, breathing person. They also charge MYR10 per adult Aerobics session. Residential schooltrip, 3 nights to Langkawi, all inclusive MYR 600 Residential schooltrip to Pangkor, 2 nights with activities such as rapelling, teambuilding, canoeing etc etc MYR 575 all inclusive We live in a 2 year old (so new) 3 story, 4 bed, 4 bath, double garage, pool, gym, library, enclosed community with security housing development and our monthly rental, fully furnished is MYR 3600. Three aircons running at night, otherwise fans constantly running during the day = electricity bill is MYR 350 per month. Water is a paltry MYR5 per month. Internet 4Mbps, wifi costs AED140 per month. Modem was free, installation free. Monthly telephone rental MYR30, calls in Malaysia free. Expats all put down MYR 1000 in deposit which you will get back when you cancel the line again. Astro satellite TV - Our package which includes most but the Sports costs MYR98 per month 14kg Gas bottle MYR28. It lasts me 6 months. The connection with all the pipes and valves was MYR 20 LOL! Eyebrow shaping MYR8. They shave and pluck though. You will find threading in Little India. For a gourmet eyebrow shape from the Chanel counter = MYR 30 and the results were no different to my MYR8. Kids haircuts MYR15-20 Mani/Pedi MYR 80 Hair colouring almost all salons charge MYR150 for full colour, less for retouching. A full colour, cut, blow dry, deep treat and products set me back about MYR400 Clothes are expensive aaargh. Mango and other high street is more than what you pay in Dubai. I shop in Europe when I travel. There are cheaper alternatives but the stuff don't last well. Books about MYR35 and up We have a selection of fantastic local magazines with glossies such as Harpers Bazaar etc about double the thickness and content of similar Dubai Magazines and they sell from MYR7-8. A nice foodie mag about MYR12 and great photography magazine for woman about MYR18. People do NOT splash on birthday parties for kids as in Dubai and spend about MYR30-50 at the most on a gift. One year membership at the award winning 5 star Hard Rock Hotel in Penang which gives you access to services, facilities, pool, beach etc cost MYR 750 per family (Can you believe that. Shame on the Dubai hotels for ripping people off) http://penang.hardrockhotels.net/stage-pass.php Movies cost between 7-15MYR depending on day of week and time of show. Recently paid a grandtotal of MYR44 to see Harry Potter 3D, 2 adults, 2 children LOL. Brand new theaters, no different to any in Dubai's malls except that people actually do not talk and are quiet. Have paid as little as MYR19 for 3 movie tickets. Shoe repair MYR5 There are soooo many stalls in the malls and they all sell really nice stuff for birthday gifts etc. Apologies for all the typos, I am on my way out. Hope this helps you a bot and give me a shout if I can help with anything else. Oh, cleaning service costs MYR50 for 4 hours, maids from Indonesia and they do not speak English. If they also bring their own chemicals along, the cost is MYR 75. For all 4 hours in total, not per hour. Maids work for MYR10 per hour. Washing at a laundry cost MYR 3,5 - MYR 5 per kilo, depending on whether it is located near tourist areas or not. They iron for MYR 1,10 per item. I rent a very old 4x4, 178 000 km on the clock tee hee but it only cost me MYR1000 per month, service is superb and the guy services it every 5000 km. In the past year he has replaced my tires, break pads etc etc I also left the lights on twice and he gave me brand new batteries twice. He has a mechanic that is immediately available (on scooter) and also came out straight away to change my flat tire. The monthly rental is collected from me at home. This is also a saving culture - you will find 1 ATM for withdrawal for every 3 Deposit Machines. No boxes full of tissues on tables, nope they are very precise and will hand out one serviette per meal. Products are often repaired and not merely replaced. I have no doubt that KL is more expensive, but hope this will help you somewhat. <em>edited by Singapore Sling on 24/10/2011</em>

Schooling: Depends on which schools your children are enrolled in. Good international schools such as GIS or Alice Smith could cost up to RM 20k per term. There are also private schools with a good mix of expats/local kids which may be significantly cheaper, but some may require knowledge of the Malay language as a prerequisite. Transport: Taxis are cheap and metered, if you're familiar with the area you could also agree on a set fare (may come in handy during peak traffic). In the city you'll be charged a flag rate of 2.00 and 10 cents for every 150m after. There's also a monorail around the city. General groceries: Really depends on where you shop. There are wet markets/night markets where locals usually do their weekly grocery shopping, you can build a relationship with the vendors and the prices are always reasonable. In my experience its much cheaper (and fresher) than what you get in Geant/Carrefour. Food: Street food/hawker stalls are dirt cheap and so yummy! We're talking about RM 10-20 per person for a main + 2 sides + drink. Fine dining can start at around 200 per person, but generally still cheaper than Dubai. Can't comment on rental or cars though, good luck on the move!

You can try this expat website. It's nothing like expatwoman though as your queries might not get answered promptly but I think you may still find some information ;-) http://www.alloexpat.com/malaysia_expat_forum/ As majority of the populations are Malaysian and not foreigners, you will find that not many people drive 4WD in KL. Most Malaysian drive local or japanese cars. Only well off locals and expats drive big fancy cars .....just like you would see in UK ;-) Accommodation cost really depend on the location. Most famous locations would be Bangsar, Ampang, Damansara, Mont Kiara, etc. If you shop at Carrefour, Giant, Tesco and Jusco, I don't think the grocery cost would be much different but in KL, they sure don't get away with selling bad vegetables and fruits. Cheaper shopping option if you go to wet market or night market....plenty around KL. International schools fees are pretty much similar to here the last time I checked but honestly, I think they have much better reputation and quality. <em>edited by blimey on 24/10/2011</em>

Most things are cheaper. Some things are lots cheaper. You get far more for your money accomodation wise. You can eat out for buttons and even the 5 star places are significantly cheaper than the equivalent here. Cars are more expensive but if you get out of the mindset that you need a fancy pants 5 litre Range Rover then you'll get a decent motor for a decent price. Groceries I would say are similar in that you pay a premium for imported goods and if you buy local you can stretch your food budget much further. Children's activities are cheaper as are school fees.

Cars are much costlier unless you buy Proton. A Honda Civic may cost twice what it costs here Fuel is ~20% higher than here but taxis are much cheaper General groceries and foodstuff are cheaper than here Eating out is sometimes cheaper

Not sure about schools or accomodation but shopping etc I find a lot cheaper! My family live there and we always stock up on items when visiting! My sister has a little car there which was very cheap, but taxis are VERY cheap! There are many expensive shops but also fab cheap alternatives, there is a huge department store ( like large UK asda with food, clothes, toys, household goods etc) outside the main city called Justco ( i think) and brilliant for everything, as its mainly locals the prices are very reasonable. I think you could have a better standard of living there but costing a lot less than Dubai!

I thought cars were expensive in Singapore not KL My friend lives in KL with her, DH and LO. They both have cars and live in a lovely appartment My friend doesnt work. I have visited several times and found it to be much cheaper than the UAE. ( Clothes, groceries etc) i am not too sure about schooling, accomodation etc however i will ask her and come back to you