Herman

Hello all. I'm just beginning to investigate a possible move to Malaysia with my family (wife, two children aged 3 and 1 years). We are currently expats from the UK in Paris and are due to return to the UK in Feb next year. However, a CEO of one of our companies asked me to join a new Asian venture they are starting now, which will require me to join a new team in Malaysia (I suppose KL but have no idea). I've been reading the posts on here and it seems it gets mixed reviews, some saying they love it and others making statements about the price of white children or that its Singapore's dirty little brother.

My wife is not at all sure (she does not work) partly as we lived in Sydney on another expat contract in 2001-2003 and we missed Europe a lot. Career wise I think it may be a good move though as this new venture is exciting and they guy is one of the rising stars. Also financially its likely to be attractive. In Paris I get around €150,000 plus €50,000 per year housing allowance, full health/dental for the family, a car and fees at the best British school fully paid. Our company has a policy that you never go backwards and you get the higher of your local or host company salary. So I could reasonably expect around RM650,000 per year and the usual housing, car, school benefits. I know from reading this site that the package will be a pretty good one.

So that's the background and now I'm wondering, what is the best/safest area to live with young children? Despite the financial niceties of the proposal we are very very unsure.

bakedbean

It's probably an obvious thing to say (sorry) but if you've never been to Malaysia before, go take a reccie with your wife and see if you actually like the place. Also find out exactly where you are going to be located. It's a huge country. There's a lot of industry in and around Penang island too. Penang and KL are like chalk and cheese IMHO, in terms of infrastructure/facilities and race and culture wise.

Take a look at allo expat forum - you can google for it. A lot of posters from KL I think. There are a lot of expat families around in the KL suburbs.

There's a whole sub-forum here below about education in Malaysia.

http://www.my2home.info/index.php/board,27.0.html

The above forum is geared towards the MM2H visa but has a lot of other info on there. I think that one of the Moderators used to live somewhere in KL too.

Best of luck

OzSheila

If it is KL I would be off like a shot. KL is a great cosmopolitan city. Admittedly I think after a year or two I would want out - mad traffic to start with!! Great eating out; fab shopping.

On your quoted package you could afford to live in a nice (expat) area - condo with pool etc. You could probably afford an amah so your wife would not have to do much in the house or with the kids if she so chooses I believe there are several expat groups etc. for her to socialise with etc.

Great places to get to from KL coutesy of AirAsia. (I recall how exciting you found the Mornington Peninsula

My OH grew up as an expat brat in Sarawak (14 years) and he hasn't turned out too bad

Sorry can't answer your specific questions.

HTH

galba

I lived there for 2 years (2006-2007) and LOVED it! I had my 4th child there and the medical facilities were great. OH is in the oil industry and we had come from Indonesia so KL was bliss.

Kids attended the International School of KL, the staff were excellent and the kids thrived. We lived in Kenny Hills (Taman Duta) which is an upmarket enclave to the west of the CBD. Our living allowance was around 16000 a month and we had a lovely house with security.

It will be a great opportunity for your family to holiday in Asia, to have so many different cultures (Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, China, Indonesia) on your doorstep.

You will be able to save loads, as eating out, petrol and food is so cheap. Many of my friend lived off their car allowances and saved their salaries!!

There are many playgroups, Gymbaroo, Kindermusik for younger children and this will give your wife a chance to meet other mums in the same situation. The expat social scene is great.

www.ibufamily.org (an organisation for expats with young kids, offers antenatal group, playgroups, days out etc)
www.abwm.com.my (Association of British Women in Malaysia - produces a magazine monthly with travel articles, current issues, medical information etc)

littledog

Hi All,

I am new to this site, but found it really useful and decided to join. My husband got offered a job in KL and we are investigating a possible move. We have 5-year old daughter and have already researched schools etc. We are not sure that the salary that the company are offering will be enough for all of us to live in KL - it is approx. 147,000 Malaysia Ringgits? Any advice welcomed.

Many thanks

ex reg

Assuming you are British, that you have posted an annual salary and the xchange rate is RM4.7 to the £, then things might be a bit tight. You won't be able to be as extravagant as many ex pats but you'll get by.

Of course you haven't let us know the rest of the package, accommodation allowance, medical, schooling, travel, etc etc

You may have given the monthly salary but if you have you wouldn't be asking if things would be OK.

Also assuming you can't squeeze any more out of negotiating the contract you then have a difficult decision to make. Obviously you have to take into account your living standard at the moment.

Perhaps others will help. Usually get good info here.

littledog

Many thanks for your reply. Yes, this is the salary per year. They will offer us relocation package, but not much else. We are thinking that possible solution is for both of us to work. Do you know any agencies I can contact to look for work?

Thanks again, really helpful!

galba

For an expat position I don't think that is very much at all.

As British expats we were given the following allowances and OH is by no means high up the ladder:

1. VTS - vacation travel supplement, a full-economy trip back to home country every year for all the family
2. Car allowance of RM7,000 a month
3. Housing - approx RM14,000-16,000 a month
4. White goods allowance of RM1,500 (one off)
5. Relocation allowance (one off) - RM30,000
6. School fees 3 x RM40,000
7. Non-contributory health and dental insurance

I would be re-negotiating!

Lowbie

I was brought up in KL and absolutely loved it! I've been back in the UK for years now, but still miss it my dad still lives and works there though (oil & Gas) and any chance I get to be back in KL I snap up!

We got there when I was 5 and I remember it like it was yesterday! I started first at Alice Smith School and later the Garden International School. Both great with laods of after school activities, great community and lots of competitive parents on sports day!

From a childs point of view I thought it was great. Your friends from school have swimming pools, you get an Amah to cook you amazing food, the beach is only about 45 minutes away, I was always outdoors, meeting people, getting amazing life experiences and becoming a much broader person as a result. It was also the most relaxed, happy and popular I'd ever seen my parents!

TV was rubbish if I remember rightly, but think thats the only gripe!

I'm back there in October and can't wait!

GO! Is my advice, for your kids if nothing else!

saimajafferi

My husband has just been offered a job by his company based in KL. We have 2 young children (9 and 5) who will be starting at the Alice Smith School (Jalan Bellamy campus) on the 6th of September. We arrive in KL on the evening of 4th September!

We are looking initially at staying at a serviced apartment but we're having difficulty working out which might be best for travel to the school (preferably by school bus as my husband is likely to be travelling a lot with his work and won't be able to drive them every day). Would appreciate any advice.....

galba

We stayed in the Ascott apartments across from KLCC, there was loads of expats staying there and kids in all types of uniform (Mont Kiara, ISKL and Alie Smith). My kids went to ISKL and were picked up by the bus from the apartment. This seemed to be quite usual and they were very flexible. Contact the school and see if they will pick them up from there.