Family thinking of moving to KL
Mar 24th 2012, 9:34 am
#16
Joined: May 2006
Location: Melbourne - London - Bangkok - Melbourne - Kuala Lumpur - Melbourne
Posts: 658
Re: Family thinking of moving to KL
Not permanently,but indefinitely. We didn't come over on a fixed contract as a lot of people seem to do
Apr 10th 2012, 6:55 am
#17
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 52
Re: Family thinking of moving to KL
Hi whether 50k GBP is enough depends a lot on the job itself - for senior roles that is low. Rule of thumb is UK gross + 30% + school fees + medical. I agree that education fees are a serious issue in Malaysia. Really bad schools charge 7,500 GBP per year - and a lot of the so-called "international" schools in KL are just rip-offs where 60-70% of the fees are taken as profit. Currently waiting lists are huge btw so "beggars can't be choosers"
Jul 5th 2012, 8:16 am
#18
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4
Re: Family thinking of moving to KL
Hi there!
Come on over! It is not as scary as it seems, I promise.
About kids being exposed to different cultures, in most cases, it means cultures of other foreign kids as well, but very, very rarely that of Malaysian (local kids). It depends on the lifestyle that you want and the experience that you seek. Many stick to "their own kind" for whatever reasons and others speak to just about everyone, whatever rocks your boat, you are free to make friends with anyone you like and not to with anyone that you don't like!
If you have only foreign friends, your perspectives on Malaysia will always be somewhat blinkered because you would only know the Malaysia that these foreigners know. If you have some local friends, you will experience the real Malaysia.
I know of many foreigners (not all are expats as they came here to gain employment or set up their own businesses) who have been here for more than 10 years but have not had a single local friend, or in some extreme cases, non-Caucasian friend. Personally, I think that is quite insular. There are foreigners of every creed here which is why it is so interesting and lovely.
Just because one has roti and curry once a year does not mean that one "always eat and enjoy the local food", but many would make this claim.
With the package you are likely to get, you can lead a nice life here. Like I said, it depends on what you wish to experience. You can live in a predominantly Caucasian community or you can live amongst the locals. It is up to you. Nobody is going to judge you for your choices.
Some are more comfortable living among fellow foreigners from their homeland where they can share similar anecdotes and speak the same lingo. They can also go on holidays together to Thailand, Indonesia or Singapore.
Or you can live among Malaysians and go on holidays together with them to Lake Tahoe or Cortina whenever they want to go skiing...
Whatever it is, do make the most of it, be positive and enjoy!
Come on over! It is not as scary as it seems, I promise.
About kids being exposed to different cultures, in most cases, it means cultures of other foreign kids as well, but very, very rarely that of Malaysian (local kids). It depends on the lifestyle that you want and the experience that you seek. Many stick to "their own kind" for whatever reasons and others speak to just about everyone, whatever rocks your boat, you are free to make friends with anyone you like and not to with anyone that you don't like!
If you have only foreign friends, your perspectives on Malaysia will always be somewhat blinkered because you would only know the Malaysia that these foreigners know. If you have some local friends, you will experience the real Malaysia.
I know of many foreigners (not all are expats as they came here to gain employment or set up their own businesses) who have been here for more than 10 years but have not had a single local friend, or in some extreme cases, non-Caucasian friend. Personally, I think that is quite insular. There are foreigners of every creed here which is why it is so interesting and lovely.
Just because one has roti and curry once a year does not mean that one "always eat and enjoy the local food", but many would make this claim.
With the package you are likely to get, you can lead a nice life here. Like I said, it depends on what you wish to experience. You can live in a predominantly Caucasian community or you can live amongst the locals. It is up to you. Nobody is going to judge you for your choices.
Some are more comfortable living among fellow foreigners from their homeland where they can share similar anecdotes and speak the same lingo. They can also go on holidays together to Thailand, Indonesia or Singapore.
Or you can live among Malaysians and go on holidays together with them to Lake Tahoe or Cortina whenever they want to go skiing...
Whatever it is, do make the most of it, be positive and enjoy!
