Optionist

Hi as I've mentioned on the Asia forum I suffer from multiple severe food allergies Anaphylaxis and severe Eczema. I have some questions for people who have lived or are living in KL or Malaysia generally and know KL.

Do any of the supermarkerts list ingredients on product packaging in English?

Are fresh vegetables and meats readily available? I'm sure they will be just checking anyway.

Which oils are most commonly used in fast food places such as McDonalds ect?

I will probably avoid restaurants because it's very risky much better to cook my meals at home.

Is the language barrier a problem and does anybody know what the awareness of allergies is like?

What is the accomodation like how much would a flat or room with own kitchen cost me? It will have to be clean inside and no carpet on the floor. I doubt that carpet is very common in KL accomodation.

Any help would be much appreciated

bakedbean

I'm not in KL, I'm in Penang, but....

Fresh meats, fruit and veggies will be available in the wet markets I'm sure.

Which language barrier in particular? Most people speak English.

Fast food? Are you serious? Isn't it all full of additives?

ajw

Do any of the supermarkerts list ingredients on product packaging in English?
-- Yes
Are fresh vegetables and meats readily available? I'm sure they will be just checking anyway.
-- Yes

Which oils are most commonly used in fast food places such as McDonalds act?

-- I'm sure this information is available on their website's if you wish to check

I will probably avoid restaurants because it's very risky much better to cook my meals at home.

-- OK

Is the language barrier a problem and does anybody know what the awareness of allergies is like?

-- No. Some awareness but probably not as much as in some Western countries. There are specialist dr.'s (allergists) here if you need them.

What is the accomodation like how much would a flat or room with own kitchen cost me? It will have to be clean inside and no carpet on the floor. I doubt that carpet is very common in KL accommodation

-- Varies hugely depending on location, size, age (like everywhere else). Look at iproperty.com.my for rentals. Haven't seen any apartments with carpets although some people like to put down rugs.

Good Luck
ajw

LivKL

Hi Optionist

I have anaphylaxis (walnuts, pecans, pine nuts) and am living in KL. So far I've found food very easy - but then the nuts I'm allergic to aren't very Asian. Mostly here it's peanut, cashew etc which is fine for me. it's the western places that sprinkle walnut on everything...

In our two local supermarkets there is so much produce from around the world that not only are you likely to find that packaging is often in English, but you'll probably find brands you know and trust from home too.

Fresh veg and meat is absolutely readily available in KL - either from the supermarkets or from the wet markets (the one near us is absolutely comparable to a UK farmer's market in terms of quality and cleanliness - wash the stuff when you get home but no need to be more zealous than usual, I'd say).

I wouldn't know about McDonalds - I don't eat there. In terms of Asian fast food - street food or foodcourt food - there is a lot of choice and it's often very fresh but I understand from a friend with a seafood allergy that her biggest enemy here is the use of shrimp paste, which is in everything (yes, including many "vegetarian" dishes!!)

Mostly I have been ok explaining "no nuts" to those making food for me, and certainly the western restaurants in the centre are completely up to speed on allergies and menu labelling. I don't know how far you can trust the kitchens - but that's the same the world over, as I'm sure you'd agree!

Accommodation here varies hugely and it totally depends on what type of accommodation you want - you can pay 1000rm a month or 10,000. But don't worry - I only ever saw one place with a carpet before we picked our current home.

Good luck!

Optionist

Thanks for the advice guys especially last post which was very helpful.

Unfortunately my Anphylaxis is not confined a to a few foods it's basically all nuts and some other common foods but from the information you've given me I'm sure I'll manage.

know any good places to find properties I've been searching on google doesn't seem to be much choice in KL and nothing less than 2 + bedrooms. I want to be in a location with easy access to supermarkets, shops, public transport. It doesn't have to be the poshest of areas not out and out slums either. Any ideas?

I will initially want to go for a few months see if my health improves and see what the job situation is like and then if all seems well apply for a job while I'm out there.

Which Visa should I be thinking of applying for?

ajw

I think I gave you the a property site in my last post: iproperty.com.my. I would be very surprised if they didnt have anything under 2 bedrooms. You would probably want to be reasonably close to your employment and pub transport but since you're arriving without a job its very hard to know what to suggest. Why dont you start by looking at KLCC.

Regarding a visa your options will be limited. Most people will be offered a job and then their prospective employer here will apply for the work visa. If you do not secure a job before arriving then you will probably be limited to entering on a tourist visa. A prospective landlord may also wish to see evidence of employment/income before they rent to you.

Optionist

So you think it's better to apply for a job and then move? That sounds reasonable

ThomasK

mudah.my is also a good site to look for rental properties:
http://www.mudah.my/li?fs=1&ca=9_s&t...&se=&frn=&mre=

Definitely better to get a job before coming to Malaysia.