freedom810

Hi all,

I'm moving to KL in May 2013 and will have a wage of $500 USD which roughly exchanges to RM1500. I then get some money from student finances etc and will end up with a income of around RM2500 a month.

Could I live on that wage in KL? I keep getting mixed opinions on KL, some tell me its very expensive now and others tell me its rock bottom cheap. I've been living in Berlin on €800 quite comfortably and wanted to know if I will struggle or not in KL before I get there.

Also any sites that I definitely need to see whilst I'm there for the 4 months?

Much appreciated.

bakedbean

Hi there and welcome to the forum

Will you have accommodation provided? Rents in KL are quite high I think. Have a browse through the Malaysia section. There's already quite a lot of existing threads about costs and places to live.

freedom810

No that won't include rent sadly. thanks for the advice.

ajw

I'm sure some people get by on that but its definitely on the low side. I probably spend that per month on food alone but we're a family of four. House sharing should help.

Nemodot

Definately on low side. Savings are a must and will be spent! My rent is 2,500 RM per month and GBP/MYR rate is on decline (pound is becoming toilet paper thanks to Banana republic style finances with QE=printing money) so pound goes far less and getting less!

Single staff I have earning 3,500 RM per month have given up and quit their jobs as they can't make ends meet and gone to live with their parents. But for short term can live off 3,000 RM if share a room etc in non-air con place etc. Some cheap places are well dodgy with drugs and prostitutes (lots in poor areas). If white very dangerous to live in many cheap places.

So basically have to bunk in with other interns/students. If tough hardy love backpacking type can survive/ BTW Berlin is cheaper than KL to live in! Berlin is very cheap for a European city.

One thing GET MEDICAL INSURANCE. It is plain stupid to be uninsured.

ex reg

Is that after tax??

Do you intend to spend any of your savings from previous employment to help you live in KL for the 4 months???

Care to let us know what your job will be because I can't think what you might be doing for such low pay. Are you doing this job to gain certain work experience???

Nemodot

No tax on 2,500 RM !!!

As an intern paid peanuts - actually 2,500 RM is way above intern rates. Usually 1k to 1.5k (max) unless a Tunku in which case 5k

ajw

OP said they were only being paid $500 usd for the actual intern work. The rest comes from other sources. But yes, within the tax free threshold.

freedom810

I figured I will have savings, so maybe I could make it up to RM3500 which might make it a bit easier?

Its kind of work experience they didn't specifically say its a real job role but the pay shows that it clearly is an internship. I'll be a digital marketing analyst carrying out SEO which I've been doing in Berlin for awhile now.

ex reg

Quite a difficult decision really.
If you know there is a long term job at the end of this stint for you somewhere in the company then 4 months isn't that long.

Against that you have to balance the fact they may just be looking for cheap labour and if the experience you gain doesn't suit your CV then you might not get anything out of it but reduce the savings you have.

Why not chat to the company again now you have knowledge of costs in Malaysia and ask them to review your package.

freedom810

Thanks for the advice, I have to go back to university in september but there is the possibility of a job offer afterwards. It also suits my CV really well so I know that the experience would be extremely valuable.

However I will be asking them to take a look at the salary, I have nothing to lose from just asking. At the end of the day though its not every day you get the option to live in Malaysia, pretty excited!

ex reg

Just one thing.

If you go back to your company requesting them to up your salary.
Don't make it look like you're just asking for more money for the sake of it.

Go back with a reasonable request.

You can find sites on the web which will compare costs of living in countries/cities.
Check the comparison between Berlin and KL or Germany and Malaysia.

You can also check accommodation prices in KL which will probably eat up most of your salary. Find some costs of sensible accommodation to show your company what you'll have to outlay.

From your posts it doesn't look like you are money grabbing.
Leave that like the rest of us until later

But the salary they are offering is very low and you maybe won't enjoy yourself in KL on it.