If you knew then...
 

If you knew then what you know now, would you still move to Malaysia?

My husband has been offered a job in Singapore and myself and our 3 children are planning on living in Johor Bahru.

We are Brits but have already had 4 yrs in Australia (our kids really want to go back) and 1 year in France (total disaster). I am trying to work out if JB-Malaysia would be a good idea.

I think the plan would be to get a Singapore Visa with a 10 yr living in Malaysia visa.

Any advice would be great. Thank you.

Re: If you knew then...
 

Yes. But everyone is different.

Have a good read through all the posts in this section. Tag on to a few existing topics and that may provoke some replies.

Are you familiar with Singapore? Are you familiar with Malaysia?

Re: If you knew then...
 

Yeah bb but you weren't living in JB and working in Singapore when you were living in Singapore.

For me the important question which should be answered directly is 'would you live in JB and work in Singapore.

I know what I think.

Re: If you knew then...
 

Ex-Reg - I'm guessing that's a no?

BakedBean - We don't know either country and we are not in a financial position to check either out. I have been reading some of the posts and they don't seem entirely positive.

Re: If you knew then...
 

Last year the 'haze' lasted for several months in both Malaysia & Singapore and was a real downer for many. It's an annual event, and 2015 was possibly the worst ever.

If we get the same again this year, then I think my answer would be 'No'.

See: 2015 Southeast Asian Haze Could Be Among Worst Ever

There are lots of great things about Malaysia, but the haze ain't one of them.

JC3

Re: If you knew then...
 

That would piss me off. Indonesia could just send the army in to tackle to the Palm Oil problem but chooses not to. I guess deforestation isn't high on their list of problems. Sigh.

Re: If you knew then...
 

The haze is back here in Singapore already even though the north east monsoon winds are blowing.

Now of course there are many kids here who put up with the haze and don't even notice it, except for the smell I don't notice it, except my fablus view of Malaysia and Indonesia has been wiped out.
The last time I lived in JB and worked in Singapore was in 1990 and it was a bit of a pain crossing the causeway but little to what it is now.
Many ex pats do it now but I can't comment about how they feel.

Re: If you knew then...
 

Why are you planning on living in JB?

If your husband takes the job, why not live in Singapore? Based on the fact that you have been living in Aus and enjoy it, I would think that it would be easier for you to slip into Singapore life. Maybe consider JB later if that appeals to you. Singapore is usually considered as Beginner's Asia. An Asian country with a thin Western veneer.

I guess the most pertinent question to address is whether your children are of school age, and what and whether they can attend schools there. Maybe that is something that is swaying your decision but you haven't stated that, and my psychic radar is not working this morning.

Re: If you knew then...
 

I'm guessing finances are an issue.

But the commute would be awful if daily.

JB itself is fine, but the expat schooling is still expensive imho. Housing is cheaper than Sinagpore for certain.

Re: If you knew then...
 

Finances are an issue (my husband lost his job and our visa in Aus. We had to leave and in the process lost everything we'd worked for. We have nothing now) and we couldn't afford to live in SG. Plus I don't want to be part of that corporate greed world where only money matters.

His job would involve him being in SG 167 days a year and the rest of the time he'd be travelling around SE Asia. His salary is not huge in terms of an SG salary but it would give us a comfortable lifestyle in JB.

We have been looking at Austin Heights Int School. I am not a big fan of private education and I want our kids to have a more level-headed approach to life.

How easy is it for ex-pat teenagers to get jobs? My eldest is 13 and wants a job. Nothing major but she wants to earn her own money and I want to encourage this!!

Re: If you knew then...
 

Don't expect Malaysia to be different from SG.

Re: If you knew then...
 

Sadly the corporate world is what mostly applies if one is a working professional.
And money matters everywhere when one has to pay for the costs of living.
These costs mostly relate to the level of income in the respective country.
Meaning the 'corporate greed world' environment would more or less be found everywhere but the level of the required amounts would differ.

As for 10 year visa for living in Malaysia when working in SG, I assume it is the MM2H visa you mean? Such a visa does not allow the holders or dependants to work in Malaysia.
Don't know if there other visa options available?

Re: If you knew then...
 

According to this link (which may be out of date) Malaysia - Visas | ExpatFocus.com

"Obtaining this visa allows the applicant to set up a business in the country and to work part time if he/she wishes".

Is this not correct?

Re: If you knew then...
 

We have just discovered that applying for the MM2H requires us to have liquid assetts of 500,000rm and 300,000rm in a bank account. LOL That rules that out....

That's £52k... wtf?! How is a young family of 5 supposed to have that?

Re: If you knew then...
 

Clearly the MM2H visa isn't designed for your situation. It was just an option for you to enable your plan to live in Malaysia long-term whilst having access to work in Singapore.

'Silver Hair' was originally a retirement visa for those who wished to use Malaysia for weather related retirement...then it was expanded to MM2H to be more inclusive to allow anyone to set-up a second home in Malaysia....but most of the participants are actually retirees.

Re: If you knew then...
 

The following may not help you much Chocolate Orange I'm afraid (good luck anyway), but others may wish to note:

MM2H participants are allowed to withdraw part of the required Fixed Deposit from the second year onwards (RM50,000 for aged 50 years and above) / (RM150,000 for aged 50 years and below) for approved expenses related to house purchase, car purchase, education for children in Malaysia and medical purposes. They have to maintain the balanced RM100,000 (for aged 50 years and above) / RM150,000 (for aged 50 years and below) of Fixed Deposit until they terminate from MM2H Programme.

Also (separate from MM2H) I think Master & Ph.D Student Pass holders are allowed to bring their dependents during their study period in Malaysia (i.e. spouse, children, mother and father).

Anyone forumers know if this 'privilege' is also possible for younger students?

JC3

Re: If you knew then...
 

This is not entirely correct. If you are here on an MM2H visa and wish to work part time you need prior approval from the Government before you can start your work. You can find the application procedure on the Government MM2H website:
Apply For Part Time Job - MM2H Official Portal
(apparently are MM2H holders below age 50 not allowed to apply for a part time job)

Re: If you knew then...
 

Oh dear. Well, the MM2H clearly isn't an option for us then.

We might have to look at re-entering the country every 90 days then! We will need to do some more research then because I am not sure we could rent a house or send the kids to school without a visa?

We are just in our infancy of trying to work this out but sadly we have to make a decision within the next 3 weeks. It doesn't give us a lot of time!

Re: If you knew then...
 

Try six months to 1 years in Singapore just to settle down first. We been doing the rat race on the bridge since 2013. Sadly last xmas period was the worst disaster traffic mayhem ever. Having said that the rest of the year was alright apart from occasional holiday seasons.

Re: If you knew then...
 

I just don't think we can afford to live in SG. Too expensive. 5 of us on 1 mediocre salary. School fees there are excessively high - which would take over half our wage. $60k+ on school fees!! That's 176k rn. That's a ridiculous amount of money.

We don't want to be in the position where we're working just to live.

He won't be commuting every day, only 160 days a year as he's got a post which requires a lot of SE Asian travel. We thought the shuttle: KTM Train from Johor Bahru to Singapore JB Sentral - Woodlands 2016 Times Fares

Re: If you knew then...
 

I think there is an option to get a visa as a caretaker for a young student.
I met an Australian couple some months ago who told me they had their minor aged son studying here in Penang and consequently got a visa as custodians.
With such a visa I think one is free t travel in and out unhindered....
Maybe an idea would be to try o get some info from one of the schools?

Re: If you knew then...
 

Yes JB will work fine for you guys. Bear in mind that you need a car here. Forget about the public transport here in JB. He need to get drop off & pickup at the train station. As long as you don't intent to drive your Malysia car in to Singapore you'll be fine. Only the EP holder are allow. Hope this info help.

Re: If you knew then...
 

Don't forget to produce a marriage certificate. It's a very conservative country. I don't think they practise civil partnership here.

Re: If you knew then...
 

Thank you so much for all of your help :)

Marriage cert + copy + cert copy is all ready lol. We had to do that for Australia.

Will look at edu visas too :)

Re: If you knew then...
 

Looking at your other thread regading unresponsive school, why not write to several schools and ask about edu visas, not necessarily only in JB...
At least one of them should respond.

Re: If you knew then...
 

As Gunnar says, get on to some schools and ask about visas. Best of luck :fingerscrossed:

Also noted that you don't want to Work to Live but, assuming that you have no income coming in right now, this is an option. And, who knows, once you are here, other opportunities/paths may open up. Asia is a growth area and if your husband is travelling other things may come up for the future.

Re: If you knew then...
 

How's it progressing, ChocolateOrange? Are you coming here?

Re: If you knew then...
 

Hi BakedBean,

We are hoping for a contract by the end of this month. HR have been dragging their feet somewhat because there've been a few stumbling blocks. It transpires there's no room in the SG office for him so his contract would need to come from HK with him working from home in Malaysia. However we've had to employ a tax person in KL because we'd be subject to a double tax treaty. That's all been sorted so we're expecting a contract within the next few weeks.

However, now that we definitely know there's no room in the SG office for him, should we stay in JB? Effectively we can be based anywhere in the world (except Aus/NZ) so we're wondering if JB is the best place?

Re: If you knew then...
 

Be careful which location you select if "working from home in Malaysia" implies that you need solid and/or high speed internet connection.

Re: If you knew then...
 

Yes it does imply that. I've heard that internet can be hit and miss?

Re: If you knew then...
 

Have you considered Penang ?

Re: If you knew then...
 

If it is optic fibre high speed internet that you need then it is "building by building". Some buildings have it, others not. If you have a certain building in mind where you want to live then you either ask the owner or agent, or check the website of Time (time.com.my) whether the building is connected to such infrastructure. They have a map plus search engine on their home page.

Re: If you knew then...
 

I hadn't but I am now.

I am spending this morning compiling an excel spreadsheet of schools by region. Ultimately we have no money, no savings and are totally skint... we were in Australia and lost it all trying to stay in Aus.

Money is the key determinate at the moment.

Re: If you knew then...
 

JB is a big well spread out place if you include Nusajaya to the west and many small townships to the east and north.
You either like it or hate it.
I've lived in JB and we spend a lot of time holidaying in Penang.
Of the two we'd much rather settle in Penang
But it is a personal view.

Hopefully you'll have spent some time living in JB before finally deciding one way or the other. I don't mean living out of a hotel either.

Just on supermarkets; just because they are called Tesco you shouldn't think they are too similar to UK Tesco.

Re: If you knew then...
 

Thanks for this ex-reg. We're also now looking at Penang and Taiwan too. It's nice to hear your thoughts on JB!

Our plan is to spend a few months renting through AirBNB and spending some time in lots of areas. Hopefully this will give us an idea?

I hate Tesco with a passion and have no intention of supporting them lol. I'd much prefer to buy local, chat and learn the language.

Re: If you knew then...
 

Just to add I quite liked JB during my time there but it was long long ago.

Re: If you knew then...
 

Tesco in Penang is very Malay. Be quite a good place to practice Bahasa actually. Though, Penang island is predominantly Chinese. Mostly everyone speaks English, but the Chinese talk to each other in Hokkien dialect. You'll be fine with English.

I've never been to Taiwan, but several friends say it is fabulous, and great food. Definitely worth checking out :thumbup:

Re: If you knew then...
 

Gawd. That is so tough. I really do hope this move, wherever it is, works out brilliantly for you and your family.