Expat Guide to Living in Malaysia
Whether you're already living in Malaysia or preparing to move to Malaysia, our Expat Guide to Living in Malaysia offers articles and reports submitted by expats about expat life in Malaysia. For answers to specific questions, visit our Malaysia Forum to talk with expats in Malaysia.
Expats in Malaysia agree that living in Malaysia has its pros and cons. Expats love the welcoming Malay people, cultural diversity, lower cost of living and amazing food. Many find that the noisiness, dirty city streets and dangerous driving conditions can be a challenge. Where you choose to live makes a big difference in lifestyle as well.
With its beautiful beaches, laid-back lifestyle and UNESCO World Heritage status for the historic capital of Georgetown, Penang is a great overseas retirement destination.
Where are the best places to retire overseas? Which retirement haven is right for you? France? Ecuador? Panama? Nicaragua? Thailand? Kathleen Peddicord shares the pros and cons of the world's top 9 retirement havens.
Your feelings about hiring domestic help while living in Asia will range from guilt about having someone ironing your underwear to being deprived of the love and attention of your children. Many Southeast Asian countries show high figures of unemployment and you may not just feel privileged to have maids, but may even feel morally obligated to give work to these people.
A British expat in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia describes her experiences settling into life there. Navigating the urban jungle and dealing with her husband's medical emergency were a real test, but her friends and neighbors were a big help.
A retired expat couple who have lived all over the world in their quest to find the best place to retire talks about their time in Penang, Malaysia. They enjoyed the low cost of living, quality of medical care, great restaurants and nightlife. They only negative in their view were the beaches, which were not as nice as others in SE Asia.
More Culture Shock Reports for Malaysia
Culture shock is part of the settling in process. Knowing the different phases of culture shock and how other expats in Malaysia handle it can be very comforting. Below are some of the responses from expats in Malaysia:
Submit a Culture Shock Report
More Living in Malaysia Reports
What are people's priorities in Malaysia - work? family? What are the best ways to meet other expats? Are people accepting of racial, cultural and religious differences? Below are some of the responses from expats in Malaysia:
Submit a Living Overseas Report
More Moving to Malaysia Reports
What should you take with you when you move to Malaysia? What should you leave behind? What type of housing and neighborhoods are typical for expats in Malaysia? Below are some of the responses from expats in Malaysia:
Submit a Moving Overseas Report
Reviews of Schools in Malaysia
Reviews and school profiles from expat parents and even a few school administrators in Malaysia. Great place to find insight into school facilities, teachers and curriculum. Below are some of the reviews from expats in Malaysia:
- Mutiara International School in Ampang, Malaysia
- Mutiara International Grammar School in Ampang, Malaysia
- Mutiara International School in Ampang, Malaysia
- Mutiara International Grammar School in Ampang, Malaysia
- in Balik Pulau, Penang, Malaysia
- Global Indian International School in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- The International School at Park City in Desa Park City, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Ipoh in Ipoh, Malaysia
- Ipoh International School in Ipoh, Malaysia
- Sri Omega International School, JB in Johor Bahru, Malaysia
- Fairview International School Johor Bahru in Johor Bahru, Malaysia
- Cempaka International School in KL, Malaysia
- Garden International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Sri Utama International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Australian International School Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Mont Kiara International in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Iskl (International School of Kuala lumpur in kuala lumpur, Malaysia
- Sayfol International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- International School @ Desa Park City in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Garden International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Sri Murni in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- British International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- The International School at ParkCity in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Utama International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Garden International School (GIS) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Garden international school kuala lumpur in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Sri Utama International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Mutiara International grammar School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Fairview International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Utama International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Utama International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
|
- Mutiara International Grammar School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Utama International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Mutiara International Grammar School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Mutiara International Grammar School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Mutiara International Grammar School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Mutiara International Grammer School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Mutiara International Grammar School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Mutiara International Grammar School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Global Indian International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Mutiara International Grammar School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- The Alice Smith School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- The Alice Smith School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Garden International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Australian International School Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Garden International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- The Alice Smith School of Kuala-Lumpur in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Garden International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Mont' Kiara International School (MKIS) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Garden International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- International School of Kuala Lumpur in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Lodge International School in Kuching, Malaysia
- Malacca Expatriate School (MES) in Malacca, Malaysia
- Malacca Expatriate School (MES) in Malacca, Malaysia
- Malacca Expatriate School in Malacca, Malaysia
- Malacca Expatriate School in Malacca, Malaysia
- Tenby International School, Penang in Penang, Malaysia
- Fairview International in Penang, Malaysia
- Kingsley international school in Putra heights, Malaysia
- Nexus International School, Putrajaya in Putrajaya, Malaysia
- Tenby International School, Setia Eco Park in Shah Alam, Malaysia
- Tenby International School in Shah Alam, Malaysia
- Fairview International Subang in Subang, Malaysia
|
Submit an International School Review
Dream vs. Reality Report
Most expats have have "dreams" (and fears) about the expatriate experience before they moved to Malaysia. If you are already living in Malaysia, share how those "dreams" have been fulfilled, and how they have not by filling out our Dream vs. Reality Report.
Submit a Dream vs. Reality Report
Retiring in Malaysia Reports
Retiring abroad can be a great option for retirees seeking their dream lifestyle at an affordable price. Help other retirees, who are thinking about retiring in Malaysia, by filling out our Overseas Retirement report. Below are some of the reports from expats in Malaysia:
Submit a Retire Abroad Report
Having a Baby in Malaysia Reports
How did expats choose their doctors, midwives, hospitals? What is childbirth like in Malaysia? Below are some of the reports from expats in Malaysia:
Submit a Having a Baby Abroad Report
Working in Malaysia Reports
What's it like to find a job in Malaysia? How difficult was it to obtain a work permit? What types are jobs are typical for expats in Malaysia? Below are some of the reports from expats in Malaysia:
Submit a Working Abroad Report
