Parenting Guide

5 Questions You Must Be Able to Answer Before Moving to Malaysia

Published by SchoolAdvisor | Apr 10, 2018

Dedicating some time to research Malaysia will inevitably bring about the obvious, expected facts. For one, Malaysian food is as divine as it is diverse, garnering rave reviews from people all over the world. Take a deeper look, however, and the story of what to expect isn’t as clear-cut as it is thought to be.

Sure, Malaysia consists of 14 states and two federal territories with tropical weather all year round, but what about everything else? How much does produce cost in Malaysia? What’s the education system like in Malaysia?

Read on to find out the answers to these questions and more as we break down the top things you must know before you make the move to Malaysia.

1. Where should I stay in Malaysia?

Malaysia isn’t large by any stretch. A population of around 32 million pales in comparison with many of her Southeast Asian counterparts. However, don’t be fooled. Deciding on a location to set up shop can be mighty tricky, leaving you spoiled for choice.

The obvious option would be the heart of Malaysia, namely Kuala Lumpur, where the only thing more maddening than the pace that people move at is the traffic.

Prefer something close to a beach surrounded with the aforementioned delectable food? Penang would be your choice then. A true romantic at heart? Perhaps the historic state of Melaka is more to your liking.

Then there’s Johor—home to EduCity, an education hub in Malaysia. Oh, and with the last two states being close neighbours with Singapore, commuting on the daily is very much a possibility. Click here for a little help to find out where expats like to stay in Malaysia.

2. How much does it cost per month?

The cost of living in Malaysia varies greatly depending on where you’ve decided to put up. Prices in KL and Penang are by far the most exorbitant. Here’s a quick look at the prices you can expect. Do note that states other than KL and Penang will be cheaper than what follows:

• Average monthly rental for 900sq. ft. furnished accommodation in a middle-class area: RM1,500 

• Average monthly rental for 900 sq. ft. furnished accommodation in an upscale area: RM2,900

• Utilities (per month) for two people: RM 200 - RM 300

• Internet (8Mbps): RM125

• 1L of petrol: RM2.23

• McDonald’s Combo Meal: RM14

• 12 eggs: RM7

• 500g boneless chicken breast: RM9

• Education: Click here to view the prices of private/international schools

3. What languages are spoken in Malaysia?

Multiple languages are spoken in Malaysia as a result of the multicultural populace that occupies the country. While Bahasa Malaysia is the official language of Malaysia, you can get by without knowing the language as majority of Malaysians speak, or at least understand the English language.

Having said that, learning the basics of Bahasa Malaysia would not only ease the day-to-day activities of a foreigner but may even lead to better integration with the community.

4. What type of schools are there in Malaysia?

The Malaysian education system in the simplest terms can be divided into government, private and international systems. There are around 170 international schools in Malaysia with a total of about 135,502 students, making the country No.1 in Southeast Asia in terms of the number of students enrolled in English-medium international schools.

The diverse line-up of schools adopts curricula from a host of countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and Canada. With fees that range from low to high, parents have many options that fit different academic and financial needs when it comes to choosing what’s best for their kids.

5. What can I eat in Malaysia?

A common fallacy that many expats are fed with prior to setting foot in Malaysia is that your stomach had better be lined with iron to withstand the spiciness of the food you’ll stuff down your gullet. While many locals do prefer their meals with an extra serving of spicy, the diverse flavours that trickle down into the cuisines ensure a palate of any kind will be satisfied.

There is a host of Malay or Indian curries that are sweet instead of spicy. Chinese noodle soups can be loaded with chillies or come with a sinfully sour broth that you can’t get enough of. Sweet, sour, salty, bitter or umami—whatever you fancy, you’ll find something in Malaysia that tickles your taste buds.