People would say that it only makes sense to migrate to a country with a better currency than Singapore, thats when the standard of living is achieved readily, rather than migrate to places like Malaysia or Indonesia.
Thats what people say ahhh. I beg to differ.
And of course, its not because I am going over in a few mths time thus stating facts to myself that we have made a good decision, or otherwise, whichever it is. This is not the case of making-myself-feel-better post. I know i am all about facts and what not.
Ok so. Someone said,
'Kl traffic is horrendous, transport is like no point with all the jam and population, ringgit is so low now with a conversion rate at an astonishing x2.65.', to name a few.
Ok first things first. And let me explain in brief, if not very detailed info about the pros and cons of living in KL. And when i say this, i am totally reflecting the p&c as to what is affecting me & A. Not in general. I dont care about other people. Lol.
1. Salary
Of course its in RM. But because we will be living in KL, we have to avoid the perception every sporeans have on converting and 'its cheaper or more expensive in Spore'. I think that only applies if you are on a trip here to KL for a few days. Its diff when you are actually living here isnt it?
ISNT IT? Haha.
Of course you'll be doubly rich here. But we will be paid in RM. And truth to be told, the salary is also doubletriple to what we are getting in Spore. So, would that benefit us at all? Of course it is. So exclude that pls. Why would we want to jump into a minimum 3yr commitment if we know we will not achieve a better or at the very least, a higher than average standard of living. We have minimum standards too. And being able to achieve that in Spore, we can in KL. Period.
2. Housing/Accomodation
We bought our first home here in SG back in Jan. 4 room resale at 408k. It was considered on the lower scale since it was resale. And it was for a good bargain to say the least. Of course we entered real estate when the market wasnt good. Good for us. Not so much for the people who sold us their house. Nyeh nyeh nyeh. It was really our best purchase ever. Almost walk in condition. Of course the kitchen give me problem la. I want islanddddd. Ok back to housing in KL.
Again, there is a lot to choose from in KL compared to SG. We have the option to stay in city, near city, outside city, way outside city. And of course price plays a comparison as well. Staying in city will come in at a bigger $$$ per mnth, but because its in the city, we can make use of the readily transport system in KL. Save on transport la gitu.
So we did our fair share of research. Actually, only i did. A is no help. He leaves everything to me.
Because A will be working in Bangsar South and me in city area. We decided that ok, we will live somewhere a little bit outside, but with a car, we will make do. I mean come on, we cannot afford a condo here, not ever la, insya allah maybe in the future. So why not live in a condo in KL. The prices are unbelievable ranging from RM1.3k-RM2.5k here for a minimim 2-3bedroom apartment. And fully furnished for that matter. We are not gonna go into buying an empty apt and then having to buy furnitures and electrical items and what not, at the end of the day, we're not gonna live there forever.
So with that being said. RM1.3-2.5k for a 2-3bedroom apartment, good?
Roughly about 10-20mins to city. Near amenities, shops, and pasar (very impt). I think its good as it gets. We had our eyes on a few apts that A will be seeing when he goes over end of this mnth. Its Scotts Garden Soho located along Jln Klang Lama, 231TR in city, pantai hillpark in pantai and Elements @ Ampang.
( traffic is secondary, spore also traffic, dont want traffic stay at kampong k?)
Ok i wanna compare, this i have to.
$600-$1000/month for a 2-3br condo in spore, can get? Fully furnished ahhh. NEVER. Lucky enough if you have a master bedroom with that price.
Of course we are set for a gatted apartment, with a pool and an awesome view. With Soho being a duplex and just on top of Tesco & Starbucks, what more do i want.
3. Food. Food. Food.
Have you ever went to KL and because the food was so cheap, you just have to buy those foods not because you are hungry but because it is so damn cheap? Exactly. How much is dining out again in KL? And please, dont need to talk about eating in posh and high end places. Even in SG we rarely eat lavishly, maybe once in 2mnths. We are the kedai kopi kinda people.
So ok kedai kopi, prices are the same? Maybe a few RM more? RM5 for a plate of chicken rice? RM8 for a mcdonalds meal? Affordable enough if your salary is doubletriple the amount in SG? Of course it is. And with the fact that halal cuisines is at every road and streets, i think we will be spoilt for choice. Happy me!
4. Transport (Car & Public)
Public for me
Ok i have to say this. When i used to work in novena and i was from hougang. I HATED going to work due to commuting. There is NEVER enough space and i always have my face a few inches away from the door. So please dont tell me we have a very efficient transport system. With the sardine morning train rides and being late due to train faults, there is really nthg efficient about the transport system in Spore. Comparative to KL, i think it is pretty much the same. The only setback for me is. Those days when i have to commute to work without A, and i have to take a bus to go to the nearest metro or lrt stn, same like in Spore, i never knew their bus stops. I always thought just flag the bus will stop. Ok that i have to find out more.
Car for A
A being A. And the fact that i know how much he is into cars and the fact that we dont have it in spore, it makes more sense for him to get a car in KL. Plus the not paying $60k grand for a piece of paper (stupid COE), car prices in KL is relatively very cheap.
We have seen the range and we came up eith a few list of cars in hand.
Kanchil kenari/myvi rm200-300/mnth
Proton sedan rm400-500/mnth.
Mitsubishi/hyundai/kia/ford sedan rm500-600/month
Honda civic/mitsubishi suv rm700-800
Peugeot 700-800
Thats the max we can have. RM700-800/mnth for a car. We do not want to max our budget for the car, a car is still a car, a kenari has to go through traffic just as a maserati would. BUT, come one. Let A have this moment this time. He takes the pick. He is super excited about it. Always showing me cars in the middle of the night. Boys and their toys.
And like i said, with the traffic in KL and so is there in SG, that is smtg we cant avoid. So i will make my peace with that.
5. Income Taxation for Expats
Just like IRAS, malaysia has its own tax regiments as well. But the difference is as to the rates imposed to us. Just like a PR in SG, it is just as e same to us who belongs to the expat/foreigner community in Msia.
So let me share with you what i have read through. I might be wrong. But i might also be very very right. Muahahahaha.
Tax residents VS Non tax resident
Tax residents
Those people who serves a minimum of 182 days per calender year. Bear in mind that msia income tax prevails from 1st Jan - 31st Dec. So if you are the unlucky ones who comes after the first half of the year, be ready to pay extra contributions just because you dont fit their 182 days/calender year requirements.
So for these tax residents, you are required to pay 26% per month for the first 6months of your stay in KL. They say your contribution rates varies in accordance to your pay scale and the max is 26%, but you know thats all bullshit. Of course it will be 26%. Why? Its Malaysia. Having a sporean to lead a malaysian team, this is our suffering people. Ok so 26% for the first 6mnths with a promise of a certain percentage of refund in their next calender yr in april. April is the month for income tax filing in msia fyi. When asked when is the refund, of course they cant give a straight answer. Malaysia boleh! So refunds aside, you have to contribute a 6-12% of your salary after the 6mnths for as long as you work in msia. Its like CPF but they call it EPF there. Not sure whether that will be refunded and again, lets just put it at 12%.
Lets say if the salary is RM12,000. RM3120 is for tax. DAMN!
Non-tax residents
I never really read this part but im assuming it has got to do with paying a bit more because you dont qualify in being a tax resident. If its not less money its more, what else could it be right? Im setting my foot at MORE. Lol.
There is also taxes in mind like social security tax and health insurance tax. But A's company will have to sort that out. I am very rigid when it comes to paying. Bukan kedekut eh. Its like. Ok lets face it, Malaysia is a corrupted nation. We have experienced it, we've read about it and we know how its like. So as long as there are facts and a legit signed letter to prove what is and whats not, i am good. But if not, ASK ASK ASK. Which is why i am ranting at A to make sure he has all these queries asnwered in hand before making the trip. I even emailed the HR on behalf of him. Because i have so many qns. And with A getting all hype about moving, he might have not thought about it. Thats why we are a team.
I think. He? He thonks. LOL!
Because we are renting our flat out here whilst we are away, of course we can snip into that to cover for deposits or taxes and what not. Always have back up la. Because the ultimate plan is to come back to SG, 3yrs later, or so, and have at least 40k in our bank to settle reno and settle down here. Thats our aim. We will work towards it. A has a hand in saving and bring thrifty. I am not. Im a spender and so are you! Just admit it la. Haha.
6. Language & Culture
Doubt this will an issue. It is generally a muslim country. I hope i dont come back talking like doh, wei, kot.
I need to start conversing more in melayu. Because the last time i ordered fries in kl mcdonalds, it was a disaster.
Me: 'One large fries takeaway pls'
Her: 'And then?'.
Mati la aku kau jawab mcm gini wei!
7. Holiday
Ok so me and A are so dwind to travel every now and then. And of course with the low RM, booking a flight might be an issue considering the currency. BUT! Because A is very resourceful when it comes to checking out deals and travel discounts, no problem la kan. Also, trust me, it is much cheaper to fly from KLIA then from Changi.
If not, we can always make the time to explore Msia from a different side. Of course theres the states and europe and italy n france and turkey and dubai and all these places we longed to visit. But maybe, we can start with port dickson, genting, cameron, baru caves, langkawi, melaka, terrenganu. All these places full of history. I wouldnt mind. In fact, A, when is our next trip?!?!
However, batam seems far now whyyyyyy.
7. Weather
Same same. But if hot at home can on aircon most of the time cause electricity in Msia is not as crazy as PUB. Money sucker that PUB.
8. Lastly, Overall Sustainability
Truth be told, with more pros than cons to my believe, i am more scared to move over than be excited. The fear of whats to come. The unsure-rity. I know we will do well there. With A holding a higher post and me being a nurse, we could easily churn out at least RM15-20k/month in hand. But what worries me is the family we will leave behind. I have never stayed apart from my mum (except that 2yrs when i was studying). And the fact that she is a single mum and she is still paying off her house. It saddens me that she has to continue working to sustain herself and irfan. Of course bringing them over and having irfan placed in an international school is out of the qns because the fees are ridicolous. I freeze upon the thought of leaving my mum behind. And my cats. Ohh my cats. :'(
But, i need to take this in our stride. Like i told A. I have always been blessed to hold a good paying job here. And the second A told me about his chance of a relocation, i said go for it without a second thought. Of course for that second i fail to think of other factors involved in our relocation. But this oppourtunity comes knocking on your door, you take it. It might just be KL but wouldnt it be nice to move for a chance. Have some work life balance. Spore is too stressful and its taking a toll on us. With work and the demand to pay this and that. its too much for 1 person to deal at times. And yes, we give this a 3yr stunt, we will be back, we might not. Who knows. As cliche as it is, we wouldnt want to think back and said damn we shud have done that. Let us do this for the experience.
Because we only have each other over there, it might gives us a chance to see each other in a diff perspective. We need each other. We are a team. And whereever his dreams lands him, i will go and give him all that supoort he needs.
Aidil, this is for you. Your time to shine.
It's an ego booster, really. :)
