Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Report of what it's like to live there - 08/17/18
Personal Experiences from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
No. I have lived in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Brazil.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
San Francisco. Best case it's 21 hours with a two hour layover in Narita.
3. How long have you lived here?
Two years.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomatic mission.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Embassy housing is all really nice. Everyone lives in apartments. I live in a very heavily American area and it's a bit much as you are constantly seeing colleagues, but great for kids as they always have friends. Commute time is about 11 minutes door to door!
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
You can get absolutely everything here for a reasonable price. I've never lived somewhere with such availability. I find the cost of living to be quite inexpensive.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Nothing. I shipped natural laundry detergent and cleaning products and I shouldn't have bothered. We have access to lots of Australian products here in addition to American.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
This is a food country. Everything is available. Literally everything. And almost everything can be delivered.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
No.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
This is where it gets tricky. Currently it seems nearly impossible for third country nationals to work in household help positions. Malaysians don't typically work as a domestic employees. Filipino maids/nannies are in hot demand here, but we're finding out that the sponsoring of domestic employees is nearly impossible. Plus, no maid/nanny that is currently here can work for anyone other than the person listed on their visa. If household help is important to your family, I'd make sure I understand this well before arrival as there's a possibility of not being able to hire anyone legally.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Lots. Comparable to the U.S.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Yes.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Christian.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
None.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
It's a developing country, but it's probably better than most in terms of elevators and side walks.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Uber is the way to go. There are also metros that are easy to use.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
SMALL!
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes. It's not really high-speed. The internet in the Embassy is the worst I've every experienced. It can be arranged for installation before your arrival if you work with post and your sponsor.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Local providers are cheap and easy.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Lots of refugees here.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Business casual.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Typical petty crime. I feel perfectly safe here as a single woman. That being said, I always live in big cities and thus don't walk around at night!
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Medical care is fine. You can get most things treated here. If you want higher level care, you can travel down to Singapore.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Not good. I think it's worse than many others but I'm susceptible to something in the pollution. I consistently have problems with my eyes. We're clocking in at about 186 today. That being said, very few people limit their activities here.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
No. It's never winter here.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Humid and 90 degrees. It rains through out the year. It's hot. But, it's not as bad as I thought it would be.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Several options. ISKL is the main school used by Embassy personnel and it's phenomenal. If I could stay and keep my kids here for 12 years I would. It's truly the most amazing school I've ever seen.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
ISKL is the way to go. They've begun a new inclusion program and are very committed to meeting student needs. Again, guessing ISKL is better than schools in VA.
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Yes. They are fine. Reasonably priced for what you get.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes. Again, everything is available here.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Extraordinarily large. This is the most multicultural place I've lived and I'm from San Francisco. You don't stand out as an expat at all.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
This is a normal biggish city. All types of things to do.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Good for all.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Not really LGBT friendly. There are no LGBT folks at the U.S. Embassy that I am aware of, probably as homosexuality is illegal for Malays.
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Yep. Yep. It's a Muslim country. I do not think expats face any prejudice, though.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Easiest living in the Foreign Service so far. Reasonably priced travel to so many places in Asia.
7. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Not really.
8. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Again, very easy living. Good housing. Great school. 10 minute commute to work. Everything is available, but, it's a distance from the U.S.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes.
