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saint57 · Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 2:15 am Post subject: Thailand vs Malaysia

If you subtract vice from the equation how does Kuala Lumpur stack up to Bangkok for cost of living? Actually, I will be living on the outskirts of KL. What about travel to beach destinations, etc? I've been to Thailand for a month and had no problem living as a tourist on 40,000 Baht. Sorry to post this on the Thai forum but there is no Malaysian forum and I figure some people here would have some knowledge. I'll have a lot of holidays and plan on spending all of it in Thailand. I just wanna give a major shout out to BIG MOMMA.

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

Why ignore Malaysian sites for your holidays? Why live in the KL area and travel to Thailand for your recreation? A little more information about what it is that you're looking for will help us.

In general, the cost of living is lower in KL than Bangkok because your money gets you more. And there's less demand from expats in KL (so far), thus keeping prices more reasonable. My salary is in U.S. dollars, and it always goes further in KL than in Bangkok (rent, food, utilities, transport).

saint57 · Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 2:45 am Post subject:

Hey Henry, thanks for the information. I always make it a point to see the country I'm working in but on long holidays I usually try to get away. I know the salary I will get in Malaysia would be sufficient to save money to take trips if I were living in Bangkok. I've heard various things about KL. Some say it's really cheap. Others say it's not so cheap. Btw, what country are you actually in at the moment Henry?

sojourner · Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 8:53 am Post subject:

Saint 57,

To the disappointment of many EFLers, there is one item that is more expensive in Malaysia than in Thailand : BEER ! !

But if alcohol is pretty low on your set of priorities in life, you'll definitely find that the C.O.L. is below that of Thailand's. For example, a few weeks ago, whilst in George Town (Penang), in a Muslim restaurant on the main street, I had an excellent meal of curried vegies, chicken, rice, and a large glass of iced coffee for a little over 3 AUD !

In many of the large centres, eg KL and Penang, the 2 and 3 star hotels often have "special rates", often prominently displayed on a canvas banner outside the entrance - a room (with ensuite) and breakfast, will cost you around 20 - 30 AUD per night. Of course, there are also backpacker hangouts and "budget hotels", but why stay in such places when 2 or 3 star hotels are often so reasonably priced ?

Because of the ethnic mix (Malay, Chinese, Indian), you'd probably find Malaysia to be a far more interesting place than Thailand - I certainly do; although, I still have a soft spot for Thailand !

If you go to Malaysia, try not to spend most of your time in the main centres on the west coast of the Peninsula ( Malacca, KL, George Town), interesting as they are. Spend some time in the Cameron Highlands. I've also been told that it's definitely worth going to the east coast of the Peninsula - excellent beaches, etc.

Getting around Malaysia is pretty easy. Apart from the bus services, I believe that Malaysia still has "long distance taxis" . Although, it's some years since I've used them, a trip would work out at about double that of a bus journey - but the taxi won't depart until it is full; although, if you are desperate to get going, you could offer to pay for the remaining empty seat ! These taxis should be considered if you ever miss a bus, and don't want to hang around a town for several hours.

Peter

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

Malaysia has an excellent inter-city train system, and you can travel to Thailand via train as well (with a change of train).

I'm currently in California, but I spend most of my time consulting and training in SE Asia and (increasingly) India and East Asia. I lived in Malaysia most recently in 2004-05, when I was based in KL.

saint57 · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 12:41 am Post subject:

Sojourner and Henry, thanks for your information. It's pretty much exactly what I have been curious about. I think the price of beer tends to throw most people off. Beer is a very important thing in my life (thanks Korea). However, I don't plan on partying much in Malaysia. I want to focus on my job. I will travel in Malaysia as much as possible but on the long school holidays I want to get away, let loose and explore. I know my KL salary would allow me to do what I wanted to if I were living in Bangkok but I wasn't so sure about KL. Henry, are expats few and far between or just ESL teachers?

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

There are many expats living in Malaysia, especially in the Klang Valley (KL region). Those from Australia, Europe and the U.S. work primarily in the gas, timber, oil and power industries and other corporations. There are several Internet groups for expats in Malaysia. I know MSN had a group.

Here's another expat group online:

http://www.expat.com.my/