Buying marijuana Redang Island

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Buying marijuana Redang Island

Dynamic, multi-cultural and hugely underrated, Malaysia is Southeast Asia 's unsung tropical hero. Marrying tradition, nature and modernity , it's a country of space-age cityscapes, Islamic minarets and gilded Chinese shrines. It's a world where South Indian temples back onto million-year-old rainforests, and this mish-mash can be a lot to process for first-timers. From what to pack to navigating the nation's ethnic and religious tapestry, these are the top things to know before you embark on a trip to Malaysia — an experience that can often feel like being in several countries at once. Be prepared for many types of culture shock. In multi-ethnic yet predominantly Islamic Peninsular Malaysia, a This means that red lantern-studded Chinese temples sit next to Hindu gopurams temple gates and the onion-shaped domes of intricate, modern mosques. Prayers go up to the sky in three main languages — Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, and Tamil — and to three main religions: Islam, Chinese Taoism and Hinduism. The former has some 26 different ethnic groups, most of whom are Christian or Protestant, while Sabah is home to another 33 who communicate in over 50 languages and 80 dialects. All you really need to pack are light, loose-fitting cotton clothes to best cope with heat and humidity, and a pair of sneakers and flip-flops. If you forget anything, you can pick it up here. Also pack a hoodie or light jacket to prepare for the Malaysian habit of keeping air conditioning to frosty levels, especially inside shopping malls, buses and trains. Kuala Lumpur must be one of the world's most futuristic cities, with ever-expanding highways, towers and skyscrapers eternally contending for space. Beyond the capital, there's excellent 4G mobile network coverage and fast wifi at most hotels and guest houses across the nation. Celcom is the best operator when traveling the Peninsula's jungly interior and Borneo. ATMS cashpoints are widely available but thin out in the countryside, and they are often hard to find outside of Borneo's main cities. Stock up on the local currency, the Malaysian ringgit, if planning to go off the grid. The delightfully spicy intricacies of Malaysian food a concoction of curries, southern Chinese cuisines and pan-Indian dishes that never stop intermarrying are best consumed fresh off the street, served without embellishments by local 'uncles' — slang for older person — on plastic plates. The alternative is to sit and rub elbows with locals at a food court, or 'hawker center' — large open areas, usually covered by a rooftop, packed with simple food stalls squeezed one against the other. Due to the constant heat, Malaysia's dress code is very casual. Wearing short pants, sandals, flip-flops and t-shirts is the accepted norm everywhere but is considered rude when visiting public offices, where long slacks, close-toed shoes and collared shirts are expected. In Malaysia's many kampung villages , avoid revealing outfits to comply with local religious sensibilities. Modesty is also essential when choosing your beachwear. Bikinis and speedos are fine at big hotels, resorts and the tourist islands off the East Coast, such as Pulau Perhentian and Pulau Redang. But it's best to wear one-piece bathing suits and knee-length swimming trunks on any other beach, where the locals dip fully clothed. Compared to its backpacker-centric Southeast Asian neighbors Thailand , Cambodia and Vietnam , Malaysia is a more expensive party destination because of heavy taxes on alcohol, which is forbidden to Muslims. The rest of the population is free to drink but forced to pay a higher price. Alcohol is widely available in major tourist cities like Kuala Lumpur , George Town , Ipoh , Melaka and Johor Bahru, while in smaller towns, beer is most often available at Chinese-run businesses. The best antidote to steep drink and cigarette prices is a visit to the tax-free islands of Langkawi and Tioman. Picking up some survival Bahasa Malaysia Malay language , the national lingo, is pretty straightforward — with its Roman alphabet and absence of tones, it's one of the easiest Asian languages to learn. But it's fine to speak English, especially with Malaysian Chinese and Indians, whose mother tongues are not Malay. Blame it on the British colonization, but practically everyone can communicate in English, and most prefer to do so when talking to foreigners. When pointing at someone or something, use the thumb and not the index finger, which is considered rude in Malaysia. Always keep your voice down, for raising the tone is an absolute no-no. Also, asking for help can sometimes be tricky, as many Malaysians take such questions as 'losing face' or an invasion of their personal space. When shaking hands, always remember to use your right hand, for the left is considered 'toilet hand' in any Islamic culture. The only dining etiquette that matters in Malaysia is to never use the left hand when trying to eat with fingers like many locals do. When a bunch of foreign tourists bared their bottoms on top of Mount Kinabalu in , enraged Kadazan-Dusun locals blamed their act for the consequent magnitude 5. The animist beliefs that predate the arrival of Islam to the Malay Peninsula have helped foster a highly regarded supernatural world in which nature plays a crucial role. For example, it's common to 'ask for permission' before urinating in the jungle, from where locals never bring anything back for fear of piggybacking a curse into their own homes. Whenever a group enters a forest , it's best to give out nicknames or not call out each other at all — spirits are always listening. The orang bunian invisible forest-dwelling creatures comparable to elves can trick hikers and campers into following them deep into the jungle to never be seen again. Because of increasing pollution of water sources and aging buildings fitted with rusted pipes, it's always best to boil tap water before drinking, or buy mineral water. Most hotels allow guests to refill their water containers. Carrying a water filtration system or purifying tablets can come in handy when striking out on multi-day hikes. A single three-digit number, , connects to the police, the fire department, the ministry of health, the maritime enforcement agency and the Department of Civil Defence. Dial if calling from a mobile phone. It is advisable to travel to Malaysia after being inoculated against Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid. Malaria is generally not an issue in cities and most forested areas, so a prophylaxis is not strictly necessary. Dengue fever occurs sporadically in cities, but as there are no vaccines for it, the best strategy is to not get bitten by mosquitoes — use heavy-duty insect repellent. Malaysia is one of Asia's top medical tourism destinations and boasts private hospitals equipped with excellent facilities. Make sure to have proper health insurance coverage, or be ready to pay for the premium. Traveling in Malaysia is generally a pretty safe experience for travelers of both sexes, but whether they travel solo or in groups, female travelers should pay attention when walking along the busiest roads of capital Kuala Lumpur. Keep your bags away from the roadside, for motorbike snatch thieves are well-known to target women, and some attacks have resulted in a victim's death. While a court ruling suggests change may be afoot, same-sex relationships are not only taboo in Malaysia, they're banned by federal law. In fact, public displays of affection are frowned upon in Malaysia in general, no matter your sexual orientation. Stay away from drugs in Malaysia, where g of cannabis, 15g of morphine or heroin, and 40g of cocaine mean a death sentence. Offenders are shaken down extremely hard or jailed even for carrying much less. This article was first published Feb 27, and updated Jul 25, Bali versus Phuket — how do you choose between these two paradise islands? Malaysia is a dazzlingly diverse country Be prepared for many types of culture shock. Destination Practicalities. Budget Travel. Water Sports. Read more articles.

Everything you need to know before visiting Malaysia

Buying marijuana Redang Island

Is it my forever home? Who knows? It is for now, and we love it here. But no country is perfect. Here are my pros and cons of being an expatriate in Malaysia. These far exceed any negatives that we have found here. When we moved here in , we planned to stay a year and figure it out. The first move is the hardest. But the second, third, fourth move gets easier; you know what to expect and how to live overseas. We never felt like we had to stay in Penang. You can lead a more luxurious life. Got champagne tastes with a beer budget? Move to Penang. You can indulge in weekly manicures, pedicures, massages, and a small shopping spree, and still spend less than the cost of a 1-hour massage in Chicago. Yes, there is petty crime, but nothing like the crime in the US, let alone in Chicago. Many locals speak languages. The Brits ruled the country until so English was taught in the schools. We live in a three-bedroom condo overlooking the Straits of Malacca. It is square feet and has four full bathrooms. This same apartment would be thousands of dollars in Chicago. The dollar really stretches here. Living in Malaysia plunges you into other cultures, and it makes daily life fascinating. They welcome us with open arms and want to teach us about their culture. I have never once felt anything but welcome in their country. At last count, more than 10, expats were living in Penang. They are a very active group of people from all around the globe and also welcome newbies with arms wide open. So is dental care. Literally pennies on the dollar. Need propane for cooking? Usually on a scooter, which makes it all the more fun. There is a wonderful fruit man at the bottom of my street. Every day he sells local fruit directly from the farms. My sweet egg lady at the market sells local eggs fresh from the farms. I can go for a weekend and play with elephants in Chiang Mai ,. You can drink the water directly from the tap. Malaysia is known for its cheap and incredible street food. It is cheaper to go out than to cook at home, and that is what most Malaysians and expats do. The wildlife viewing is incredible. From our condo, we can see monitor lizards, two types of monkeys, bright-colored birds, and the occasional otter. Mark even saw dolphins the other day during dragon boating. Malaysians love a good festival, and everyone is welcome to join. Read more: Why we moved to Malaysia instead of Cota Rica. The real truth about being an expat. There are some serious frustrations for every expatriate in Malaysia. I can only answer that for myself. And you know my answer. But these are things you should know. They might be a deal-breaker for you. I have learned to deal with them, like it or not. It is part of my experience. For that, we have to fly to the nearby islands, like Langkawi a minute flight or Phuket a one hour flight. They deserve another blog post, so I can clearly explain the situation here, but suffice to say it is not pretty. In some places, you can choose from a western toilet or a squatty potty aka a hole in the ground. But without getting too graphic, they are wet, sloppy and often paperless. No one works on commission, and no one is trained. They follow you around the store just in case you want to buy something, not because they can actually help you with information. To get my weekly groceries, I have to go to the wet market for all the fresh foods, a dry goods store and a big box grocery store. It is time-consuming and can be annoying. No one can pour a decent drink, let alone a martini. Not sure how Mark and I, who have been known to imbibe a little…ok, a lot, ended up in a country where booze has a sin tax and is marked up beyond any reasonable price. But here we are. No such thing as a good hair day ladies, so get used to it. I live in a constant state of sweat unless I turn on the AC. Sometimes you just want a break from the sweltering heat. But I can assure you, when I was freezing my ass off in the Greek Islands this April, I was praying for scorching hot weather. Things you never thought could mold, will. Did you know cotton could mold? Nope, me neither. Leather, yes that too. Wood, believe it or not. As you can see, there are some incredible advantages to living in Malaysia. For us, the wonderful perks outweigh the negative ones. If we did, how could we ever find a place to live? The question you have to ask yourself is if the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. In my case, the answer is a resounding YES. I read and like your blog. I am considering moving to Malaysia. I been here off and on for 3 years. I was wondering what do you know about Ipoh. Someone mentioned that place to me as an affordable place to live. I have a wife who may come along hahaha. I have been to Malaysia once and I liked it a lot. But I do know it is more affordable than Penang. Good luck. Only move to Ipoh if you are looking for a laidback lifestyle and nothing much to do. Hello, I want to move to Malaysia towards the end of this year. There are loads of expat groups on Facebook. Some are specific to KL. Just search for KL expats or similar on FB. It all depends on your needs and lifestyle, but it is doable. Hello Kristen. Dont know if you gonna read this since you posted this in Almost everyone speaks English Thank you for saying that. We really took that as a compliment. Most of Malaysians really do speak more than 2 languanges. Beaches really suck in Penang I am the local from the east peninsular. To clarify this, the beaches along the west peninsular of Malaysia are geographically muddy. Since the strait in between Malaysia and Indonesia kinda narrow, the tides from the ships push the sand to the shores. This why the beaches along the east peninsular is wayyyy better. We have clearer and beautiful beaches and islands in the east. Toilets are repulsive Cant deny that. Some toilets is nice some arent. It depends. I understand that they may think we could directly asked for any questions but can you please just step a bit far. Booze is expensive Alcohol is expensive here because Malaysia is a Muslim country. It doesnt sold randomly at any shop and only allowed to be sell to non-muslims only. Many non-muslims and foreigners there. Driving is a lot like frogger. Indonesians in Malaysia they are pretty impressed with the Malaysians on road bcs Indonesians road are just so stuffed. Horns evrywhere. I watched a lot of Indonesians channels reacting to Malaysia roads and they said the same. We moved to Penang in but at the moment, we are in the US visiting family. We have a long-term visa MM2H to stay in Malaysia. Thank you for your comments. We are very lucky to live in such a wonderfully multicultural place and love our lifestyle there. Be well, Kirsten. I do think it would be important to learn Bahasa so you can communicate with the local neighbors. I hope that helps, Kirsten. Hello Kirsten, this post is so informative! Thank you! I am really interested in knowing more about the Toilet part. This might not raise a red flag for most people, but it really matters! Also, how is the food hygiene there e. Do they at least use food-grade plastics? Thanks in advance for your answer! Honestly, the toilets are gross. And sometimes, when they clean it, they do it by spraying water all over and not squeegee-ing it dry. But once you live here long enough, you get used to it, and you know where to go for the best toilets. Yes, plastic is a major problem here and I doubt any of it is food grade. But I bring my own containers for takeaway and so do a lot of people. It takes getting used to and more than that, it takes an open mind and patience. No place is perfect. Is me again. That is crazy. Is there an oceanfront condo in Penang? I need to persuade Mike to retire early before Thank you so much! I am not giving up on my dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The TIME will pass anyway! Mike needs to be ready. That is a large condo with wonderful views of both sea and mountain however there are a HUGE number of seaside condos. Kirsten is way better placed to advise you on visas but my understanding is that only tourist visas of three months duration will be available after Covid and MM2H which is currently on hold until it is restructured is the only way of being able to stay longer. Bottom line is that Penang is a fabulous place to live especially as an English speaking expat. We have never regretted our decision and our lifestyle is much more interesting and varied than it was in Australia so we know we have made the right decision. All the best with your plans Sandy. Get it? XO, K. Only cause you inspire me Kirsten! I only have personal experience but your research is second to none! Hey Sandy, Yes, that is correct. There is no 1-year visa. You will have to come on a tourist visa the first time which is for three months. The MM2H offices are still not taking new applications so we have no idea what the future requirements will be regarding the program. We have very different budgets and we both have fantastic lifestyles! It all depends on how much luxury you want. Check out this website for more details. How are you? I just discovered your blog and find it helpful. Based on my experiences living overseas I have found the majority of expats tend to lean left politically which is fine except sometimes there is an assumption perhaps that I do too. As a result, on occasion I will find myself in a social situation where someone could be another American decides to openly express their less-than-flattering views regarding America or Trump, etc. I know this can happen back home but it has happened more often after I moved overseas. Hi Dave. A very interesting question and one I have discussed with some friends here. Yes I have also found the overwhelming majority of expats are Left leaning- I have no idea why! Hi Michele. Thank you for your reply. Yeah, last year I was at an event where a Canadian gentleman went on some glorious tirade about America the Great Satan , and at some point I had to ask if it would be ok if I could finish my dinner before he carried on. On the bright side, after getting to know me a little, I truly believe he now thinks America is the Ok Satan. Hi Dave, I really appreciate you asking that question. I prefer it that way. However, I must admit that for some reason non-Americans tend to be the loudest voices about hating American politics. But not everyone follows that rule of thumb. Hello Kirsten. Thank you for your thoughts, I really appreciate it. I agree with everything you said. It sounds like a great community of folks. Hi Jay, That depends on what you think is suitable. You CAN swim on all the beaches. With all the dredging and cruise ships it gets mucky sometimes. And we have jellyfish at times. I hope that helps. Hi, thanks for a very informative article this will be very helpful in making the decision to move to Malaysia. Hi Mona, It really depends on what you want and the lifestyle you desire. Both KL and Penang are great for kids. Thank you for creating this blog. I am trying to move to Malaysia this Feb but I am getting so many different conflicts. I am find it hard to go there and stay longer than the 90 days allowed. Can someone help and point me in the right direction? I am trying to relocate to Johor Bahru. Thank you for being here. Hi Kirstin!! Great info, thank you so much. Our ages will be 53, 55, and 89, so I am doing a lot of research on the MM2H visa. Are there people that can assist you in the visa process in Malaysia or in the USA? Do you have any contacts? My husband and I wont have SSI or pensions yet, but we have rental income. Does that count as income for the program? My elderly mother would have SSI and pension. Currently looking at the Johor Bahar area due to proximity to Singapore we love SIngapore and access to their airport. What are you thoughts? I would love to pick your brain!! Thanks for being here. I do have great contacts for the MM2H program here in Malaysia. And I would def suggest using an agent to get you through the process. They will make your life easier. Yes, MM2H is on hold because they are restructuring it so no one knows what the requirements will be or how the program will look in the future. There is no point in contacting an agent until the program is up and running. My question is how hard is it to get a residency permit or whatever one needs to stay long term. I have a USD deposit once a month. Would that cover my expenses? Small studio or one bedroom would suffice. Does staying long term have any hoops to jump through? Thanks in advance and I long your site. So glad you found me and my site is helping you along. Things should start back up in They are restructuring things so who knows what the changes will be. Your cost of living really depends on you. Check out my cost of living post for more details. Vietnam is the cheapest with less than 1usd for small bottle. AND, they have winters! Sorry to confuse you. Let me clarify. Booze is very very cheap in America compared to here. In Chicago, a 1. Same for Tanqueray gin and… and …and… I could go on. Even at a duty-free, liquor is much more expensive. This was so informative! I do have one question though — how is the social life? Do Indians stick with fellow Indians, Malays with Malays etc? Or is this good intermingling of races like in the US? The social life can be fabulous, but it is what you make it. The locals in Penang do intermingle with each other and expats. It all depends on the circles you are in. They all go to international schools and speak very highly of them. But it is a big city, just like any big city in America. Hello, I am Currently living in Panama and considering spending sone time in Malaysia in the near future…however, I do love to smoke marijuana daily as I am a combat veteran with PTSD and good marijuana allows me to have a much better quality of life and not suffer with anxiety. Any info would be greatly appeciated! Since pot is a daily necessity for you, I think you better look elsewhere. The penalties here are pretty severe, and they are enforced. Most people are living in nearby suburban cities like Petaling Jaya PJ or Subang Jaya, where the standard of living is much higher but cost a little more too. I live and conduct business in PJ, and hardly cross the porous borders into KL. A lot of local KLnites actually despise their city and have since shifted towards the aforementioned cities. Most of the ex-pats in KL would be living in the nicer areas like Mont Kiara or Bukit Damansara congregation, where most of the people living there are foreigners, save for the few wealthiest Malaysians. For those interested in the MM2H programme, one basically needs a certain amount of savings in a local fixed deposit account, medical insurance, etc. We love KL for a big city weekend but living there would be a totally different vibe than lil ol Penang. Do you know if its possible to find work in Malaysia that meets the requirements for Employment Pass II? It requires RM per month. Do you know how I might find employers open to hiring foreigners any remote global companies you can remember there? I am not able to work here. I wish I could be of more help. It depends on what you are looking for. KL is great for city life, Penang for laid back small city life with the ocean, Kota Kinabalu for great access to nature. It all depends on you. And of property values depend on where you move. For IT industry, they will only hire foreigners if therea vacancy in at least the lowest managerial position, or at least a software engineer. That will change within the next few years. Based in South Africa and having dual citizenship with the UK. Both want my hard earned money and both will tax me heavily if I stay for more then 90 days. So need a place for 6 months of the year. Your article was excellent and to the point with good and bad things. In your travels where is the nicest place in Malaysia at reasonable price for a 6 month period. Take Care during these Covid times. In my opinion, Penang is a perfect place for 6 months. There is a large friendly expat scene here so you and your wife would immediately be embraced—making it easier to adapt. I def suggest coming here to check it out when possible. Will plan our trip to also take in other locations like Thailand. We could use Penang as our base and travel out from there exploring and finding the perfect location for us. Have u ever been to terengganu … Many islands and beautiful beaches … If u plan holiday to terengganu or all about terengganu? Just let me know…. I have an entire blog post about the Cost of Living in Penang. If you want the big city, there is only Kuala Lumpur. Otherwise, I am partial to Penang. It really depends on you. Kirsten I have visited Malaysia several times now and really love the city of Ipoh, Malacca and Penang. Interested in moving to places like Ipoh or other places where the living is more or less rat race. Would like to know what is the cost of the Program, Visa Fees etc. Hi Ryan, Welcome to my blog! Would it be ok for me to personally email you in regards to the Mm2H? Hi Kirsten, A great article and completely agree with the points you have raised. In fact I have been living with my family for 4 years in Penang too! Absolutely love it here. I have been a fan of SE Asia ever since backpacking here 20 years ago. Meeting and marrying a Chinese Malaysian girl in London and we made the move with our kids to Penang in I lived in Thailand many years ago and although a huge fan I have to say that Malaysia is more family friendly. I do not imagine moving back to the UK anytime soon. Thanks and maybe one day bump into you in Penang. Would love to meet you and the family! And you are so right, there is no party atmosphere here, but other than that we pretty much have it all! As u all know, one of the main income of Thailand is tourism, and one of the main branches of Tourism is? Thats why there are gogo bars and bangla roads in pretty much every damn thailand city. Malaysia is a lot more reserved, or at least its all happening behind closed doors, not openly, well at least thats one good thing about living in a Muslim Country. Astute and accurate observations about the realities of life in Malaysia. Not sure whether it is still open to the public as it is in a National Park. Have you been there? You are sooooo right about the driving! I have been to the National Park. Hiked around to Monkey Beach and Turtle Beach. Or that you now have in Sydney. We have to fly to the Perhentians or Tioman for that. Sad to hear that Muka Head beach is no longer pristine — the price of progress and the loss of innocence I guess. East Coast beaches are generally better as they face the South China Sea rather than the polluted Straits of Melaka and there is less development there. Beaches in Sydney are very good, minimal or pollution generally. I try to get back to Malaysia once a year. COVID is disrupting life everywhere and the duration and lengths of travel restrictions are uncertain at this time. There should be more clarity in a couple of months. I assume that one will need to apply for MM2H in order to live or retire in Penang. Could someone shed light on MM2H application process. Do I need appoint an agent to help with MM2H application? Or is the application process straight forward enough that I could handle it myself? Having someone who knows the ropes handle all the headaches will make your life much easier. Hi Terry, We are considering retiring in Penang. We will be there in two weeks to check things out. Do you have any recommendations for lawyers who can help with the MM2H visa? Although I miss you so much, Penang is also in my heart. Every time I visited you I found a new and exciting experience around the corner. You and Mark chose well and I look forward to my next trip back to you And Penang. Awww Mom, I miss you too, like crazy. I would like your help in applying for the MM2H programme and also let me know if you can what the pros of staying there on a MM2H are over just staying on a long term visa. From here we can get a one year visa at a very reasonable fee. I can put you in touch with my MM2H person in a private email if that is ok with you. Reapplying every year might prove challenging if they change the rules. However, if you just want to test drive Malaysia, a 1-year visa is a great option. I hope that helps a bit, and let me know if you want me to connect you with my MM2H guy. Be safe and stay well, K. Thanks for your prompt revert, Would be great if you could pass on your MM2h agents contact details or email address, shall study the option in detail. Kind regards. Hi Kirsten, How do you make friends when you move to a new country? Perhaps you could share your experience on this. Hi Terry. My husband and I moved here as retirees. I joined all the expat Facebook pages the 12 months prior to our move then when we arrived we went to all the coffee morning where expats meet up every week. I made many new friends here! And they are all so inclusive and warm. Join your clubs of interest eg golf and go along to every function that is advertised on the Facebook pages because everyone wants to make friends. Also, sign up for the Penang Free Sheet which tells you the weekly happenings. And Spriral Synergy too. That has interesting local tours and stuff for sale from expats leaving. Did you need an agent to apply for MM2H? Or is it something we could handle ourselves? Hey Chele! Great advice! Hi Terry, I think Michele is spot on! You have to start joining everything before you even move. I think that is key. Are there any fixed expat groups? Coffee mornings? Wine dinners? Quiz nights? Then go to them all when you arrive. When we first moved here, we literally said yes to EVERY event, or social gathering out there and met hoards of people that way. Expats always want to meet other expats. I hope that helps! Email me if you want to discuss further. I am happy to help you find your tribe in any way possible! All the cons that you listed can easily be avoided if you just stay in a City like Kuala Lumpur…with your rent range you could easily get the luxury life in KL.. Im a local and Im a bit jealous myself…LOL. Kuala Lumpur is a fabulous city and we are headed there tomorrow for a few days of indulgent fun. However it is really just another huge bustling city…yes, fabulous buildings and restaurants and shops but really …. Penang is the best place to visit or stay in Malaysia. Everywhere is reachable easily. The food is great and affordable. Most of all the people are warm unlike the urbanites in the big city like Kuala Lumpur. The cons you are experiencing in Penang could be a longer list in KL. So stay put in Penang and enjoy your life to the fullest. Every place has its pros and cons but for me, Penang has fewer negatives. Thank you for reading! And I love your commentary! There are some very wonderful things about KL as well. For sure there is better customer service and some beautiful homes. Every place has its pros and cons. As a Malaysian, I believe your observations are rather accurate. I also absolutely love your point on the non existent customer service. It is exactly as you observed. Google seems to provide much clearer answers. Your additions are spot on! But even with all the cons… I believe the pros tip the scale to the positive side for sure! Driving is a lot like Frogger…this section just had me and Beven laughing out loud! We have contemplated getting a condo one day with retirement beckoning. I love that you come every year, so you know what to expect. I know many people that move here sight unseen, which I never recommend! You already know the ins and out! Next time you come for a visit, reach out. Mark and I would love to meet you and grab a bite, coffee, wine, whatever! Thank you for your very enlightening list of pros and cons. My list for here in Thailand would be very close to yours but I do wonder about the influence of religion on society there, and how it impacts your life. I appreciate your thoughts and any insight you have for Indonesia also. Thanks for reading. And I appreciate you asking about the religion here because it is a major issue for a lot of people, especially those who have never been. I can only speak from my experience. Mosques, temples, and churches are within walking distance to each other so you can be walking into a Buddhist temple as the call to prayer starts. None of the local religions have an impact on my life. But religion plays a large part in the daily life of locals. It is celebrated outwardly. But that is for everyone. Not just Muslims. Malaysia has Buddhists, Taoists, Christians, and Hindus as well, and they all celebrate freely and openly. The Muslims must abide by their rules just as any other religion. I hope that clears up any questions you might have about the religion here. If not, let me know. Your email address will not be published. Pros of Being an Expatriate in Malaysia These far exceed any negatives that we have found here. Most Significant Lifestyle Advantages 1. Everything is cheap You can lead a more luxurious life. Malaysia has a world-class infrastructure: The highways easily rival those in America. Cell phone plans are cheap and great. Wifi is everywhere. We have fiber optic internet in our home, which is better and faster than we ever had in Chicago. Not everyone in Penang has fiber optics yet, but the internet is still fast and reliable. Almost everyone speaks English Many locals speak languages. Cost of living We live in a three-bedroom condo overlooking the Straits of Malacca. Anthony February 27, at pm. Kirsten Raccuia March 10, at pm. Afiq Aziz May 14, at am. Kirsten Raccuia May 18, at am. Hi Afiq, Thanks for the input! Shawn January 4, at pm. Kirsten Raccuia January 12, at am. Hi Shawn, There are loads of expat groups on Facebook. Good luck to you! Evarose October 24, at am. There are no one-stop shops Maybe there is no one in your region? Mold Malaysia, placed on Equator line, a country that is hot and humid the whole year. Kirsten Raccuia October 25, at am. Doug September 18, at pm. If I moved there would want to live in a rural area would that be safe or would it be a problem. Kirsten Raccuia September 21, at am. Chole March 18, at am. Kirsten Raccuia March 18, at pm. Hi Chloe, Honestly, the toilets are gross. We eat the street food and hawker food a few times a week and have never been sick from it. Hi Kirsten, Is me again. When the time is right, should we apply for a 1 year visa before MM2H? Michele Cassebohm February 23, at am. Kirsten Raccuia February 24, at am. Michele Cassebohm February 24, at pm. Kirsten Raccuia February 27, at pm. I love all your padding! Anyone can research, but life experience is everything! Ryan Booth January 26, at pm. You can only ever be ahead or behind. Kirsten Raccuia January 27, at am. Dave January 20, at pm. Hello Kirsten, How are you? Michele Cassebohm January 20, at pm. Kirsten Raccuia January 21, at am. Dave January 21, at pm. Jay January 24, at am. Are any of the beaches on Penang suitable for swimming? Kirsten Raccuia January 24, at pm. Mona January 20, at pm. Kirsten Raccuia January 20, at pm. Chasity December 17, at am. Hello, Thank you for creating this blog. I work remote for a large Aerospace company and would be working there. Kirsten Raccuia December 18, at pm. Hi Chasity, Thank you for being here. Maybe you can reach out to some of the expat Malaysia facebook groups? Sara Lym December 9, at am. Kirsten Raccuia December 9, at pm. Hi Sara Lyn, Thanks for being here. Timothy September 13, at am. Kirsten Raccuia September 14, at pm. Hi Timothy, So glad you found me and my site is helping you along. Amir Ihsan bin Rosli October 28, at pm. Nice post. Appreciate your POV, a good insight. Kirsten Raccuia October 28, at pm. Hi Amir, Thanks for commenting. Hope that helps. Fiona July 14, at am. Also how is the education system? Would you consider KL a good place to raise kids? Kirsten Raccuia July 15, at am. Hi Fiona! Thank you for being here! Tim July 3, at pm. Kirsten Raccuia July 6, at pm. Hi Tim, Since pot is a daily necessity for you, I think you better look elsewhere. I think there must be a lot of other countries which will fit your needs better than Malaysia. Good luck to you. Magnus Leong June 15, at pm. Kirsten Raccuia June 16, at pm. Hi Magnus! Thank you for commenting! Take care and stay well! Ari July 23, at am. Kirsten Raccuia July 23, at pm. Eugene Fleetwood Kennedy August 10, at am. Can Expats work in Malaysia teaching English? Kirsten Raccuia August 10, at pm. Hi Eugene, If you get a job with a school, they will have to get you a visa. Kirsten Raccuia June 3, at am. Hope that helps, Kirsten. Penang also have some companies, but a lot lot smaller in numbers. But you can try, its not impossible. Its just very rare. Howard Thurgood May 20, at am. Kirsten Raccuia May 21, at am. Hi Howard! Welcome to my Sand in My Curls! I hear ya about the taxes. As an American, we will be taxed even if we live on Mars! I hope that helps a bit. Howard May 21, at am. Dear Kirsten Fantastic. Air Aisa has super cheap flights to Thailand and all over the region. See you soon, K. Haliza May 19, at am. Just let me know… Take care…. Kirsten Raccuia May 19, at pm. Hello Haliza! Welcome to my blog! I will def let you know when we come to Terengganu! Hopefully when we can travel again! Take care, K. Talha June 19, at pm. How much does internet cost? Thinking about moving to Malaysia. Which city could you recommend.? Kirsten Raccuia June 20, at pm. Hello Talha! Welcome and thanks for commenting! Ryan Nathan May 13, at am. Kirsten Raccuia May 14, at am. Adam April 30, at pm. Kirsten Raccuia May 1, at pm. Hi Adam! I look forward to meeting you one day soon! Until then! I definitely agree with family friendly. BG Lim March 15, at pm. Hi Kirsten Astute and accurate observations about the realities of life in Malaysia. Kirsten Raccuia March 16, at am. Hi BG! Do you come back to Malaysia often? BG Lim March 16, at am. Raccuia, is that an Italian name? Kirsten Raccuia March 17, at am. Hi BG, I hope you are able to make it here in October. Yes, Raccuia is Italian. Have you been? BG Lim March 17, at pm. Stay safe and cheers. Kirsten Raccuia March 19, at pm. Hey BG, When you do get to come here, let us know. Until then, keep safe and healthy. BG Lim March 20, at am. Hi Kirsten Would love to do that when I am there, could even try one of the hidden bars as well. In the meantime, take care and stay safe. Kirsten Raccuia March 21, at pm. You too, BG! Keep in touch and be safe! Terry February 11, at pm. Kirsten Raccuia February 12, at am. Do you mind if I send you a private email about this? Terry February 12, at pm. Thanks Kirsten, please private email me about this. Elaine Wikkramatilleke March 5, at am. Elyse Sacco April 26, at am. Kirsten Raccuia April 27, at am. Love you. Ajit Singh Bindra April 4, at am. Must say your piece is very well written and most if not all your observations are spot on. Kirsten Raccuia April 4, at pm. Good to have you here! And thank you! Ajit Singh Bindra April 4, at pm. Kirsten Raccuia April 5, at pm. Hi Ajit, Of course. I sent you an introduction email. Let me know if you have any other questions. Do you think Penang is the place for you or are you considering a different spot n Malaysia? Terry February 6, at pm. Michele Cassebohm February 6, at pm. Terry February 7, at am. Thank you Michele. Could you recommend a few of the FB pages you mentioned? Kirsten Raccuia February 7, at am. Terry February 10, at pm. Cassebohm Michele February 7, at am. You do such an amazing job with your blog. Thankyou for all your great advice! Now we have to schedule nights to stay in because there is so much going on all the time. Syed muhammed naquib adhzeem Alhindwan bin syed putra January 25, at am. Michele Cassebohm January 25, at pm. Kirsten Raccuia January 26, at pm. Hi Chele, I totally agree with you. Love it for some fun, but not to live. Enjoy KL! Jenny Yeoh February 3, at pm. Kirsten Raccuia February 4, at pm. Hi Jenny! Hi Syed, Thank you for reading! Take care! Arulnathan Gynasegaran January 4, at pm. We also have rain and lightning almost days in a year. Unfortunately as a Muslim majority nation, alcohol is heavily taxed. Kirsten Raccuia January 5, at pm. Hi Arulnathan! Thanks so much for being here! Wendy A July 29, at am. Kirsten Raccuia July 29, at pm. Hi Wendy, Thank you! It took me nearly 3 months to start driving here! It is so true! Robert Sie February 9, at pm. Kirsten Raccuia February 10, at am. Hi Robert! Michael Brown July 27, at pm. Kirsten Raccuia July 28, at pm. Michele Cassebohm July 27, at pm. Kirsten Raccuia July 27, at pm. Hi Michael, Thanks for reading. It is also a live and let live ideology here. Malaysia has been a melting pot since inception. Leave a Reply Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. Related Posts.

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