Move to Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur? Which one

sydsm on 29/09/2017 - 13:51

Hi - have visited both cities many times and decided I want to move to S.E Asia in the next 12-18 months.

Does anyone have experience in living in either city and happy to share tips? I have found a few property websites for rentals, but overall, thinking of a large 1bd or 2bed condo nearby the city. Reasons for move - honestly, im so sick of Sydney and want a lifestyle change. I can work remotely from anywhere with decent internet so not concerned about cash…thinking of spending $250/wk on rent also.

Other half is a senior nurse, so she is thinking of doing FIFO remote community work in Northern australia.

Poll Options

  • 74
    Bangkok
  • 32
    Kuala Lumpur
Financial

Comments

  • foxmulder on 29/09/2017 - 13:59
    +21

    I envy you as you can work anywhwre.

    • sydsm on 29/09/2017 - 14:00
      +3

      unfortunately the mortgage is heavily tying me down atm…need to unshackle. I also despise my career, but it gives me options.

      • foxmulder on 29/09/2017 - 15:39
        +2

        I personally love Singapore! Thus if it has to be Malaysia anywhere in Malaysia that is close to Singapore preferably 1-2 hour drive :)

        • bitgiggy on 29/09/2017 - 20:18
          +1

          +1 for Singapore. Lived there for 2 years before moving to Melbourne - loved it. Perfect base in SE Asia.

        • Candour on 30/09/2017 - 11:05
          +3

          @bitgiggy:
          singapore would be unaffordable.
          KL is a nightmare for transport. Penang would be better.
          try and read about the politics there and the governance. read the local papers and see if you can enjoy living in a different setting where the rules may be quite different. am very careful now what I say.
          Thailand may be more corrupt.
          and dangerous.

          cost of living has shot up since 2 years there. ironically cheap enough in oz except for rent in syd or melb.

          if mortgage is high then sell in syd or melb as you should not lose.

          tried this for 2 years and came back to high cost retirement even without a job

        • [Deactivated] on 30/09/2017 - 11:13
          +2

          @Peccadilloes:
          KL is fine for transport.

          @bitgiggy:
          JB would be the only place in Malaysia that is a 1-2 hour drive to Singapore.

  • geek001 on 29/09/2017 - 14:09
    +2

    I have lived in Kuala Lumpur for 3 months in early 2000s. Back then, internet is tightly controlled by the government and severely under-invested, I would imagine it is still the case these days.

    This infographic may help you make your decision: https://cdn.techinasia.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/intern…

    Amazingly, according to the chart, Thailand actually has better internet than Australia?

    • retiredfeline on 29/09/2017 - 14:14

      A more up to date assessment than 10+ years ago could be this: https://nomadlist.com/

      Personally I'd opt for Chiang Mai, cheaper and less pollution but further to FIFO.

      Also noticed this bit of tongue in cheek: https://planetlist.co/

      • geek001 on 29/09/2017 - 14:20
        +3

        I was in Chiang Mai last Christmas. It was great! When I first landed, first impressions were quite bad though. But after a few days of walking around, I felt quite safe, people were nice and the weather was good. I was really surprised that I was in the middle of a national park and I could still get really good 4G reception. Food was really cheap and tasty, got a full body massage every night(not the dodgy kind, get your mind out of the gutter). Probably less chance of riots happening in Chiang Mai too compared to Bangkok.

  • derweep on 29/09/2017 - 14:10

    +1 Bangkok and also wishing to be able to work remotely, would love to be in your position as I'm also wanting to move elsewhere, are you self employed?
    The people are nicer in Bangkok and the food is much better, not sure about rental but I assume it would be cheap enough.

    • tsunamisurfer on 29/09/2017 - 14:24
      +5

      I suppose it comes down to taste.

      I would prefer KL as I think the food is better there, albeit more expensive., and English is more prevalent there for the common guy on the street.

      • sydsm on 29/09/2017 - 14:44
        +5

        im finding the rental in KL much cheaper then BKK - esp for well located condos - the transport in BKK is much better, but the traffic is horrific. overall pros and cons for both. Yeh im self employed. TBH I cant stand living in Sydney anymore…feel like im continually going backwards, but generally unhappy.

        • Peck on 30/09/2017 - 17:51

          Condos cheap in Bkk as long as willing to stay a few stations from town. Silom and Sukhumvit areas are a waste of money. Prefer Sutthisan mrt area. make sure within walk to a station mrt bts. Do not even think about driving around bkk. Only HISO Thais do this. Food great and cheap. Lots of expat places in Suk. area of course. All rentals furnished, and, unless you have stayed on hols longer then a week or 2 then I would go for a 6 mo. lease first.

        • ATD on 01/10/2017 - 11:11

          @Peck:

          Do not even think about driving around bkk. Only HISO Thais do this.

          I'm sure a lot of BKK drivers would find it amusing that you consider them to be HISO. Thais will use cars when they need to regardless of their wealth status. It is true that the middle class and up will be more likely to use their own cars more regularly and sit in traffic as it is a show thing. I find it quite funny seeing high end sports cars in BKK traffic, its only about show and face. Thais really do take material possessions way too seriously and credit is far too easy to say no to. Even having a credit card is about show, until they have to repay the money they've spent.

          I had a car in BKK and would only use it when walking/BTS/Taxi etc was not an option - fair to say quite infrequently. You have to remember, it can be hard to find a place to park nearby and just so much more convenient getting dropped off where you need to be when you have the speed of the BTS and cheap taxi's (be it motorbike, tuktuk or meter). When I would go out of BKK (reason for the car), I would leave at 4am to give me time to get out of there before too much traffic hit the road. About a dozen times I drove around BKK in the day, you just need to adjust your driving style, be extremely patient and chill out for the drive.

    • Suspect420 on 01/10/2017 - 12:13
      +2

      You've gotta be kidding. Bangkok is one of the rudest places in the world.

      KL hands down would be the better option. In ever aspect

      I have worked for 10+ years in both Malaysia and Thailand

      • sydsm on 03/10/2017 - 11:27
        +2

        Yes ive heard that the Thai's are extremely fake to Farangs…all smiles but bitching behind backs etc. A friend was a teacher there for 10+yrs and said they are pretty rude once you start picking up on the lingo

  • Ryanek on 29/09/2017 - 14:22

    I have worked in both cities and based on food alone I would choose Bangkok.

    • sydsm on 29/09/2017 - 14:44
      +1

      I love both countries and both foods.

  • [Deactivated] on 29/09/2017 - 14:28
    +2

    Bangkok.

    Unless you really like KL (it has it's upsides).

    Bangkok has a more stable internet to the outside world.

    $250 a week in rent is heaps… In SEA you are probably looking at around $500/month for some nice apartment.

    • sydsm on 29/09/2017 - 14:45

      Love to see some online ads for $500/month apartments. TBH i want a condo with gym + pool - also It has to be pretty decent with a medium + size kitchen and proper bathroom (not one with a tank in the shower etc). Not keen to go back in life.

      • [Deactivated] on 29/09/2017 - 14:52

        My suggestion would be to join one of the bangkok expat type facebook groups.

        You will get a much better price dealing directly with people on there.

        Sorry i meant 500usd.

        A quick google of "bangkok expats facebook" - plenty of condos for 600aud/month in prime area.

      • Candour on 30/09/2017 - 11:13
        -1

        decent apt in penang is not cheap (for whites). KL is worse. and the city is badly overcrowded. white areas are out of town. you may be unhappier overseas when you factor in that you will always be a foreigner.

        standards are not up to western stds. lots of hidden traps which detract from quality of life.

        the international living sites don't have a clue. it seems they recommend malaysia and thailand and cambodia! Would choose none of those.

        • [Deactivated] on 30/09/2017 - 11:16
          +2

          What the hell are you talking about?
          What a load of hot garbage

  • ausdday on 29/09/2017 - 14:30
    +3

    do you consider yourself a foodie? If yes, I would suggest Penang. :)

    Penang is less crowded than Kuala Lumpur. It's a relatively small island with good fiber internet coverage. Cost of living is slightly cheaper than Kuala Lumpur, but more expensive than Bangkok.

    Rental wise, you can get a very nice condominium if you are willing to spend $250/wk. Otherwise, $250/month will get you a decent 2 bedroom apartment is some area.

    The advantage Malaysia have over Thailand, I would say, is the political stability (despite all the corruption cases, at least Malaysia doesn't have military coup), and better healthcare.

    Thailand will get you more bang for your bucks for sure.

    • sydsm on 29/09/2017 - 14:56

      TBH not really enamoured by Penang, found it kinda boring, and the beaches average. Prefer a city with a discount airline base that i can fly out of every 8 weeks, and partner can fly to australia easily also. Also willing to spend around $1500/ AUD month = $375 week

      • peterpeterpumpkin on 02/10/2017 - 12:48

        For that type of money you can get an apartment with a pool minutes walk from the sea next door to a major hospital. In Cairns, Australia: https://m.realestate.com.au/property-apartment-qld-cairns+no…

        Hot and sticky half the year. No visas. No FIFO for the other half.

        Of course it's not a SE Asian city so the pace is much, much slower, there's less challenges/excitement, and you'll spend a small fortune eating out 3 times a day.

        • sydsm on 03/10/2017 - 12:05

          Cairns..not really too keen tbh - i want a larger city with things to do, alot of food, large travel hub and generally, cheap lifestyle.

        • peterpeterpumpkin on 03/10/2017 - 14:55
          +1

          @sydsm: I can fully relate with having "things to do" as a deal-breaker, which is why I'm surprised you'd consider KL for 18 months, let alone in 8 week stints. It's hard to suggest a place without knowing one's personality.

          In terms of food, accessibility to other destinations and everyday budgeting KL ticks a lot of boxes. It's literally one of the best value places in the world. If I was a single, cash-strapped digital nomad working on his/her startup I'd definitely consider KL as an option - but that's out of necessity. If KL was the price of Sydney I would probably never go back. I go frequently only because it's a cheap stopover.

          As a fellow Sydney-sider, it's easy to over-estimate how much most of the world pays in rent. At your budget you could comfortably afford to rent a 1 bedroom unit in almost any non-capital, "non-primate" city of the world - many of which are much more exciting than KL. And most European satellite cities are still well connected as transport hubs. You could probably just knock off the top 30 most expensive cities to rent worldwide and you'd still probably be within your rental budget.

          Obviously this isn't feasible due to your situation. You have an "other half" that might need to return frequently to Australia for work. And you're attracted to the idea of living in luxury and eating out a lot. And it's easier to bend the rules in Asia when it comes to rental contracts.

          But personally, I would never commit to one place for 18 months until I've given it a fair trial. I might switch bases every 3 months, depending on what rental contracts are available, but I get bored of most places easily. When it comes to seeking that "lifestyle change", experiencing the "finer things in life" 24/7 can become just as mundane as the Sydney 9-to-5.

  • [Deactivated] on 29/09/2017 - 14:38
    +1

    I just moved to KL, Bangkok was also my other option.
    I mean, I pay $1,400AUD a month in rent but I live in a very swish apartment, probably the best rooftop pool in the country too.
    Look up "Face Suites" on PropertyGuru

    KL has cheaper rent. I mean, I pay $1,400AUD a month in rent but I live in a very swish apartment, probably the best rooftop pool in the country too.

    Seems to me a bit less hectic than Bangkok and can get 500Mbit fiber internet for $90 a month.

    • sydsm on 29/09/2017 - 14:49

      Sounds like a dream - any links I can check out for the internet + apartment rentals. Ive been looking at Mont Kiara area but I also quite like the area with the huge interconnected malls (cant remember the suburb) - its about 15min cab to KLCC

      • [Deactivated] on 30/09/2017 - 11:21
        +1

        http://www.propertyguru.com.my/
        http://www.propertyguru.com.sg/
        http://www.ddproperty.com/
        http://www.rumah.com/

        I've spent the last two years travelling around SEA for work, and used Airbnb a lot.

        Airbnb allowed me to effectively try out living in different buildings, their facilities, access, etc.
        One place that was on my radar was Horizon and Regalia, after staying there on Airbnb I found Horizon hard to get to by car and no PT but it overlooked the royal golf course so it had a great view and was very quiet.
        While Regalia had an odd entrance and most people missed it and was impossible to walk to anywhere, but it too has an awesome pool.

        Had I not tried them on Airbnb, I might have signed a lease on either of those two and absolutely hatted living there.

        Now, I have a 3 minute walk to LRT, Monorail and 2x free KL bus routes.
        Also a 5 minute walk to a mall, 10 minutes to Chow Kit market, 12 to KLCC.
        Monorail goes to KL Sentral, and then the KLIA Ekspress to the airports, easy.

        Our KL office is about a 30-40 minute drive in traffic, but I catch an Uber or Grab for about $3-7 each way (depending on time of day) and work in the back of the car. It could take an hour or more and it wouldn't worry me because I'm still being productive.

        We do have a car, but thats for going away on weekends.
        Groceries we use Happy Fresh app to get stuff delivered to our door from Tesco, etc.

        • crentist on 02/10/2017 - 23:15

          I stayed a week in Regalia earlier this year (airbnb). That pool is very nice, amazing view, but was packed with other airbnbers taking instagram photos. not the best pool, in the end. I hope Face Suites doesnt get all those tourists like me

          I stayed before around Damansara Uptown and Empire, pretty much suburbs living around local families, and still had those great pools. I love that infinity pools are almost standard.

        • [Deactivated] on 05/10/2017 - 11:56
          +1

          @crentist:
          Yeah lots of tourists.
          Mercu next door probably has the highest percentage of tourists vs residents.

          Face Suites actually runs a hotel within it, in addition to AirBNB.
          This is common in all new high end developments.
          Apartments are sold to overseas investors with rental return guarantees and this is how they make that work.

          Face Suites is a fair bit more expensive than Regalia, so its not as bad as it could be.
          Just get used to it really, gotta get up to the pool nice and early for a swim.

    • sydsm on 29/09/2017 - 14:53
      +2

      Just googled Face Suites - mate this is exactly what im after…totally BS how much we pay in Sydney for 1/10th of that building.

      • jerjergege on 02/10/2017 - 12:05

        But their local wages vs yours.

    • 87percent on 29/09/2017 - 18:59
      +28

      I'm guessing you have a very swish apartment, would you say it has the best Rooftop pool in the country?

  • JetLi on 29/09/2017 - 14:41

    Have you shared your views in the other thread with the guy who wanted to relocate his family to Sydney for work?

    • sydsm on 29/09/2017 - 14:54
      +5

      Good one..i was tracking his thread - 170 or 180k in Sydney - good one….with a family too. thats like earning 50k! Wait till he finds out its $100 for a family to have breakfast at a cafe, and then gets slugged for parking…and then a parking fine.

  • Dumax on 29/09/2017 - 14:57
    +2

    I'd suggest also looking into the Visa requirements of each country. I would personally pick Bangkok (actually, I would stay a little outside if I could), but you will have to leave the country at least every 60 days on a tourist visa (30 is the default, but you will have to apply for the additional 30 days each time) or every 90 days on a non-immigrant visa. It is not exceedingly expensive to do this, but it will cost (relatively to normal Thai expenses) and it will be time consuming (i.e. at least an entire day each time)

    It is also possible to get a Business Visa/Retirement Visa but this will depend on your circumstances (and your partner might not be eligible).

    • [Deactivated] on 29/09/2017 - 15:06
      +1

      This is all easy enough with a bit of cash and/or time.

  • noyesmaybeok on 29/09/2017 - 15:32
    +5

    KL is my vote.

    Lots of direct flights to Australia.
    Great food.
    English very common.
    More westernised (half Asia and half west, whereas Bangkok feels a bit older)
    Don't have to watch a joke of a presentation before each movie :D :D :D

    • [Deactivated] on 29/09/2017 - 17:54
      +1

      I think the Thai social-political culture is cool and how many hold strong opinions of their political figures.

      We have failed at democracy in Australia… You government gimps medicare; mines under Sydney water catchment; spends millions of dollars on our own detention island…. yet the only this people can actually get political for is gay marriage. People in Australia have it too good.

      • noyesmaybeok on 30/09/2017 - 08:00

        Australians are generally more casual (99% will say the govt is crap, whoever it is!), though that seems similar in most western countries. Not many people are super into politics, any discussion is mostly surface issues, not overall direction.

        • mr_asstight on 02/10/2017 - 00:14
          +2

          Because it's not run for the people anymore. Vested interests and short terms of pollies causes massive conflicts of interest.

        • noyesmaybeok on 02/10/2017 - 10:31

          @mr_asstight: Opposed to literally every other country which is just as corrupt or far more so…

  • [Deactivated] on 29/09/2017 - 15:35

    bangkok all the way, look at www.thaivisa.com heaps of expats and heaps of info to help you out.

  • Donaldhump on 29/09/2017 - 15:37
    -1

    id recommend boracay island, cheap as anything, such a nice place

    personal thoughts is Malaysia is boring, Thailand nice, no offense to any Malaysians, maybe I am sure I am a boring person equally

    • sydsm on 29/09/2017 - 16:00

      Tropical island is not an option - city. Also not a fan yet of the Philippines

    • peterpeterpumpkin on 29/09/2017 - 21:08
      +1

      I have to agree with the label of boring for Malaysia. And there's nothing offensive in that label.

      Though it's probably the "best value" country I've experienced in SE Asia:

      (1) You want to visit? Here, have 90 days…free.
      (2) It's consistently among the 4 cheapest countries you can fly to directly from Sydney, thanks to Air Asia.
      (3) You want to go somewhere else in Asia? You can fly to most places for less than $200 return.
      (4) "Tourist quality" food at local prices. You get decent portions of identifiable meat.
      (5) It's predictable and self-manageable. Trains, buses and trams work like you'd expect and the prices are transparent. You can read Malaysian thanks to its Latin alphabet. It's easy to find help. The toilets are free and often have toilet paper.
      (6) Much less anxiety for scamaphobes. And prices! There are actual prices written on products.

      But yeah, the people are nice. But the culture is a little "too straight". And then you've got the institutional racism, etc.

      • noyesmaybeok on 30/09/2017 - 07:58

        What racism? Wasn't there long enough to really notice any. I did notice it seemed very multi-cultural, lots of Indians, Bangladesh and whoever - unsure of what race some were, not Malay though :)

        • peterpeterpumpkin on 30/09/2017 - 09:08
          +2

          Institutional racism (http://www.malaysia-today.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/mal…).

          I'm not into politics, but almost every country in Asia is probably less tolerant of outsiders than Australia (irrespective of "race" or religion). So if we ever have to leave Australia due to an emergency our perceived xenophobia might come back to bite us.

        • noyesmaybeok on 30/09/2017 - 09:15

          @peterpeterpumpkin: Interesting. I've been a few times, as a tourist no issues vs the locals.

          Yeah Asian countries all hate each other :) Places like Japan are renowned for never accepting a foreigner as a local.

        • [Deactivated] on 30/09/2017 - 11:30
          +3

          @rochow:
          The racism is at the government level. As a traveler you'll never see or experience this.
          The people are cool.

        • Kenb0 on 30/09/2017 - 19:50
          +5

          They're not racist towards tourists, they're racist within themselves. It's government sanctioned legalised racism towards any Malaysians who are not native Malays eg. Indians, Chinese, etc.

          That's why you see so many non-Malay Malaysians over here in Australia(or in UK,US, Canada,etc) trying to get a better education because the system works against them in their own country. Entry into tertiary education in Malaysia is more dependent on your race than your merit

        • Aniseed Steed on 02/10/2017 - 00:34

          Affirmative action for the bumiputra (sons of the soil, i.e., the ethnic Malays).

        • sydsm on 04/10/2017 - 11:23

          @peterpeterpumpkin:

          Interesting - though other than potential visa restrictions, I dont believe i would get very involved with local politics or even care for that matter. Unless it will have a direct correlation to my life, then its out of my peripheral vision (yes turning a blind eye..). Even if there was unrest, I wouldnt be fazed, unless…airports, borders etc were closed and westerners say..were being targeted.

  • Word on 29/09/2017 - 20:05
    +1

    Krung Thep.

  • peterpeterpumpkin on 29/09/2017 - 20:12
    +1

    Does anyone here know the rental websites locals actually use in Thailand and Malaysia and elsewhere in Asia? Do they have the equivalents of flatmates.com.au for house sharing and Gumtree for everything?

    Once upon a time I was looking at rentals in Asia and I felt that the prices were geared towards foreign suckers. Or if condos in Thailand they were being rented by foreign suckers who probably paid too much for them to begin with.

    • wako on 30/09/2017 - 10:40

      From what i have noticed last 3 months is there is 3 main ones but everything is sold or rented when u contact them… Easier to organise when your there….
      I can tell you a cheap apartment if u need something to get u started its nothing flash but they Genurally have free rooms for about 200 a month + electric

      • peterpeterpumpkin on 30/09/2017 - 10:42

        Thanks. I'm not interested at the moment but I was wondering how the locals do it.

        How do you do it once there? Agents?

        • wako on 30/09/2017 - 10:53
          +1

          I think alot is word of mouth.. And outside of the condos apartments they have a board alot of the time with a phone number whats for sale/rent… There is agents but from what i understand they charge 3% + 1st months rent so thats why not so popular with locals…

          My girlfriend is thai, she manages and apartment block her family owns. Shes got the gift if the gab, she tells motor taxis she will give them 200baht ($8) to find a tenant that will rent a room. Or gives discount to current tenants to have a friend move in. When rooms vacant… I think theres a big problem with over supply (which you wouldn't know looking on Internet) and people just move out and loose there bond to go somewhere better as its not a great deal of money or hard to get an apartment

        • peterpeterpumpkin on 30/09/2017 - 12:41

          @wako: Thanks. That's very interesting. I read that most apartment blocks have information offices but communication without a translator may still be an issue.

          I suppose the websites could be useful for gauging the prices in certain districts before exploring on foot. I think for budget-conscious people Renthub (with Google translate) is the most useful in this regard since it has more of those places without pools, saunas, fitness rooms and parking spots and you can try negotiating with buildings directly (also useful as an airbnb substitute). Hipflat has a modern interface but has higher priced places and a lot more agents as well.

    • guystingy on 01/10/2017 - 21:07
      +1

      http://m.mudah.my/list?cg=2020&ca=9_1_u
      Source : I'm a Malaysian ☺

      • peterpeterpumpkin on 01/10/2017 - 22:36
        +1

        That's awesome!

        Maybe we should get a wiki going of all Gumtree clones around the world.

  • ATD on 29/09/2017 - 20:24

    I use to live in BKK and worked remotely for just over a year a few years back plus another year outside of BKK. The problem these days is staying long term on tourist visas with multiple in/outs and waiting until you get hassled by immigration at some point. Getting a 30 day visa on arrival and then a 30 day extension and repeating again with a border run gets annoying after a while - and that was back when there wasn't a focus on number of entries.

    The best way to find an apartment is to be there on the ground - massive over supply so haggling the price down directly with the owner isn't hard and you will get a better feel for the place/area. Bangkok has a lot going for it so I can understand the attraction. Best tip is don't invest too much money (ie rent) in case you get told by immigration this is the last time they will allow you in on a tourist visa. Second best tip is never (ever ever) tell anyone you are working while there, just say you are doing an extended holiday from savings.

    • wako on 30/09/2017 - 10:34

      Would they stop allowing you to return if u return home for a Period of time ie 3 weeks or month. Like for fly in fly out workers living there…

      • ATD on 30/09/2017 - 13:02
        +2

        There is no black and white answer for you.

        They may refuse you entry and there have been reports this has happened with people holding consulate issued visa's with previous multiple entries and had to fly back to their place of departure. However the more likely result is that they will warn you that you will be refused on your next entry. The line of thought is that if you spend too much time in Thailand, you aren't a legitimate tourist and therefore not entitled to a tourist visa or visa exemption on arrival. They will start to suspect you are working or getting income in Thailand and questions will be based around that with possibility to produce proof of what you are saying (ie bank account funds - source of money etc).

        A few reports of FIFO workers getting some grief when previously they were fine - but these guys are usually married and get told to apply for a spouse visa. The question of how many is too many - comes down to who you come across at immigration and if they take an interest/disliking to you. I would start to be nervous on arrival after total stay of about 6mths in any 12mth period as while we generally talk in the context of number of entries, its really about time of stay in the past 12mth period. At the end of the day, its up to the discretion of the immigration officer and whether you have been flagged in the system. I don't believe there is anything published that says x number of entries or x number of days in last 12 months etc to clarify things.

        In Thailand, you are really dealing with an individual (and their supervisors) who may have the correct or incorrect interpenetration of the law and its usually tough luck for you if the latter when it comes to thai face saving. This is why you get different accounts to similar situations with anything thai related and you will eventually get an understanding of the saying TiT and learn to live with it.

        • belongsinforums on 30/09/2017 - 18:26
          +2

          Right. You don't want to get interpenetrated over there. Trust me

        • Suspect420 on 01/10/2017 - 12:41

          @tomkun01: one would assume with a hole like yours, you wouldnt even feel it.

  • Pumpkin_rrr on 30/09/2017 - 09:02
    +1

    TLDR
    Maybe I am biased, but I'd prefer Malaysia:
    - It was a British Colony so everyone speaks English and is widely used.
    - Food: Big variety due to the vast races around: Chinese, Malay, Western and others.
    - Choice of Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo Island.
    - Air Asia!

  • wako on 30/09/2017 - 10:15

    If u like to drink beer bangkok/ Thailand

    Malaysias "sin tax" makes it unliveable for me although i do like the food in Malaysia

    If i was to go to malaysia i would goto the other island not kl island. The part where more are Christian..

    But i like the culture more in thailand…

    • retiredfeline on 30/09/2017 - 10:20

      kl island

      ? :)

      • wako on 30/09/2017 - 10:30

        Haha whoops ment the island that kl is on eg. West Malaysia…

        I would prefer to. Live in east Malaysia "sabah" side

        • retiredfeline on 30/09/2017 - 10:30

          the island that kl is on

          Island?

        • [Deactivated] on 30/09/2017 - 11:34
          +2

          You might want to look at a map.

      • wako on 30/09/2017 - 10:30

        I was being lazy hoping people could read my mind

    • sydsm on 04/10/2017 - 11:23

      Your statement is kind of ridiculous.

  • Dont Care on 30/09/2017 - 10:56
    -1

    wouldn't bother. rubbish medical insurance. if you need help over there you're screwed.

    • Suspect420 on 01/10/2017 - 12:43

      Medical system in Malaysia is actually really good if you have the money /insurance

      • Dont Care on 01/10/2017 - 12:45
        -3

        get a grip. it's rubbish. get sick over there and you be dead in a week.

        • Suspect420 on 01/10/2017 - 12:57

          As a type 1 diabetic i have been sick there. Ketonacidosis to be exact.

          In KL the treatment was no different to Aus. It was at an american hospital and all drs were expats.

          I once had an episode in Koh Samui and i was given tablets.. i was like wtf. You don't need tablets as a type 1…

          I can understand your view but KL was almost identical to Aus

        • rtk74 on 03/10/2017 - 09:36
          +1

          @Suspect420:Just go to the gov hostpital/clinics
          Just Aud1.30 for foreigners. Locals pay 30 cents. Medicines are cheap. Usually buy antibiotics without prescription due to old bro a doctor. Australia's drug prices + doc are too high, plus you need prescription for almost everything.
          But yes, you do have private hospitals, with expats mostly working there, mostly in Kl.

          I live in N9 (we have a state with a number). Around 45 mins from kl. 1 hour by train. Rent is cheap. Aud 400 for a bungalow in a secured neighbourhood. Internet is better than Syd. 50mbps which I pay Aud 80. I still don't understand how you guys are lacking in internet especially in city areas. Heck in kl there's 100mpbs if you live in a condo.

          KL is overrated. Too much tolls, cheaper than Sydney's though. And I live 45 mins from the airport. KL is 50 mins away, it's something like a triangle, the airport is on the opposing point.

  • HeWhoKnows on 30/09/2017 - 13:35

    Id have to say that quality of internet must be your primary consideration

  • jenholic on 30/09/2017 - 15:23
    +1

    hey mate, google property guru, it's the 'realestate.com.au for in Singapore and Malaysia.

    250aud/wk in kl………….. mate u gonna be in a fancy condo laughing at them sydneysiders.

    hope it all works well for u

  • oringal on 30/09/2017 - 18:36

    What about Johor Bahru? Its close to Singapore

    • WreckTangle on 30/09/2017 - 19:08

      This.

      • sydsm on 03/10/2017 - 12:10

        nope - boring at bat.sh.it.

  • pgcs on 30/09/2017 - 18:56
    +1

    Malaysia you can get a 10 year visa. Thailand is only a few months at a time unless you can manage a spouse visa - but even the the ever changing rules are not fun to deal with.

    I use & recommend you have a glance over www.thaivisa.com It's an ex-pat forum, you don't need to join to read through it. It is a very useful site, with rule changes being listed as fast as they are found. There is, as expected, quite a bit of crap on there also, but after you read a bit you should work out what is real.

  • calvink on 30/09/2017 - 19:48

    How about Penang? It is lower cost of living vs KL. And smaller city with less hectic lifestyle. I stayed there for 30yrs before moving to Sydney.

  • d86 on 30/09/2017 - 21:24

    I doubt that you will be able to rent a fancy condo unit without any work visa. Say, in Singapore, you can rent a home only if you're on an Employment Pass or PR. I've been to KL and BKK a few times and I'd not consider moving to either of them, especially on a "visa run". The only livible city in SEA, which is slightly better than Sydney is Singapore.

  • Zuba on 30/09/2017 - 22:19

    I did a stint living in Bangkok and enjoyed it. However just a heads up if your staying long term - as a foreigner you'll always be considered a second class citizen. Be prepared to pay more than the locals in certain situations. Also, the visa situation is designed to wear you down with trips in and out of the country (at first I enjoyed the traveling and then i dreaded it).

    • BangkokBreakfast on 30/09/2017 - 22:36
      +1

      Couldn’t agree more. Did an eight month stint there, and after the honeymoon period you begin to see all the cracks. Felt exactly the same re: second class citizen, dual pricing etc..

  • JUSTINO on 01/10/2017 - 07:33

    It is cheaper in Kuala Lumpur and closer to Australia if you want to and visit again

  • snajper on 01/10/2017 - 08:25
    -3

    If you can work from anywhere, how about simewhere very quite away from the city and traffic …… something like…… Tibet

  • Bullion78 on 01/10/2017 - 15:26

    Spent considerable time in both and enjoy both. I would probably lean toward KL based on accessibility and connections to other cities. It's Air Asias hub and makes for cheap weekenders anywhere.

  • pgcs on 01/10/2017 - 21:12

    Just a small side point…

    If you are working in Thailand via internet or any other means, you WILL require a work visa. Even if you do volunteer work (unpaid (yes, I know that is what "volunteer" implies)), a work visa is required. Immigration tend to get a bit narky if you are caught out.

  • guystingy on 01/10/2017 - 21:12

    Homes.mitula.my to search for house or condo rental in kl

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