Cost of living in KL

ganm Member

3POSTS

11 years ago

Team,

I am from India abd I have a job offeer from one of the companies in KL, Malaysia. The monthly salary offered was RM 26 K and an annual bonus of RM 220K. Is it聽 a good enough salary to live a deceny life. I have wife and 1 kid (7 years). My definition of decent life is living in a nice 2 bedroom flat (fully furnished), kid`s education in an international school, a decent Car, Holiday trip once in 3 months, weekend meal out side in a good restuarant etc.

Please advise as i am in a dilemma whether to accept the offer or not

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Nemodot ViP

2128POSTS

10 years ago

Hi sounds ok (yes I know some will drool) but really depends on you. That may be a very bad salary if you earn more elsewhere. KL is expensive.

Good international schools cost 4-8k a month. I mean 12 months!Plus other school expenses. if you got school/medical fees paid then yes you can afford a good lifestyle in Malaysia and save properly etc. Nice condo 6k a month say. Can pay a lot more (and less) but assuming a good mid range condo. Car well these are fg expensive!!!! if you want a western car either bring over 100,000 USD and buy one or lease. Say 3k a month.

So good living

Car 3k
Condo 6k
Education 9k (8+1)
Medical (expat one all family) 0.5k
Utilities/Sat TV/internet etc 0.8k
Entertainment (eating out / drinking a bit) 3k
General food etc 2.5k
Clothes etc聽聽1k
Pocket money for the kid (some get 4-5k lo) assume you are sensible parent so 0.2 k

23k a month (after tax)!聽 Obviously can go cheaper but if you want聽 a good middle class lifestyle where you don't compromise quality of living kL is expensive. Especially if you want a good education for your child.

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Dineshnichani Member

1POSTS

10 years ago

Hi,
23k pm as mentioned by you school fees for pa not monthly so?

Nemodot ViP

2128POSTS

10 years ago

Dineshnichani wrote:
Hi,
23k pm as mentioned by you school fees for pa not monthly so?

proper expat packages are 30% plus old UK/USA/Australia salary + all school fees + driver/car + maid + gardener + accommodation (22k sq ft with pool) + cook + 2 flights whole family home + all medical (proper expat medical insurance) + pension contributions

There are still expats on these but they don't hang out on internet forums. They are professionals who work hard. I know many like that still but rarer than it once was. Often the 30% extra hardship allowance is cut etc. but school/medical fees are the most valuable then accomodation (sometimes also cut for lower staff).

This means you can live in KL as well as back home in USA/UK.

I work in Asia as I like it - I took a massive cut in living standards to do so but my choice. For those who want the same standard of living 23k is reasonable after tax and quite achievable if a real expat contract. I earnt a lot more than that in Malaysia 10 years ago.

A low budget expat

Car 1.5k (Proton - but door handles fall off lol)
Condo 3k (live further out - smaller)
Education 5k (4+1) - lowest acceptable school for real education
Medical (expat one all family) 0.5k
Utilities/Sat TV/internet etc 0.8k
Entertainment (eating out / drinking a bit) 2k - watching pennies
General food etc 2.5k
Clothes etc聽聽1k
Pocket money for the kid (some get 4-5k lo) assume you are sensible parent so 0.2 k

16.5k net a month. That is rock bottom with ne school age kid to maintain an ok living standard. Anything less means really cutting back lifestyle. Note a free school place is valuable!

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ram.marvellous New member

5POSTS

10 years ago

Hi,

The salary you had mentioned is really to live and work. you can definitely find a decent location and move in there.
security is big concern there so i suggest you to look into this and decide. the international schools are also expensive there and the standards are not much satisfactory.

Regards
Ra