When comparing the respective lifestyles of Malaysia and Singapore, most individuals - aside from proud Malays - would probably admit that Singapore is more attractive as a cosmopolitan destination.

However, the clear winner in terms of cost of living is Malaysia: among the expenses associated with Singaporean life are rental prices that are more than five times the cost of those in Malaysia, grocery prices that are 79% higher than those of Malaysia, and overall consumer good prices that are 90% more expensive.

These, and other indices, add up to a situation whereby Malaysian purchasing power is almost 15% higher than that of Singapore.   more ...

Malaysia welcomes expats with open arms and as a result, they have flocked here to enjoy the beautiful weather, affordable living and high quality of life for families. It is said to be one of the best countries in Asia for expats.

Malaysia consists of two regions, Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia (separated by the South China Sea) and boasts beautiful landscapes, from mountains to the ocean, with something on offer for everyone’s tastes and lifestyle needs. The majority of expats decide to settle in Penang and Kuala Lumpur, where various organizations are available to assist the move for expats and in helping families adjust to Malaysian life. There are also a number of expat clubs available to help families integrate with other expat families.   more ...

Expats flock to Malaysia because of the beautiful weather, the affordable living costs and the landscape. Not only is Malaysia a top choice for tourists, particularly couples on their honeymoon, but it is becoming one of the best countries in Asia for expats. The South East Asian state has a long history of immigration and its appeal lies in the how easy it is for expats to settle there and the desire for the Malaysian people to have expats settle within their country.

Malaysia consists of two regions, Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia (separated by the South China Sea) and both boast beautiful landscapes, from mountains to the ocean. There is something to offer everyone. Eating at the restaurants, shopping, going to a bar, playing golf, are all within reach of everybody thanks to the low costs for leisure activities. In fact, the reasonable cost of living, in general, is one of Malaysia’s most attractive features and selling points.   more ...

Though Malaysia is internationally ranked as one of the best nations in which to do business (noted elsewhere on this site), few individuals are such committed work-a-holics as to completely cut socializing out of their lives. Even those who are successful enough in their work to afford the best of the country's amenities may still desire camaraderie and the opportunity to view life from others' perspectives, and so socialization is a topic that can't be easily ignored.

Can the English Language be Relied Upon?

As language is more often than not a prerequisite for socializing, it's worth discussing the level of English-language saturation in the country. While finding fellow English language speakers in Kuala Lampur or Penang is not at all impossible, the percentage of such speakers in Malaysia are not even close to that of nearby Singapore, where some 80% of the population is conversant or fluent in English.   more ...

With an employment rate that vacillates between 95-97%, and a low poverty rate that mirrors this state of near-total employment, the outlook for Malaysian quality of life is generally very positive. The World Bank has deemed it as the #1 nation for providing access to credit, as well as fourth overall for "protecting investors," which has made it, consequently, twelfth in the world for "ease of doing business."

The nation's openness to trans-national trade, and the economic benefits that this has garnered, can hardly be questioned. Yet many will still wonder whether this translates into a high cost of living, since Malaysia is not, after all, the only booming economy in Asia or the world. Though the country is acknowledged as an "upper middle income" nation by the World Bank, the question remains as to whether this equates to getting value for one's money.   more ...