Relocating is always a big moment in life. Typically, there is a mixture of excitement, anticipation and likely some anxiety and stress, since you are going into a new-to-you situation. Even if relocation is something you are used to doing every few years, there will still be information and details you’ll want to learn. For those relocating to Malaysia and who want to be sure everything goes as smoothly as possible, a little advice and helpful tips can take you far. Here’s a look at all you need to know as you get ready to lay down some roots in Malaysia.
Taking Care of the Essentials
The first thing you’ll want to do is take care of the essentials, which means booking your flight for your arrival. To do that, you need to know exactly where you’re moving to in Malaysia. For those unfamiliar with Malaysia, it consists of two different areas which are Borneo’s East Malaysia and then Peninsular Malaysia. Bear in mind that these two areas are connected by water rather than land. They are very different from each other, boasting different pros and cons.
As for which one is “better”, that’s a personal choice. In general, though, Peninsular Malaysia tends to be a very popular choice. Within this region, you can choose to live in Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca or Langkawi. These areas range from modern city life to laid-back island life – depending on what appeals to you.
If you’re relocating for work, then obviously you don’t have to worry as much about researching cities and towns as your job will likely determine the best place to live.
Getting a Place to Stay
Now that you’ve chosen your location and booked your flight, it’s a good idea to look into where you will live. You can find a house for sale, or ‘rumah untuk jual’ using online resources such as Property Guru, so you don’t have to wait until you arrive. There, you can view the latest pricing trends and stay up to date with the Malaysian property market news.
Some of the criteria that will factor into the process may include:
• The budget
• The location (close to your work)
• Access to public transportation
• The number of bedrooms and bathrooms
• The size of the place
• Proximity to dining, shopping and local attractions
• The style of accommodations
While it may seem over-simplified to state that Malaysia has a little something for everyone, you’ll definitely find that to be true. And if you want to step outside your comfort zone and live like locals so you can immerse yourself in the culture, you’ll have no problem doing that.
Start to Learn the Language
Here’s a tip that you can embrace the moment you suspect you’ll be relocating to Malaysia. Learning the language will help you to settle in faster and smoother, making the entire experience a more positive one. You don’t have to worry about becoming an expert; just start with basic words and phrases that will at least help you to get around and communicate in those first few weeks/months. You can then continue with language lessons, and you’ll be able to practice in the real world.
It will also be a good idea to have a language translation app on your mobile phone, as it will come in very handy as you’re settling in.
Practice Getting Around
For those who are relocating for work, so they already have a job lined up, it’s a good idea to plan to arrive at least a few days to a week or more before your job begins. This gives you a chance to unpack and get organized, but also to practice getting around. You will want to find the best way/route to and from your workplace, locate the nearest market, perhaps discover some nearby restaurants and just get to know your surroundings.
Make a List of Tourist Attractions to Visit
While your focus may be on settling in and starting a new job, there’s no reason why you should push the tourist life aside. Malaysia is a beautiful place and you don’t want to miss out on the typical tourist attractions and sights. Even if you only visit one or two places in a month, it’s so worth exploring and discovering what surrounds you. Why not make a list of the must-see places and then you can start to slowly work your way through that list?
Some of the standout locations to visit can include:
• The Langkawi Geopark, which is a UNESCO Heritage Site
• Melaka, for those with a love of architecture
• The history, culture and architecture that Penang offers, in particular, Waterfront Village, the Street of Harmony and Rainbow Skywalk
• LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort, which is perfect for families
• Mount Kinabalu for a hike you’ll never forget
The fact is that, by relocating to Malaysia, you are setting yourself up for a very exciting experience, filled with adventure, beauty and plenty of discoveries.
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