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Malaysia sits in the heart of Southeast Asia, bordering Thailand on the Malay Peninsula and occupying parts of the island of Borneo. The tropical country is a major Asian hotspot for expats from all over the world, and rightly so.
Malaysia has everything: luscious rainforest, bustling cities, traditional local villages, stretches of perfect sandy beaches, crystal clear oceans; the list goes on and on and on. There are so many reasons why Malaysia is a great country for expats, and these are just the tip of the iceberg.
Luxury Lifestyle for Less
The cost of living is low: food is cheap, rent is cheap, travel is cheap. Your money will stretch miles further than it ever would at home, without having to cut down on quality. It is so easy to find decent, spacious apartments in amazing locations, and sites like PropertyGuru have made it even easier.
They are your first port of call for finding an apartment for sale Kota Kinabalu, the biggest city in Borneo Malaysia, surrounded by spectacular islands and lush greenery. You’ll be able to find your perfect apartment in this dreamy location using their simple, easy to use website, getting your expat life off to the best start possible.
Tropical Climate
Of course, the weather is a hot bonus. The weather is warm and humid almost all year round. Yes, that does mean every day is a beach day! Between May and November, bursts of downpour are more common, but what else can you expect from a tropical monsoon climate?
The rain never usually lasts long, and the sun is back out and beating down its vitamin D goodness and positive vibes again in no time – just make sure you carry an umbrella with you at all times.
Cultural Hub
There is a phenomenal mix of cultures in Malaysia, which is most prominent in cities like Penang and Kuala Lumpar. Malaysia hosts a strong mix of Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures, with a clear European influence thrown in there as well.
While the official religion is Islam, you will find Mosques, Cathedrals and Temples all down the same street. This fusion of lifestyles and beliefs is one of the most interesting in the world, and one that you, as an expat, will never tire of. There is always something new to discover, learn or taste.
Mind Blowing Cuisine
The mingle of cultures has brought in the best delicacies and dishes from around the world. The food in Malaysia is second to none and arguably some of the best in the world. Traditional Malay dishes are commonly made with rice (nasi) and flavored with a spicy chili sauce called sambal.
But of course, the Chinese influence has brought all types and variations of noodle deliciousness across the water, and you can find the phenomenal flavors of Indian curry around every street corner. Malaysia truly is the epitome of Asian cuisine, and one of the best reasons why expats love it.
Language Barriers
A big fear many people have before deciding to relocate to another country as an expat is the language barrier. Will it be difficult to communicate? How will I get by in every-day life? Will people understand me? Language barriers can cause much confusion and frustration.
But fear not, Malaysia has one of the highest rates of English speakers in Asia. English is taught in schools from a young age, so the chances are there will be someone around that can help you out, especially in larger towns and cities.
Lovely Locals
Most places claim to have friendly locals, but Malaysia really does. People are eager and happy to help you find what you are looking for, guide you around the city or give you recommendations for places to eat or see.
Making friends with the locals gives you a really authentic experience of a place, and in Malaysia it is easy to make local friends. Let them guide you to where no tourist dares to venture, allow them to take the reins and order the best dishes from their favourite restaurant. Dive headfirst into Malaysian life and live like a local, with the locals.
Wonderful Wildlife
Malaysia has one of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world. If you’re a fanatic of the natural world, Malaysia will not disappoint you. Malaysia is home to some phenomenal plants and creatures. Borneo is one of the last places on earth where you can see Orangutans in the wild, as well as numerous tropical birds, insects and other mammals.
The Perhentian islands and those found off the state of Sabah can transport you to an underwater universe of rainbow corals, nippy little sharks, enormously elegant turtles, and more fish than you can even imagine.
Teeming with beauty, cuisines, and culture; Malaysia is many things, but boring is definitely not one of them. There are countless more reasons that make Malaysia a great country for expats, but it’s time for you to find them out for yourself!
