Moving to KL with family

I live in the city center and I advice you to live here everything is near and you will be so happy, kuala lumpur is large beautiful city.

ask me about anything you want i'll try to  answer you.

Thank you

thanks englishstudent.

my wife is a dentist/orthodontist. She would still be interested to work part-time in her field. I don't know how difficult it would be to work as a dental ` practitioner in Malaysia.

Hi There

Mont Kiara is the place. Or near Bangsar Shopping centre would be most suitable.
I live here last 18 years & I am an Australian citizen.

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Feel free to ask any questions.

Good Luck

Good luck

Hi you can live comfortably on 25000rm - be careful of tax situation ! You need expert tax advice.

Mm2h min age is 40 actually but higher investment requirements than 40. I knew one person who at 40 got that visa and he was living off his business in Kl (business overseas).

I strongly suggest you avoid mont kiara. It has lots of students with associated problems like crime and drugs. It also looks like Birmingham with concrete towers everywhere! It was ten years ago a high class area but like bangsar gone down hill.

I would suggest a nice house in pj

Good luck

If you wish, you could contact me directly at :

[email protected]

My husband is an expat. He is an European, btw.  (or has been living in Kuala Lumpur for 3 years), but for myself I have been living here for almost 18 years.
I have been staying in Bangsar and after married, we have been living in "expat" area - Mont Kiara. Yes this is the luxurious place and you won't feel like an alien, however,  we would prefer our child to live in the mix area since we are planning to stay in Malaysia for long time with no intention to go stay in Europe. We want our child to understand and respect the local culture

So, who is the best people for you reference? The local people themselves or someone that try to push you to "buy" or "rent" something? If you are planning to stay in Kuala Lumpur for longer tim (which is more than 5 years)  I advise you to get some feedback from other expat that have been staying here for longer time, which is on their own expenses not with the company. You would be surprised if they tell you that there is other place than Mont Kiara and Bangsar

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So, if you want to know further, do send me the e-mail on my private address as mentioned above.

Best of luck!
Danielle de RIJK

thanks guys for your replies.
We will be in KL from 20th of january for a holiday and fly later to KK and than back to KL.
MM2H over 50's is cheaper, I know.
In regards of tax implications, I think that if you are a resident in Malaysia and get income from overseas, that this is free of income tax.
Never been to Mont Kiara and will have a look in january.
We don't want to be, were we are only between "gringos""falangs" or how they will be called in Malaysia, we would like to live in a mixed area.

More input is always welcome and we hope that we can make part of the expat meetings you apparently organize.

Thanks

Hi Caipirinha08,

my husband born in Elgin, raised up in Perth Scotland, we been here almost 5 years now, he have his MM2H thru the local agent 4 years ago. We stayed near Solaris Mont Kiara, we love the place, because of its convenience for our foods shopping and for children's education and other activities.

You will stay here like Posh for £5,000+ available per month, consider we only used £3,000 per month still survive with a stay-in maid as well as our kid preschool fees for RM4,200 per term. At the end its depend what type of quality of living that you are looking for.

Weekend island trip is great here too, due to many public holidays. Or even go to Phuket, Bangkok, Singapore. or by few hours flight to Australia, Hong Kong, Macau and other Asian country.

Stay in Maid, salary: RM1,000 to RM1,400 per month, one day off.

Live out maid salary: RM1,500 to RM1,800 per month, 6 hours per day.

Driver/chauffeur: RM1,400 to RM1,700 per month. 5 days week.

Grocery here is ok, except can't get Haggis! most of the UK products still able to get it here. We normally shop at Village Grocer, Ben independent Grocer, Presto (aka:Safeway). We don't really like Cold Storage since we found the shelf have some expiry products which put us off a bit.

High End rental such as MK 10 / MK 11 - you are expected to pay RM12K to RM16K Partly furnished or fully furnished.

Medium range rental still can have pretty good standard of living, Rental from RM4000 to RM8000.

Or you can looking for the Semi Detached or Bungalow with pool  around Kiara Views or Damansara Heights.

Well, we rent for a year then buy it later if we like the condo / the area, because hassle free if you buy it, you can do whatever you want in the house, no need to argue with the landlord. Bear that in mind, cultural different here than in the UK.

Good Luck!!

Welcome to the warm country!

Hi JC138,

thanks for your reply. all major currencies are for the moment falling against the asian once. £/Euro etc are coming under pressure. But I still think by careful planning, with around 25,000MYR, it should be possible to offer our child a very good education and still have a comfortable live.
In Scotland, live is good/education and healthcare fine too.
We just think, we need a change and this time a warmer climate would be welcome.
On 2th of january we will arrive in KL and will see, what we can achieve during our holidays.
Greetings to you and your Scot.

Nemodot wrote:

Hi you can live comfortably on 25000rm - be careful of tax situation ! You need expert tax advice.

Mm2h min age is 40 actually but higher investment requirements than 40. I knew one person who at 40 got that visa and he was living off his business in Kl (business overseas).

I strongly suggest you avoid mont kiara. It has lots of students with associated problems like crime and drugs. It also looks like Birmingham with concrete towers everywhere! It was ten years ago a high class area but like bangsar gone down hill.

I would suggest a nice house in pj

Good luck

is it not 50 years? Under 50, deposit higher and more proof of income required, over 50, things are cheaper.

As we are all under 50, we have to go the more expensive way.

Nemodot wrote:

Hi you can live comfortably on 25000rm - be careful of tax situation ! You need expert tax advice.

Mm2h min age is 40 actually but higher investment requirements than 40. I knew one person who at 40 got that visa and he was living off his business in Kl (business overseas).

I strongly suggest you avoid mont kiara. It has lots of students with associated problems like crime and drugs. It also looks like Birmingham with concrete towers everywhere! It was ten years ago a high class area but like bangsar gone down hill.

I would suggest a nice house in pj

Good luck

Hi Nemodot, I don't agreed with your comment on Mont Kiara area. If you said students with associated problems like crime and drugs, its happened every where in Kuala Lumpur, even PJ also have the downtown problem,it can happen in any countries, even Singapore too.

We love to stay in Mont Kiara area, and been here for almost 2 years didn't see/hear the problems that you said at all, except the traffic jam in the rush hours.

This is just my personal point of view.

caipirinha08 wrote:

Nemodot wrote:

Hi you can live comfortably on 25000rm - be careful of tax situation ! You need expert tax advice.

Mm2h min age is 40 actually but higher investment requirements than 40. I knew one person who at 40 got that visa and he was living off his business in Kl (business overseas).

I strongly suggest you avoid mont kiara. It has lots of students with associated problems like crime and drugs. It also looks like Birmingham with concrete towers everywhere! It was ten years ago a high class area but like bangsar gone down hill.

I would suggest a nice house in pj

Good luck

is it not 50 years? Under 50, deposit higher and more proof of income required, over 50, things are cheaper.

As we are all under 50, we have to go the more expensive way.

ELIGIBILITY
The programme is open to all foreign citizens from countries recognised by Malaysia. The exclusion of foreign spouses of Malaysian citizens was removed in February 2009 and they are now allowed to apply for the MM2H visa. Effective 2009 applicants are not required to use the services of an approved government agent. If you do choose to use an agent they must be authorised by the Ministry of Tourism. These companies have the initials “MM2H” in the company name.

UPON APPLICATION – FINANCIAL CRITERIA
Applicants are required to show they have sufficient financial resources to live in Malaysia without seeking employment or other assistance from the government.

Applicants under 50 are required to show liquid assets above RM500,000 and a monthly income of over RM10,000 (equivalent).

Applicants over 50 have show assets over RM350,000 and monthly income of RM10,000. Applicants receiving a government pension over RM10,000 a month will be exempted from making the Fixed Deposit (see next section)

Acceptable assets for people over 50 include cash in the bank, bonds, securities and sometimes property.

UPON APPROVAL – FIXED DEPOSIT
Approved applicants over 50 receiving a pension from a Government in excess of RM10,000 a month can request exemption from making the Fixed Deposit. All others have to make a Fixed Deposit as follows.

i) Applicants aged below 50 years old:

Must place a Fixed Deposit in a bank account in Malaysia of RM300,000
Can withdraw up to RM150,000 for the purchase of house, medical insurance or children's education expenses after the deposit has been placed for one year
Must maintain a minimum balance of RM150,000 from second year onwards and throughout stay in Malaysia under this programme.

ii) Applicants aged 50 years and above:

Must place a Fixed Deposit in a bank account in Malaysia of RM150,000
Can withdraw up to RM50,000 of the fixed deposit after one year to purchase of house, medical insurance or children's education expenses.
Must maintain a minimum balance of RM100,000 throughout their stay in Malaysia under this programme.

iii) Applicants who have purchased a house (or houses) with a total value of RM1 million and above.
Must show evidence of ownership and full payment of the property.
Must have been purchased within 5 years of application for MM2H visa.
Will have to place a Fixed Deposit in a bank account in Malaysia of RM150,000 if under 50 and RM100,000 if over 50.

It should be noted that the fixed deposit does not have to be placed until after the applicant has received a letter of “conditional approval”. This letter sets out the steps that have to be completed before the visa is issued. This usually consists of placing the Fixed Deposit, having a medical examination in Malaysia and obtaining medical insurance for Malaysia. Once these steps are completed the visa can be collected from the Immigration Department in Putrajaya.

Employment/Business Investment
In February 2009 the government announced that MM2H visa holders 50 years old and above could work for up to 20 hours a week. This is applicable to visa holders who have specialised skills in certain approved sectors. We are advised the decision on whether to approve part time work is based on the approving committee view on whether a Malaysian could do the job. It was also announced that MM2Hers will also be permitted to set up, and invest in businesses in Malaysia. They will be subject to the same regulations as other foreign investors but will be permitted to actively participate in the running for the business.

Sponsor/Assistance
All applicants require a sponsor and the agent is required to do this. This service is included in their standard fee.

Insurance Coverage / Medical Report
Applicants and their dependants must possess a medical insurance coverage from any insurance company that is valid in Malaysia. This may be waived for older applicants who are denied coverage because of their age. All applicants and their dependants are required to have a medical examination from any private hospital or registered clinic in Malaysia. Both these conditions are met after the letter of “conditional approval” is issued.

Dependents
Applicants are allowed to bring along their dependants (children below 21 years of age, step children, disabled children, and parents) under their MM2H visa. Older dependent children will have to get a separate visa. Dependants attending school in Malaysia are also required to apply for a Student Pass which allows them to continue their education in schools or Institutions of Higher Learning recognised by the government.

House Purchase
Each participant is allowed to purchase an unlimited number of residences at a minimum of 500,000 per unit. All purchases must be approved by the State authorities. Certain types of property cannot be purchased by foreigners e.g. those on ‘Malay Reserve' land.

Parents and Taxes
Successful applicants are bound by the policies, systems and regulations of taxes of this country however their overseas income will not be taxed in Malaysia.

Security Vetting
Approvals are given subject to security vetting clearance conducted by the Royal Malaysian Police.

Restrictions
Successful applicants are not permitted to participate in activities that can be considered as sensitive to the local people like political or missionary activities.

source: http://www.mm2h.gov.my/conditions.php

you may apply MM2H direct http://www.mm2h.gov.my/applydirect.php

Once you arrive KL, you may take a taxi to PWTC building. Malaysia My Second Home Centre ( MM2H ),Ministry of Tourism Malaysia. Level 23B, Menara Dato' Onn. Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra (PWTC)for an enquiry.

Good Luck!

hi

Read your post.. glad to hear that you have choose KL as you place of choice.
KL is not big and is connected by highways and public transport, so there are ample places to stay
What I suggest is to start simple understand the place and your needs and it is so simple to relocate.
If you like you can get in touch with me....i dont believe that you have to spend all the money you have to live in KL
I like to read what they write, but as a local I dont think it is all true

caipirinha08 wrote:

Hi JC138,

thanks for your reply. all major currencies are for the moment falling against the asian once. £/Euro etc are coming under pressure. But I still think by careful planning, with around 25,000MYR, it should be possible to offer our child a very good education and still have a comfortable live.
In Scotland, live is good/education and healthcare fine too.
We just think, we need a change and this time a warmer climate would be welcome.
On 2th of january we will arrive in KL and will see, what we can achieve during our holidays.
Greetings to you and your Scot.

Most Malaysian still survived with House and Car for Salary RM3K per month. (equal to GBP600) but their children go to the local schools, no maid, children go to daycare centre, working parents. Middle Class Malaysian working parents earn about RM6K-10K per month can afford kids to Private school. Director/CEO's kids depends on the family's mission: Chinese / International Schools.

The international schools offered British system are:
1) Garden International School (Mont Kiara)
2) Alice Smith International School (Jalan Bellamy KL & Equine Park,Seri Kembangan)
3) The British International School KL (Bandar Utama)
4) Park @ International School KL (Desa Park City)
5) Tenby International School (Setia Eco Park)
6) ELC International School

I'm sure they have many...

Alice Smith is the older in Kuala Lumpur, most British choice.

British International School KL - school fees is expensive.

We went to Tenby and Alice Smith, Tenby more friendly a bit too far for us. Park@ International School School is newly open Sept 2011.

You can visit the schools around 10am, or the time you can also have the chance to view the classroom interaction, the way they teach in the class. Then you can make the decision where you like to stay.

Relocation isn't easy, only easy if you plan it well.

Happy new year to all of you and that all your wishes become true.
Most important is that we keep to be healthy.

Thanks again JC138

a lots of good information. thank you

Hi sorry just have to put my 2 cents in, I totally disagree with Nemodot about Mont Kiara, we live here with 2 children aged 11 years and 7 years and are extremely happy. I feel totally safe walking down to the supermarket at night by myself which I could never do back home in NZ. I have many friends who live in the area also and they are also very happy.
We also have a good mix of both locals and expats within this area, my girls love going down to the pool within our condo complex to play with children from lots of other nationalities. I am happy to answer any questions you may have.

Hey Kiwi

Tell them you stay near the King's Palace

I would reccomend Valancia as a place to live.

Here's the website to give you an idea.

valencia.com.my/

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Can you tell me what Condo you are in as it sounds good.?