Moving to KL - Transportation Question
Discussion
Currently finalising the details of our move to KL for around 18 months, and just trying to sort out the important details such as how to get around !
The wife isn't too keen on driving over there, and colleagues out there have said it's perfectly feasible to get around using taxis for much of the time.
We'll be based up around Mont Kiara so not actually in the heart of the city, so just thinking whether it might be useful to get to / from the office and client sites to actually have a car.
Obviously I could look at something local to keep the cost sensible, but I've also found myself looking at older German barges, like W124s... Or are they likely to be a false economy in terms of keeping them running ?
Thanks everyone
Berw will be along shortly with some good advise, but for my 10c worth, get a car!!
You will want to see some of malaysia whilst there in your 18 months, and if you have a car, it's easy for a weekend.
Singapore (
) is less than 4 hours drive away, frazers hill, Penang, Kota Tinggi etc, just getting out to local (off public transport) spots. Also, Mont Kiara is a bit of an isolated spot (imo, we looked at buying a place there and went for KLCC in the end .... ) although all the necessaries for living are available.
http://www.mudah.my/ is the website to lead you astray.
BTW all in my opinion, i live at the bottom of the NS highway and Berw will be able to give a much more valid local KL opinion
You will want to see some of malaysia whilst there in your 18 months, and if you have a car, it's easy for a weekend.
Singapore (
) is less than 4 hours drive away, frazers hill, Penang, Kota Tinggi etc, just getting out to local (off public transport) spots. Also, Mont Kiara is a bit of an isolated spot (imo, we looked at buying a place there and went for KLCC in the end .... ) although all the necessaries for living are available.http://www.mudah.my/ is the website to lead you astray.
BTW all in my opinion, i live at the bottom of the NS highway and Berw will be able to give a much more valid local KL opinion
Grand, thanks. It was, as you say, more the weekends and getting out and about with the family that I was thinking about.
We're planning on getting to see as much of the place as we can, and while renting a car when we need it is an option it would be nice not to have to mess about with that.
Plus, well, this is Pistonheads so *normal* cars don't quite cut the mustard !
We're planning on getting to see as much of the place as we can, and while renting a car when we need it is an option it would be nice not to have to mess about with that.
Plus, well, this is Pistonheads so *normal* cars don't quite cut the mustard !
this would make a nice weekend explorer!
Not too nasty on the road tax either.
http://www.mudah.my/Mitsubishi+Pajero+Tip+top-1026...
Not too nasty on the road tax either.
http://www.mudah.my/Mitsubishi+Pajero+Tip+top-1026...
Istoo will comment I'm sure, he has just moved to KL, and he's taken my advice on cars, poor thhing.
There is a lot on his 'any PH in Kl' thread on this forum.
Yes you can get around by Taxi, Mount K to Kl would be around 3 pound I would think, but taxi's can be dirty etc, problem with a car is that for 18 months it will be difficult to sell when you leave as Malysians like to buy new as the finance deals are better.
Driving is no problem Istoo's wife is driving after a few months and she was against it at first,. The bikes can be off puting at first but they do miss you, driving here is actually OK, you do not have to look out for camera, police etc just get on with it. You will need a car if you want to get around at weekends and see the country.
When I first came here I was on my own, and I had a bike, which is OK for one.
Where will you e working do you have kids, how will they get to school are all imprortant, you can hire a brand new car for around 300 pound a month all in, which may be best.
John is right Mudah is the place to look for second hand, but economics are not the same as UK, road tax on a 3.5 liter is 1 K pound a year, insurance is almost nothing, petrol is 40p a liter, 60p for 97octane. Mechanics are about 7 pound an hour.
What sort of cars do you like/have now?
There is a lot on his 'any PH in Kl' thread on this forum.
Yes you can get around by Taxi, Mount K to Kl would be around 3 pound I would think, but taxi's can be dirty etc, problem with a car is that for 18 months it will be difficult to sell when you leave as Malysians like to buy new as the finance deals are better.
Driving is no problem Istoo's wife is driving after a few months and she was against it at first,. The bikes can be off puting at first but they do miss you, driving here is actually OK, you do not have to look out for camera, police etc just get on with it. You will need a car if you want to get around at weekends and see the country.
When I first came here I was on my own, and I had a bike, which is OK for one.
Where will you e working do you have kids, how will they get to school are all imprortant, you can hire a brand new car for around 300 pound a month all in, which may be best.
John is right Mudah is the place to look for second hand, but economics are not the same as UK, road tax on a 3.5 liter is 1 K pound a year, insurance is almost nothing, petrol is 40p a liter, 60p for 97octane. Mechanics are about 7 pound an hour.
What sort of cars do you like/have now?
Thank you gents, I'll go and check out the other thread(s).
I'll be working in the area between Bandar Utama and Pusat Bandar Damansara, hence sticking ourselves somewhere nearby in Mount K. And Bangsar seems to have to many shopping malls to be a safe place to leave my other half unsupervised...
I think Erin should be going to school in or around that area, but from what I understand a lot of the international schools operate school buses so hopefully that's the case.
So yes, it's the weekends, etc. where I'd probably be wanting the convenience of our transport.
Useful insight about selling it on at the end - my thinking was vaguely along the lines of looking for something cheap and interesting, on the basis that if the worst came to the worst I could just walk away from it without too much pain.
I've currently got an E32 7 Series (don't think I'll be bringing that over given the road tax....) and while I may fancy something 'interesting' I suspect practicality will rule the day. Although the Mitsubishi that John posted looks kind of fun...
Looking like we'll be moving around the beginning of August so will have a look between now and then and see what I can find.... I did spot a few classics nestling in someone's backyard as I got the train in from the airport the last time I was in KL. An old Volvo, a Merc, Mk1 Capri.... And how hard can it be to retro-fit air-con to an old car like that...
Thanks again
Don't even think about bringing the BMW it will cost a fortune, everything here has AC (even MK 1 capris),E32 are great cars and you can get cheap her, you can also get cheap 740's for a few years pay the tax and then dump it,
Old merc and BMW is the way to go, Isto just bought a M535 (see it on the M power thred) and I put a list of cars on the other thread, most of my mates have old mint cars, rust is not aproblem here there are loads of good E30's and 124 mercs around.
Dont live to far from the school, you will regret it.
Old merc and BMW is the way to go, Isto just bought a M535 (see it on the M power thred) and I put a list of cars on the other thread, most of my mates have old mint cars, rust is not aproblem here there are loads of good E30's and 124 mercs around.
Dont live to far from the school, you will regret it.
Great info, thanks.
I may be out there the week after next for a final visit before the permanent move, so will be sure to check out schools and their locations. And once we're settled the car hunting can begin in earnest !
One, utterly unrelated to this thread, question I have is around the cost of utilities. Struggling to get a sense of what the additional spend on top of rent (assume a 2,500 sq/ft apartment) would be, e.g. electricity, insurance, water, etc.
Sorry to go off-topic, but either my google skills are weak (likely) or I'm being blind (highly likely!).
Thanks again !
Again, berw will be able to give you best answer, but for teh time being, in Singa i pay $300 / month for electricity and water for a 2'000 SQ FT house that has teh AC on 24x7 (at 24c for dehumidifying purposes mostly) and night time bedroom AC at 23. I also work from home.
Gas is by the bottle, 13.5kg lasts us about 4 months and costs $30. TV and internet at $80 / month.so call it ballpark GBP200 a month all in. I would expect power to be cheaper in My but TV / internet may be more.
Gas is by the bottle, 13.5kg lasts us about 4 months and costs $30. TV and internet at $80 / month.so call it ballpark GBP200 a month all in. I would expect power to be cheaper in My but TV / internet may be more.
Insurance for the building will be in the rent, so you just need your contents, it is peanuts, electric will depend on AC use, and if wife uses AC during day, but you can not spend 100 pound month.
rates etc are all in the rent, but are under 100 pound a year.
Let us know when you are in town In live in the center so we can get abeer at anu of the bars.
rates etc are all in the rent, but are under 100 pound a year.
Let us know when you are in town In live in the center so we can get abeer at anu of the bars.
I used to live close to Mont Kiara about 6 or 7 years ago. My advise would be to get a car, taxi while cheap are very unreliable. It was relatively easy to get one in the city centre to get home but trying to get one to come to your home to pick you up was always a nightmare.
I had a company car and bought another for my wife, she had no problem driving there, mind you she learnt to drive in Seoul......
I had a company car and bought another for my wife, she had no problem driving there, mind you she learnt to drive in Seoul......
I’ve got nothing to add (might move to KL/Singa in the future), but can offer a few websites I’ve come across: http://www.malaysia.alloexpat.com/ and its forum: http://www.alloexpat.com/malaysia_expat_forum/
Also, this one might be helpful on deciding where to live (although I’ve never really read it): http://www.skyscrapercity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=6...
Also, this one might be helpful on deciding where to live (although I’ve never really read it): http://www.skyscrapercity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=6...
sorry just caught the thread, berw did mention it the other night... advise as it rolls off my head of things i have encountered in my 3 months here.
I moved here 3 months ago, live in Desa Sri Hartamas which is near Kiara. The taxi advise is spot on but its a total lottery. if your in a new condo good luck getting a lift to town, the way back is OK. Finding a reliable taxi driver is very difficult, i still havent found one, and prices were very varied. As most big cities usual crooks and wallets rules apply. But i spent two hours one morning before thrown in the towel and hiring a car. I have been down the expensive route and ended up with a Myvi (local favourite built by perouda but with toyota underpinnings) its 1650RM total per month for me and the missus insured with all bells whistles. Anything not built in Malaysia the same size will sting you about 50% more. ie suzuki swift etc. Driving is chaotic but not that dangerous, if you are UKish then just keep driving the same way. they dont go fast enough to cause harm and the scooters do think they are invisible and indestructable... the weirdest thing will be wondering why everyone wheres jackets the wrong way around...
TV, i have 3 young kids, we havent bothered signing up for Astro (only choice here) as generally its pretty sh*t. So buy what we want to watch off itunes and the rest are DVDs besides we are now mentored into not sitting down in front of the TV and flicking through. instead the kids go swimming/ play outside/ read... A move for the better.
Broadband is a ball ache, unify about the best all round package if you can get it. 4meg about the norm line speed will be circa 150RM per month.
Electricity, we are in a biggish place 4000sqft, with aircon on when needed and fans etc last nmonths bill was 330RM. about £65, which isnt too bad to be honest.
Water bill is a laughable £1.month on average. The tap water is fine to drink although our house does have a big external filter unit, some palces come with Reverse Osmosis units also.
Housing wise find an agent that suits what you want, www.iproperty.com.my website is the single biggest looking place, my wife spent weeks on their looking at places which was advantageous as it helped us source what we were after and going rates. You are expected to haggle. Typically you will be looking at 3.5x monthly rent as a deposit. Rental terms are usually annual, and make sure you get an expat clause.. ie if you have to leave you are not stuffed. Fully furnished doesnt mean what it does in the UK, it means it has luxury items like light fittings, sinks etc.
Biggest thing to remember across the board is non malaysian deposits. You will need to set aside big deposits for everything houses, schools (if applicable), phones, electricity, cars etc etc. Get employer or leasing agent to do as much of that for you as poss.
If you have kids/schooling/nursery feel free to ask i have been through all that!
Carwise I went round and round as well. At home i had an Audi S4, another Audi, 20 year old 90 quattro and an E60 530d msport in the UK which over here would cost about 500% more at the same age. Crazy prices for anything nice thats remotely new. Importing will cost you the earth, seriously if you have spare £10,000s then do it as you might make a bit of cash personally i wouldnt bother. On the utter polar opposite I see it as an opportunity to buy something that would have rotted into the ground years ago at home or become unmaintainable. Quattro sjust dont exist here at all, unless its an R8... So after laods of looking and browsing http://www.mudah.my/ every evening and lunchtime, so I bought an E28 M535i, and its in very good shape indeed. Ticks the boxes for me on that front, look around and there are some nice cars, Berw I met through PH and directed me towards the E28 its a cracker and its so good i make take it back home with me. i was looking at various early 90s mercs, even saw a datsun 240z for sale, would love one but as a daily a bad idea! As well as rust being not so much of an issue there are geneuinely good mechanics and trades here who can make and keep fixing classics, there is a real car passion here and i have seen more classics here than i have in close to my own lifetime at home. Even Lotus and TVR had factories here so you do see some british muscle.
If you have time i would suggest hiring first then buying when you find the right car, monthly rent is not too bad with one of the majors here... loads of old volvos, mercs and BMWs. There are a fair few P1800s which i do like as well, big engined cars are taxed heavily but then agian fuel is a whopping 35p/litre so despite my best environmental concerns i have larryleadfootitis at the moment.
Oh and buy a local GPS/Sat Nav as one of your main priorities. i didnt and it was nearly divorce as we tried to drive the 2km from the house to IKEA. 32 hours later we made it back home alive and robbed of 40RM in tolls (usually 1-2RM each time you enter leave)
Driving standard, not too great, what we call a dual carriage way is really two lanes for cars and three lanes for scooters. My wife swore she would never drive as the centre is a bit mental but around Kiara/Bangsar its OK, never busy enough or fast enough to be a danger.
feel free to pm if you want more details, happy to be in a position to help as 3 months ago i was needing the very same advise.
I moved here 3 months ago, live in Desa Sri Hartamas which is near Kiara. The taxi advise is spot on but its a total lottery. if your in a new condo good luck getting a lift to town, the way back is OK. Finding a reliable taxi driver is very difficult, i still havent found one, and prices were very varied. As most big cities usual crooks and wallets rules apply. But i spent two hours one morning before thrown in the towel and hiring a car. I have been down the expensive route and ended up with a Myvi (local favourite built by perouda but with toyota underpinnings) its 1650RM total per month for me and the missus insured with all bells whistles. Anything not built in Malaysia the same size will sting you about 50% more. ie suzuki swift etc. Driving is chaotic but not that dangerous, if you are UKish then just keep driving the same way. they dont go fast enough to cause harm and the scooters do think they are invisible and indestructable... the weirdest thing will be wondering why everyone wheres jackets the wrong way around...
TV, i have 3 young kids, we havent bothered signing up for Astro (only choice here) as generally its pretty sh*t. So buy what we want to watch off itunes and the rest are DVDs besides we are now mentored into not sitting down in front of the TV and flicking through. instead the kids go swimming/ play outside/ read... A move for the better.
Broadband is a ball ache, unify about the best all round package if you can get it. 4meg about the norm line speed will be circa 150RM per month.
Electricity, we are in a biggish place 4000sqft, with aircon on when needed and fans etc last nmonths bill was 330RM. about £65, which isnt too bad to be honest.
Water bill is a laughable £1.month on average. The tap water is fine to drink although our house does have a big external filter unit, some palces come with Reverse Osmosis units also.
Housing wise find an agent that suits what you want, www.iproperty.com.my website is the single biggest looking place, my wife spent weeks on their looking at places which was advantageous as it helped us source what we were after and going rates. You are expected to haggle. Typically you will be looking at 3.5x monthly rent as a deposit. Rental terms are usually annual, and make sure you get an expat clause.. ie if you have to leave you are not stuffed. Fully furnished doesnt mean what it does in the UK, it means it has luxury items like light fittings, sinks etc.
Biggest thing to remember across the board is non malaysian deposits. You will need to set aside big deposits for everything houses, schools (if applicable), phones, electricity, cars etc etc. Get employer or leasing agent to do as much of that for you as poss.
If you have kids/schooling/nursery feel free to ask i have been through all that!
Carwise I went round and round as well. At home i had an Audi S4, another Audi, 20 year old 90 quattro and an E60 530d msport in the UK which over here would cost about 500% more at the same age. Crazy prices for anything nice thats remotely new. Importing will cost you the earth, seriously if you have spare £10,000s then do it as you might make a bit of cash personally i wouldnt bother. On the utter polar opposite I see it as an opportunity to buy something that would have rotted into the ground years ago at home or become unmaintainable. Quattro sjust dont exist here at all, unless its an R8... So after laods of looking and browsing http://www.mudah.my/ every evening and lunchtime, so I bought an E28 M535i, and its in very good shape indeed. Ticks the boxes for me on that front, look around and there are some nice cars, Berw I met through PH and directed me towards the E28 its a cracker and its so good i make take it back home with me. i was looking at various early 90s mercs, even saw a datsun 240z for sale, would love one but as a daily a bad idea! As well as rust being not so much of an issue there are geneuinely good mechanics and trades here who can make and keep fixing classics, there is a real car passion here and i have seen more classics here than i have in close to my own lifetime at home. Even Lotus and TVR had factories here so you do see some british muscle.
If you have time i would suggest hiring first then buying when you find the right car, monthly rent is not too bad with one of the majors here... loads of old volvos, mercs and BMWs. There are a fair few P1800s which i do like as well, big engined cars are taxed heavily but then agian fuel is a whopping 35p/litre so despite my best environmental concerns i have larryleadfootitis at the moment.
Oh and buy a local GPS/Sat Nav as one of your main priorities. i didnt and it was nearly divorce as we tried to drive the 2km from the house to IKEA. 32 hours later we made it back home alive and robbed of 40RM in tolls (usually 1-2RM each time you enter leave)
Driving standard, not too great, what we call a dual carriage way is really two lanes for cars and three lanes for scooters. My wife swore she would never drive as the centre is a bit mental but around Kiara/Bangsar its OK, never busy enough or fast enough to be a danger.
feel free to pm if you want more details, happy to be in a position to help as 3 months ago i was needing the very same advise.
damm, just noticed the schools bit...
In kiara there is Garden international School & Mont Kiara International School.
ISKL and Alice smith nearer the middle and you will loose an hour each way taking them to school each way. and more trouble finding a driver for them. but you can employ a driver here, just someone to take you all over, if that dings your bell. Alice smith is the dearest. mine are at Garden at the moment, its very academic in the overly studious way but thats attributed to the majority chinese students and work ethic despite being billed as a UK school. Where as we are after a bit of serious learning with an element of fun. So considering a shift, however the kids are happy, and ultimately thats what we want. BUT it shouldnt cost them any learning.
my older two get the bus to school from the gatehouse 100m away, costs 400RM (£80)/term total for both. And makes wifes life a lot easier as a result.
Doctors/hospitals are good here too btw, very good.
XJS John, Kiara is growing stupidly fast... and there is a lot of whatever you need nearby. Not isolated at all, I am not a townie though and never have been so condos we decided against early on. That said i find the middle of KL chaotic, but its a nice sort of chaotic. What sinks in is the lack of agression, its mad and busy but its not agressive or angry. And for an urban sprawl is fairly chilled out. Our choice meant blowing the budget but fork it i wanted somewhere the kids could enjioy the experience of being away from sunny scotland, swim outside and play in the sunside 365 days a year. Find the balance of where you see your (company) money going.
wife annoyed now, best stop typing
In kiara there is Garden international School & Mont Kiara International School.
ISKL and Alice smith nearer the middle and you will loose an hour each way taking them to school each way. and more trouble finding a driver for them. but you can employ a driver here, just someone to take you all over, if that dings your bell. Alice smith is the dearest. mine are at Garden at the moment, its very academic in the overly studious way but thats attributed to the majority chinese students and work ethic despite being billed as a UK school. Where as we are after a bit of serious learning with an element of fun. So considering a shift, however the kids are happy, and ultimately thats what we want. BUT it shouldnt cost them any learning.
my older two get the bus to school from the gatehouse 100m away, costs 400RM (£80)/term total for both. And makes wifes life a lot easier as a result.
Doctors/hospitals are good here too btw, very good.
XJS John, Kiara is growing stupidly fast... and there is a lot of whatever you need nearby. Not isolated at all, I am not a townie though and never have been so condos we decided against early on. That said i find the middle of KL chaotic, but its a nice sort of chaotic. What sinks in is the lack of agression, its mad and busy but its not agressive or angry. And for an urban sprawl is fairly chilled out. Our choice meant blowing the budget but fork it i wanted somewhere the kids could enjioy the experience of being away from sunny scotland, swim outside and play in the sunside 365 days a year. Find the balance of where you see your (company) money going.
wife annoyed now, best stop typing
Thanks again - this relocation lark is far too time consuming !
I've got another trip to KL coming up the week of the 11th and then back to the UK for two weeks to get everything finalised before packing the family up and heading out at the beginning of August.
Booked the flights yesterday so all seeming rather more 'real' !!
feels more "real" i know the very feeling. perhaps like me and this is your first expat gig? i had more help on this forum than i got anywhere else including the frankly sh*t Hr and orientation businesses here. grossly inaccurate.
my car is off the road at the moment, about to find out the cost of labour. so taxi-ing it. which reminds me.
berw, beer friday? i dont have to drive home!!!
my car is off the road at the moment, about to find out the cost of labour. so taxi-ing it. which reminds me.
berw, beer friday? i dont have to drive home!!!
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