It isn’t always easy to pick up your life and move to another country. However, you will find the process much less difficult if you know how to prepare. Malaysia is a country with a rapidly growing population, and much of this increase is due to an influx of immigrants from all over the world.
Most of these immigrants come seeking work, or to live in a vastly diverse country. Either way, you will need to know a few things before you start a new life on these shores. As such, here are a few tips you should know before moving to Malaysia.
Prepare For The Climate
Anyone emigrating from the UK will be used to grey, mostly mild weather. This may mean that the climate in Malaysia is going to come as a shock to you. This part of the world has a tropical climate. This means that the temperature will stick around twenty-five degrees throughout most of the year. However, this is not the same heat you will experience on British shores. Tropical heat is more humid, which means that it will be more intense. Also, prepare for the temperature to remain consistently warm through the night.
On the flip side, tropical climates are normally prone to a monsoon season. This means that you will experience huge amounts of rainfall for three whole months. While it is customary for Brits to complain about the rain, you haven’t experienced anything yet until you have felt a downpour in a country with a tropical climate, such as Malaysia.
Be Aware Of Visas
It doesn’t matter what the weather is like in Malaysia, you will struggle to experience it first-hand if you do not acquire the right visa to enter the country. Your visa is the required documentation necessary to prove that you have a right to live in that country. Every nation has its own set of criteria that you need to meet before you can take up residence, and these rules determine what type of visa you require.
To live in Malaysia, you will need to qualify for a work visa or residence visa. A works visa proves that you have obtained a job and plan to work for your income and pay tax in the country. To qualify for a residence visa, you will have to prove that you can financially support yourself. These visas are usually acquired by people who have retired.
Search For Housing Early
The most expensive city to buy property in Malaysia is the capital Kuala Lumpur. However, the real estate in this part of the world is relatively cheap compared to that of the western world.
This is mostly because of the materials used to build the homes in his part of the world. Since the weather can be quite unpredictable, many homes are built on stilts to protect them from flooding. Furthermore, these houses are made from easily obtained materials, such as wood, sand, and glass. This style makes it easier to rebuild in the event of a natural disaster.
Book Vaccinations
When living in a new part of the world, your body will come into contact with a variety of pathogens it has not met before. This does mean that you are going to automatically become sick, but you should still take the correct precautions by getting vaccinated before entering Malaysia. In fact, many countries require you to be fully vaccinated before you can live there.
Malaysia is a very different country from the UK and USA. Therefore, you will need to stay on top of your malaria vaccinations, Hep A vaccine, Hep B vaccine, and Cholera vaccine. Malaysian doctors also recommend that you shield yourself against measles and typhoid, although most western countries already vaccinate against these illnesses at a young age.
Investigate The Tap Water
You may be lucky enough to have access to fresh tap water at a moment’s notice in your current region. This isn’t entirely the case in Malaysia. While the water is mostly fine, you will need to check with your building. Ensure you have confirmation that the water has been filtered correctly.
Take advantage of the cheap bottled water sold on every street corner. This method is how the locals rehydrate themselves, so follow their lead to learn exactly how to live properly in Malaysia.
Conclusion
You should have a good idea of how other countries live and work, especially if you are planning to live there from now on. However, there are a few things that only come from experience, and you don’t want to make a catastrophic mistake on your first day in your new home. Keep these tips in mind and you will find living in Malaysia is like moving to paradise.
