What is it like to live & work in Malaysia? - Here is the gist you need to know!

What kind of image do you have of Malaysia? Often slightly overshadowed by well-known Southeast Asia holiday destinations like Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore, Malaysia is a hidden gem.

In fact, the more you learn about it, the more fascinating it becomes!

We, Startek Malaysia, hire number of expats from many countries in APAC region. Fun fact, Malaysia has been ranked the No. 1 country Japanese people want to live in for 15 consecutive years! (Survey conducted by the Long Stay Foundation (a general incorporated foundation) from 2006 to 2023; no surveys were conducted from 2020 to 2022.)

Now if you are wondering, "but what is so good about Malaysia?", we hope this article will give you a solid grasp of the basics of Malaysia and you’ll feel more realistic about the idea of moving to Malaysia.

Unique cultures, ethnic diversity

Malaysia is a multicultural Southeast Asian country known for its ethnic diversity, religious harmony, rich traditions, and varied landscapes. It consists of Peninsular Malaysia (mainland Asia) and East Malaysia on the island of Borneo, separated by the South China Sea.

Malaysia’s population is made up of several major ethnic communities:

• Malays & Indigenous Peoples (Bumiputera) – about 70%
• Chinese – around 23%
• Indians – around 6–7%

Languages spoken in Malaysia

• • Bahasa Malaysia (official)
  • English widely spoken across Malaysia
  • Mandarin, Cantonese, Tamil, and regional languages also common

Religious harmony

Malaysia is religiously diverse, and places of worship for different faiths often exist side by side:

• Islam – Official religion; practiced mainly by Malays
• Buddhism – Common among Chinese Malaysians
• Christianity – Found among Chinese and indigenous communities
• Hinduism – Practiced mainly by Indian Malaysians

Major holidays like Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, and Deepavali are celebrated nationwide and such religious coexistence gives visitors a unique opportunity to witness different religious traditions throughout the year.

Malaysia’s such unique cultures are deeply visible in food as well,

• • Malay: nasi lemak, satay
  • Chinese: char kway teow, dim sum
  • Indian: banana leaf rice, roti canai
  • Indigenous cuisines in East Malaysia

Low cost of living, high QOL

Here is a sample breakdown for monthly expenses for 1pax based on the data we collected from our Korean and Japanese employees working at Startek Malaysia. If you are good with money, you could save up to the half of your salary every month!

• Rent: RM2,000
• Utilities + Wifi/SiM: RM250
• Food: RM800
• Transportation: RM500
• Total: RM3,550 (approx. AUD1260)

*Exchange rate as of 14 April 2026

Rent: RM2,000 (approx. AUD710)

Considering that you can live in a condominium with 24-hour security guards, as well as access to a gym and swimming pool, this is a very reasonable price with great conditions, offering a safe and secure living environment.

The office is located in Ara Damansara, which is about a 30-minute drive from the city center. There are many shopping malls in this area and panel clinics of the corporate insurance we provide as part of our perks.

Some people even choose to live in shared houses with other Startek employees, and in this way, you could easily keep your rent below RM 1,000/month.

Utilities + Wifi/SiM: RM250 (approx. AUD90)

This includes water, electricity, gas and Wifi. Mobile phone plans with unlimited data are available for RM50 (approx. AUD18).

Food: RM800 (approx. AUD280)

At local restaurants near our office in Ara Damansara, it’s possible to have lunch within RM10 (approx. AUD3.5). Even if you do not want to cook, you can stay within your budget while enjoying delicious meals outside.

However, if you like to drink, you need to know that alcoholic beverages tend to be a bit expensive in Malaysia, 1 pint of beer at a bar usually costs around RM30 (approx. AUD11).

Transportation: RM500 (approx. AUD178)

In Malaysia, it’s common to travel using the ride-hailing apps such as Grab. Public transportations (Bus/LRT/MRT) are available too. From Ara Damansara to Kuala Lumpur city center (KLCC), it takes about 30 minutes by train and costs only RM4 (approx. AUD1.5). However, the area you can access by public transportation is limited compared to using Grab.

Good location for traveling

Last but not least, Malaysia is one of the best travel hubs in Asia thanks to its location, affordability, and accessibility. Living here makes frequent international travel easy, fast, and low-cost.

Malaysia sits right in the heart of Southeast Asia, placing you within a few hours’ flight of dozens of countries. Weekend trips and short holidays are very realistic. Below are popular, low-cost travel destinations from Kuala Lumpur. A lot of our expat employees at Startek Malaysia (including myself!) are travel lovers and if you really want, you could even go on an international trip every month!

🌏 Southeast Asia

• Thailand (2 hrs) – Food, beaches, shopping
• Singapore (1 hr) – City trips, events, food scene
• Indonesia (2–3 hrs) – Bali, Jakarta, natural retreats
• Vietnam (2 hrs) – Culture, cafes, budget travel
• Philippines (3 hrs) – Beaches, island hopping
• Cambodia (2 hrs) – Angkor Wat, history
• Laos (2.5 hrs) – Slow travel, nature
• Myanmar (3 hrs) – Temples, culture

🌏 East Asia

• Japan (6–7 hrs)
• South Korea (6 hrs)
• Taiwan (4.5 hrs)
• Hong Kong (4 hrs)

🌏 South Asia

• India (4–5 hrs)
• Sri Lanka (3.5 hrs)

Of course, moving overseas requires a certain level of preparation, determination, and procedures—but once you actually try it, you may find that it’s surprisingly simple, more so than you might expect.

At Startek Malaysia, we provide end-to-end support from the interview stage through to the start of your new life after arrival. This includes assistance with relocation support such as employment visa applications and providing flight tickets and temporary hotel accommodations in Malaysia, and for those relocating with family, we can support your dependent visa applications and school selection as well!

If you are interested in moving to Malaysia but not quite sure yet, we’d be delighted to start with just a casual discussion—please feel free to reach out!