Expat Experiences in Malaysia

When considering a move to a new city, there is nothing more useful than hearing real-life stories and experiences from other expats who have lived there. We'd love to hear about your expat experiences. Please contact us if you live or have lived in Malaysia and would like to share your story.

Moving to Malaysia from Britain – Read interviews with British expats living in Malaysia

British expat Benjamin found a teaching job in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and happily lived there from 2012 to 2023. During the extensive school and public holidays, Benjamin enjoyed travelling and eating his way across Southeast and Central Asia. Read about Benjamin’s expat life in Malaysia.
Virginia is a British expat who moved to Malaysia in October 2016 due to her husband’s job in the extractive industry. Having previously lived in Brisbane, Australia, Virginia is a seasoned expat and shares some great insights about expat life in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. Read more about her expat life in Malaysia.
Nicola is a British expat who moved out to the small Malaysian city of Johor in 2014 when her husband took up a job at one of the town’s university campuses. Her family has also lived in Singapore and Saudi Arabia, but she says the biggest plus of living in Malaysia is the opportunity to immerse yourself in a truly multicultural society. Read about her expat experiences in Malaysia.

Moving to Malaysia from America – Read interviews with American expats living in Malaysia

Emily is an American expat who moved to Malaysia after living in South Korea for over five years. Her husband teaches at an international school in the city, and Emily stays home raising their young daughter. Read all about the family’s expat life in Malaysia.
Michael is an American expat in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He’s there on a short-term contract and transferred to Malaysia with his American employer. Michael tells us about the city’s food scene and grabbing any opportunity to travel with both hands. Read more about his expat life in Malaysia.
Kimbra is an American expat who moved to Kuala Lumpur with her husband when he was relocated for his job. Kimbra loves the diversity of the people, cultures, and religions in Malaysia and the many different opportunities available for shopping and travel. Read more about her expat experience in Kuala Lumpur.
Michele is an American expat living in Malaysia. She moved from Austin, Texas, to the island of Penang with her husband and three children when he was transferred within his company. Michele has embraced her expat experience with a positive attitude and has enjoyed exploring her new city and the good quality of life that it has to offer her and her family. Read more about her expat experience in Malaysia.
Ann is an American expat living in Kuala Lumpur. This self-proclaimed ‘International Lady of Leisure’ moved to Malaysia with her husband and has been blessed with the arrival of a baby boy since their relocation. Read about her experiences of expat life in Malaysia.

Moving to Malaysia from Malaysia – Read interviews with Malaysian expats returning home

Marvin is a Malaysian engineer in the oil and gas industry. As a result of his work for Shell International, he and his wife have spent many years travelling around the world and experiencing its myriad cultures. Now, they have returned home to Malaysia, a place every bit as vibrant and multicultural as they could ask for. Read more about Marvin’s life in Malaysia.

Moving to Malaysia from India – Read interviews with Indian expats living in Malaysia

Indian expat Lakshmipriya was an HR professional in a former life, although nowadays she is a multitasking mom to two little girls, a skilled business writer, a flawless hostess, a professional voice talent, an occasional culinary coach and an incurable decor addict. Read about her experiences of expat life in Malaysia.

Moving to Malaysia from Scotland – Read interviews with Scottish expats living in Malaysia

Katrina, a Scottish expat living in Malaysia, pays the bills by advising foreigners on the finer points of life in Malaysia. As the online editor for ExpatKL.com, she’s perfectly prepared to share the insight she’s gleaned from her expat experience in Malaysia.

Moving to Malaysia from Ireland – Read interviews with Irish expats living in Malaysia

Johanna is a freelance writer on the cusp of completing her first novel. She is from Ireland but has lived a peripatetic life abroad since 1993, most recently settling in Malaysia. She is married to a Dane and is a mother to three children. Read about her insightful experience of life as an expat in Kuala Lumpur.

Moving to Malaysia from Canada – Read interviews with Canadian expats living in Malaysia

Bill and Randee, a Canadian couple living in Malaysia, turned a tiny stint abroad into over two decades of living and learning. Randee wrangles in fellow expats as the Membership Director for the Canadian Association of Malaysia (CAM), while Bill puts in his time at a major oil and gas company. Read what they have to say about expat life in Malaysia.