- A new challenge starting at age 40 Vol.5 - Difficulties in moving to Malaysia (Lifestyle)

At the age of 42, I left Japan to start a new life in Malaysia. I moved there for work, but when I actually started living there, I found that there were many more "unexpected" things waiting for me than I had imagined. In this article, I will focus on the "really difficult" things about living in Malaysia. I hope that this will provide some practical tips for those who are considering moving abroad.

Lifestyle Part 1: I don't recommend sharing a room with a colleague

A life of care doesn't last long

In Malaysia, many people share rooms with colleagues who joined the company at the same time as them in order to keep living costs down.

However, based on past experience, I can state with certainty that I absolutely do not recommend it. When you live in the same space 24 hours a day with someone you just met, differences in personality can build up as small stressors. A life of constant consideration cannot be sustained for long, no matter how cheap the rent.

I myself have had unpleasant experiences with roommates, and I will write about that in another article.

Daily Life Part 2: No showers allowed until the water heater switch is checked

What is a Malaysian-style electric heater?

Unlike Japan, the hot water supply systems in Malaysia are mainly electric types that heat water.

There is an on/off switch for the water heater somewhere in the room, and hot water will not come out unless you turn it on. I strongly recommend not taking a shower until you find it. Taking a cold shower in the middle of the night is sure to catch a cold.

If you're unsure, check with the owner or a coworker.

Lifestyle Part 3: The golden rule when it comes to local food is to get used to it little by little

Malaysian food is spicier than you might imagine

Malaysian food culture is diverse and delicious, but the spices are very strong and can be too strong for Japanese stomachs.

When I first started eating spicy Malaysian food, I would get an upset stomach after a while.

Taking advantage of Japanese restaurants

There are many Japanese restaurants in Malaysia. Just because you're living abroad doesn't mean you have to force yourself to switch to local food. We recommend incorporating Japanese food into your diet a few times a week and gradually getting used to local food.

Lifestyle Part 4: Security at night is a world apart from Japan

The Ara Damansara district where I lived

I lived in an area called Ara Damansara, on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.

It was a convenient town with a Japanese school, Japanese signs, and a Family Mart.

There is a large shopping mall called Citta Mall in the center, which looks safe at first glance.

The basic safety measure is "don't walk at night"

But at night, it's a different story. A junior colleague of mine was the victim of an attempted robbery near Citta Mall.

Women in particular should avoid walking alone at night. When I walk at night, I turn on the light on my smartphone to illuminate my surroundings.

Being visible in the dark is one way to protect yourself.

Daily Life Part 5: It takes time to get the internet up and running

Don't assume things will go according to plan

In Japan, construction work is carried out exactly on the scheduled date, but this is not always the case in Malaysia.

In my case, the staff member didn't show up on the first installation date, so I inquired via chat and finally arranged a return date. The line was finally opened on the second appointment. These kinds of "schedule slippages" are commonplace.

It is important to apply early and give yourself plenty of time.

Daily Life Part ⑥: Western Union is convenient for sending money to Japan

How to choose an international money transfer service

There are several ways to send money from Malaysia to Japan, but the one I found easiest was Western Union. The fees are relatively low and the process is simple.

At the time (2018), Wise (formerly TransferWise) was not available in Malaysia or Thailand, so I used Western Union. When sending money overseas, be sure to do your research beforehand and choose the method that best suits you.

Summary: When moving to Malaysia, it's important to be prepared to enjoy the unexpected

Looking back, my life in Malaysia was full of things that are common in Japan that didn't work. However, looking back now, I see those inconveniences and confusion as invaluable experiences. My life in Malaysia taught me the ability to live flexibly.

In the next issue, Vol. 6, I will talk about my working life in Malaysia and the story of how I got an unexpected promotion because I could speak English.