Living in Malacca

[PicMas]

Howdy gents.

As I am currently on the verge of signing a contract with a company in Malacca, I would really appreciate some pro's and con's about living there.

I'm Northern European, and have flown on various continents but never in the Far East.

Possible to have a social life?

Nice places to live? Cost?

Any immediate threat to westeners (terror, kidnapping etc.)

What vaccinations would you suggest?

Malaria?

If this plan materializes, she-who-must-be-obeyed and daughter will join me there after a while. Can she find a job (has intl. business education)

I know these are general questions, but you got to start somewhere. (yes, I have used the search function and Google)
Just feel it's extremely important to get some info directly from the horses mouth!

Thanks a lot!

MAS

[mooney59]

You can characterize Malacca as a small sleepy town in Malaysia, it is unique in that unlike most of the other towns around Malaysia it is not predominately 'Malay'. but a really wide mix of cultures i.e Eurasians,Chinese,Indians,Portugese.

Its not a phyicially beautiful city but has its strong points.

A good example is like the difference between living in
London and a small city like Bath in the UK.This is a very loose refference of course.

Basically safety is no issue in Malaysia.Except if you wander up north near the Thai border.

Option to travel by road on really good quality highway [3-4 hrs] to the large metrapolis like Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

[Virtual Reality]

Hi MAS,

I will try to answer all your questions but it may not be 100% correct but close enough as I am don't live there.

Q. Possible to have a social life?
A. Yes but not as good as living in a cosmopolitan area. There are few night spots around town area and almost all 5 star hotel have at least an entertainment outlet. Few beautiful beaches, golf courses, safaripark/mini zoo/waterpark/ cum golf course/resorts with serviced apartments. Expats won't have much problem in Malacca unless your life style is something like Michael Jackson or any Hollywood stars.........

Q. Nice places to live? Cost?
A. Quite reasonable and affordable. With USD1000 a month, you could get a fully furnished approx. 1000 sq feet apartment or fully furnished bungalow if you choose to live in the outskirt. Malacca is connected by a 4 lanes highway in between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur (each direction will take approx 3 hrs drive). Food stuffs are really cheap and fresh. If a local earns USD500-600 a month, he can live comfortably but not levishly.
{USD1.00=Ringgit Malaysia (RM) 3.80}

Q. Any immediate threat to westeners (terror, kidnapping etc.)
A. Not really, quite a peaceful town and the crime rate is quite low although it is not a crime free area.

Q. What vaccinations would you suggest?
A. Unable to give you any advise in this matter, probably few basic shots related to malaria, hepatitis, BCG will certainly helps.

Q. If this plan materializes, she-who-must-be-obeyed and daughter will join me there after a while. Can she find a job (has intl. business education)
A. Should be able to but she must get an employer who is willing to sponsor a working visa for her.

Last but not least, try this http://www.tourism.gov.my/ to get a general idea about Malaysia.

Have a pleasant stay in The Land of Truly Asia.:cool:

[HotDog]

Malacca is a delightful little town but haven't been there for the last forty years. Certainly wouldn't mind going back there if Fatima was still alive and forty years younger.:ok:

[Romeo Tango Alpha]

I believe that "social interaction" in Malacca is much easier, becuase the religion of the area is predominately Catholic.

So, no need to change to Islam if you decide to marry one (and believe me, they can be stunners!!!!!)

Selamat Jalan!

[wv4175]

http://www.melakacom.net.my/general/main.htm

Visit this website.....lots of info on malacca.
Basically, malacca is a nice historical town situated on the west coast of west malaysia. It is about 2 -2 1/2 hrs drive on a beautiful highway to the capital city, kuala lumpur.
Cost of living is relatively quite low, there is an international school in town, that caters for expats children. Lots of nightlife, good food of all types, ie local, western, chinese, indian etc. Some nice pubs, clubs, resorts, etc. English is basically spoken everywhere....or at the very least, understood.

Health care is very good and inexpensive, govt and private hospitals/clinics are abundant. Housing is inexpensive...it all depends on what you want, locality, etc. A 3 bedroom house around the vacinity of the airport costs bout RM600, which is bout USD160/ per month. An upmarket condominium unit, costs bout RM1200, USD 320 per month......so, its entirely up to you to choose.

The weather is good all year round, bright and sunny, but u can expect heavy rains/ thunderstorms, which is the norm here in malaysia.

Well, i hope the the above brief is of help, and if u need and other info, PM me, and i will try and help. If, u decide to come, let me be the first to welcome u in our national language:
SELAMAT DATANG KE MALAYSIA.....which basically means, welcome to Malaysia.

btw....will u be joining an aviation company, flying school or otherwise? :)

[PicMas]

Wow!

Thanks a lot for taking the time to reply, very useful information too.

Looks like I will be going to Malaysia by late August.

Hope to see some of you there, first one is on me :p

[hapimus]

i`m from malacca. have a brother in law from swizerland who doesnt want to go back to swiss after living in mcca.

once you know the group of expatriates who are living here then life is fun with lots of people but as a tourist only then it is different.

send me your email via pm and i will send you mine and call me when you come. i will personally show you around.

once you are malacanised you will love this place.

malacca boy .

[wv4175]

hapimus......i like the phrase...malacanised!

well, it just shows isnt it? arent we malaysians a really helpful and friendly bunch?

fly safe guys...and gals......:ok:

[happie]

wv 4175 ...u too are invited to..........
...........
................... devil curry...satay celup....fondou party....
.....hash running.........hash biking...........

[Taildragger]

Mate You will just love Malacca. Much more relaxed than it's big Cousin down the road. The Malaysians are delightful people and you will make a lot of friends there for sure.
I used to go there to DeSingaporise myself for weekend R&R, and also was in Johor Bahru most weekends, and as I crossed either causeway, I could feel the tension just drift away.
Likewise on the return I could feel it get tense again.!!
beer is good (Anchor or the Singapore version Tiger.
We used to stay at a very charismatic B&B called the Heeren House. Very Dutch Colonial and very pleasant. If the other hals likes antiques, she will love Malacca. By the way Malacca in Greek means something quite rude. Rhymes with Banker.!!
Now...ideas on the secondline of the Limerick I am composing....
There once was a girl from Malacca ....

[kwaiyai]

Hi PicMas,
I worked in Mallaca for just under 1 year bf moving to my current job based in KL. I think you will enjoy working there alot. Living there is cheaper than KL. A few of my ex colleagues are renting furnished apts for 750 to 1000 ringgit per month, my old place was slightly more. You can rent fully furnished and serviced apts for 850+ but we all left there for various reasons. Its also a safe place, night life is a bit quiet compared to KL but good. Medical advice is: Dont worry to much about Malaria, Dengue fever is arguably more common, Its not really a hotspot there. Suggest you talk to your GP especially if you are bringing any littleones out. Usual shots are hep A, Typhoid, Tetanus boost if required, Polio myolitis. Again your GP will advise better than me,
If you move out, enjoy, Regards, :cool:

[willflyer]

The only few flying companies I know in Malacca are the Malaysian Flying Academy and the CTR which makes the Eagle aircraft.

I've trained in Malacca and had a very enjoyable 1 1/2 years there. At first I was a bit sceptical, being a big-city boy but it's not really that rustic, there's a happening nightlife every weekend, plenty of cheap beer and girls galore especially if you're white. Besides KL is only 2 1/2 hours away by car (and you WILL need a car but don't worry they're cheap). If you get sick of Malacca there's always the rest of Malaysia and Singapore and Thailand to explore.

MFA has had several long-serving western instructors from AUS, NZ, FRA and GBR their staying power depends largely on their temperament. If you're the laid-back kind who takes things as they come (and yet have high professional standards) and have a high tolerance level for daily slip-ups and the general Malaysian relaxed attitude to life, then you're most welcome!

Second line...

...Whose uncle was a horrible lecher...

[7sex7]

malacca is good,cheap....
MFA is fun,admin guys are great....just watch-out for the old dark bald boSS of urs...:mad:

[kwaiyai]

Do you mean Darth Vader by any chance 7sex7?
:E

[7sex7]

kwaiyai..

yes offcourse...dunno how he manage to stay all this while,we MALAYSIAN r being very forgiving..if only he is doin all the nonsense in his homecountry,Im sure he is been buried alive long ago!We gave him a job,he turns around n screw us back...
hope he will be called to GOD soon,n myb the place will be much better----counting days :ok:

[CTM1394]

Avoid this company its an expat. trap! Even malaysian pilots avoid to go there.
Unless you intend to stay instructor.But if you expect to be able to join an airline in Malaysia you will be very disappointed....if you need more explanation contact me...in pm.

[ikan_terbang]

The Boss of MFA is Mr Cash-Shaft
Great Guy with weird humour

[TheFlyingDJ]

Just a few words on Malaysia and Malacca. It's just great over there. I have been there many times since I have lots of family there. In fact, the reason I went into flight training in the 1st place was that I flew there every year since birth :).

Anyway, those of you who are living there or those who are going there sometime end of august, gimme a buzz. I will be there too.

Could be nice to meet some ppl of this board over there. I'm staying for a month probably.

Cheers!

[malaysian eaglet]

After sending letters to MoT, Prime Minister.... expressing that only one school can survive in Malaysia (MFA) and using all his influence to stop the birth of a second school the VSM pretends now to be at the origin of the delivery of the clearance of the Mot to LATC... Everybody will appreciate. Incredible!!!!

[lostconcern]

Maybe the VSM aka Very Stupid Man needs a job?

[Lanun]

Rental is extremely cheap in Malacca. You can rent an empty house around RM300-500 (single storey) and RM450-700 (double-storey). Apartments varies depending on its location. For example, there is an apartment near the airport called Kiara Apartments, looks ok but more or less like a flat. Comes with a swimming pool and security guards but the apartment is rather tiny or should I say cozy with 3 bedrooms. This one goes for RM400 a month.

Then, a condominium called Cheng Heights which is much bigger with a much luxurious deco and also fully furnished comes to around RM1000 - RM1500 per month. This condominium is also nearby the airport.

As stated from one of your previous replies, they mentioned something about living at the outskirts of Malacca. Well, it isn't really that bad if you were to know it's shortcuts. It's not that far afterall. These apartments are allocated along the coast and there are plenty available. Their prices ranges from around RM800 - RM3000. They have very nice views and may I say that it's a good place to get laid :) WARNING: Living in these apartments makes you lazy especially when you wake up and you want to stay in bed all day long...

PS: For property guidance in Malacca, contact Allworth property brokers, they really helped me alot and efficiently.

[Flying Crap]

Yeah about the future of the nearly jobless Cash-Shaft , there are two vacancies in LATC:
1) As a (professional) gardener (To be a former test pilot will help)
2) Driver. However three times fatal accident and no more are tolerated