I'll be attending an interview next week conducted by a UK-based company, the hiring manager is a good friend of mine (a European) we used to work and hang out in the US many years ago.
Recently he contacted me and asked if I'm willing to join his team in the UK, he seems to be very keen on bringing me there. We had an unofficial chat about the role before the actual interview.

Currently, I also work in a UK company based in Malaysia. Salary around rm11k. I have no significant commitments, house (in KL) and car paid off. Married with a child.
Though I own a house, I'm renting so I could stay nearby work. After minus all my critical expenses (rent,grocery,family,utilities) I can save about 3-4k a month ( I invest half of it).

Now about the UK work, I didn't really ask my friend about the salary just yet but from what I got to know from Glassdoor, for the same exact position the salary is about 5200 pounds a month.
After-tax, that's around 3.7k. Unit rental, to have similar convenience that I have now, i.e large house, close to work... I may need to fork out around 1.2-1.5k.
Now that leaves me about 2.5k for the rest. I may need a car. And for the rest of the expenses I might be down to 1-1.5k in savings --> which equates to rm6-7k.

With all the negative economic news surrounding the UK, I'm no expert but everything just not pointing in the right direction. Inflation, rental hikes, recession.
I don't know if this is something I should be pursuing. I love the work, it's something I'm good at and no doubt - the company is an 'elite' brand in its industry - like Rolex for watches. It would be great for the CV. But I don't know if it's worth the trouble of moving there, leaving the life I have here. Do I leave for that extra rm2-3k, leaving behind my friends and family - starting all over again? I worked in the US for 7 years before and came back to Malaysia 3 years ago thinking I may not get another oversea opportunity. But here we are... if this was just another company, I might have just said no thank you - but its like a dream company to work with because of its brand.

Something for me to think about but I would like to know your thoughts about the move or experience working in the UK, any piece of advice.
Thanks.

UPDATE:
Just attended the interview, my friend was one of the interviewer but his colleague was whom I'd be reporting to if I'm selected. The interview went well, personally,I felt good, I think I scored well without my friends help.
I still haven't decided yet, just waiting for the offer before I make my decision. Thanks to all who have given feedback.

This post has been edited by Kakistok: May 11 2023, 11:44 PM

What do you want in the long run? Migrate to UK? Just make the money?

What's important to you right now? Money? Family or career?

How old are your parents? Are you happy being away from parents? How long is the contract?

Personally, family and parents are important to me. When I'm young, I will go. But now that I am in my 30s, I want to be near my parents. I may not earn as much but at least I get to spend time with parents. These kind of things, even money can't buy. Once they are gone, there is nothing you can do to bring them back.

There are ways to make money in Malaysia too. Also I've been in the UK for a while, their lifestyle is not my cup of tea. Rather be here.

Current economic situation in UK is like a time bomb. Shits way expensive when my aunt plan to come back after 20 years there

To be honest 2k pound is enough for grocery and living expense and cars are generally cheap there but you are a foreigner and when lay off comes the foreigners get the boot first

Since he is your friend. Have you checked with him how much you will actually be getting?
Maybe you can tell us what you will be actually getting then we can advice better.
But the thing is, there is going to be an economic crisis soon and i dunno. If say things do not work out, what is the probability of you getting a job over here?
At least when the economic crisis do happen over here, you will most probably be compensated for this.

So what happen to your current house? Are you renting it out?

How old are you BTW?

This post has been edited by BrookLes: May 8 2023, 01:06 AM

UK is so big, you never say which part. Definitely you cannot survive London on 3.7k with family

The most important question is
Do you ask your partner about this, are she and yr kid up to this changes?
How about both sides of parents?

The rest is up to you. Good prospect are hard to come by but if it doesn’t work out, do you have plan B?
If all are ok and well plan, then I don’t see why not give it a try.

This post has been edited by Iceman74: May 8 2023, 01:35 AM

Economic uncertainty are happening everywhere.
Since you worked in US before you would know that being in another country gives you different perspective and experiences in life.
Proximity to EU alone can be a pro in travelling for leisure.

Hi TS, I am living in UK for almost 10 years now.

The negative economic news by youtube and western media are often way over exaggerated because GBP is still strong so it isn't that bad

I personally think it is very good opportunity and never regretted moving over

But you have to get used to the weather, the food. Salary isn't the biggest issue normally, cars are cheap. You have to take driving license again

Most importantly, which part of UK?

survive can. two bed flat £1.5k , £200 transport, £300 utilities and bills. Still got £1.7k for food and other expenses

a lot of people survive in London for way less

Really depends on your plan for life. I'm in the UK now and I can talk a bit about the current situation.

First of all, may we know what field your job is in? A lot of fields in the UK,US,Europe are preparing for economic downturn. Don't want to move here and become redundant soon.

As for salary, UK salary has historically been very low. Started in 2008, to stop recession they stopped salary increase. So basically we are getting 2008 salary with 2023 prices here.

Rental I have never seen 1.2-1.5k for large house anywhere in the UK, so you must live really far from London or in the countryside or somewhere hahah. Make sure you don't accidentally book old folks home or council estate housing.

Speaking of council, you have to pay council tax on property even if you rent. Most places it is around 300gbp a month, but depends on the price and band of the land your house sits on.

62K is a lot for UK standards shockingly. Most people here earn 30K, and live full, happy lives with their families.

I don't think you can do much with 62 too, but i also dont think you can go higher as fast in the UK.

I know in comparison it is much higher than 11k ringgit, but remember you dont live in malaysia, so you will be spending in gpb.

just imagine it as rm5200.

I am also in the midst of making a decision of staying here in the UK or going back to malaysia, and it is. hard.

I love public services here, i love the countryside, i love that i can be myself, i love that i am protected against discrimination by law, and not a second class citizen constitutionally even though i am a foreigner

But my parents rich in malaysia, all my money and wealth there too. if bring here it'll divide by 5.5

actually utilities also depend on the person haha. for me since i came here i never use heater.

but yesterday i couldn't sleep because 14c was too hot for me outside, and i cried myself to sleep longing my air con back in malaysia

i've included council tax under utilities as well

now is quite decent weather. not too hot or cold, should not have problems sleeping

no need air cond, just open window will do

Actually if you say ppl earn 30k there. Minus the tax, it's still about the same as Malaysia. But remember Malaysia standard of living is much lower.

But UK buying power is high. eating out is definitely more expensive, but shopping at supermarket is cheaper. car is relatively cheap, but insurance and maintenance not so

Also UK tax is put to good use. NHS is free and if get PR will have access to benefits

I prefer working in UK. More competitive and learn more. Retire maybe might pick Malaysia. My pension in GBP can go a long way in Malaysia

I too scared open window, I live on ground floor and my window opens directly to dark back alley where people normally sell and consume drugs before night out

Hell I’ve done the same back there lol

Yeah this would be ideal, but I really don’t want to set up life in uk, bring children up and everything then retire overseas

Grandchildren for life lmao. Need to make sure can retire happily with passive income in uk too.

On the other hand, I know if I have children in Malaysia, by the time they are adults and PN has ravaged the country into Afghanistan, they would also leave and never come back. And I’ll be alone in Malaysia

So yeah a lot to think about

UK at least I am not constitutionally less than the whites, even if in practice racism is still there

Is groceries really cheaper compared to Malaysia. Like say if I buy chicken, eggs etc. Because I still think those things are cheap in Malaysia but in Britain, it's expensive especially after the price hike.

Well. Public Hospital is also cheap so.

I really still do not buy that supermarket in UK is cheaper but of course you can give me actual real life example. Wages in UK supermarket is more expensive. I dunno. And also I think with worldwide food shortages, food prices is probably increasing. But I do not see this so much over here.

2 things bro, you cannot convert your UK savings in to MYR, if you are there for a couple of years, you will need that money for stuff like travel and education

And on education, I am unsure how old your child is and how much education is subsidised by the UK gov and what kind of residency status you have, something to ponder on

What I know about Australia is you pay international student fees if you are not a permanent resident, plus you don’t get subsidised public health care. UK might be a bit different as they only give out PRs to people working in the UK for x number or years

This post has been edited by kenji1903: May 8 2023, 06:41 AM

No I didn't ask him, I would like to attend the interview first. But based on 5 glassdoor report - the average salary is around there. I don't think I would be getting way higher than this number.

My job is very niche, fewer opportunities in Malaysia, that too looking for experience roles. The current job I got from a recommendation of a former colleague.
So that is another risk to consider - if things don't work out in UK, it will be hard for me to find something again in Malaysia

Im renting out to my cousin. its only rm700.

I'm 35

I've had experience working in the US before for 7 years at the age of 27, went there single. Salary from rm3500 which I could barely save anything to earning USD8k there, US4800 after tax,
still can save about 2k (rm8k) after all expenses (including entertainment). The living cost was comparatively low in the US because of its strong currency and high purchasing power. House rental, and labour services (i.e plumbing, car service etc) are expensive but other than, they are all affordable. So I don't know if the UK falls in the same bracket. I'm aware the salary in the UK is nowhere as high in the US.

Surrey

I don't want to migrate but Im open to work overseas and return. I lived and worked in the US for 7 years, I never felt home though the money was great. I came back just to be home. I want my kid to grow with my family members around her. My family is big and tight-knit.

Clearly my family is important, but if I could go for couple of years, build a little more wealth and come back with a much better CV. Now what I'm unsure now if that wealth and CV really going to make a big difference by going to the UK

This. However TS, I would go if there's no filial duty on your shoulder. you can always find new friends but not your parents. If your parents is already in good care (by another sibling ) then I would take the opportunity.

Im older and have stayed overseas quite awhile…time with family is something i cant get back..wealth if you smart enough there is always opportunity. The only problem in msia now is its too hot lol..

Just go. There's many big companies setup their base in Surrey

I was there for study and now working with a British company in Malaysia. I get to go to UK for business meeting 2-3 times a year. Groceries expenses doesn't change much from when I was a student. It's affordable. But can't say so for accommodation and energy bills. Pity my colleagues have to fill up GBP100 for a full tank of diesel into her Volvo XC60 :-(

Is your friend the decision maker in your hiring? If yes, you are likely to confirm getting the job. The interview is just a formality. If the company has business entity setup here, instead of physically move to UK, you can try negotiate to be based in Malaysia, to be paid in GBP equivalent, work in same UK time zone remotely (many jobs transformed thanks to COVID). It's only 7-8 hrs different, not as bad as USA where you need to be night owl to serve their territory.

If you do get to move to Surrey and decide to come back later (must stay at least 3 years), can apply for Returning Expert Program (REP) from government. You'll get lower income tax, can buy CKD car tax free, etc

think about your child, going there, would save you a bomb in education costs and you get world class IGSCE education.

Here parents have to borrow and beg to pay 45k to 100k a year for each kid to study in private schools for IGSCE.

Imagine how much your kid can save.

working hours in UK is 830 to 530pm, they don't do OT. This is why my USA colleagues always complain how lazy UK counterparts are.

London has wonderful parks, museums, theatres and cultural centers. Very nice place for holiday and weekend break. You can holiday around UK or travel to Europe.

Childcare there is world class. My cousin's son there is taken care very well in their nurseries. Their ratio for day care worker to child is like 1 to 3/4 if I not mistaken.

Downside is the high tax and your net income. I am not sure about rental, please check it out, if you wanna save you may have to live with middle eastern migrants in 2 room apartments and go shopping groceries at Asda.

but overall, Just Do It. Very few people get this type of opportunity !

Pr firm?

I used to stay there 10 years ago and i did retaje the Driving Test for uk's driving license. There were many friends did not retake driving test...they got hong kong's driving license and once in uk, they converted to uk's driving license. No need to spend lots of money attending driving class. And dont take driving test in london as many rates of failure there

If your child less than 7yo.
Go.

If more than that.. Not so good.

But eventually you will regret if you no go.

Like the poem The road not taken.

I will pass this decision to my wife. 😂

In malaysia Chinese are constitutionally less than bumi, but financially? 😅

That loophole doesn't work anymore: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article...-agreement-hong

I took my driving test in London and passed first time

How were you able to transfer from MY to US
then back to MY?

Family is important to you. You doubt your wealth will increase much if any if you take the contract. You don't plan to migrate.

The way I see it, the answer is clear my friend.

I have migrated over to UK and brought my parents visit most of Europe. Iceland, Spain, France, Italy, Netherlands, Latvia, Germany, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland etc

Something they would not do on their own, and very happy to get to travel. My sibling is taking care of them but I provide financially

Before covid they come visit 3-4 months each year, but these days I travel back instead (no longer that keen to travel due to age)

https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compa...patchComparison

Rice (white), (1kg) 6.12 RM
(1.09 £) 10.78 RM
(1.92 £) +76.0 %

Eggs (regular) (12) 8.19 RM
(1.46 £) 17.03 RM
(3.03 £) +107.9 %

Chicken Fillets (1kg) 18.32 RM
(3.26 £) 39.53 RM
(7.04 £) +115.7 %

Average prices for those items in UK are approx doubled after conversion. However, average salary is approx tripled after conversion

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) 5,647.98 RM
(1,005.99 £) 17,700.44 RM
(3,152.71 £) +213.4 %

To me, it is cheaper because I spend less % of my salary on groceries

Just curious, how long did it take you to become financially stable and able to afford going back home (Malaysia) often?
I am kinda stuck financially because we just moved to Germany a year ago and I easily send back 600-800€ monthly to clear off my debt from initial expenses we have in my Credit Card and my wife's
I wanna save up at least 3000€ annually so we can fly back to visit the family every summer. At least that's the goal so my kids will be able to catch up with their cousins and relatives

If have double income (wife working), should have no problem being stable. I have no kids so that is a difference. I lived in germany as well before (even got my Niederlassungserlaubnis). Germany I only got 55% of my gross pay after deductions, but in UK I get closer to 67%

But to answer your question, should not be more than 1 year

if its not safe, why are you still staying there? people can break the window climb in taking everything away with them.

you need to stay somewhere else bro

With your 11k.salary. you can save quite a bit too right?
I think looking at the situation. Until things really stabilise, I will stick to a more familiar situation right now.

You see how things change so much and they can easily introduce a new mandate to make your life tough..

I think you can still save more then that amount if you stay here. Provided you start preparing food for yourself etc. It's still more comfortable here as over there you probably have to prepare food often and share a place with others.

What are the working hours there? Lesser then here?

And with food inflation being a major issue in the west. Better to stay here.

But it depends on whether you think this will improve your career significantly. From a savings point, I dun see the point. And most likely you will probably have to spend more since you need to familiarise with the environment.

This post has been edited by BrookLes: May 8 2023, 04:57 PM

ah ok that's nice. i would imagine you have been there for quite sometime. does it takes long for your wife to adapt and build up her profile/proficiency to be able to work too?
do you still go back Malaysia often?
haha yea I think with kids you get a lot of tax breaks. any plans for kids?

No use being rich but hated by the majority race

I also want to add one more thing. If there is a major recession or crash. Foreigners will be the first to be asked to leave. I think it's better you stay at the moment.

Even if you lose your job, you will still be compensated for this. You can even get tax cuts in the compensation you received.

At least if you go to say sg, anything happens you can come back immediately. And it's a more familiar environment anyway

Oh btw. I think crime is a major issue in UK. Correct me if I am wrong.

This post has been edited by BrookLes: May 8 2023, 05:08 PM

Nah, not going to have kids. Tax breaks not useful because childcare costs. In Germany, the problem is always language barrier. Need like 1 year to learn it full time. In UK, it's because it's too competitive, have to compete with so many foreigners as well

Went back last year, going back this year too. This is in addition to my other holidays:
https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=5362211&hl=

yea, I'm just thankful that my company doesn't require me to learn up Deutsch but on the other hand it's always nice to learn it for day-to-day conversation.
especially for my wife and kids to integrate better. damn, my 6 yo now speaks Deutsch already albeit very basic.
i need to catch up

eh nice one! happy that you found the rhythm to living the ideal life.
may i know how old are you?

early 40s. worked in Malaysia till I moved to europe in my early 30s. i'm sure in company is fine, but dealing with gov agencies is a pain without some language fluency like when doing Anmeldung

I would go and not look back. I made the mistake of coming back to Malaysia 15 years ago and regret it immensely.

Truth be told, socioeconomically speaking, Malaysia has gone nowhere since I got back. And since all the political chaos we’ve been through, it feels like Malaysia has regressed from where it was in the 2000s.

Think of the bigger picture. Do you want to stay here and risk another generation of stagnation? Yes, the UK might not be in the best shape politically or economically, but career-wise, you have a lot more upside there. And that means you still have the option of moving elsewhere later on in case things don’t work out.

Think of the UK as a stepping stone, rather than the final destination.

I dunno. I talk to some of my friends in Europe.
They say they hardly have any savings and they are living mostly salary pay check by salary pay check.

depends on what they do, and how they live. if they eat out everyday, sure very hard to save. or if they stay in city centre instead of outskirts rental will be more expensive

you can see the thread below some of my holidays, and i go back to malaysia almost every year as well
and i'm just a regular salary earner in the UK

https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=5362211&hl=

They dont hate us la..

Some do envy us..

But some happy to work together..

Only some politicians use us as bait

I think the high tax environment just do not support savings in general. Also the low interest or even negative rates that bank gives does not incentivize people to save in the first place.

So how much do you actually save per year?

I voiced that I wanna try UK most of my peers told me lol why go there celery low and tax high.....

Guess Ayam just bored of the same environment

Normally, I would encourage if someone wants to go overseas. But not at this time.
You see. During the pandemic things can change so rapidly. And with the economic uncertainty. It's not worth the risk to be honest.

One thing that most people forget to calculate is the company contribution to EPF etc.

When I was in Singapore, I realized that I was not that highly paid actually when I actually take into account the EPF that is being paid.

around £10k per year. not focusing so much on savings because I got private and public pension funds. still got a few hundred k in EPF too

rather spend travelling like what brits do. if lose job, can just claim housing benefits, universal credit, job seeker allowances etc

So what is going to happen if say government decided not to give out those benefits anymore.

of course 10K is quite a lot. But then the mentality over there is not a savers mentality.

the gov will be replaced with another one that does

these benefits are normal for countries that practise high taxes (as benefits is one of the reasons why taxes are high)

if they want to remove benefits, the taxes needs to be reduced in tandem it will be more like Singapore style (low taxes and low benefits)

I'll let others speak about living and working in the UK but talk about relocating abroad.

Without a wife and kids, you can do anything without the need to think too much. While your age may be a factor on making big decisions, you're generally footloose. You probably know that

At this stage in life, what are you looking to achieve? Are you looking for more money? More career growth? Settlement abroad? Yours answers will dictate what actions should take.

If you're looking for more money, then what you have described, this role of yours is not the right thing. It's a meagre global salary and it only looks good if your intent and purpose is to return to msia after 3 years....and that, it's a stretch, you won't be able to save enough. So that 3 years is kinda wasted, no significant savings and you're back in msia. This only makes sense if the relo results in a true growth of income....and there are only a few countries where this is possible....namely, Singapore, HK, middle east, US and maybe Australia, everywhere else is really swapping an environment for the same pay. GBP 60k a year is not what many would consider a good global salary, in the UK, yeah, you'll be firmly in the upper middle class but with runaway inflation, you gotta be very very careful with money.

If career growth is what you are looking for, will sticking in msia eventually lead to a director role for you? If there's a high chance for it, then why do this detour to the UK? Things can go horribly wrong in the UK, you may even lose that friendship if things don't turn out well. Relo will also slow down your career growth, unless you're moving to level above, if it's just a lateral move, it will set you back several years

If settlement is what you want, then you have to stick to the plan, no matter what happens. High pay or low pay, you'll just go. I don't think they is what you are looking for as you returned from the US.

hopefully this helps you think about it.

damn this post has a lot of wisdom

Actually my friend moved to another country to work also hoping could get more money and career progression but as you alluded to it's easier to grow career in marehsia ( despite all the policies against NB) ... Rather than go to a foreign land where you'll be disadvantaged . But then he managed to save a lot and also built up his CV , such that he would be able to return to marehsia with a promotion.

So actually unknowingly , he had created an escape route for himself..... plan A to get both money and promotion overseas partially failed , only got lots of money .... But now plan B opened up, he brought his foreign currency back to marehsia and he is living a T20 life there with a promotion. Or course can argue if he didn't go detour overseas and stayed put in marehsia instead, he could have been promoted earlier, but hey , can't say he gained nothing overseas ( money and work experience , life abroaf experience )

This post has been edited by Knnbuccb: May 9 2023, 01:44 AM

The main disadvantage is at the start, when need company sponsorship to get visa, when the company doesn't know if you are capable to do the job.

Speaking from personal experience, some people in Malaysia may think they are a star performer, but in reality a lot of companies just treat Malaysia as a cheaper place to offshore less important work.

In London, I learned it isn't so much about implementing, but about designing a more comprehensive solution, something I won't get exposed to when in Malaysia.

Once gained some experience overseas, it is much easier to get other jobs, or return to Malaysia with a wealth of experience. Staying in Malaysia doesn't necessarily help career advancement

in some countries they need to give priority to locals etc. Sometimes even need to show that they have tried but failed to get locals before they promote foreigners.

Prior to Brexit they need to give priority to EU first even. So Marehsian lowest of the totem pole.

In marehsia, u r a local so u will be given the chance to go up in rank as first choice.

The things that can be done sometimes relate to the posts that you hold.e.g if u r exec , u can't say u have done a manager's job etc so Ur CV can't say that. So maybe Ur friend in marehsia alrdy become manyzer due to less competition and status as citizen , but overseas u have to stay longer as exec , plus they view Ur previous Malaysian work experience as nothing.

So if wanna go overseas actually best to go as fresh grad because it's better than working in marehsia then going over , then Marehsian work experience is considered half of the duration. E.g work 2 years but consider 1 year seniority only etc.

This post has been edited by Knnbuccb: May 9 2023, 03:42 PM

Which is why the first hurdle is the hardest. Have to be better than the locals, and the EU (before Brexit) and not to forget all other foreigners from all over the world. So if you succeed it means you have sufficient talent/skill that you can compete even with a disadvantage

After a few years in the local market, then you are essentially the local and have the benefits of the local people you were competing with when you first started

Well. This applies to every country. And unless you managed to gain citizenship or residency status. You are still considered 2nd class. But heck. Even if you managed to gain citizenship, you are still 2nd class by virtue of race

This post has been edited by BrookLes: May 10 2023, 07:09 PM

Since it's a good friend of yours, why not ask for expat terms to move to the UK? Pay-scale will beat Malaysia, and with expat terms, you are basically getting net pay with much more benefits.

Why cant I convert my money?

Depends on how long you work in that country… if it’s a contract, then yes, you need to return to Malaysia hence the conversion

But if you are looking at longer term, you work in that country, you spend in that country, How often you go back to spend in MYR?

Most people I know, once they work overseas, they won’t go back to Malaysia

Plus if you have kid, health care and education will eat a big part of your savings, the savings you convert look syok sendiri at the figure only, you won’t get to use it in MYR

This post has been edited by kenji1903: May 10 2023, 07:56 PM

Yes, my friend is one of the two decision makers. But he seems to be the one filtering the candidates.
No the company is only based in the UK , it's a product dev and RnD center with in-house testing facilities so no chance to work remotely.

My only worry to return to Malaysia is if I can get an equivalent job as my expertise is quite a niche, only a few companies offer it - and I've already worked for them Even if they want me back, it's a question of if they have headcounts and salary.
When I was job hunting after coming back from US, hardly any companies can offer >rm7k. Finally, after 4 months, found an MNC company that offered me 10k which I think is a fair amount for the work and industry I'm in.

This post has been edited by Kakistok: May 10 2023, 08:41 PM

Initially was company transfer for 6 months, but I had a visa for 5 years, so the US company asked if I want to continue working for them. of course I want to. That initial 6 months I was getting travel allowance more than my Malaysia salary. LOL

After 5 years, I got my green card.
After 8 years, decided to return.

I came back to Malaysia in 2019 after living in the UK for more than 20 years. To me, Malaysia is still the best.

At the moment, I work a UK company and salary is based on UK, so I can save a lot now compare to when I was working in the UK.

To be honest with you I nearly fell off my chair when I heard about your salary! £5000+ is a lot of money in the UK. The tax bracket is also higher at 40% if your pay is at that rate (need to be verified). The norm salary is between £30-40K for a senior managers position. The top 10% earns £60K and above.

In any case, I think you should move. No need to think long term. Just go for 1 year initially and see how you get on. I think for 1 year you can leave your wife and kids here in Malaysia. At least by doing this you are not tying yourself down to a number of years there and if you only stay for 1 year you will get the experience which may be useful when you come back to Malaysia.

I can easily save about 50% if I want to, but I save about 30% currently (20% enjoy la)

At this point, comfort and space are important to me, don't see myself sharing places with others, especially if I'm going to bring my family as well.

from career point of view, though I would be in the same position but the company is "elite", a dream brand to work for. a jaw dropper surely. I don't think its a company affected by global economy because they only deal with wealthy people.
I would like to see it as a stepping stone for something better in the future, but unfortunately, it's something you can't foresee. One thing for sure, I will return back to Malaysia if I did go, just don't know when. Maybe even for retirement.

why is that, Singapore doesn't have a pension fund? Or you are not entitled for one?

Well. I was there under work permit as a professional and they dun give CPF for these. It's a good thing though because I get a salary hike and I can use that salary hike in my future job.

I dun think the company would have hired me, if they have to pay for my CPF.

But I also had another offer at that time with a similar pay to Singapore. And I am pretty sure they would have given me EPF on top of my salary. It was a contract job but still. But I decided to go to Singapore at that time because I had some investment there. Anyway my Singapore boss was good enough to pay me a good bonus so it still payed off.

Also I wanted to use Singapore as a stepping stone but for some reason it did not work out.

This post has been edited by BrookLes: May 10 2023, 08:34 PM

Nice. Getting GBP equivalent but spend in Malaysia

Really? I know its in upper-income category, not sure if its brow-raiser. I used to earn way more in US for the same job, around gbp8000.




This is the dream isn't it, 1st world salary in 3rd world country.



No doubt, Malaysia is the best. Tanah air ku.

Of course anything can happen.
But I dunno. For me, from a monetary point of view. You can probably save more here considering the same kind of lifestyle. I think over there you have to sacrifice time cooking and doing most of the things by yourself. And I think you are brining your family there so expect more unexpected spending.

And the inflation is already happening.

Prior to pandemic, you never expect that countries all over the world will take such strong measures. But now anything goes. They can just make unexpected policies just like that.

But you seemed to have made up your mind. But if you think that this company represents a career change and that you can probably come back to Malaysia in 3 years time with a better bargaining power, then I have nothing much to say.

Wow, direct feedback from UK.

i wish i was young. I got unfinished matter to settle in UK. PI would go if i am not unker 😂

It really depends on what you want. I would like to say its worth it for the money, but I see you are married and have a kid, so long term wise you family will have to move there as well so I don't think there's much 'savings' per say.

And if your plan is not to build a life there, what else is the advantage of going? Career-wise, it seems like this will be a great move. Even if it does not last, the name on your resume will be helpful and I do not believe you won't find something similar given how niche your skillset is (based on what you say).

But company name aside, is it a bigger / higher role? Because given the nature of London, you might be a big fish here but going over there, you will be a small one and unless you are darn sure you have to capability to grow to be big, it might be a waste and detrimental to your current growth in your role.

its niche and rare is what I meant, very2 few companies that offer that kind of job (rnd engineering), its more popular in US,EU and China.
Im going for a similar level I have now, just that I'm going back to an industry I'm familiar.

Well not sure about big or small fish, when I first went to US, I thought I was a small fish too but I think I did quite well there. However,after starting a family, my career seems to have stagnated, guess it was just me, I switched my focus. Im not as career oriented as I used too, just want to go back when its 5. No more taking extra courses, or trying out new things (work related) after work. And I compete with guys who are still single and live in the office.

You said your family is important, so you should be where your family is. If your family wants to move with you to the UK, then move. If they don't then stay in Malaysia.

Yes they are.
But they want me to go if I get it , they are more excited than I am.

wrongly read.

go for it TS

This post has been edited by subdroid: May 12 2023, 09:30 AM

My partner is more excited than I am. She is up for the move. Kid is still 3yo.
No ones else knows about it just yet. Sure parents wont be happy, have to leave them again.

I dont know what plan B is, come back and job hunt again in Malaysia maybe.

If the wife and kid is coming along, you will have to do a review of your COL with the family in tow, rather than individual.

I think its a good move career-wise, but not really sure financial wise it's much of a difference.

Word of advice. It's almost impossible to bring your parents long term to UK, they probably won't want to anyway. Parents can stay up to 6 months a year in the UK though

Wife and kids no problem. Money doesn't seem to be a problem for you so why bother saving so much?

Just enjoy life in europe, so many places to visit. Link below is some of my recent trips:
https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/5362211

well, if your wife is up to it and know the risk. Why not give it a try!
Parents might be sad but we need to look further into future especially you already got young kid that can and will adopt to the lifestyle there.
If the kid any older, they might not like it.

If me, i will give it a try since financially and everyone are ok with it and still young if really not work out to come back.

I miss the chance to go either SG or Australia when me and partner was younger cos she not up to it especially Australia.
SG, she also hesitate cos need to start everything from zero but got commitment. Me too need to start from zero cos i need to close down my business here.
As time pass, the opportunities closed up as our business picking up and kids grow up.
There always something inside me reminding me, what if

This post has been edited by Iceman74: May 12 2023, 03:49 PM

The offered package is crap. I wont even bother. Relocating this far and with family along takes so much more.
Stay back and look for something else.

whats your "acceptable" package then?

the private and public pension fund from UK? Is it compulsory to contribute to pension fund. And have you got your PR?
When I was in the US, I did not sign up for 401k Because I know I'm not going to settle down in the US. I invested my money into stocks and the rest send back to Malaysia to pay off debts. Though Im debt free now and own a home (probably the best investment Ive made while working in the US), still worried about my future finance.
I only have about rm100+k investment in the US from my time there, EPF not so much because I only worked in Malaysia for 4 years in total.

Been simply exploring Surrey for property rentals, 2B units are at least 1.5k gbp and they look so ugly, macam rumah zaman peaky blinders
so the rental would be potentially 40-50% of nett pay.

Currently, I'm only paying 17% of my nett pay for rent, 3B spacious condo unit in JB.

Yes, you can probably opt out. Yes, I have PR here. The problem I have working in 3 different countries is the pensions are scattered across 3 countries. You can always pay into EPF with your earnings from abroad if you want to retire in Malaysia

you need to think long and hard where you want to settle down before making your decision

Don't mind me asking how much you're earning? I know you mentioned you save about 10k gbp a year, I'm assuming that's after all your travelling or buying/enjoying things you want?