Expat couple from India who lived in S'pore for 10 years moves to M'sia, says it's better to raise kids there

A couple that lived in Singapore for 10 years said that Malaysia, where they have been living for the past two years, is a better place to raise a family.

In a nearly 50-minute video uploaded to their YouTube channel Sowmya Mothi, the couple, who was originally from India, made a point-by-point comparison across multiple areas of living, including cost of living, safety and food.

They came to the conclusion that while both countries have their merits, their move to Kuala Lumpur gave them a better footing for family life.

They added that the objective was not to say "one country is good, one country is bad" but to provide "honest feedback".

Paying less for more space in Malaysia

The couple lived in Bukit Panjang, Punggol and Boon Keng while in Singapore, the latter which they called a "very central area" close to the CBD.

The three-bedroom flat they rented in Singapore cost between S$2,800 and S$4,000, they said.

In contrast, the condominium in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, where they currently stay costs about half the rental amount, despite being a larger house.

"You get better houses, you get plenty of nice, secure houses, you get a lot of space," the couple said in the video.

On this front, they leaned towards Malaysia as being a better place to live.

Cheaper produce in Malaysia

In terms of daily expenses, the couple said that the prices of food items in Malaysia have more value for money, as they are able to buy more with the same amount.

"Here we don't have to be very conscious about the money we're spending," the couple added.

They attributed the lower costs to the local produce in Malaysia, in comparison to import-majority goods found in Singapore.

"If I bought two bundles of greens there, I buy six to eight bundles here," they said.

Taxes: Malaysia better for families

The couple's comparison of both countries' taxes was determined by whether one was single or had a family.

Singapore had the edge for singles, while Malaysia was better for families, they concluded.

Income tax is fixed at a lower rate in Singapore, while in Malaysia, progressive taxes can go up to 27 per cent, they pointed out.

However, they added that as foreigners are included in Malaysia'a retirement saving scheme EPF, unlike in Singapore where they are not covered under CPF, mandatory savings grow faster in Malaysia.

But the difference depends on the nature of the individual's life stage, they nuanced.

"If you have kids, you need them to go to an international school, you need a big house, you have commuting costs, insurance...the tax savings won't help you much," they said.

For families, "even though you will pay more taxes, you will spend less on school, on house and other things."

More food options in Malaysia

Malaysia had the edge in terms of food, the couple declared decisively.

Calling the country "truly a food paradise", they said the food options are cheaper and more extensive, especially for a family that dines out at least once a week.

"If you ask me about food, Malaysia isn't just about this or that, there is so much variety."

Authentic Indian food is also in abundance there, they said.

Nonetheless, the man, Mothi, said that he missed the puffs at Singapore's Old Chang Kee.

The couple also sang praises about Singapore's hawker culture, calling it "iconic".

More holistic schools and inclusive community in Malaysia

Community and education appeared to be the tipping point for the couple, who said that Malaysia has a more inclusive community and holistic education system.

They shared that their son was able to secure a place more easily in Malaysia, and at lower tuition costs at an international school as compared to Singapore.

They also liked that Malaysian schools had more support for sports and holistic activities.

On the other hand, they called Singapore "a very fast paced area" that is more focused academically.

"Even for extracurricular activities, most of the time for kids, they are related to studies – Kumon, reading class. The whole culture is built around what you can do on top of education."

"Malaysia has an edge, not because of the education it gives, but because of the exposure it provides," they concluded.

Personally felt that Malaysia was more inclusive

The pair also posited that Malaysia has a more inclusive community, though they admitted this was subjective to individual experiences.

People call up on them when they are absent from events, and they have made more friends in their two years in Malaysia, they claimed.

"I never feel left out as an Indian," the woman, Sowmya said, adding that she has frequent play dates with other mothers.

In contrast, they said friendships "can feel transactional" in Singapore, where people are more task-oriented.

"Many people don't get the time there to belong to the community easily, you have to put in a lot of effort."

Where Singapore stands out

Nonetheless, the couple pointed out a number of ways wherein Singapore outshines Malaysia, including in safety and the efficiency of public transport.

Singapore sets a global benchmark for safety standards, they said.

For instance, they said that in their view, a woman can feel safe walking alone at night in Singapore, whereas she would need to be more vigilant in Malaysia.

"Everyone knows the boundaries and the consequences of breaking the law," they said of Singapore.

Public transport is also much more convenient in Singapore, the pair noted, adding that "you just walk 100 metres and there's a form of public transport."

"You really cannot compare KL's public transport with Singapore's. Singapore's is far superior."

Getting around Malaysia is much less convenient on public transport, though they caveated that cars are cheaper there.

Depends on your stage of life

At the end of their video, the couple concluded that one's preference for either country depends on their stage of life.

Singapore is better suited for younger professionals looking to build their careers, they said, while Malaysia is better for those who wish to settle down and raise a family, like themselves.

"For Mothi, there is a lot to think about in terms of his career growth and finances," said Sowmya.

"But as a family woman...I would say that I am finally able to breathe here."

"Singapore has given us everything. It gave us our initial finances and our initial growth," she added.

They also nuanced that their decision to leave Singapore after 10 years was not an easy one, and that friends and relatives questioned their decision.

Mixed reactions

The video generated discussion in its comment section, to a mix of opinions.

Some agreed with the couple, saying that while salaries in Malaysia are lower, one would be able to do more with the money.

On the other hand, some Malaysians argued that the couple's experiences were not typical of locals', as salary packages for foreign executives tend to be higher.

Others also pointed out that the couple's list of criteria missed out a number of equally important factors, including healthcare.

Top image via Sowmya Mothi/YouTube