Expats living in Asia - Best locations

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If you are considering moving abroad to live it is good to get some references for the country where you are moving. Researching locations to live is essential before you make the commitment, whether it is for work or to travel and do housesitting. Here are some top tips for would be expats living in Asia for the best places to stay.

Expats living in Asia: The best places to stay

expats in Asia — Shinjuku, a suburb of Tokyo in Japan

Asia has always been a popular destination for expats. This is whether they are professionals going for work, retirees, or people looking for a slice of culture. Asia is so expansive that there’s a destination to suit the pickiest of people. You will find picturesque landscapes, delicious restaurants, exciting activities, and thriving business industry. If you’ve decided to make the move but need some support choosing where to stay, we’ve got you covered with this list.

Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is the Malaysian capital, so it goes without saying that it’s a popular destination. It will come as no surprise that this thriving city has the largest metropolitan area, incredible transport links, and brimming employment opportunities. You will find a selection of stunning properties here, all designed for modernity – think enormous living areas. Our favorite area in the city is KL Eco City, which is a 25-acre development project erected on the Haji Abdullah Village site. If you follow the link, you will find many properties here and across Asia. While you’re there, explore the wealth of information there is on buying a property in Malaysia.

Manilla – Philippines

Manilla is the perfect destination for those looking for affordability and an exciting change in lifestyle. When you arrive, you will easily fit in because the locals speak English, largely because it opens the door to the Western business world. Living conditions in Manilla vary considerably, with the average lifestyle costing only $1000 a month. Alternatively, if you can manage with fewer luxuries, you can easily make it by on half of that. If you’re moving here as a family, you will not be disappointed because there is a large selection of top-tier schools here. However, you need to be prepared to deal with the poor transport infrastructure, especially with high levels of air pollution on the roads.

Taipei – Taiwan

Taipei is the capital of Taiwan. It’s skylight is said to resemble that in New York. This has encouraged many expats to make it their home. Despite its similarities to the Big Apple, the cost of living in Taiwan is significantly cheaper. This only adds to its appeal. The city is well connected with the Mass Rapid Transit, which will easily take you through key locations. Alternatively, if you don’t mind the heat, you can walk between destinations. We recommend you avoid driving because the traffic is extreme, and on another level.

Bangkok – Thailand

Anyone who’s seen The Hangover II will have an opinion on Thailand, depicted as a raunchy cesspit full of drunken louts and chaos. However, the reality is that the locals are extremely welcoming, families are moving here without any issues, and you always feel like part of the community. Considering how popular Thailand is, peak time becomes a nightmare for commuting, especially if you’re a driver. Therefore, we suggest living close to your place of work, meaning you can miss out on the excitement.

Bali – Indonesia

Some parts of Indonesia are still very traditional

If you haven’t taken a look at Bali yet, stop what you’re doing and get to it. Bali is full of stunning beaches and natural landscapes, making it an attractive city for expat living. There are countless areas to choose from including Ubud, Uluwatu, and Canggu, which are all within reasonable distances to thriving towns and picturesque beaches. Life in Bali is peaceful, unlike other places in Indonesia, and finding an apartment to rent is simple.

When you first start living in Bali, you will notice the rise of tech businesses setting up here, especially in Seminyak, Legian, Ubud, and Kuta. As well as great opportunities, you will experience some of the greatest cruising around. However, you should be vigilant when exploring the street food, which is known to cause “Bali Belly”. Fortunately, there are many ways you can prevent this by doing the following:

Avoid putting ice in your drink and invest in a filtration system.
Always wash your hands before you eat, and practice general good hygiene.
When you first arrive, avoid strenuous activities and drink plenty of safe water.
Dietary changes are a big culprit, so ease yourself in easily.
Poor quality foods should be avoided, especially on the streets.

Tiong Bahru – Singapore

Singapore is stacked full of opportunities and experiences, all set along the backdrop of a stunning metropolis. However, if you’re looking for a quieter city with great transport links to the action, we suggest exploring Tiong Bahru, which is among the oldest residential areas. Despite being quieter, there is still a wealth of things to keep you entertained including restaurants and shops. Setting up a base in Singapore is simple, and you can often find HBD housing dotted around, which is part-funded by the government.