Malaysia can be found on the Asian mainland and it is among Asia’s most underrated and it is normally used by tourists as a visa run destination from the neighboring countries like Thailand and Indonesia. The country is getting more and more popular as a digital nomad hotspot and you will see why when you visit the country.
Why Malaysia is getting popular as a digital nomad hotspot
Malaysia is a country with varieties of contrasts, it is divided in two by the South China Sea and its homes to vibrant Kuala Lumpur, fast-growing business development, colonial architecture, beach resorts, and many attractions that you will love. You can also head to the giant island of Borneo filled with lush orangutan-friendly jungle and it also homes small villages with some of the best diving spots in the area.
Another best thing about Malaysia is that the country has a deep running coffee culture and you are going to find lots of cafes and coffee shops across the numerous cities in the country. This means there is a wide array of working locations suitable for digital nomads. With the growing café culture in the major cities of the country, Malaysia is getting popular among the digital nomads in the world.
The internet and co-working spaces
Malaysia has a significantly slow internet when compared to neighboring countries like Singapore. There are three main internet options that you can choose from in the country like mobile internet, MiFi, and WiFi. If you are staying at Airbnb, hostel or hotel, you can easily tap on the Wi-Fi but they can be strong or not based on the location that you are. You can also use the mobile internet in the country and the four main operators are Celcom, DiGi, U Mobile, and Maxis. You will also few carriers that operate on their own 4G/LTE networks and they work only in part of the country especially in the Peninsular but can be patchy on the islands like Borneo. You can also create your own WiFi network with a MiFi device that will function as a mobile router with a sim card holder or a power bank.
There are varieties of co-working spots in the big cities that you can head to in the city to work. You can also opt for varieties of spacious coffee shops and boutique cafes where you are going to get a comfy and relaxed working atmosphere.
Cost of living
Accommodation
You can easily set up a base in Malaysia as it is quite easy when compared with many other places in the world. You are going to easily find an apartment which fits your budget. You can easily get a nice, furnished apartment for less than USD 1500 per month if you go through a realtor. There is also Airbnb option that you can choose from and you will surely find plenty of deals that you can choose from.
Transportation
You can easily get around the major city with Uber or Grab, they have a fair rate and they will get you around the main parts of the country. The country has improved public transport to get around the country and the most common options to the outskirts of the islands are scooters and bikes.
Food
Malaysia is popular for its food and it is best to enjoy their wide varieties of gastronomical delights once you are in the country.
Best Malaysian cities to work from
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the largest and the capital city of the country and it is filled with urban amenities and big city atmosphere. You are going to find modern skyscrapers, architectural delights and residential buildings in the city that will blow your mind. It is also a great destination for digital nomad as it offers affordable accommodation, lots of cafes and coffee shops, accessible Wi-Fi, and so on. The only issue is that there is a relatively small number of co-working spaces to choose from.
Penang
This is among the newest emerging digital nomad hotspot; it is an island-state in Malaysia that is divided into parts. Penang is a popular tourist hotspot due to its colorful architecture, mouth-watering street food scenes, and diverse nature. It is getting more popular among digital nomads because it is a low-cost destination and it offers necessary working amenities.
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