{"id":42844,"date":"2026-04-09T00:22:36","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T16:22:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=42844"},"modified":"2026-04-09T00:22:36","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T16:22:36","slug":"indian-couple-who-lived-10-years-in-singapore-say-malaysia-offers-better-family-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=42844","title":{"rendered":"Indian Couple Who Lived 10 Years In Singapore Say Malaysia Offers Better Family Life"},"content":{"rendered":"


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A couple who spent nearly a decade living in Singapore has opened up about why they decided to leave and why they now believe Malaysia offers a better lifestyle for families<\/h2>\n

In a YouTube video, Sowmya and Mothi, originally from Coimbatore and Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, India, shared<\/a> an honest breakdown of their experience living in both countries after relocating to Kuala Lumpur about two years ago.<\/p>\n

They said the decision to leave Singapore wasn’t an easy one.<\/p>\n

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“We lived in Singapore for nine, almost 10 years. One day, we suddenly decided to pack everything and move to Malaysia,” Mothi said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He added that many friends and family questioned their choice.<\/p>\n

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Image via @sowmyamothi (YouTube)<\/a><\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

They were paying more for less space in Singapore<\/h2>\n

One of the biggest differences, they said, was housing.<\/p>\n

The couple shared that between 2019 and 2022, renting a two-bedroom condominium in Singapore cost them about SGD4,000 (roughly RM12,500).<\/p>\n

The unit was around 750 sq ft.<\/p>\n

After moving to Kuala Lumpur, they now rent a condominium in Bangsar that is nearly 2,000 sq ft, while paying less.<\/p>\n

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“In Malaysia, the rent in a prime area like Bangsar is much cheaper. You get much better and more secure houses with significantly more space for about half the cost when you convert the currency.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

For them, the extra space made a significant difference, especially as their son grows older.<\/p>\n

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Image via @sowmyamothi (YouTube)<\/a><\/small>Image via <\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Groceries and daily expenses are noticeably cheaper in Malaysia<\/h2>\n

They also found that everyday costs are much lower in Malaysia.<\/p>\n

In Singapore, a weekly grocery run costs them around SGD250 to SGD300. In Kuala Lumpur, they now spend about RM400 to RM500 for a larger variety of items.<\/p>\n

They pointed out that Malaysia’s access to locally sourced produce made groceries feel fresher and more affordable.<\/p>\n

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“You can buy exactly how much you want \u2014 like asking for 200g of something or RM3 worth of items \u2014 just like back home in India.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Image via @sowmyamothi (YouTube)<\/a><\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But Singapore still has the edge in infrastructure<\/h2>\n

Not everything tilted in Malaysia’s favour.<\/p>\n

The couple said Singapore’s public transport system remains unmatched, describing it as efficient and reliable enough to get anywhere without needing a car.<\/p>\n

In Kuala Lumpur, they said owning a car is almost necessary for convenience.<\/p>\n

They also noted that Internet speeds in Malaysia tend to be slower and more expensive compared to Singapore.<\/p>\n

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“Also, in Singapore, tap water is perfectly safe to drink. In Malaysia, you need to pay for a water purifier every month,” Sowmya said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Safety and cleanliness still stand out in Singapore<\/h2>\n

On safety, they were clear that Singapore sets a global benchmark.<\/p>\n

They said it’s common for a woman to feel safe walking alone late at night in Singapore, something that requires more awareness in Malaysia.<\/p>\n

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“Everyone knows the boundaries and the consequences of breaking the law.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

While they stressed that Malaysia is not unsafe, they said people tend to be more cautious, for example, double-checking car locks or keeping a closer eye on belongings.<\/p>\n

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Image via @sowmyamothi (YouTube)<\/a><\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Malaysia stood out for lifestyle, food, and community<\/h2>\n

Where Malaysia stood out most, they said, was in lifestyle.<\/p>\n

The couple described Malaysia as a “food paradise”, with a wide range of affordable options, from simple meals costing just a few ringgit to more premium dining experiences.<\/p>\n

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“I do miss the ‘Old Chang Kee’ chicken mushroom curry puffs from Singapore, though!”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

They also said they felt a stronger sense of community in Malaysia, from building relationships with neighbours to being invited to festive open houses.<\/p>\n

Compared to Singapore, which they described as efficient but sometimes “transactional”, Malaysia felt more personal and grounded.<\/p>\n

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“We feel more ‘at home’ in Malaysia.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Schools and family life tipped the balance<\/h2>\n

For their child, they said Malaysia offered a more well-rounded environment.<\/p>\n

They highlighted that international schools in Malaysia often come with larger campuses, better facilities, and more extracurricular activities, at a lower cost compared to Singapore.<\/p>\n

This, combined with the overall pace of life, made Malaysia feel more suitable for raising a family.<\/p>\n

Their conclusion: It depends on your life stage<\/h2>\n

Rather than saying one country is better than the other, the couple framed it as a matter of timing.<\/p>\n

They described Singapore as ideal for young professionals looking to build their careers and financial stability, thanks to its strong systems, safety, and lower income tax rates.<\/p>\n

Malaysia, on the other hand, felt more suitable for those looking to settle down, with its lower cost of living, larger homes, and family-friendly environment.<\/p>\n

They said they have no regrets about either phase of their lives.<\/p>\n

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Image via @sowmyamothi (YouTube)<\/a><\/small><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The video has sparked discussion among viewers who are weighing the same choices between Singapore, Malaysia, and even India<\/h2>\n

Not everyone in the comments, however, saw the couple’s experience as universally relatable.<\/p>\n

One Malaysian viewer pointed out that the lifestyle Sowmya and Mothi enjoy in Bangsar comes with a catch; it works because of the salary packages typically offered to foreign executives.<\/p>\n

With rent in the area starting at around RM2,500 and half of Malaysians earning between RM4,000 and RM5,000 a month, the maths looks very different for locals.<\/p>\n

The commenter added that they are actually planning to move in the opposite direction, from Malaysia to Chennai, where a post-tax monthly income of INR80,000 (roughly RM3,500) would stretch considerably further than it does in KL.<\/p>\n

Others pushed back on the hesitation some people have about choosing Malaysia over Singapore.<\/p>\n

One commenter argued that the real question isn’t which country pays more, but what you can do with what you earn.<\/p>\n

For those who can secure a competitive income in Malaysia, the lower cost of living means more room for savings and a more comfortable lifestyle overall, something that is harder to achieve in Singapore, even on a higher nominal salary.<\/p>\n

You can watch the couple’s video here:<\/h2>\n