Temporary Accommodation
For many people moving to Malaysia, temporary accommodation is the most practical place to start. Even if you have researched neighbourhoods extensively before arriving, it can be difficult to know exactly where you want to live until you have experienced the area, tested the commute to work or school and viewed properties in person. Staying temporarily in a hotel, serviced apartment or short-term rental can give you the breathing space to make a better long-term housing decision.
Why Consider Temporary Accommodation?
There can be a strong temptation to arrange a permanent home before arriving in Malaysia, particularly when moving with a family. Sometimes this makes sense. Your employer may already have arranged accommodation, you may know the area well, or you may be returning to Malaysia rather than moving here for the first time.
For many newcomers, however, signing a long tenancy before arrival carries some risk. A property may look ideal online but turn out to be less convenient than expected. Traffic can make apparently short journeys surprisingly time-consuming, while the atmosphere of a neighbourhood can be difficult to judge from photographs and maps. Temporary accommodation allows you to arrive, settle in and make your longer-term decision with considerably more information.
How Long Should You Stay?
There is no ideal period, but many newcomers find that a few weeks is enough time to become familiar with the main residential areas and begin viewing permanent accommodation. You may need longer if your household shipment has not arrived or your permanent property is not ready or are still deciding whether to rent or buy It is usually better to allow slightly more time than to feel pressured into accepting the first suitable property you see.
Hotels
Hotels are the simplest option for the first few nights after arrival. They provide immediate comfort and require virtually no setting up. For somebody arriving alone or staying only briefly, a hotel may be all that is needed.
For longer periods, however, hotel rooms can become restrictive and expensive, particularly for families. Eating every meal outside can also add substantially to the cost. Hotels are therefore often best used as very short-term accommodation while you recover from the journey and make your initial arrangements.
Serviced Apartments
Serviced apartments are particularly popular with expatriates during the relocation period. They combine many of the conveniences of a hotel with some of the facilities of a normal home. They can be especially useful for families because they provide more space and allow you to prepare meals rather than relying entirely on restaurants. Many are available for stays ranging from a few nights to several months.
Short-Term Rentals
Apartments and houses may also be available on a short-term basis through property platforms, rental agents or individual owners. These can provide more space and sometimes better value than hotels or serviced apartments, particularly for families. However, check carefully what is included,
such as internet coverage and other services like laundry and cleaning. Check what furnishings are included and what you may need to provide, especially kitchen equipment
Choosing the Right Area
Temporary accommodation does not necessarily need to be in the neighbourhood where you eventually intend to live. However, choosing a reasonably convenient location will make your first few weeks much easier. For somebody working in central Kuala Lumpur, a serviced apartment near an MRT or LRT station may be more useful than a larger property farther away. For a family, being close to the children’s likely school may be more important.
Test the Commute Before Choosing Your Permanent Home
One of the biggest advantages of temporary accommodation is that it gives you the opportunity to experience Malaysian traffic before committing to a location. Distances on a map can be deceptive. Before signing a tenancy agreement, try travelling between the property and your workplace or children’s school at the time you would normally make the journey. Saving a few hundred ringgit in rent may not seem worthwhile if it adds an hour to your daily commute.
Use the Time to Explore Different Neighbourhoods
Your temporary stay provides an ideal opportunity to compare residential areas. Walk around where possible. Visit supermarkets, restaurants and cafés. Look at the condition of surrounding buildings and roads. Consider what daily life would actually be like. These practical considerations often become more important than impressive condominium facilities or an attractive view.
Families Should Consider School Location Early
For families with school-age children, accommodation and schooling are closely connected. An international school may appear relatively close to a particular residential area but still involve a long journey during peak traffic. Before choosing your permanent home, establish how children will travel to school.
Some schools operate bus services covering popular expatriate neighbourhoods, while other families rely on private transport or drive their children themselves. If you have not yet selected a school, temporary accommodation gives you the flexibility to resolve the school question before committing to a neighbourhood.
Think About Your Household Shipment
If you are shipping furniture and personal possessions to Malaysia, coordinate the timing with your moving company. Your shipment may arrive before you have found a permanent home. Ask your mover what happens in this situation and what storage charges would apply.
If you know that you will be staying temporarily for several weeks, it may be better to arrange storage rather than rushing into a property simply because your possessions have arrived. Keep anything you are likely to need immediately with you rather than placing it in the main shipment.
What Should You Bring Into Temporary Accommodation?
Even a well-equipped serviced apartment may not contain everything you normally use. For the first few weeks, concentrate on essentials. Useful items to have with you include are important documents, medication, laptop and chargers, toiletries and anything required for work. There is
usually little reason to bring large quantities of household equipment in your luggage. Most everyday items can be purchased easily in Malaysia.
Avoid Buying Too Much Immediately
It can be tempting to start buying furniture and household equipment as soon as you arrive. Where possible, wait until you know where you will be living. The amount of space available can vary considerably between properties, particularly if you are moving from a large house overseas into a condominium.
Something that seems essential during your first week may prove unnecessary once you move into your permanent home. Use temporary accommodation as an opportunity to work out what you genuinely need.
Temporary Accommodation for Corporate Relocations
Employees transferred to Malaysia may receive temporary accommodation as part of their relocation package. If the allowance has a fixed value, find out whether you can choose your own accommodation or whether you must use an approved provider.
Do Not Feel Pressured to Sign Quickly
Malaysia generally has a good supply of rental accommodation, although availability varies considerably by area, property type and budget. Property agents may naturally encourage prospective tenants to make decisions quickly, particularly when a unit is attracting interest.
Good properties can certainly be taken by another tenant, but that does not mean you should sign a long tenancy for somewhere you are uncertain about. Look at several properties so you have a reasonable idea of local prices and standards before making a decision. Our Homes & Property guides explain rental deposits, tenancy agreements, agents and other aspects of renting in Malaysia in more detail.
Give Yourself Some Flexibility
Moving overseas already involves a large number of decisions. There is rarely any benefit in adding unnecessary pressure by insisting that every permanent arrangement must be completed before you arrive. A few weeks in temporary accommodation can give you time to understand your new surroundings and make one of the most important decisions of your relocation, where you are going to live, with considerably greater confidence.
For detailed information about choosing an area, renting a property and buying a home, see our Homes & Property guides.