Name: Felicity Brown
Home Country: Australia
Other countries you have lived in: Indonesia, Japan, Hong Kong, Egypt
Industry/Job: Career Coach and Trainer, MAIA Careers & Training
What brought you to Malaysia?
I was posted to Malaysia for three years with a former employer. Not long after arriving I met and later married my Malaysian husband. Now I’ve been living here nearly seven years!
What do you like and dislike about living here?
I like the easy proximity and cheap fares to other Asian destinations, the relatively lower cost of living, the warm Malaysian people and the country’s cultural diversity, and the year-round warm weather. I dislike the traffic jams and the crazy motorbike riders, littering, and the over-reliance on plastic bags.
Name three typical weekend activities that you enjoy.
Dim Sum is a definite favourite, along with sleeping in. I also really enjoy catching up with some friends over champagne brunch.
What is your favourite holiday destination in Malaysia or in the region? Why?
There are so many to choose from! I love the Bon Ton resort in Langkawi and of course Borneo for its stunning landscapes (my husband is a Sarawakian).
Do you own property here? If so, where?
Yes, we have our condominium in Cheras that we live in, and investment properties in Sentul and Kepong.
What do you miss most about your home country?
Like most people I miss my friends. I also miss picnics outdoors, clean air and blue skies that Australia’s famous for.
What advice do you have for newlyarrived expats?
Get a GPS! The signs here are notoriously bad, so a GPS definitely helps when you need to find your way around this huge city.
Is Malaysia a good place in which to work and do business? Why?
Yes, there is an entrepreneurial spirit here that has encouraged me to move into selfemployment.
How long do you plan to stay in Malaysia? Where would you like to go next, and why?
In the medium-term we plan to move to Miri, Sarawak, to be closer to my husband’s family and live a quieter, more relaxed lifestyle near the ocean. My own plan is to live 10 months of the year in Malaysia and 2 months back in Australia over the summer months. Now I’ve started my own business, some of which can be done online (thanks to the Internet), so I can have the freedom and flexibility to live the life I want.
Read more expat interviews:
"ExpatGo welcomes and encourages comments, input, and divergent opinions. However, we kindly request that you use suitable language in your comments, and refrain from any sort of personal attack, hate speech, or disparaging rhetoric. Comments not in line with this are subject to removal from the site. "
