‘I'm done with S'pore! I wanna move to M'sia…' — S'porean man earning S$100K/year feels ‘jaded with life in SG; KL feels sweet place to be'
In a viral post on the r/Malaysia subreddit, a 35-year-old Singaporean man, husband and father of three, poured his heart out because he's completely burnt out, and now he hears KL is calling…
'Of late, I have been feeling very jaded with life in SG and have been fantasizing of leaving,' he wrote. 'KL feels like a sweet place to be, with opportunities likely far greater than anywhere else in Malaysia.'
Done with SG. Wanna move to Msia.
byu/serstay inmalaysia
He added that while his job in Singapore's education sector is stable, and he's close to his extended family, he's dreaming of a reboot across the Causeway. Notably, he's unsure where or how to begin the transition, and was hoping Malaysian Redditors could shed some light. Grass is greener on the other side, or just different?
The replies ranged from 'please think twice' to 'you're not alone.' But one theme stood out like a neon sign on Jalan Bukit Bintang: it's complicated.
'Mate, I'm sorry to burst your bubble,' one Malaysian bluntly said, reminding the Singaporean that 'There's a reason plenty of Malaysians are seeking opportunities in Singapore.'
Another Redditor, who worked in both Malaysian and Australian schools, urged the man not to oversimplify the move. 'Don't narrow it down to country. Narrow it down to the specific school… and what their values are.' See also S377A: "Doing the right thing" - or killing the Opposition softly?
A few Singaporeans chimed in as well, some sympathising. One candidly admitted: 'If you struggle with S$100K and three kids in Singapore, you're gonna cry if you go to Malaysia and try to live on RM100K.' 'You need about RM180K/year in KL…'
At current exchange rates, S$100K is roughly RM330K — a salary only a small percentage of Malaysians earn. While KL might offer a lower cost of living on some fronts, Redditors were quick to point out hidden pitfalls: Housing: A good 3-bedroom condo would cost close to RM2,000/month
A good 3-bedroom condo would cost close to RM2,000/month Transportation: You'll need a car, as public transport is not quite like that in Singapore
You'll need a car, as public transport is not quite like that in Singapore Schooling: International schools are the go-to for expats, but come with a hefty price tag
International schools are the go-to for expats, but come with a hefty price tag F&B & Groceries: Hawker food and local stuff may be cheaper, but fast food and other items, not necessarily.
One Malaysian explained: 'To maintain the same lifestyle as S$100K in SG, you need about RM180K/year [in KL]. [That's] around RM16K/month.' Not easy unless you're in a niche or leadership role. 'Sounds like you just need a vacation…'
Many suggested a softer landing, like taking a sabbatical or long break before calling the movers.
'Sounds like you just need a vacation,' one advised. 'Rent a long-term Airbnb, take the kids on a road trip, breathe. Then decide,' another added. See also Crime and punishment: Where is the debate?
A few even floated hybrid options: 'Keep earning SGD with a remote job while living in JB or KL. That's the best of both worlds.' Maybe look to Europe?
A major concern for the Singaporean was the pressure cooker of Singapore's education system.
One commenter agreed with him: 'I increasingly feel bad for the kids. I can live with a lower income if it means a more holistic learning environment for them.'
But others warned Malaysia might not be the promised land for this. 'If you want growth mindset education, maybe look to Europe,' said one. 'Most people on this subreddit want to leave Malaysia…'
Not all Malaysians were keen to sell their country. One local Redditor pointed out, 'Most people on this subreddit want to leave Malaysia,' to hint to the Singaporean that he's basically going against traffic.
Another added a reality check: 'KL is just Singapore 2.0 — with worse walkability,' additionally warning him that the traffic jams could make him rethink his life.
And then there were those who saw the appeal in collectively saying that though Malaysia isn't perfect, if he and his wife can earn five digits each and keep expectations grounded, they'll be okay. Life here can be calm, exciting, and less intense — if they find the right setup. See also What Is Retirement Like for You in Singapore? 'You're thinking too much…'
In perhaps the most Singaporean reply of all, one commenter captured the tension with a touché:
'You got too much money, that's making you think too much. Give me some, and you'll know how important your job is,' he wrote. Verdict: Lion City or KL City?
So, should this jaded Singaporean ditch the Lion City for KL's nasi lemak or roti canai mornings at a slower pace?
Reddit's collective answer: not unless he has a concrete job lined up, realistic expectations, and a serious heart-to-heart with his family.
Because sometimes, the grass isn't greener. It's just a different turf — and it might require a 7-year car loan and international school fees.
But if you're really tired of SG's rat race, a short escape across the border never hurt. Just remember: don't pump RON95!
Meanwhile, in other news, a 28-year-old Malaysian woman poured her heart out in a heartfelt post about working in Malaysia just won't do for her mum and dad, because to them, even earning RM7K/month is still not 'good enough'.
You can read more about her story over here: 28 y/o Malaysian woman laments because her parents keep forcing her to work in Singapore to earn more
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
5 hours ago
- CNA
Asia Tonight - Wed 6 Aug 2025
47:15 Min About the show: Top stories of the day with 'live' reports and interviews to keep you up-to-date on what's happening in one of the most dynamic regions of the world. Daily at 8pm (SIN / HK)
CNA
17 hours ago
- CNA
Primary 1 registration 2025: 85 schools oversubscribed in Phase 2C
The most oversubscribed school in this phase was Princess Elizabeth Primary School in Bukit Batok, with 232 students vying for 41 slots. This was followed by Nan Hua Primary School in Clementi, with 166 applicants for 41 places, and South View Primary School in Choa Chu Kang, which received 155 applicants for 41 spots. Northland Primary School and Chongfu School, both in Yishun, completed the top five. Princess Elizabeth, Nan Hua and Chongfu were also in the top five in this phase last year. Registration for this phase opened at 9am Jul 29 and closed at 4.30pm on Jul 31. BALLOTING In most cases, balloting is conducted when the number of applicants exceeds the number of vacancies. It takes place in any phase from Phase 2A to Phase 2C supplementary. Priority admission into the school is given in this order: Singaporeans living within 1km of the school, Singaporeans living between 1km and 2km of the school, followed by Singaporeans living further than 2km from the school. Next come permanent residents in the same distance groups.
Independent Singapore
19 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
Monkey see, monkey flee: NParks' gel blaster tactic draws criticism and praise
Photo: Coconoteee's TikTok Account SINGAPORE: In a bid to manage the growing monkey population in Punggol, contractors from the National Parks Board (NParks) have turned to an unconventional deterrent. A video recently uploaded to TikTok shows NParks contractors using what appear to be gel blasters — toy guns that shoot soft, water-filled gel beads — to scare off monkeys near a housing block. The video captures several monkeys fleeing or avoiding the projectiles while curious residents and passersby look on. The tactic, while non-lethal, has sparked a wave of mixed reactions online. Some netizens found the scene humorous — comments like 'Best job ever. Where do I apply?' reflect a light take on the situation. Others, however, were more critical, expressing concern over animal welfare and the broader implications of urban expansion. 'Don't hurt them,' one user urged. Another added, 'Poor monkeys, it was their home.' Animal rights activists were quick to respond, with some resharing the video across their own platforms and criticizing what they see as an inadequate and inhumane approach. One impassioned comment read: 'Can the government think of a solution before building up concrete housing estates? Plan where to bring all these animals back to nature, rather than leave nature to take its place and disturb human beings. Have a place for these animals where they can stay ALIVE, SAFE, and happy.' Nparks has reported that the long-tailed macaque naturally inhabits forested areas. However, being a forest fringe animal, it also frequents its immediate surroundings to explore and forage for food, explaining why they have been spotted paying visits to nearby housing estates. Another commenter lamented, 'Humans have lost the ability to live in harmony with the rest of the planet.' The incident has once again brought attention to the ongoing conflict between urban development and wildlife in Singapore. While gel blasters are a less harmful alternative compared to other deterrents, critics argue that the root of the problem lies in habitat loss and a lack of long-term planning for coexisting with native wildlife. () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
