Moving to Southeast Asia
Divided into two distinct regions, Southeast Asia is a vibrant and beautiful area, full of interesting cultures and delectable food. So what can you expect if you’re thinking of moving to Southeast Asia?
The main thing you can expect to notice is the heat. Due to its location near the equator, Southeast Asia experiences a very tropical climate. In some countries, such as Singapore, there is one climate (hot and humid) all year round, but in others there are two very distinct seasons – wet and dry. Monsoons and tropical rain are common in the wet season, something you’ll need to become accustomed to if you move to the region.
Obviously the experiences you’ll have living in Southeast Asia will vary dramatically depending on which country you plan to live in. Outlined below are just some of the places you might be thinking of relocating to.
Thailand
Situated on the Asian mainland, Thailand has a population of around 63 million people. The vast majority of people living there are Buddhists, a fact which governs day-to-day life. People are generally very warm and welcoming, which is obviously comforting for newcomers.
The capital city, Bangkok, is relatively clean but traffic is heavy and it may take you some time to get used to it; the one-way system can be confusing until you become more aware of the city layout. Once you get used to the noise, sights and smells, you’ll find it a fascinating, vibrant place to live. Thailand is well known for its cuisine and you’re bound to quickly have some favourite dishes.
Vietnam
Vietnam is a coastal country in the eastern region of Southeast Asia. The capital city, Hanoi, is regarded as one of the most beautiful and interesting cities in Southeast Asia. It is famous for its well-preserved French architecture, beautiful lakes and clean streets but also has a prosperous business community and many thriving industries.
The official language here is Vietnamese. While you may be able to get by speaking English in larger cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, you will struggle in other areas so it is recommended you learn the language in order to interact with locals and have a more enjoyable experience.
Malaysia
Malaysia is split into two parts – Peninsula Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo. It is truly a multicultural society, with the main ethnic groups being Malays, Chinese and Indians. A vast number of holidays and festivals take place throughout the country and if you move to Malaysia you should try to experience as many as you can in order to get a good feel for the country and the people living in it.
Malaysia’s capital city, Kuala Lumpur (or ‘KL’), is relatively small by Asian standards with only four million residents. It is a diverse and relaxed city, with people who are known to be quite laid back. It is a very progressive and urban city and you might be surprised at how easy it is to live there.
Philippines
Many expats who live in the Philippines would describe it as ‘Asia’s best kept secret’. Newcomers quickly find themselves included in society and it is relatively easy to make friends.
As with other countries in the region the climate of the Philippines is tropical and there are two distinct seasons – wet and dry. During the wet season (June to December) much of metropolitan Manila, the capital city, is flooded and during the dry season (January to May) temperatures are very hot so you’re advised to protect your skin with sunscreen and wear a hat.
Singapore
With a population of over 4.8 million people, the country of Singapore is situated at the very tip of the Malay Peninsula. It is very much a multicultural, multiracial, multi-religious city-state where the inhabitants live in harmony. There are four official languages of Singapore – English, Malay, Mandarin Chinese and Tamil. ‘Singlish’ is the mixing of English words with those from other languages and may seem a little confusing at first. However, once you get the hang of it you won’t find it so puzzling and might even appreciate it.
Indonesia
Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world, located between mainland Southeast Asia and Australia. The country consists of approximately 17,000 islands of which approximately 6,000 are inhabited, and is divided into 27 provinces. The five principal islands are Java, Kalimantan, Sumatra, Irian Jaya, and Sulawesi, which together account for nearly 92% of the land area.
Bahasa Indonesia, a variation of Malay, is the official language and means ‘language of Indonesia’. English is widely used, especially for business purposes, but knowing a few key words of the local language will be beneficial.
Find out more about moving abroad
Continue exploring the rest of this site to find out more useful information about moving overseas. There are a number of guides and tips to help you begin to plan your relocation, but also make sure you do some research of your own and try to seek the views of others who have been before.