Making a move to a new country can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. Especially as a woman, there are a lot more factors that you have to consider when it comes to moving somewhere new. Being a lone woman in a new place does put you at risk, so it is important that you do you research of the country you are moving to, to ensure you are being as safe as possible.
If you are a woman who is planning to move to Malaysia soon, then this article is for you. In this article, we’ll cover 5 things you need to know about moving to Malaysia. We’ll address some ways that can keep you safe, so that you can make the most of your new adventure. So, if you are making a move to Malaysia, then keep on reading to find out our top tips!
Keep Your Bag Close
One of the first things you need to remember when walking about as a woman, is to keep your bag close. Although Malaysia is not known for pick-pocketers, you can never be too careful, so it would be a good idea to invest in a good quality bag that fits close to your body. Consider buying a bag that goes over your shoulder or around your waist and one that has secure zipped pockets. Although you can pay by card in Malaysia, some more rural areas may only accept cash, so you must ensure the cash you keep on you is in a secure place. Before you make the move, perhaps have a look online for some anti-theft bags and invest in a good quality and safe bag.
Plan Your Route Before You Leave
When it comes to moving to a new country, it is likely that you will be relying on Google Maps to help you get around. This is an excellent and very convenient way to find your way around a new area, without the fear of getting lost. However, while having the live map on your phone is useful, walking around with your phone in your hand can make you more vulnerable to being mugged. Not only this, but if you are constantly looking down at your phone, people will easily recognise you as someone new to the area and you may fall victim to a scam. To counteract this, you should either try your best to remember your route before you leave or download the route and then when you need a reminder, quietly look at your phone. This way you will appear much more confident and less likely to have your phone stolen.
Find A Secure Place To Live
While hotels and Airbnb are great accommodations for short-term travel, if you plan to be a permanent resident, then you might find yourself a secure place to live. Thankfully, Malaysia is a fairly cheap place to live, so you should have no problem finding a place that you feel comfortable in. Take the time to research different areas in Malaysia and you could even look on a few online forums to see which places are the safest for women. Depending on your budget and what sort of space you need, you may find that buying or renting a rumah teres is the best option. Terrace houses give you plenty of space to work with and they can often feel more secure than apartment buildings.
Try To Make Friends Quickly
Being in a new country can be a lot of fun, but if you have moved on your own, then you can soon start to feel lonely. If you are someone who thrives on having a busy social life, then it is important that you try and make friends quickly. Malaysia is known for its welcoming and friendly people, so you should have no trouble finding some people to make friends with. At the start, you may find that the language barrier is an issue, so you should try your best to learn the language basics. If you struggle with languages, perhaps try some language apps to help you understand the basics of Malay.
Understand The Customs
When moving to any new country, it is important that you take the time to understand the customs. Every country has a different culture and different customs, and if you plan to be a resident in that country, you must be willing to adapt to their culture. Most of the time, learning customs is something that you will pick up the more you spend time in the country, but it would also be valuable to already know what customs you must adhere to. Having this background knowledge will allow you to fit in with other people and it means you will start to feel at home quickly.