If the pandemic has taught us anything, it's that we're probably more than capable of being employed at a company based in one country, and working for said company in another country altogether.
It's all thanks to the beauty of remote work, powered by the connectivity of the internet. However, some jobs do require you to move abroad, away from the comforts of home. But if you're fortunate enough to be moving to a city in another country, your biggest concerns would probably revolve around the liveability of your new home.
Language learning platform Preply have released their latest rankings, listing what they say are the top 20 cities in the world for expats to work and live in. While Southeast Asian cities haven't really made a huge dent on the list, there are some notable positions held by cities in this part of the world.
Kuala Lumpur is #1.
IMAGE: Terrence Low / Unsplash
The rankings, fittingly called The Top 20 Global Cities For Expats, list Kuala Lumpur as the top city in the world for expats looking to relocate. But how is such a thing even decided in a quantitative manner?
Like any big move in life, it all revolves around money. In this case, Preply looked at factors such as monthly cost of living (expat), average monthly salary (after tax), average monthly rent (one bed, city center), internet speed, number of attractions, and cost of a meal, to name a few.
In Kuala Lumpur's case, the Malaysian capital got an expat relocation score of 6.62, making it the 'easiest' place for expats to move to. Of course, this comes in the context of someone who earns in a relatively strong currency like the U.S. Dollar or Great British Pound.
IMAGE: Robin Noguier / Unsplash
Monthly cost of living in Kuala Lumpur adds up to around US$1,032, assuming your monthly rent for a one-bedroom home in the city center amounts to roughly US$415. This means an expat living in Malaysia's capital will still have plenty of disposable income once necessary bills are paid – very convenient considering the amount of entertainment options available in the city.
Boasting more than 322 activities, it's hard to get bored in Kuala Lumpur (if you've got the money, that is). From its iconic historical landmarks to the bustling open-air food markets that permeate the city, you're bound to find something of interest, especially if you're not the type to suffer from agoraphobia.
Of course, there are plenty of activities for those who prefer a more calm setting, like KL's endless roster of quaint coffeeshops, fine dining establishments, as well as museums and galleries. But if you are considering a big move to Kuala Lumpur, you've got to settle with its (frankly anaemic) internet speed – 11Mbps.
Bangkok rounds off the top five.
IMAGE: Tan Kaninthanond / Unsplash
Beating out Bangkok for second, third, and fourth place are Tbilisi (Georgia), Lisbon (Portugal), and Dubai (United Arab Emirates), placing Bangkok in a still-healthy fifth place on the rankings.
With an expat relocation of 6.35, Bangkok definitely prides itself as a city that's welcoming to expats, and would still act as a decent alternative to Kuala Lumpur in terms of food, nightlife, and general entertainment. In fact, its internet speed is even quicker than that of Kuala Lumpur's, allowing browsing at 19Mbps.
IMAGE: Lisheng Chang / Unsplash
The cost of living for an expat is relatively high in Bangkok, coming in at US$1,972 per month, factoring in a US$562-per-month net salary (after tax). Despite this, however, there are other areas where expats can save lots of money, including the cost of food. According to Preply, the cost of a meal in Bangkok could be as low as US$2.41, compared to US$3.27 in Kuala Lumpur. As to what these 'cheap' meals consist of, it's unclear.
You might also be able to walk the streets of Bangkok with more peace of mind, considering it has a much higher safety index at 60, compared to a significantly lower 37 in Kuala Lumpur.
The only other Southeast Asian city to appear on the list is Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, coming in at number 13, receiving an expat relocation score of 6.12.
To check out the full list, click here.
Would you relocate to one of these Southeast Asian cities for work?
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