British Family Relocates To Malaysia, Where Their Childcare Bill Fell From RM14,750 To RM2,200 A Month

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A mother of four says her family moved from North Yorkshire to Kuala Lumpur after childcare costs in the UK became too expensive, with the family now spending about seven times less on childcare in Malaysia

Phoebe Wilson, 40, and her husband moved to Kuala Lumpur with their four children, aged 5, 6, 15, and 18, in July this year, according to Kennedy News and Media.

Wilson said the family had struggled with the rising cost of living in the UK for some time, but childcare for their two youngest children ultimately pushed them to leave.

The family had been paying about 2,700 pounds (RM14,750) a month for childcare in the UK.

"The [cost] of living in the UK was just very difficult for us," Wilson said.

"Childcare is what pushed us over the edge. We were crippled by childcare."

Since moving to Malaysia, the family now spends about 400 pounds (RM2,200) a month on childcare.

That is roughly one-seventh of what they were paying previously.

Same salary, but lower living costs

Wilson said her husband is earning the same salary in Malaysia as he did in the UK, which has allowed the family to have considerably more disposable income.

"He [my husband] is earning the same money in Malaysia, and the cost of living is so much cheaper," she said.

The family previously lived in a three-bedroom terraced house in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, where they paid about 800 pounds (RM4,400) a month on their mortgage.

They now pay roughly the same amount for a larger condominium in a gated community in KL, with access to a swimming pool and gym.

Their grocery spending has also fallen significantly.

Wilson estimated that the family previously spent about 300 pounds (RM1,220) a week on groceries in the UK, compared with around 40 pounds (RM220) during a recent grocery trip in Malaysia.

She also said some meals out cost as little as 1.40 pounds (RM8) per person.

"We are much more free over here"

Wilson said the family enjoyed living in North Yorkshire, but the cost of everyday life left them with little money or time to enjoy it.

"We lived in a lovely part of the UK with lots of greenery, but the cost was extortionate," she said.

"After paying for childcare, food, just living your basic life, there was no time to enjoy these other things," she added.

"We are much more free over here."

The move was not an easy decision, particularly because the children were settled in their schools.

"It's been a rollercoaster trying to figure out if this was going to be a good move; they were quite settled in their school," Wilson said.

"It was hard to say goodbye and move our whole lives to the other side of the world."

However, she said the children adjusted quickly after arriving in Kuala Lumpur.

"They've slotted in straight away here; they really enjoy it," she said.

"I thought the heat might be an issue, but they absolutely love it and got on with it straight away."

Family spending more time outdoors

Wilson said their daily routine has also changed since moving to Malaysia, with the family spending more time outside instead of at home.

"We've been here two weeks, and we haven't even figured out how to turn the TV on yet," she said.

"The work-life balance is amazing."

She said the family had previously struggled to afford holidays and other experiences together in the UK.

"The UK is quite miserable compared to here," Wilson said.

"We wanted to visit all these wonderful places but couldn't afford it as a family of six."

"It was definitely worth it. It's crazy that more people aren't doing it, because it's such a better way of life," she added.

The mother encouraged other families to think differently

Wilson, who had previously travelled elsewhere in Southeast Asia, said neither she nor her family had visited Kuala Lumpur before deciding to relocate.

She now believes other families struggling with the cost of living should consider options beyond the traditional idea of where they should live.

"You've got to think outside the box and think about what is best for you and your family," she said.

"I want my kids to be world thinkers and spend more time outside."

"My older kids had a great childhood but spent a lot of time indoors on Xbox or PlayStation," she added.

"This is a whole other way to do life. It's just amazing; we can't even believe this is our real life."