Moving from Canada to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) sounded exciting—sunny days, family time outdoors, and a fresh start. And the Saleh family genuinely still loves it here. This is an honest update, though, because they went into the move “totally blind” and felt that the harder realities deserve to be said out loud.
They’re not claiming Malaysia is “bad”. Instead, they’re sharing the specific issues that have made them seriously consider whether returning to Canada might be the right move for their family—especially in day-to-day life with children.
Malaysia is still loved—but Kuala Lumpur’s haze has been relentless
The biggest reason currently “in their face” is the haze. The family describes it as extremely severe, with an air quality rating “almost 200” and conditions that have persisted for months. They mention that schools were even affected, with kids not going to school because the haze was so bad—and that it made them feel like they were stuck indoors.
They also clarify that the smoke isn’t originating from Malaysia itself; it’s linked to Indonesia. The video includes the point that peat bogs can burn underground for weeks or months, sending smoke over the region. Regardless of the cause, the impact on families is the same: when the haze is heavy, you don’t want children outside.
For a household that moved specifically so kids could swim and spend lots of time outdoors, not being able to do that for months has been particularly painful. The family likens the atmosphere to winter in Canada—or even a lockdown—because daily routines like playground visits and bike rides aren’t happening the way they planned.
Work-from-home life gets complicated when Wi‑Fi keeps failing
The second issue raised is internet reliability. The family explains they’ve had to buy a portable Wi‑Fi unit on more than one occasion after their main service repeatedly went out. Because they run businesses and work from home, they can’t simply relocate to a café or pack the children off for the day—when connectivity fails, their working life is disrupted.
They later learn that the real challenge may not be “the internet” in general, but the local provider and coverage in their specific area. They also mention feeling stuck due to a contract that isn’t easy to exit, which adds frustration when outages keep occurring.
Pantry bugs: even a clean home can become a battle
Another recurring problem in their home is pantry bugs. The family says they keep their house clean and avoid clutter, and they previously didn’t struggle with other pests like roaches and lizards after moving to a new place. But pantry infestations have continued.
They describe bugs appearing in stored foods such as raisins, and they’ve had repeated issues with insects that they identify as cigarette beetles and weevils. They’ve tried common prevention methods—like keeping items in airtight containers and freezing rice to stop eggs hatching—but the infestations have still returned.
They also share a particularly striking anecdote involving cocoa: they opened a sealed jar and found it looked like an ant farm, full of tunnels and eggs. They contacted pest control and were told they needed to clear out utensils and cover items so spraying could be done.
Importantly, they note the treatment would be toxic for a short period and could disrupt their lives—so they’re weighing how to respond to repeated problems.
Cracks, cement walls, and dust from repairs
The family highlights building and maintenance issues related to their new rental home. They say the property is a new build and, at first, walls began showing massive cracks. They were offered repairs that involved chiselling and refilling cracks with cement.
To people from Canada and the US, “cracks in the walls” may sound minor—but here, they explain the home construction is different. Instead of drywall and wooden framing, they describe walls as cement and concrete. After filling cracks, the process requires sanding and then plastering to create a smooth finish like drywall.
That dust becomes the real headache. With children, carpets, books, and everyday belongings, it’s difficult to protect everything—and they’ve experienced what the dust is like when repairs are carried out.
Limited storage is harder than they expected
Finally, the family calls out storage. In Canada, they’re used to basements, walk-in closets, and more space to store extra items. In their Kuala Lumpur home, they say storage is extremely limited—describing only a small space underneath the stairs.
They mention built-ins being a common approach, but they still find it challenging in practice. Items like a carpet shampooer, extra mattresses, and even cat-related equipment end up taking up space because there’s nowhere convenient to put them away.
Should you move? Take the honest checklist
This video isn’t a final verdict on Kuala Lumpur—it’s an honest “here’s what surprised us” list. If you’re thinking about relocating from Canada (or the wider West), the family’s message is clear: the day-to-day challenges matter, especially when you’re raising children and building work-from-home routines.
- Check seasonal haze patterns and how local air quality can affect school and outdoor plans.
- Research internet providers by area, not just by country or plan.
- Plan for pantry-proofing and be ready for unexpected food-storage challenges.
- Ask about building materials and repair processes, including dust and disruption.
- Evaluate storage before you commit, because space for everyday essentials can be a deal-breaker.
Ultimately, the family repeats that they still love Malaysia. But their experience shows that love alone doesn’t make daily life easy. If you’re dreaming of Kuala Lumpur, it may be worth going in with both the joy and the practical realities in mind—so your move feels confident from day one.
