Phoebe Wilson and her husband moved from North Yorkshire to Kuala Lumpur with their four children on July 24, saying soaring childcare costs 'crippled' them and pushed them to quit the UK for Malaysia, where life is cheaper and a 'much better way of life'.
Childcare costs drove the decision
The 40-year-old said the cost of living in the UK was 'difficult', but the £2,700-a-month childcare bill for her two youngest pushed her and her husband 'over the edge'. The couple packed up and left the 'miserable' and expensive UK last month.
Phoebe, from Harrogate, said: "The price of living in the UK was just very difficult for us. Childcare is what pushed us over the edge, we were crippled by childcare. We were paying £2,700 for two children a month, here you can get it for around £400 a month."
Sharp drop in living costs
In Malaysia, childcare has been slashed to £400 a month, a 148% reduction. The family still pays £800-a-month on accommodation, but instead of a mortgage on a three-bedroom terraced house in Harrogate, they now have a larger gated community condo with a pool and gym.
Food bills have also shrunk from £200 to £40 a week, and meals out cost around £1.40 per person. Phoebe added: "He [my husband] is earning the same money in Malaysia and the cost of living is so much cheaper. You can get amazing food here for £1.40, big meals, it's actually cheaper to eat out."
Improved quality of life
Phoebe said the family's quality of life has improved, with a better work-life balance and more disposable income. She said: "The UK is quite miserable compared to here, we wanted to visit all these wonderful places but couldn't afford it as a family of six."
The children, aged five, six, 15 and 18, have settled in quickly. Phoebe said: "They've slotted in straight away here, they really enjoy it. I thought the heat might be an issue but they absolutely love it and got on with it straight away. The work-life balance is amazing. There are a lot more holidays in the year, time to travel and do things."
Despite the challenges of moving abroad, Phoebe said the family is happier and financially better off. She said: "It was a really difficult transition, it was hard to say goodbye and move our whole lives to the other side of the world. It was definitely worth it. It's crazy that more people aren't doing it because it's such a better way of life."
