Malacca, Malaysia 🇲🇾
#529
,
Nomad Score:
68%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Malacca, historically known as Melaka, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich culture and history as a trading port. |
| 👥 Population | approximately 500,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | average download speed of 25 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 MYR ≈ 0.22 USD; major banks include Maybank, CIMB, and Public Bank |
| 🚰 Tap Water | not drinkable; bottled water is recommended |
| 🔌 Power | 240V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Digi, Celcom, and Maxis, offering good coverage and plans |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Accepted payment types include credit/debit cards; ATMs available widely |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Airbnb, local guesthouses, and serviced apartments are popular |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted in most places; mobile wallets like Touch 'n Go are common |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Platforms like Airbnb and local rental agencies for vacation homes are prevalent |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hotel Time, Ringo's Foyer Guest House, and Le Village Hostels offer budget-friendly prices |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Jonker Street is renowned for its vibrant night market and cultural attractions. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | The city center near Dataran Pahlawan provides ample cafes and coworking spaces. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | The Studio offers a creative workspace with reliable internet and a community feel. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Calanthe Art Cafe has strong Wi-Fi and a conducive environment for remote work. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Monthly meetups organized by expats and digital nomads through Facebook groups. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | The Malacca Expat Meetup group hosts regular gatherings and activities. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Grab is the most popular ride-hailing app in Malacca. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Local rentals available through Melaka Bike Rentals; daily rates around MYR 30. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Pantai Klebang, located approximately 15 minutes away by car. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | AirAsia provides regional flights from Malacca to Kuala Lumpur. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines fly to and from Malacca. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Connected via the North-South Expressway (NSE) facilitating easy travel. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Malacca Sentral serves as the main bus and transit terminal. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | No specific passes, but buses cost around MYR 1-3 per trip. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Bus services to nearby cities such as Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital Melaka is the main hospital offering comprehensive healthcare services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Rocks offers a variety of classes for different skill levels. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness First Melaka and F45 offer modern gym facilities. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Lavenders is a popular laundromat providing both wash and fold services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | foodpanda is the most widely used delivery service in Malacca. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Nyonya Laksa is a must-try, along with Chicken Rice Balls. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | The Daily Fix Cafe offers vegan-friendly dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Nadeje serves one of the best mille crepe cakes in Malacca. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Malacca's Jonker Street Night Market for local snacks and delicacies. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Lazada and Shopee are popular platforms for online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | HappyFresh and Red Dot offer grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The area near Jonker Street has numerous bars and pubs popular with expats. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | The Halia offers a selection of craft beers brewed locally. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Wine Cellar has a cozy atmosphere and a good selection of wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Sherlock's Bar & Grill offers a range of street foods and local delights. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | The Baboon House serves a mix of Asian and Western dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | A Famosa Fort and St. Paul's Hill are iconic historical sites. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Malacca Sultanate Palace Museum showcases the rich history of the region. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Dutch Square featuring the Christ Church and Stadthuys is a must-visit. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Cheng Hoon Teng Temple is the oldest functioning temple in Malaysia. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Malacca International River Festival celebrates the river culture yearly in May. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The heritage area around Jonker Street is vibrant with its mix of cultures. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Straits Chinese Theatre offers performances showcasing local culture. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Jonker Street Night Market features local crafts, foods, and souvenirs. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | St. John's Fort houses occasional live music events and concerts. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Murals by local artists can be found throughout the Cheng Ho Cultural Museum area. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Just Fruits offers cooking classes focusing on traditional Nyonya cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The Orangutan House displays local art and cultural pieces. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Malacca Heritage Centre showcases well-preserved architecture from the colonial period. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The Peranakan culture is a significant aspect of Malacca's heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Malacca Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary offers a natural retreat. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | The Tanjung Tuan Forest Reserve is a nearby attraction for hiking and birdwatching. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Melaka River waterfront has scenic paths for walking and cycling. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The lookout from St. Paul's Hill offers panoramic views of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Birdwatching is popular in the Melaka Bird Park. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Pantai Tanjung Bidara has designated areas for beach bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Pos Malaysia and DHL provide reliable delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Apple service centers and local tech shops in Dataran Pahlawan. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Community centers around Malacca often have table tennis facilities. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | The British Council offers English language classes for expats. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Malacca City Library provides quiet study areas and resources. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Malacca Public Library offers various community programs. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Game Paradise Melaka provides gaming facilities and activities. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | There are no casinos in Malacca, but nearby cities like Genting have them. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. MYR 3,500 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = MYR 175,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. MYR 2,800 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = MYR 140,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. MYR 3,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = MYR 192,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. MYR 2,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = MYR 150,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. MYR 3,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = MYR 240,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. MYR 2,300 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = MYR 184,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 24% standard corporate tax rate |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | No withholding tax for non-residents |
| 🏦 Tax System | Territorial tax system applies to residents |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 28% |
| 🧾 VAT | 6% Goods and Services Tax (GST) |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | No strict CFC rules for international income |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax is very low, typically around 0.1% |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 3% on property transactions up to MYR 400,000, with a sliding scale thereafter |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Foreign sources of income are not taxed, providing tax advantages for digital nomads. |