You’re not a tourist. You live here now. Sort of.

 

You might’ve arrived with a work visa, a spouse, a business plan… or just a gut feeling that you needed to be somewhere sunnier. Whether you're here from Shanghai, Seoul, Tokyo, Jakarta, London, or Singapore— welcome. You’re an expat now. (Even if you hate the word.)

 

Living in Sabah is not the same as vacationing in it. No one tells you how quickly the honeymoon ends when your SIM card stops working, your Grab driver ghosts you mid-ride, and your first leaky apartment starts smelling like durian and despair.

 

But then, something shifts.

 

You find your go-to noodle stall. You make friends who don’t flinch when you butcher Malay or switch between English and Mandarin mid-sentence. You figure out the difference between sambal pedas and sambal oh-my-god. You find your rhythm — slow, humid, chaotic, yours.

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What We Won’t Do Here:

 

• We won’t assume you’re a white retiree looking for cheddar cheese and afternoon gin.

• We won’t romanticise palm trees and cheap coconuts while you’re battling immigration paperwork and trying to find a good paediatrician.

• We won’t pretend that just because Sabah is beautiful, it’s always easy.

 

What We Will Do:

 

Talk about the real stuff — housing, language, friendships, finding food your kids will eat, navigating schools that don’t speak your language, and visas that make no sense in any language.

 

Celebrate every kind of expat — not just the ones on social media with wide hats and drone shots.

 

Help you feel less lost, less alone, and more like: okay, I can do this.

 

Luna’s Note:

I’ve lived in Shanghai. I’ve cried in Chinese post offices. I’ve eaten things I couldn’t identify but said “mmm” anyway. I know what it’s like to be foreign in a place that becomes home. If you’re here now, I’ve got you. Even if you’re still Googling how to register a utility bill.

From fully furnished lies to neighbourhood truths

 

So, you need a place to live. A real place. With Wi-Fi that works, a toilet that doesn’t burp, and maybe a landlord who replies to messages before you threaten to move out.

 

Welcome to the Sabah rental game: part luck, part charm, part "I-guess-this-will-do."

 

What “Fully Furnished” Often Actually Means:

• A lumpy faux leather sofa from 2003

• A fridge that hums like it’s trying to take off

• A water heater that technically exists but may only work if you stand exactly 2.7 feet from the showerhead and pray to the electricity gods

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Luna’s Tip:

Always. View. The unit. In person. And if the agent won’t show it to you, walk away — they’re probably showing the same photos to six other hopefuls.

 

Neighbourhood Quick Takes (KK City Area)

Based on Luna's honest opinion (and research):

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1. Likas: 

   • Quiet, family-friendly

   • Great if you have kids. Less great if you want nightlife.

2. Damai

   • Central-ish, local charm

   • Near shops, bakeries, and aunties who will judge your parking.

3. Luyang

   • Diverse, busy, practical

   • Where locals and long-term expats blend. Parking? Good luck.

4. Signal Hill

   • Scenic, elevated, breezy

   • You’ll get fit. Or resent every stair. Maybe both.

5. City Centre

   • Convenient, touristy, loud

   • You’ll either love the chaos or cry into your bubble tea

 

Rental Red Flags

• “Inclusive of Wi-Fi” but the router hasn’t worked since 2017

• “Quiet neighbourhood” but backs onto karaoke warzone

• Landlords who want everything in cash

• “Sea view” = technically visible if you lean out the bathroom window with binoculars

 

Language & Lease Tips

• Contracts are usually in English or Malay — if you don’t understand it, ask someone.

• Chinese expats: many agents speak Mandarin — but clarify everything (e.g. “got aircon?” vs “aircon that actually works”).​

• Korean expats: bring a local friend or fixer at viewings. You’ll save stress.​

• Japanese expats: ask about neighbourhood noise levels early — it's not Kyoto, and your neighbours might enjoy 6am dangdut.

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What You’ll Need (Usually)

• Passport copy

• Work visa or long-term pass

• Deposit (1–2 months), sometimes in cash

• Patience. (This one’s not optional.

 

Luna’s Note:

Your first place might not be your forever home — and that’s okay. The bathroom tiles might be weird. The kitchen might have gecko vibes. But once your stuff is in and you know which switch turns on the fan and which one flashes the porch light… it starts to feel like yours.

Your kid’s not just tagging along — they’re growing up here, too.

 

If you’ve moved to Sabah with children, first of all — respect. Moving with kids is like assembling IKEA furniture while blindfolded and being asked to parent during turbulence. But you did it. Now let’s make it work.

 

Whether you’re navigating local schools, international curriculums, babysitter drama, or just trying to find fishballs your toddler will actually eat — here’s what you need to know.

 

School Options in KK

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1. International Schools:

   • Kinabalu International, Jesselton International

   • Expensive but structured

   • Most offer British, IB, or hybrid curriculums

2. Chinese Independent Schools:

   • Tshung Tsin, Kian Kok

   • Popular with long-term Chinese expats

   • Mandarin-medium, academically intense

3. Japanese School:

   • Kota Kinabalu Japanese School (small)

   • Community-based

   • Call ahead, as it’s limited in size

4. Korean Weekend Schools:

   • Usually church/community-run

   • More cultural preservation than full education

   • Great for language & connection

5. Local Public Schools

   • Primary & Secondary (SK, SMK)

   • Affordable, but Bahasa Malaysia is the primary language

   • Not ideal if your child has zero local language background unless you're in long-term for integration

 

Childcare, Babysitting, & Early Years

 

• Preschools/Kindy: Options include Montessori, bilingual, local religious schools, and play-based centres.

• Daycare (Taska): Mostly local-language, affordable, and with set schedules (often until 5:30pm).

• Nannies: Local or Filipino nannies are common. Word-of-mouth or Facebook groups work best. Contracts often informal. Be clear on:

  • Working hours

  • Off days

  • Childcare-only vs housework

  • Language spoken

 

Luna’s Tip:

If they say “Can take care of baby AND clean house AND cook,”

ask: properly? or while chasing a toddler with a mop in one hand and a rice pot in the other?

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Paediatricians & Family Clinics

 

• KPJ Specialist Hospital and Gleneagles KK: English-speaking, private, clean, efficient.

• Damai Specialist and Poliklinik Iskandar: Affordable and widely used.

• Chinese-speaking clinics: Common in Luyang, Damai, Lintas — great for Mandarin-speaking expats.

• 24-Hour Clinics: Available in most neighbourhoods, though limited English in some.

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Cultural + Parenting Realities

 

Sabah is very child-friendly in attitude — expect aunties to touch your baby’s cheeks and strangers to help you load your stroller. You will get unsolicited advice from old ladies in kopitiams. Take it with a smile (or a sip of Milo).

 

Children’s spaces are improving — malls often have indoor playgrounds, but parks and stroller-accessible sidewalks? Still developing.

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Luna’s Note:

My boys went to local preschool for six months. They didn’t understand a word of Malay at first, and I didn’t understand why everything was wrapped in banana leaf. But now they say “tidak apa” with attitude, eat nasi lemak for breakfast, and their English is sprinkled with “lahs” like seasoning. That’s the beauty of raising kids in Sabah — they grow where they’re planted.

What they’re calling you, what you should say back, and how to survive the blur.

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You might speak English. Or Mandarin. Or Korean. Or Japanese. Or all of them, plus Google Translate. Living in Sabah is a multilingual experience — beautiful, messy, and occasionally hilarious.

 

Here’s your crash course in making it through daily life without pulling a muscle in your brain.

 

Languages You’ll Hear (Often in One Sentence)

Language, where you'll hear it and Luna's take:

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• Bahasa Malaysia Government

  • Offices, signage, supermarkets

  • It’s the official language

  • Basic greetings go a long way

• English

  • Malls, international schools, tourist areas

  • Widely spoken but don’t expect fluency everywhere

• Mandarin

  • Shops, markets, Chinese communities

  • Super useful — especially in business and real estate.

• Hakka / Cantonese

  • Coffee shops, family-owned businesses

  • Often mixed with Malay & English

  • You’ll hear it before 8am with noodles

• Korean / Japanese

  • Select schools, restaurants, tour areas

  • Mostly among expat communities, but Korean is increasingly common in malls.

  • Surprisingly impressive: A growing number of local market sellers, activity providers, and tourist guides can speak some Korean — thanks to K-drama, tourism, and sheer demand. Not fluent, but enough to get your fresh mangoes, a snorkelling trip, and directions to the toilet.

 

Luna’s Tip:

English is your default safety net. But knowing a few words of Malay or Mandarin can unlock magic doors — like better service, genuine smiles, and discounts at the market.

 

What Locals Might Call You (and Why It’s... Fine)

 

Word, translation and what it actually means

 

• Aunty/Uncle

  • Aunt / Uncle

  • Not an insult. It’s cultural shorthand for any adult. Even if you’re 23.

• Boss

  • Boss

  • Common nickname in shops.

  • Doesn’t mean you own the place. Sorry.

• Miss / Mister / Madam / Sir

  • Teacher / polite adult

  • Standard way to address expats or anyone who looks like they have documents.

• Lenglui / Lengchai

  • Pretty girl / handsome boy (Cantonese)

  • Compliment! Just smile awkwardly and nod.

• Orang Putih

  • “White person”

  • Often used descriptively, not offensively. You’ll hear it. Ignore it unless they’re talking to you directly.

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Daily Interactions: Phrases to Survive With

Situation What to Say (Bahasa) Bonus Mandarin (if needed):

 

• Greeting someone

  • Selamat pagi! 早上好 

• Asking price

  • Berapa ni? 这个多少钱？

• No plastic bag

  • Tak mau plastik 不用塑料袋 

• No spicy please

  • Tak mau pedas 不要辣 

• Thank you

  • Terima kasih 谢谢 

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Luna’s Note:

I once tried to ask for “no sugar” at a kopitiam and accidentally asked them to remove my husband. Language learning is a journey — embrace the bloopers.

 

Code-Switching is a Way of Life

You’ll quickly learn the Sabah art of “rojak” language — mixing English, Malay, Mandarin, and hand gestures into a beautiful, chaotic hybrid. If you’re used to structured grammar, let it go. If you’re worried about pronunciation, just smile. Most locals will appreciate your effort far more than your fluency.

Because sometimes you just want a proper cup of tea... or kimchi... or socks that don’t disintegrate after one wash.

 

You didn’t move to Sabah to recreate your home country, but let’s be honest: homesickness doesn’t care about your tropical sunset. Whether you’re hunting down real soy sauce, decent moisturiser, or that one weird cereal your kid swears by — we got you.

Groceries & Specialty Shops

 

Need This? Go Here:

 

• Korean groceries (kimchi, gochujang, ramen, seaweed snacks):

  • Koryo Mart (Lido), Hanaro Mart (Lintas)

  • Legit, and spicy in all the right ways.

• Japanese essentials (miso, dashi, sauces, rice crackers)

  • Tong Hing Supermarket, Daiso, Grocer King

• Chinese products (noodles, condiments, dried herbs)

  • KK Mart, CPS Plaza, Giant in Chinese-heavy areas

• Western pantry items (cheddar, hummus, cereal)

  • Tong Hing Supermarket (City Centre & Damai), Everrise (Imago), City Gourmet (Signal Hill)

• Halal-friendly international snacks

  • Bataras, Caring Pharmacy, Watsons (yes, snacks + weird stuff)

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Luna’s Tip:

Don’t underestimate the magic of neighbourhood minimarkets. That random corner shop might stock your favourite Korean soda or a bag of chips you haven’t seen since 2011.

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Coffee, Tea & Sanity Staples

 

• Coffee beans & machines:

  • Barista World ITCC - sells coffee gear & roasted beans

  • The B.E.A.N. Factory (Lido Plaza) — full café with light roasts 

• Tea lovers (Matcha, herbal, Taiwanese bubble tea):

  • Cha Tra Mue, Tealive, YoYo, Chagee

• Bread and baked goods:

  • Mangkiu Bakes, Strawberry Cake House

• Vegan/dairy-free stuff:

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Homesick hack:

Start a WhatsApp group with other expats and bulk order the weird things no one else wants to pay RM29.90 shipping for. Solidarity is delicious.
 

Toiletries, Self-Care & “My Lotion Ran Out” Panic

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Item Where to Find It:

• K-beauty & J-beauty - SaSa, Watsons, Guardian, YesStyle (online)

• Western brands - Sephora, Parkson, Shopee MY (trust the reviews)

• Chinese herbal skin remedies - Eu Yan Sang, local Chinese pharmacies

• Kid-friendly bath stuff - Mothercare, Watsons

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Clothing, Underwear, and… Basics

• Sabah malls are good — but limited in sizes if you’re not built like a Southeast Asian pixie.

• Uniqlo (Suria Sabah or Imago) – breathable, good for basics

• Padini / Brands Outlet – cheap-ish, hit or miss

• Shopee Malaysia – for when you just cannot go out in this heat

• Toys / kid supplies: Toys R Us, Mr DIY, Kaison, Mothercare

 

Luna’s Note:

I once imported five packs of Yorkshire Tea and a jar of Vegemite in my luggage. Now I just drink Tenom coffee and put sambal on toast. Your tastes evolve — but your cravings? They’re stubborn little beasts. Don’t fight them. Just find your fix.

Bring copies. Bring patience. Maybe bring snacks.

 

If you’ve ever stood in a government building holding 47 pages of personal documents, only to be told you’re missing “the blue form, not the white one”, you already know: the paperwork journey is not for the faint of heart.

 

But don’t worry — Luna’s been there. And we’re going to make this as painless as bureaucracy allows.

The Main Expat Visas in Sabah

Visa Type Who It's For What You’ll Need:

 

• Work Visa (Employment Pass)

  • Professionals, teachers, engineers, etc.

  • Employment contract, passport copies, company sponsorship

• Spouse Visa (Long-Term Social Visit Pass)

  • Married to a Malaysian citizen

  • Marriage cert, spouse IC copy, passport, local sponsor

• Student Visa

  • For those studying at a Malaysian institution

  • Offer letter, financial proof, health check

• Dependent Visa

  • For kids or spouse of a valid pass holder

  • Sponsor documents, passport copies, relationship proof

• Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H)

  • Wealthier retirees/investors

  • Bank statements, income proof, health insurance (rare in Sabah)

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Luna’s Tip:

Always bring 3 copies of everything. And by “everything,” I mean every passport page you’ve ever owned, your pet’s birth certificate, and possibly your last three lives' karma report.

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Things No One Tells You

 

• Appointment times are… suggestive. Arrive early, bring a book, and settle in.

• Photocopy shops are your new best friend — usually clustered near immigration buildings.

• Dress decently. No shorts, no slippers, no wild cleavage — they will send you home.

• Translations matter. If your documents are in Mandarin/Korean/Japanese, get them officially translated and stamped. Yes, stamped.

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Where To Go (In KK City)

Office What They Do Notes:

• Jabatan Imigresen Sabah (Putrajaya Complex)

  • All visa processing Bring originals + copies, closed Fridays, take a number

• UTC (Urban Transformation Centre)

  • Some renewal services (shorter hours)

  • Less busy, but not for complex visas

• Local Commissioner of Oaths

  • Document declarations

  • Useful for affidavits, statutory declarations

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Survival Kit Checklist

 

✅ Folder with labelled copies

✅ Passport-sized photos (bring 6, minimum)

✅ Pen 

✅ Snacks & water bottle

✅ Screenshot of Luna’s sanity guide

✅ Calm playlist or noise-cancelling earbuds

Language Notes

 

• Most officers speak Malay and English.

• If you're more comfortable in Mandarin, bring a bilingual friend — especially for explaining tricky terms.

• Google Translate can help but won’t save you from the “Eh boss, system down” moment.

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Luna’s Note:

I once made four trips in one week because my utility bill was folded the wrong way. Don’t let this be you. Come over-prepared. Channel your inner auntie. And always smile — it confuses them just enough to help.

Luna’s Local Survival Kit

 

Because culture shock is real, and no one warned you about the toilet hose.

 

You’ve got your visa. You’ve moved in. You’ve figured out which laundromat doesn’t shrink your clothes. But there’s a whole other layer of Sabah life — the little, weird, magical, maddening things that no relocation blog ever tells you.

 

This is that layer. Welcome to your unofficial, slightly unhinged starter pack.

 

The Toilet Hose Situation

 

It’s called the “bum gun.” It’s not a weapon — it’s a hygiene revelation.

You’ll either love it or flinch every time. Either way, bring your own tissue. Many public toilets don’t stock it. Or soap. Or functional locks.

Ordering Food Is an Art Form

 

• “Less sugar” still means sugary.

• “Mild spicy” might end your marriage.

• You can say “no chilli,” but some aunties will judge you. Silently. Or loudly.

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Luna’s survival phrase:

“Tak mau pedas, ya? Saya orang baru.” (No spicy, okay? I’m new.)

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Getting Around KK

• Grab is the default. Download it. Get familiar.

• Driving here is like Mario Kart with more potholes and fewer bananas.

• Parking is a sport. Double-parkers reign. Don’t honk — you’re not in Seoul. Or New York.

 

Weather is a Character, Not a Backdrop

 

• There are two seasons: hot and hot + wet.

• Rain appears like a plot twist. You will be drenched at least once while holding groceries.

• Umbrellas are good. Foldable ponchos? Even better.

Making Friends As an Adult

 

• Say hi to people. That’s it. Just smile and say hi.

• Join a gym, yoga class, language course, or scream-into-the-void parents’ group.

• Find your people — they’re here. They’re just also tired and socially cautious.

 

Sabah Logic Is Its Own Beast

 

• “Tomorrow” could mean next week.

• “Now” means sometime soon.

• “Can” means maybe.

• “Cannot” means maybe not now.

• “Later” means… don’t wait.

 Luna’s Rule:

• Add 2–3 working days to everything, and bring a snack just in case.

 

Snacks to Emotionally Stabilise You

• Tenom coffee for the soul.

• Kaya toast for rainy mornings.

• Kuih-muih for when nothing is going right.

• Fresh mango because honestly, why not.

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Luna’s Note:

You don’t need to get everything perfect. No one does. You’ll forget your Bahasa. You’ll get lost. You’ll pay RM4 extra because you didn’t haggle. But you’ll also laugh. Eat better than you ever imagined. And slowly, without even trying, this place will become yours.

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You’re not just surviving Sabah — you’re building a life here.

Messy, multilingual, beautiful.

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For the expats who’ve been around long enough to see the potholes multiply.

 

You arrived before online grocery delivery. Before Imago Mall. Possibly before Astro had subtitles. And you stayed — through language stumbles, housing disasters, and the great wet towel vs dryer debate.

 

This space is for you.

 

You’ve made a life here, and whether you’re raising third-culture kids, running a business, or just quietly thriving with your kopi o and cats — you’re part of the Sabah expat story.

 

Voices from the Veterans

 

“I came in 2007 to teach for a year. I’m still teaching. My son plays sepak takraw, and my favourite mee stall guy knows my order by heart.”– Andrew, UK–Sabah hybrid dad

“We moved here from Guangzhou when my husband’s company opened a branch. I thought it would be temporary. Ten years later, our daughter’s in local school, and I run a Mandarin tuition centre.”– Chen Yi, Chinese expat, Luyang resident

“My Japanese is better than my Malay, but I still somehow made friends with my kampung neighbours. We exchange cake every Raya.”– Naomi, Japanese retiree, KK city centre
 

“Honestly? I stay because the people are kind, the rent is cheaper than Melbourne, and my kids are free to grow up a little wild.”– Ella, Aussie, 14 years in and still forgetting her umbrella

 

Luna’s Note:

You’re not just part of the scenery. You’re part of the glue. You’ve done the early years, and now you’ve got the good stories, the real advice, and maybe even a favourite gecko living in your house rent-free. Stick around. We need you.

From school questions to where on earth to find cheddar that doesn’t taste like rubber, expat Facebook groups are where the magic (and sometimes the mild drama) happens. Whether you’re new to Kota Kinabalu or you’ve been here long enough to have strong opinions about which supermarket sells the best durian, these groups are your go-to for:

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• Swapping tips on schools, healthcare, and visas✨

• Weekend adventure ideas (beaches, hikes, secret waterfalls)

• Buying/selling preloved furniture, cars, or random IKEA lamps

• Honest reviews about local spots—no sugar-coating, just expat-to-expat truth

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Think of it as your digital kopitiam: expats from everywhere, one big messy but helpful conversation thread at a time.

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Facebook groups:​

• EXPATS IN KK (Approx. 1k members)

• KOTA KINABALU EXPATS (Approx. 4.7k members)

• EXPATS IN KK (Approx. 1.8k members)