Despite the rapid development in Kedah state for the past 20 years, it is still well maintained to keep up with the good name of "Negeri Jelapang Padi". You can still see plenty paddy field along the North South Highway. The main income for the state comes from agriculture activities and agriculture related businesses. People in Kedah are still well known for their friendly and honousty.....this is the good side of the Kedah and its people despite the rapid development.
On the other side, the rapid development in the tourism focus langkawi island ramp up the cost of living in Langkawi Island. Local tourist visiting Langkawi Island nowadays have to pay higher cost as many outlets have packages "custom made" for foreign tourist which have higher budget in general. However, dont back off as spending in Langkawi Island is still one of the lowest among any tourism island in Malaysia and even in South East Asia. Please refer to the Website for more information about travelling in Langkawi:
Nowadays, langkawi is reachable with more direct flights from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and many more. Besides, ferry services are also available from Kuala Kedah (Kedah state), Kuala Perlis (Perlis state), Penang. Ferry Price from Kuala to Ferry Terminal in Langkawi cost RM23/adult (1.5hrs journey). Ferry Ticket to and from Langkawi can only be bought on the spot and rest worry that ferry services is available on every hour basis. Taxi from Langkawi Ferry Terminal to Langkawi International Airport costs RM24/ taxi (20-25min journey).
Here are a rough guide for Prices in Alor Setar which might concerned:
Hokkien Noodle (Soup) and other kind of noodle = RM3
Adding Prawn or Pork rib can cost around RM2 to RM5.
Dine in restaurant (chinese cooking style) = Average RM10/person
Dine in Western style restaurant = refer to menu ;) Range from RM20-RM25 per person
Mixed Rice= per dish RM1
Public bus range from RM0.50 to RM2, depends on the journey distance.
Income ( average non degree) = RM 800- RM1000
Income ( degree holder) = RM 1200-RM1500
Business income= who knows??
New built Double Storey Terrace housing = RM300k
Secured Housing Loan Rate = BLR - x % ( x % depends on bank and promotion available, usually x is around 2-2.1), so the average lending interest rates in malaysia is around 4%.
Base Lending Rate (BLR)= 6% as of May 2010
Renting a house ( double-storey terrace) in Alor Setar = RM 400- RM700
Private Transportation (Home made car)= (Cheapest & reliable one around RM50k)
Car loan range from 2% to 4% p.a depends on car model, age of car, local or foreign made etc...
Deposit saving account rate= 0.25%p.a ( it varies from time and bank and amount of saving)
Fixed Deposit rate = 2.75% p.a (montly renewal basis)(it varies from time and bank and amount of saving)
Based on the above figures, how much is the cost of living in Alor Setar ??
* If you rent a house and own a car
Meal = RM 450-RM600 (RM15-RM20 (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) per day)
Transportation= RM100 (Petrol)
Rental = RM 500
Clothing = RM 50
Phone Bill = RM 30
Entertainment = RM 100
Insurance = ??
Total = RM1230 +??
However, most of the time family members stay together in one house, so deducting the rental , total spending per month = RM 730 +??
Can you survive with RM 1k income? How about with 3 kids? Planning to buy a double-storey terrace?
For those who are not working in Alor Setar, spending in Alor Setar is consider cheap and that's the scenario where most of the younsters are heading out to work in the bigger city such as KL, JB or Singapore.
