During the weekend, when my mum was around to chaperone me, I took the opportunity to bring her (and my sister) apartment shopping. Well we didn’t really buy any apartments or anything; hypothetically we went apartment window shopping.

We needed to look at the places to have an understanding of what to look out for next time, and what not to. For example, we found that it would be better to rent a place that is fully furnished, than to rent one which is empty. Expense-wise, a fully furnished apartment would save a heap extra cash.

I guess the most important part of our expedition was to acquire knowledge for use of comparison with other places; electricity, water supply, heating, air-conditioning, etc.

Apartment costs are not as cheap as they are back home, as prices here range from $200 to $500 a week, depending on location, size and current status. I know what you must be thinking, “Holy f*ck! Instead of an apartment, I could use the money to buy 10 iPods a month!”

But seriously now, if you think about it, the living standard and cost here adds up to be way beyond what people live off back in Malaysia. People at home working at Starbucks© earn about RM2 – 4 an hour, while people here, working at the same outlet would earn the $10 – 13 an hour. See the difference in living styles?

I guess Queen of Australia would seriously own our Agong any day.