Living in Brunei

HI I M LIVE IN BRUNEI...... I M DOING VERY HARD WORK IN BRUNEI.... AND SUPPORT TO FAMILY....

Hi malik waqar afzal,

but "How would you describe life in Brunei?

Has it been complicated to settle down, to find an accommodation and a job?

Is it complicated to make friends in Brunei?

What would you recommend to people who would like to live in Brunei?


ps: Can you please avoid using your caps lock on the forum. Thank you.

Living in Brunei was great , but things are changing rapidly and NOT for the better. There is a move afoot by the government (Sultan) to enforce Islamic Law and later Sharia Law. They have started by banning all alcohol imports at the airport from 31st Dec. This is going to expand to prevent all alcohol.

There are many frustrations - all government departments are VERY slow. The post takes weeks from anywhere, supplies run out constantly,the basic services like internet and mobiles are very poor, electricity is very expensive and cuts out often.
If you get anything from overseas you have to open it at customs - privacy and individual rights do not exist here.
The average person cannot drive properly and road manners do not exist.
But petrol is cheap (53c a litre) and the climate is good ( if you like heat and humidity). It is  peaceful place and crime is very low.
If you earn enough the lifestyle is great ($3000 +). You are close to all the great tourist places in Asia.
If you are a Westerner think long and hard before coming here. This is an Islamist state, very conservative and not to everyone's liking.

it is great that the state requires companies to employ locals,but the sad fact is they can be like untouchables,this can bring down a companies good profile,esp if it is a well known foreign company,
examples-poor quality control in food freshness and manners in some food franchise outlets.
the crime rate is low and amazingly hardcore criminals are apprenhed so quickly,like the recent parang weilding robbers.but then again its a small state,

I guess everyone's experiences of life in Brunei are going to be different, and your opinions will inevitably be coloured by how Brunei compares to the place you previously called home, but I find some of the criticisms that wpshark is making a bit harsh!

I have lived here for 10months, and in that time we have only lost internet connectivity once (and my husband works from home here, working remotely for his IT company based in London, UK, so he is on the internet pretty much all day every day, sending data back and forth, with no problems). We have had a couple of brief (few hours) electricity power cuts and one water supply cut. We have never had problems with our EasiCard mobiles.

As for the driving, I would say it is certainly no worse than the UK on the whole. The main problem is drivers' lack of knowledge on how to negotiate a roundabout correctly! What you do have to get used to is the relaxed attitude generally to what we in the UK would understand as some of the basic rules of the road, eg. undercutting (as a concept, that doesn't exist here! You can 'overtake' in whichever lane you like), and yes, people CAN seem a little lacking in manners at times when they pull infront of you at junctions. Seeing people driving around with their kids totally unrestrained in the car was a bit of an eye-opener for me, too! I've seen toddlers sitting on the dashboard, on the rear shelf, and countless numbers of babies being carried on the front seat passenger's lap. It's shocking...

Is this place 'very conservative'? I guess it is, but in a quite charmingly naive way, I think. I haven't found it oppressive, but yes, you DO have to be diplomatic about how you speak and behave towards locals (there is plenty of info on other threads about what is taboo, so I won't repeat that here), and you do have to dress conservatively in public. The alcohol ban could be a major problem for some, but if you REALLY can't bear the thought of life without bars and clubs, don't come here - simples

I love the fact that it's always warm (ok, sometimes a bit too warm - the recent 95% humidity was bit of a killer!!), that I can see some amazing wildlife every day (monkeys, lizards, hornbills...), that my children are having a safe and 'corruption-free' childhood in a wonderful part of the world, and that I have finally managed to achieve that 'work-life' balance that was impossible in the UK. On top of that, I have a lifestyle that far exceeds what I had back home, I work with wonderful people, and have made some fab friends. I never want to leave!! All that 'settling in' stuff was made a lot easier given that I work for CfBT (who sort all the 'paperwork' out for their employees, and arrange housing). However, housing is easy to sort if you get a few estate agents on the case for you, and socialising is best done through the various ex-pat social clubs like the Yacht Club and RBA Recreational Club. Like wpshark says, "if you earn enough, the lifestyle is great".

I find the locals very friendly and accommodating, especially when you take into consideration just how many ex-pats and foreign nationals have pretty much poured into their little country over the past 20yrs or so to work in the fields of education, the military, telecommunications, etc. This is a truly multi-racial country, yet it succeeds in retaining its own distinct cultural identity and strong sense of national pride. Good for you, Brunei!

Wake up Emma. It is changing!!!!

Hey,am Ugandan  now  working in Dubai,do you have any ideas on how i can get to Brunei for work.These ends the earning is too low compared to the hours you work,,its just too much!

I am the opposite to you guys.I was born in Brunei but living (and working)in UK. I have been back just twice.Not sure I could move back there.I would rather go to Malaysia.A lot of non citizens ie:non muslims have moved away to Canada,US ect.It is only good to visit but not to live in my opinion.

I've been working in Brunei since end of last year. Below are my finding and experiences during these months in Brunei.

How would you describe life in Brunei?
Life in Brunei is relaxing. (Me and my friend's company) back at 5.oopm sharp. No Overtime needed. All of us enjoy the life after the office hour.

Has it been complicated to settle down, to find an accommodation and a job?
I don't think I will settle down. Brunei is good country for relaxing. I am a fresh graduate what I need to learn as much as I can to increase my market competency. But, the accommodation is cheap as compared to Singapore since both earning the same currency.

Is it complicated to make friends in Brunei?
No. Bruneians are very friendly. Every people work in very harmony way and willing to help people in need. For example, I went gym almost every day. People in the center are willing to help me out when I was in need for weight lifting. Now, we are really good and hang out sometime.

What would you recommend to people who would like to live in Brunei?
It depends on the people's need. If he/she is coming to work for money, definitely there is a way to save money while having a fun and relaxing life. If he/she is coming as an expatriate, he/she will have a most luxilliary life in Brunei. Almost can enjoy the relaxing life in Brunei.

Each to their own.I spent my first 17 years there(seria) and left for the UK and stay ever since.I am now 52!I have obtained british citizenship.My parents are malaysian and my late dad was from penang.I was young then and I found Brunei boring with little else to do.I like Sabah though.

Kampong, I strongly agree with you. Its kind of boring place especially for young people like me. Furthermore, I come from Penang Island, which is a city with lots of entertainment and delicious food. I can't stay here anymore..

August,you are right.How old are you by the way? I went to Pulau Penang when I was five to see my father's family.Can't remember much as I was very young.

Hi, I am young and below 30. Penang is very nice and beautiful places. There are lots of beautiful beaches, great night life, delicious food and enriched life there.. Where are u now? In Brunei