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Malaysia is attracting many foreigners with its Malaysia second home program Malaysia My Second Home espeically those retirees seeking sunny skies and everything nice.
In the Kuala Lumpur City with many modern amenities from highscrapers like the Petronas Twin Towers which are the largest twin towers in the world to Genting Highland world class casino and mountain resort while modern shopping paradise are abound like 1Utama, Berjaya Time Squares and Lot 10. Genting Highlands - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia,. Expatriates enclaves in Desa Park City Desa ParkCity - The Best Place to Live in Kuala Lumpur , Mont Kiara, and Valencia with gated and guarded within the capital city offered a luxurious lifestyle living which iks affordable by American standards.
Other attractions are beautiful beaches from Sabah to Terenganu. But for those people like me - the main attraction is food as it is the melting pot since it was ruled by British, Portugese, Dutch and Japanese. It was the trading port between the west and the east and was known as the spice transit then. It was influenced by Chinese and Indians as many were here for the tin industry and rubber estate plantation. Just neighbouring the Thailand, the local cusines are influenced by the spicy and hot curry.
Definitely, a good getaway or a second or third homes like some of the foreigners who have had make it here to escape the cold winters which is the open secret
Those who are interested to find out more, you can message me where I as the unoffical representaive can provide you info. BTW, the Geisha, Iron lady, Bond Girl, Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon starlet is also from Malaysia and childhood friend. We speak American or English quite well.
Last edited by zinglicious; 02-12-2012 at 01:36 PM..
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
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Well Malaysia was my father's first home, so I guess it's like the opposite haha. While great in many ways I hear there is still political corruption there. Probably wouldn't affect retired people so much, who just contribute money. Last time I was in Penang, where dad is from, I saw lots of new beachside apartments, many of which were being advertised to foreiginers as part of the programme you are speaking of. Quieter coastal areas seem to be preferred for retired ex-pats, rather than places like KL.
Due to changes in law Thailand will definitely be competing with Malaysia as a place for people to retire. I was in Phuket a month ago and saw a lot of new apartments, condos and townhouses being sold.
True in what you said about corruption but it has been checked with the strong opposition where they were denied 2/3 majority as enjoyed in the past. The new election is expected to be held pretty soon and it is any guess what would the result. But with the internet and people more savvy and concerned about corruption, I think Malaysia would see the Arab spring uprising here too.
Actually there are more Expats in KL than comapred to Penang who is making KL to be the Malaysian Second Home program judging from the sales and ownership of these enclaves. Higher real estate appreciation is one of the primary reason, the abundance of facilities, business and job opportunites may be the others. KL is where the action is.
In fact, I was from Ipoh which is between Penang and KL. And that's where international starlet Mitchell Yeoh from. The properties in this city here is even cheaper but so far, expats do not favor the thoughts of setting up thier second home. Just like Penang, they prefer to stay for couple of days. Interestingly, even the locals are making KL thier home of choice because of the above factors - me for one!
My wife was born and grew up in Ipoh but is now a Singapore citizen. When we retired we considered Singapore but it is very expensive housing wise. Malaysia seems to have a much lower cola but I'm not clear on the political climate there and it's impact on retirees.
IMHO, it is much better now, comsidering there is check and balance with the strong ooposition to check abuses and corruption. In the past, politician uses in the name of religion to divide the race but now in the name of internet, people are more savvy. Mainstream media were controlled by the govt in the past but there is no way to control alternative media such as www.malaysianinsiders.com , www.malaysiankini.com or www.facebook.com.. In Net We Trust is the mantra where Malaysians are turning to.
Unlike some countries, there wouldnt be uprising through bloody demostrations or military coups that comes with public unrests like in Libya or Thailand.
While Singapore is great in terms of development comparing with Malaysia, it is overdeveloped for retirees due to costs and lack of greens. Medical care is another reason as it is definitely more expensive in other countries comparing with Malaysia whcih offers high standard as well.
In fact, two of the my wifey clients are buying because of medicare while setting homes with Malaysia 2nd home program. This is due to the favorable higher currency exchange rate as well for the time being. You can make comparison via the properties in my wifey site - sharonlee.iagent.my or viewing some of the public listings by clicking www.youtube.comn/sharonleaders
The only concern is the number of illegal immigrants here from Philipines , Burma, and Indonesia which are causing public anxiety and safety. Hence, it is a piece of mind, to stay in gated and guarded community. Being the victim of house burgarly can be quite traumatised. In addition to that, the facilities of amenities, pool, natural landscapes and golf course are what the expatriates or retirees are looking forward to when setting up homes for healthier and tasty living lifestyle.
For the time being, the properties here is still vastly undervalued as the Mainland Chinese from China yet to buy enbloc as in Australia and New Zealand.
Last edited by zinglicious; 02-14-2012 at 01:00 PM..
Malaysia has become less attractive of recent with the governments decision to further lift the bar with regards to a retirees monthly income.
Most countries would like to attract the wealthy from other lands but what Malaysia should understand is that they are one but many countries in this market.
Places like Panama offer far better deals. Then closer to home Cambodia and Laos offer year long business visas that can be renewed annually for around $500 (US). No business is required.
If Indonesia can come up with an improved offer on what is presently available they would be highly attractive.
I myself am very fond of Malaysia. Have lived in KL and Melaka,but have travelled widely there.Although I like Palau Penang don't have an urge to join other ex pats there at all.
When I was actively researching alternative places outside of Penang and KL found the pickings a little slim. Pahang was a state of interest but they appear to have another policy and are costlier as such to get acceptance.
Some say Sarawak or Sabah are fine but have yet to check out.
I do agree the main reasons for living in malaysia would be the people and food. To be honest don't find the beaches so great. Thailand far better if that is what one desires.
I shall be watching the next electon with interest. Has the time come for a real challenge to the for ever ruling National Party? Perhaps a hard nut to crack?
The Malaysian 2nd home program is like what "2nd tier citizenship" where you dont have to renew visas up to 10 years and it is targetting on reitrees rather than business set up.
Comparing with Laos and Cambodia, I dont think it has what it offers. You dont find Prada and Jimmy Choo and other infrastructures like widely access internet or commercial centers there. Heck, I dont think there is Wendy or Starbucks there. It is like other States in Malaysia i.e. Perlis or Kelantan where I might go there for day trips. And yeas, you are irght about the food. where worldwide cuisines are available and less pricier. You can find linguinni from eatries from Pizza Hut to Itallianies, Sushi to Kimchi all over KL city.And if you are not here for retirement or 2nd home, you can find numerous 5 stars international hotels from KL to Pulau Penang.
For great beaches, it is not in KL or Pulau Pinang, but you have to check out either Pulau Redang in the East Coast, Langkawi in Kedah or especially East Malaysia - Sabah and Sarawak. Absolutely wonderful! IMHO, better than Thailand beaches as it is not a tourist or backpackers commercialised designations.
Pulau Pinang beach is too polluted! It is great for travellers, as I say, day trippers. My family was there for 3 days holiday in December and the kids were bored despite staying in the beachfront Hard Rock Hotel at Batu Ferringhi. And being industrialised state, it is not ideal to set up home for living either. So I was right when you said you didnt like Pulau Pinang eirher.
As for next coming election, it is not important who wins, but more of the balance where there is strong oopsition presence. Otherwise, it is like when the cat is away, the mice would at play.
The Malaysian 2nd home program is like what "2nd tier citizenship" where you dont have to renew visas up to 10 years and it is targetting on reitrees rather than business set up.
Comparing with Laos and Cambodia, I dont think it has what it offers. You dont find Prada and Jimmy Choo and other infrastructures like widely access internet or commercial centers there. Heck, I dont think there is Wendy or Starbucks there. It is like other States in Malaysia i.e. Perlis or Kelantan where I might go there for day trips. And yeas, you are irght about the food. where worldwide cuisines are available and less pricier. You can find linguinni from eatries from Pizza Hut to Itallianies, Sushi to Kimchi all over KL city.And if you are not here for retirement or 2nd home, you can find numerous 5 stars international hotels from KL to Pulau Penang.
For great beaches, it is not in KL or Pulau Pinang, but you have to check out either Pulau Redang in the East Coast, Langkawi in Kedah or especially East Malaysia - Sabah and Sarawak. Absolutely wonderful! IMHO, better than Thailand beaches as it is not a tourist or backpackers commercialised designations.
Pulau Pinang beach is too polluted! It is great for travellers, as I say, day trippers. My family was there for 3 days holiday in December and the kids were bored despite staying in the beachfront Hard Rock Hotel at Batu Ferringhi. And being industrialised state, it is not ideal to set up home for living either. So I was right when you said you didnt like Pulau Pinang eirher.
As for next coming election, it is not important who wins, but more of the balance where there is strong oopsition presence. Otherwise, it is like when the cat is away, the mice would at play.
Speaking for myself the last reason I would want to establish in Malaysia would be because Prada and other so called status western brand names can be found there.
If I was looking for that then I would more likely conclude a far more sophisticated European city like Paris or London would be better suited. Both cities which I adore.
I would move there because I have a feeling for the country and what it has to offer. The different cultures, foods, friendly people, language as well as position in the world.
Not having a Starbucks in Laos or Cambodia would almost sell those countries to me,especially when I can purchase fresh baguettes and drink great coffee every morning thanks to the French influence of those countries.
Lifting the required monthly income as from the end of last year to what is at the end of the day getting to be a hefty amount suggests the government is seeking an ever wealthier ex pat but forget these people have choices where to park their money and Malaysia may well not be at the top of the list.
I have not closed my mind completely to Malaysia but am keeping an eye of those ever increasing costs very carefully. Just hope Malaysia doesn't shoot itself after having a rather good scheme MM2H by getting too greedy.
If you compared all the places mentioned, Malaysia is the best of both worlds. Another winning point is English is well spoken in Malaysia and Singapore in this region as school students from year one of schooling. In fact, Malaysia universities have had attracted foreign students where it is not spoken or taught in thier homeland. And those movies shown are not dubbed either unless if you fancy Bruce Willis speaking in Thai or Indonesian!
And music is everyway from Hip Hop, Sentimental, Rock and Country in the Clubs to Pubs, TV to radio stations. And that is in American!
I don't expect Pravda or Starbucks in a retirement country so I don't care about that...
I worry about racism as the government favors Muslim bumiputras. Have friends who don't qualify for scholarships for being Chinese. Other stories...
The news that Malaysia sent back a Saudi who's only crime was expressing an opinion... Deal breaker as well
I like Malaysia. The people food culture, etc. would I retire there.. Nope.
Many otheR places with more tolerant governments exist.
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