Hi there,
Found your info very interesting. We are considering Kota Kinabalu. Do you know anything about it? We are Brits currently living in South Africa. Is KK as accommodating to the British as KL sounds according to your note? Do you happen to know anything about the My Second Home (MM2H) programme? Understand we would not be able to work, but believe we can start up a business and derive income from same? Do you know if this is correct? We tried to find a forum for this part of the world, but had no success to-date.
Thanks.

Hi Brian,

For info on the MM2H programme, Google MM2H Malaysia. The government has an extensive website devoted to this program. The rules seem to change all the time - I believe that they have recently changed the rules on employment and owning a business. That said, I think that the benefits are actually quite minimal and it's a hassle to get approved. Since you get a 90 day visa every time you enter the country, it's pretty easy to just hop over the border - Brunei, in this case - and get a fresh 90 days on your return (which can be the same day). You can also get a fresh 90 days by entering Sarawak, which is considered a separate country as far as immigration is concerned.

As far as forums go, the best one I've seen is on the Thorntree, which is through the Lonely Planet, and it covers a huge amount of information. Go onto the website for the Lonely Planet, then follow the link to the Thorntree. There are some very good posters on that branch and practically any question will get you quick and accurate responses. Another one that gets a fair amount of use is the one by Expat KL. They also has a lot of information about Malaysia, in general, as well as a section devoted to the MM2H.

I've been almost everywhere in Malaysia, but for some odd reason, I've never been to KK. I've heard that it's quite cosmopolitan and people like it. I have been to Kuching, on Sarawak, and found that to be a very charming small city. However, you've got to really appreciate a hot and humid climate. I'd suggest renting for at least a year before considering buying a place there. But Malaysia, as a whole, loves foreigners - they are a friendly and welcoming group. Even now, after living here for so long, people still come up to us, give us big smiles and say "Welcome to Malaysia!"

I am in Bali using Broadband internet is very fast.

In Chiang Mai Thailand I pay a little more for the fastest internet connection, about 25 euros a month, but have found it very reliable and pretty quick. My biggest problem to date has been the occasional power cut!

__________________
Pete - Long-term property rental in Provence

Hi Tumbleweeds,
Thanks so much for taking the time and trouble to respond. We really appreciate it. Thanks for the websites. We will certainly have a look at them. Very up in the air at present as to where to actually go, due to the crime in South Africa. It's been extremely hot and humid here, so we don't think that will be a problem. At the risk of being extremely nosey, what makes you leave Malaysia for pastures new in Mexico? As you can see, we are exploring all options!
Thanks once again.

Hi Brian,

You're welcome - or as they say here, Sama sama!

Why are we leaving? A couple of reasons. As I mentioned earlier, the weather here is always hot and humid. After awhile, I guess some people get used to it, others just find it oppressively hot. We're in that latter group - we really need to be in a more temperate climate. The other disadvantage in Malaysia is that it is 12,000 miles away from our aging parents who live in the US. In Mexico, we can drive there in one long day. In Malaysia, it's a brutal plane trip and a phenomenol time change - really not something to be undertaken lightly! So, our new place in Mexico is located at 7,500 feet in elevation, giving us the nice, cool weather that we really need at the moment, and it's a good opportunity for us. That said, we wouldn't rule out returning to Malaysia - it really has been a good place to be - but next time, we'd be sure to have a car! Presently, if we go anywhere, we're walking at least part of the way, and with this hot weather, well... And it limits us on getting into the cooler, central highlands - something that would make a big quality of life improvement.

As far as safety goes, Malaysia has always felt very, very safe to us. Crime is very low, terrorism is non-existent. The biggest safety issues, probably, are driving in traffic that isn't always mannerly and the occasional outbreaks of dengue fever - this year is a bad year for that.

Dear tumbleweeds,

Since you have lots of knowledge about Malaysia, please could you look at the following thread and see if you think Malaysia is the right place for the poster.

I just want to leave my country (unique story)


Many thanks.

Rod

I agree with your comments on Ecuador and plan on visiting later this year when I go to Panama, Argentina and Uruguay. Ecuador is probably number 2 on my list right now and based on property costs, it would be number one. I read a lot of the Cuenca and Ecuador blogs and there seem to be a lot of expats that really love living there.

Probably my biggest concern is the left-leaning government. I know they just signed some type of agreement with Iran and the radical nut case they have for a president. With all the oil reserves in Ecuador, will they become a target for some of the other crazies in the region?

Cuenca looks great but some have complained a bit about the colder weather at certain times of the year. I live in Seattle and would prefer to find a place that does not drop below 45...and snow is out of the question (I know that is not a problem in Cuenca) as this winter has convinced me that if I want to see snow, I'll look at a picture.

Would love to hear more about your experiences in Ecuador.

As someone who has always planned on retiring in Mexico until recently, I would advise anyone looking there to take a very close look at the overall economic and safety issues currently in this wonderful country.

I grew up in So. California and have always loved Mexico and it's warm, wonderful, friendly people. I did business there for many years and have spent a lot of time in several parts of the country. But in the last few years things have really gone bad. You are just now starting to hear more about the problems here in the states since the crime is now crossing our borders. Here are some solid statistics...feel free to check them out:

Over 5,300 people were murdered in Mexico in 2008, most at the hands of the "Narcos" as the drug cartels are known there. The current rate in Tijuana (albiet not the nicest place in Mexico but a town I used to feel very safe in) is 15 murders a WEEK! The Narcos are every bit of a terrorist organization as the radical muslims in the middle east. They behead many of their victims and often leave their heads on stakes, even in front of the police departments. They recently machine-gunned the offices of TeleVisa, the largest TV station in the country. The Narcos didn't like the coverage.

Mexico has replaced Columbia as the number one country for kidnappings. I have literally dozens of friends in Mexico City, Cuernevaca, Tampico, Guadalajara and many other cities. Every single person I know has been the victim of a crime in the last 3 years. Until recently most of the crimes were not violent but that has changed. One very good friend lost his oldest son 2 years ago. He was kidnapped and murdered for $500.00 in cash and from his ATM. My friend has the resouces to conduct his own investigation and tracked the 3 killers down in California. They were Mexico City policemen. Without his contacts and financial resources nothing would have happened.

Ask most Mexicans who they fear the most and they will tell you it's the police. They are one of the most corrupt police forces in the world and with the money the Narcos offer, the good ones are either being murdered or start taking money from the cartels, while still in uniform.

Last, but certainly of plenty concern is the economic situation. Mexico needs oil at $70.00 a barrel to support their economy. At $40.00 a barrel they are in real danger of a total economic collapse. Much of their oil infrastructure is in need of expensive repair and updating but they don't have the money and won't allow any foreign firms in to partner with them and fix the problem.

Just to add some background, my ex-wife, and still my best friend, is from Mexico City. Her son just walked away from 3 very successful businesses in Tampico because the Narcos had targeted him and his businesses. His security staff managed to thwart 2 attempted kidnappings, but you can't stop them from either ruining your business or taking it over if they decide they want it. He got out while he was still alive. So don't let anyone tell you that the violence is just between the cartels, that's pure nonsense.

No accurate statistics are made available on the number of foreigner who have gone missing or have been murdered. A security expert from the states was giving a conference to wealthy Mexicans recently on how to avoid being kidnapped. He was kidnapped and has not been heard from since. If it weren't so tragic it would almost be funny. The Narcos were sending a very clear message.

It makes me want to cry quite frankly. This is one of the most wonderful places on earth. I can only hope that something happens to change things..and soon.

Wow ...... I was **itting myself while reading it (forgive my French)! - thanks for such a good run down.

******