Retiring to Malaysia

[johnwboy]

Hello forum members. I have been checking out SEA for a little over a year for a nice country to retire to. Have checked out the PH, and Thailand, and now checking ML. For those of you living in KL and Penang, what do you like and dislike about it?

I would have around $4600 RM per month for living expenses. Is this amount doable? Would expect to pay around $1500 RM per month for a furnished condo. Am 60yrs old and would still like good nightlife available. Am in good shape and single. Also am a golf addict. Play currently three times a week here in the US. What I liked about the PH and Thailand is the many golf courses available. How expensive is golf in ML?

What I didn't like about the PH is the gov't corruption and less then ideal infrastructure. Seems to be a poorer country than ML. What I didn't like about Thailand is non English speaking.

Thank you all for all the info you can supply.

John

[tumbleweeds]

Likes: They speak English (Manglish, but it's close enough...); Cost of living is low (if you don't drink - alcohol is expensive); Plenty of golf courses; Friendly people; very good infrastructure. First-world in most respects, especially in KL and Georgetown; Excellent health care, good roads; Hub for Air Asia - excellent airports and airlines; Nice beaches and attractive central highlands; Food is delicious and diverse.

Dislikes: Hot and steamy year-round; Government "affirmative action" programs favor Malay Muslims, causes disgruntlement amongst the Chinese and Indian minorities; Alcohol is expensive; deforestation and huge palm oil plantations.

You can Google golf courses in Malaysia for info on prices and availability.

[johnwboy]

Originally Posted by tumbleweeds

Likes: They speak English (Manglish, but it's close enough...); Cost of living is low (if you don't drink - alcohol is expensive); Plenty of golf courses; Friendly people; very good infrastructure. First-world in most respects, especially in KL and Georgetown; Excellent health care, good roads; Hub for Air Asia - excellent airports and airlines; Nice beaches and attractive central highlands; Food is delicious and diverse.

Dislikes: Hot and steamy year-round; Government "affirmative action" programs favor Malay Muslims, causes disgruntlement amongst the Chinese and Indian minorities; Alcohol is expensive; deforestation and huge palm oil plantations.

You can Google golf courses in Malaysia for info on prices and availability.

Thanks Tumbleweeds for your reply. You are the first one so far.

I am thinking that Panang (Georgetown) area looks pretty good. I play golf two to three times a week here in Colorado. We have a mens league that gets together. Looks like the courses in the area are fairly reasonable in their prices. Furnished condos and apartments look cheaper than around KL. Would I need to buy a car for transportation (lugging around the golf bag etc)? I have lived in Florida before so hot and steamy didn't bother me to much. Better than cold and snowy.

I don't drink very much. Maybe two times a week. Am single so would like some female companionship in my life sometimes. Does 4500RM per month sound doable to you for a budget? Furnished apartment or condo plus living expenses plus car maybe.

The PH just sounds to dirty and more crime than Malaysia.
John

[tumbleweeds]

You'd probably want to get a car. Taxi's don't use the meter and can be expensive, and the bus system in Georgetown isn't the best. Yes, as long as you aren't a big drinker, you should be able to live comfortably (middle-class to upper-middle-class) on 4500 RM per month. Malaysia has a low crime rate and is cleaner than some SEA countries (though it doesn't compare with developed countries in Europe and US/Canada, which are much cleaner). You can drink the water right out of the tap in most Malaysian urban areas and swim in the water. If you want clean, Singapore is the place - but not affordable on your budget. You might also want to check into their retirement program - MM2H. There's a lot on this forum about it. But it requires a financial commitment. Otherwise, you can get a 90 day visa and make border runs to Thailand indefinitely.

[johnwboy]

Originally Posted by tumbleweeds

You'd probably want to get a car. Taxi's don't use the meter and can be expensive, and the bus system in Georgetown isn't the best. Yes, as long as you aren't a big drinker, you should be able to live comfortably (middle-class to upper-middle-class) on 4500 RM per month. Malaysia has a low crime rate and is cleaner than some SEA countries (though it doesn't compare with developed countries in Europe and US/Canada, which are much cleaner). You can drink the water right out of the tap in most Malaysian urban areas and swim in the water. If you want clean, Singapore is the place - but not affordable on your budget. You might also want to check into their retirement program - MM2H. There's a lot on this forum about it. But it requires a financial commitment. Otherwise, you can get a 90 day visa and make border runs to Thailand indefinitely.

Was looking into the MM2H program, but I don't know if I want to invest almost $50,000USD into a fixed account. did see however that you can withdrawal after one year around $17,000 USD for a car purchase without having to pay sales taxes on it. Is driving in Malaysia on the left? Wish their deposit amount was more like the Philippine's SSRV Program in the amount of around $10,000.00 or only proof of $800.00 per month pension if over fifty.

Another question if you don't mind. Can you ship personal items from the US to Malaysia like you can with the balikbayan boxes you can send to the Philippines? You can send "personal items" tax and import duty free to the Philippines.

One more. What kind of electric is there in Malaysia? 110V or 220V like the Philipines?

[tumbleweeds]

Originally Posted by johnwboy

Was looking into the MM2H program, but I don't know if I want to invest almost $50,000USD into a fixed account. did see however that you can withdrawal after one year around $17,000 USD for a car purchase without having to pay sales taxes on it. Is driving in Malaysia on the left? Wish their deposit amount was more like the Philippine's SSRV Program in the amount of around $10,000.00 or only proof of $800.00 per month pension if over fifty.

Another question if you don't mind. Can you ship personal items from the US to Malaysia like you can with the balikbayan boxes you can send to the Philippines? You can send "personal items" tax and import duty free to the Philippines.

One more. What kind of electric is there in Malaysia? 110V or 220V like the Philipines?

Yes, driving is on the left. I lived for 2+ years in Malaysia just making border runs to Singapore and/or Thailand - no investment required. The financial requirement for Thailand is less than Malaysia requires - something to consider, maybe. You can ship personal items to Malaysia duty-free under the MM2H program. Electric is 220V - you can buy universal adapters for your appliances, etc.

I have no idea what a balikbayan box is, sorry.

[chong]

Originally Posted by johnwboy

Was looking into the MM2H program, but I don't know if I want to invest almost $50,000USD into a fixed account. did see however that you can withdrawal after one year around $17,000 USD for a car purchase without having to pay sales taxes on it. Is driving in Malaysia on the left? Wish their deposit amount was more like the Philippine's SSRV Program in the amount of around $10,000.00 or only proof of $800.00 per month pension if over fifty.

Another question if you don't mind. Can you ship personal items from the US to Malaysia like you can with the balikbayan boxes you can send to the Philippines? You can send "personal items" tax and import duty free to the Philippines.

One more. What kind of electric is there in Malaysia? 110V or 220V like the Philipines?

hope this help.. fix deposit is not compulsory.

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENT - Applicants aged 50 and above may comply with the financial proof of RM350,000 in liquid assets and off shore income of RM10,000 per month. For certified copy(s) of Current Account submitted as financial proof, applicants must provide the latest 3 months’ statement with each month’s credit balance of RM 350,000. For those who have retired, they are required to show proof of receiving pension from government approved funds of RM 10,000 per month

Upon Approval : Aged 50 years and above
* Can either choose to:
- Open a fixed deposit account of RM150,000.00 ; OR
- Show proof of government approved pension funds of RM10,000

Electricity: 240V

[johnwboy]

Originally Posted by chong

hope this help.. fix deposit is not compulsory.

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENT - Applicants aged 50 and above may comply with the financial proof of RM350,000 in liquid assets and off shore income of RM10,000 per month. For certified copy(s) of Current Account submitted as financial proof, applicants must provide the latest 3 months’ statement with each month’s credit balance of RM 350,000. For those who have retired, they are required to show proof of receiving pension from government approved funds of RM 10,000 per month

Upon Approval : Aged 50 years and above
* Can either choose to:
- Open a fixed deposit account of RM150,000.00 ; OR
- Show proof of government approved pension funds of RM10,000

Electricity: 240V

Thanks Chong for your reply. Yes I did see the other option of 10,000 RM per month
in gov't pension. I can't consider it because I only will have about 1/2 of that amount per month.

[jamietanahrata]

Dear John,

Tanah Rata in Cameron Highlands offer a cool tropical climate at17 degrees.
It is about 2 hours by luxury coach from the nearest city, Ipoh (which can offer you the occassional nightlife that you are looking for) the otherlonger journey would be to venture to the Thai border town of Betong or Haadyai about 5 hours away.

For accomodation it is about rm500 to rm1500 monthly for an apartment but if you are a stranger, than prices would be higher. It would be easier to stay in a backpacker's place and shop around for a unit as long stay apartments are hard to find here.

You can golf at the Royal Golf Club in Tanah Rata and it is currently undergoing some major landscaping works and only 9 holes are playable. You also have great courses in Ipoh. Golfing here is reasonably cheap.

If you need more ideas try emailing me for pictures. I have been here since November 2011 and enjoying it. The Village or Tanah Rata is a growing town and there are plenty of opportunities for work and new businesses.

[jamietanahrata]

Dear John,

Try to stay on a tourist visit pass which require to exit and re-enter Malaysia every three months (or one month) when you are checking out Malaysia. I have a Canadian friend who has been doing that for two years now. He normally takes a bus to the Thai border every third month and re-enter Malaysia. That way you do not need to put money or qualify for MM2H.

Look at this way, it is not a convenient way but it does allow you time to be sure of your decision. Also it offers you an excuse to travel to Thailand for a great Thai massage, beers and re-new your tourist pass.

The ticket and short stay in Thailand would only cost you very little money around a few hundred ringgit.

Actually your choice in Malaysia also depends on your preferred lifestyle. If you like a cool weather, come to Tanah Rata in Cameron Highlands.