Asia is a great retirement option for those seeking affordable yet comfortable living, without compromising on natural beauty, entertainment and great food. Malaysia could be the place you’ve been dreaming about. If you’re not familiar with it, Malaysia is situated on the lower part of the Malay peninsula, just north of Singapore.
East Malaysia is situated on the northern third or so of Borneo – about 400 miles east of the mainland. Peninsular Malaysia is more developed, with all of the major cities, and East Malaysia is where you will find large expanses of jungle, many rivers, and some of the best diving in Southeast Asia.
Most retirees would probably find Peninsular Malaysia more convenient for living, and East Malaysia good for occasional visits. If you want to retire to Asia, Malaysia is as good a place as any.
Malaysia was a British colony until 1957, and has existed in it’s present form since 1963. English is spoken widely, although many other languages are spoken as well – various dialects of Chinese, Tamil (a south Indian language), Malayalam (another South Indian Language) and the national language, Bahasa Malaysia.
Malaysia is blessed with a pleasant, warm climate, inviting shorelines of white sands skirted by crystal clear waters. Lots of public and private hospitals, recreational/entertainment facilities and developed and quality education system are also available.
Malaysia is a tropical country, with high humidity year round. The monsoon season generally runs from December to March, and hits the East Coast hardest- although rain is year round. It can be very hot in northern Malaysia in the summer, and temperatures in the low-lying areas generally reach into the low 90sF at their hottest.
Crime is low but if helps to take the proper safety precautions. The best advice is "Don't Do Drugs!" in Malaysia. The people are very friendly. This alone makes it one of the best places to retire in Asia.
As long as you respect the local customs and cultures, you will not have a bad experience in Malaysia. The main everyday sign that this is an Islamic country is the head scarf that observant Muslim women wear, and the sound of the call to prayer from the Mosques.
People who want a little adventure in their retirement years, while still enjoying a decent standard of living would like living here. People who enjoy trying new foods – Malay, all sorts of Indian food, all sorts of Chinese food, fresh seafood all year would enjoy staying here. Same with those people who have decent health and who want to keep it that way by being active and curious.
People who don't have to work in retirement to make ends meet – and you will find it even easier here, since so many things are inexpensive.
Fortunately Malaysia has an exceptionally low cost of living and is aided by a tax regime that is most welcoming to foreigners. This is a good reason to retire in Malaysia.
Another benefit of retiring to Malaysia is the high quality, low cost modern health care facilities. Medical expenses and health insurance are very affordable compared to other countries, even the US.
Malaysia’s cultural mosaic is marked by multinational traditions, originating from China, India, the Middle East, Europe, and the entire Malay Archipelago.
New cultural influences from Europe and China mixed with Hindu and Islamic traditions later in history. A collective but distinctively Malay cultural pattern has emerged from this blend. You can see it in the literature, music, dance, and other performing art forms.
Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia, where more than a million work and reside, and functions as the center of Malaysia’s political, commercial and social life. It is a city of delightful contrasts. The favorable climate accounts for the lush greenery and profusion of tropical blooms in a riot of colors. The end result is a unique blend of age-old customs and traditions; colorful festivals, songs and dances and a rich variety of foods to tempt the palate.
Credit cards and travelers cheques are accepted at larger establishments. Most banks readily accept foreign currencies like the US Dollar, Pound Sterling, Yen, Deustchmark and Franc for exchange into Malaysian Ringgit.
