AlienOnTheRun
10/15/2013 23:45 EST
Hi everyone! I'm an Asian Canadian male, who has spent most of his adult life and has worked only in the US, thus my retirement accounts are also only in the US. I'm in my middle age and considering to move overseas mainly for the financial reason. I used to work as a sub teacher for public schools in California and, looking long-term, my retirement funds are simply too skimpy to allow me to live in North America.
I've been researching lately and learned Malaysia is one of the cheapest destinations for retirement overseas. Of course, I'm also interested in local culture. Since money is the main (despite not only) reason I'm considering this option, I'd like to know just how much it will cost to live there.
Below is the cost of living in Kuala Lumpur and Penang. Please advise how accurate they are.
http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/city_result.jsp?country=Malaysia&city=Kuala+Lumpur&displayCurrency=USD
http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/city_result.jsp?country=Malaysia&city=Penang&displayCurrency=USD
It appears it’s not cheap in Kuala Lumpur any more, if this information is realistic, especially rent / real estate, basic utilities and internet. I’m wondering what the differences are between these two cities ? Are there any other good alternatives?
My main concerns are:
1) rent / real estate prices
2) how easy / difficult to get a tourist / PR visa?
3) Is it possible for expat to get jobs there since I still need to work. Unless I can afford a piece of real estate and rent out rooms, but I prefer to work.
4) Are they tax / expat friendly?
5) Low crime
6) Affordable and good quality medical care.
A few other concerns:
(in random order)
Warm weather (80 degree F is the optimum temperature to me, and I'd rather hot than cold, ideally not too humid)
Easy access to beach and mountains,
Has affordable gyms with at least doable equipments,
Clean, with good infrastructure
Reliable, at least not too bad internet / cell phone services
English-friendly is a plus, but not a must
I know these are a lot of questions / concerns, and these are the ideal. Please feel free to respond to any of them. Much obliged!
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Ebinger
11/16/2013 03:39 EST
Hi Alien,
Better late than never..
The answers from Penang:
1) Rental >RM 700; Real Estate > RM 1 Mio (for foreigners)
2) Tourist visa 90 days on arrival, PR US$ 1 Mio 5 years deposit in Malaysia
3) Check with international schools, they will also provide the visa
4) Yes
5) Same as Canada
6) Yes
Always warm but also humid (a teacher asking such a question?). Beaches yes, mountains through the jungle, and the rest yes.
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richards1999
12/17/2013 00:54 EST
Hey Ebinger and Alien,
actually there is lots of cheaper home for sale in malaysia.
i found it here:
http://homes.mitula.my/homes/cheap-property
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stumpy
12/22/2013 06:15 EST
Have you considered Cambodia.
Easy to get into visa wise and to work as a teacher.
Cheap living.
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Ebinger
12/26/2013 10:16 EST
There are many apartments for sale below RM 1 Mio, but as a foreigner you can only buy 1 Mio and above. Landed Property > RM 2 Mio.
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mytwocents
12/27/2013 00:22 EST
if you have money to buy a house,
chances are you have plenty of money to travel as well.
i know one japanese who works in malaysia, doesn't own a house, just rent for very cheap (less than US$100 per month, of course far from city) staying with his wife, every 6 month, leave country (can be spore, the immigration doesnt care), and comes in regularly.
if i were you, i would try that first, but please do make friends with locals so that they can help you in case of complications.
then take time to understand the country and see if you prefer Malaysia, or other nearby countries. i believe chances are you would prefer Malaysia, plenty of good cheap food, easy lifestyle, all heavenly except when it comes to religious matters and of course, assuming you dont stay in big cities (horrible jams, tolls, crazy drivers and all that pollution).
do not expect to drink (alcohol) or dress anyhow you like.
some areas though the locals keep quiet, they surely arent happy.
merry christmas & new year.
regards
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mytwocents
12/27/2013 00:37 EST
1) rent / real estate prices
absurdly high in cities,
reasonable if far from cities.
rental can be as low asUS$100 per house if you are living in smal towns.
it gets absurdly pricey in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, where real estates become unreasonably priced.
2) how easy / difficult to get a tourist / PR visa?
Canadian -- are you sure you need tourist visa?
pr and citizenchips can be quite difficult or almost impossible unless you can get "agents" (those with special rubbing power with the officers to do all the running for you).
i knew that even married couples (one Malaysian, another foreigner) couldnt get official pr for his wife after staying more than 15 years.
3) work. possible, but
depends on you.
plenty of jobless people here.
i know a japanese here working, dont know if illegally.
4) Are they tax / expat friendly?
dont know.
if you earn a lot, then i assume they will be interested to know.
5) Low crime
definitely not. getting worse nowadays, but it is worldwhie phenomenon.
6) Affordable and good quality medical care.
yes, even Indonesians come to here for such. surprisingly, they say it is much better than those in Jakarta. amazing!
A few other concerns:
humidity can be very high during monsoons (technically it is just heavy rainy season with occasional floods, but not
truly tropical storm unlike Katrina).
Has affordable gyms with at least doable equipments,
Clean, with good infrastructure
Reliable, at least not too bad internet / cell phone services
English-friendly is a plus, but not a must
- all these, sure, if you got money. people will find you if they know you have, not to worry.
i believe you should have if you are thinking of migrating.
regards
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