Best
Places To Retire In Asia
Retire in Malaysia
Many people look ahead to their retirement days- to relax
and to pursue interests that they couldn't previously because of a hectic work
schedule. They also look for financial
security and an ability to maintain the lifestyle they are used to. A
retirement life that provides for all of the above in the United States
requires plenty of money. Nobody wants
their standard of living to drop dramatically when they retire, which is
inevitable when rising costs and lower interest rates are a reality of our
times. Many American citizens realize that retiring in the United States with limited funds and resources
compromises their vision for retirement - as a result, they contemplate
relocating to countries in Asia, which are
more afffordable and provide a comfortable, even luxurious, lifestyle.
The Philippines,
Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore,
Indonesia, India, Vietnam
and Cambodia
are some countries where one can find a safe retirement haven, friendly people,
lower cost of living, and a lifestyle comparable to that in the developed
economies. With low air fares, it is
also possible to travel to these countries affordably. Malaysia, on account of its
strategic geographical location, good weather and high standard of living is
considered as a smart choice for people to retire in. It has a legitimate retirement visa scheme
called "Malaysia My Second Home", which makes the process of
immigration very simple.
About Malaysia
Malaysia
is a tropical paradise. Situated in the heart of Asia, Malaysia has
pleasant, warm and balmy weather, with moderate rain throughout the year. There
are highland residential areas and resorts with permanent spring-like weather
throughout the country. Its geographical locale is such that there are no
earthquakes. Malaysia is one
of the most politically stable countries in Asia.
The rule of law is prevalent and the British Common Law system of justice, with
an independent, reliable and dependable judiciary, is in practice. Low crime
rates makes it the one of the safest countries to reside in. English is widely
spoken by a majority of the people. There are some great places to visit, like
the Petronas Twin
Towers, Niah
Caves, Mount Kinabalu
and Genting Highland.
Malaysia
has plenty of natural attractions for adventure seekers - forests and oceans -
with an enormous variety of flora, fauna and marine life.
Infrastructure and Facilities:
Malaysia
has one of the most well developed infrastructures among the countries of Asia. Some of these are summarized below:
Cost of living
Standard And Cost Of Living: Malaysia has one of the highest
standards of living in the region with modern infrastructure and
facilities. The Cost of living is one of
the lowest in Asia and is expected to remain
so for a very long time. This is achieved through the local government’s
efficient monitoring of the economy to keep inflation low at all times. Support
services in the form of full-time housekeepers, gardeners, and cooks are
affordable. A night in a decent hotel would cost you anywhere between $20 to
about $100 U.S.
A meal in a fancy Malaysian restaurant would cost about $20 to $30 U.S, while a
decent meal in a cheap local restaurant would only cost you about $2 U.S. A small
bottle or a pint of beer can be purchased for about $2 U.S. Bottled mineral water is available in most
shops and supermarkets and would cost about 20 to 30 cents. When it comes to
transportation, a short taxi ride could cost you only about $4 to $6.
World-Class Telecommunication Infrastructure: Malaysia's
telecommunications network is impressive and is currently being further
upgraded. Digital and fiber optics technology is being used to provide high
quality telecommunication services at highly competitive prices. Fixed line
telephone service is available even in some of the most remote parts of the
country. Cell phone access is available nationwide, and one of the major
operators in Malaysia,
Telekom Malaysia,
offers cheap call rates for nationwide calls. Inexpensive Internet access is
available almost everywhere in Malaysia,
while faster broadband access is available in major cities.
Transportation
Expressways And Transportation: The whole country is well
connected with modern road, rail, air and sea transportation systems. Buses,
taxis, and trains are comparatively efficient and inexpensive. Malaysia's
modern urban transportation systems make traveling fast and convenient. Malaysia’s
world-class expressway system comprises of several types of roads - Federal
Roads, State Roads and Municipal Roads, all well maintained by the government.
Mediacal facilities
Health Facilities: Malaysia has state-of-the-art
health care facilities at various public and private hospitals that offer
exemplary medical support services. The National Heart Institute in Malaysia is
capable of handling all types of heart surgery, from normal routine angiograms
to the most complex bypass surgery.
Food
Food: Food from different parts of the world is available in
Malaysia
at a reasonable cost. For example, a hamburger in Malaysia
would cost much less than in the United States. Local Malaysian
cuisine is even cheaper. With so many races and cultures living together in
harmony, a blend of culinary traditions has developed resulting in Malaysia being
referred to as ‘Food Paradise’. The tropical fruits of Malaysia are
unique, exotic and available in abundance practically throughout the year.
What to do in Malaysia
Recreation, Entertainment & Shopping: The country has a
lot to offer in terms of entertainment for the family - theme parks, jungle
trails/sports, water sports and one of the highest golf-course-to-population
ratio. Most items that tourists normally like to buy such as perfumes,
cosmetics, watches, fountain pens, electronic goods and branded goods can be
bought tax free. Quality goods from all over the world are imported and are
sold at moderate prices in Malaysia.
Affordable Housing
Housing: There is a wide choice of housing options in Malaysia -
quality residences - terrace houses, semi-detached bungalows, apartments and
condominiums. There are also residences available in tourism zones – on
beaches, near jungles and theme parks, recreational places and city centers.
The monthly rentals for accommodations can range from as low as RM1,500 - 3,800
(US$395-$1,000) for a furnished 3-bedroom condominium in the suburbs of Kuala
Lumpur to RM16,000 - 20,000 (US$4,737-5,263) for a luxury bungalow in the posh
neighborhood of Kenny Hills nearer to the city.
Education
Education: The country has a well-developed educational
system – both public and private. International schools exist in all major
towns and have English as the medium of instruction. There are also private
colleges and universities offering joint programs with other well-known
universities and major colleges from throughout the world. Quality education up
to the highest level is available. Malaysia is already becoming an
educational center of excellence for the region, with most courses being
offered measuring up to international standards.
Finance and banking
Financial Facilities: A well-developed financial and banking
sector with sophisticated financial facilities is available through domestic
and foreign commercial banks and their nationwide network of branches. There
are also representative offices of several foreign banks that have established
a presence in the country.
Malaysia
is a second home for people who want to retire abroad because it to offers good
civic infrastructure, a reasonable cost of living and a safer environment.
Expatriates enjoy a safe and comfortable living environment with 21st century
amenities, good healthcare and medical facilities, excellent educational
institutions, and world-class recreational and sports facilities - at costs
much lower than in their own country.
Find your best place to retire:
