If you could retire in Malaysia, which place would you chose & why? Some criteria...

Discussion in 'Indians in Malaysia' started by Indianna, Oct 15, 2012.

  1. Indianna

    Indianna New IL'ite

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    Hi everyone, we are in a blessed (I think!) position to be able to come to Malaysia under the MM2H visa soon as retirees. We are a couple with no children, in our early fifties and looking for suggestions on what would best suit our budget, lifestyle and other criteria. Listed a few key points below.

    Budget: Our monthly budget is approx 7000 RM. (This does not include annual holidays or unexpected health costs – we have provided for that separately).

    Food: As Indians, we want to be in a place with easy access to Indian groceries, eating places (low and medium costs, occasionally the pricier ones) and regular tiffin services (like what someone in this forum has advertised J ).

    Airport: It would also be good to have international flights accessible for trips to India etc. Not absolutely essential but nice-to-have.

    Health and safety: Important criteria are health and safety. By health I mean access to good doctors and medical facilities, including natural/supplementary health options such as ayurvedic massage, physiotherapy etc (i have a back problem which needs these kind of treatments).

    Rental: We want to rent a place in a gated community or safe condo style block. I know that rents in KL and Penang are higher than smaller places. We want at least 2 BR or preferably 3 BR since we expect to have family and friends visiting.

    Climate: While most of Malaysia is hot and humid, we are attracted to the cooler climate of Cameron highlands but it does not meet some of our other criteria.


    Looking forward to any advice or insights you can share. Thanks.
     
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  2. preethiitech

    preethiitech Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    Re: If you could retire in Malaysia, which place would you chose & why? Some criteria


    <table style="border: currentColor; border-collapse: collapse; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;" class="MsoTableGrid" border="1" cellSpacing="0" cellPadding="0"> <tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes;"> <td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; border: 1pt solid windowtext; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155"> Key points/Area
    </td> <td style="border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155"> KL
    </td> <td style="border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155"> Penang
    </td> <td style="border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: solid solid solid none; border-color: windowtext windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155"> Cameron
    </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;"> <td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155"> Budget (7000RM)

    I think that is more than enough if you dont account air tickets and holidays
    </td> <td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155"> Ÿ
    </td> <td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155"> Ÿ
    </td> <td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155"> Ÿ
    </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;"> <td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155"> Food (Indian groceries, eat-outs, tiffin services)
    </td> <td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155"> Ÿ (Some areas are really good, in some areas you may need to travel about 10 mins)
    </td> <td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155"> Ÿ (Very good and cheaper, all places comparatively close by)
    </td> <td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155"> Ǹ (Nearest Ipoh for all groceries)
    </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;"> <td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155"> Airport (International flights)
    </td> <td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155"> Ÿ (have maximum options and connectivity)
    </td> <td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155"> Ÿ
    </td> <td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155"> Ǹ (Nearest airport is in Ipoh.. but from Ipoh, there is no connectivity to India) (Nearest biggest airport is KL)
    </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;"> <td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155"> Health and safety
    </td> <td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155"> Ÿ (Has anything and everything that you will require)
    </td> <td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155"> Ÿ
    </td> <td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155"> Ǹ (Have only basic amenities.. and very less options)
    </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;"> <td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155"> Rental (gated/condo)

    With a budget of 7000, you can easily find good rental 3BR in kl itself for 1000-2000; penang is cheaper than kl
    </td> <td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155"> Ÿ (Lots of options to choose)
    </td> <td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155"> Ÿ
    </td> <td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155"> Ǹ (condos and gated communities are few; but you may find a house for rental)
    </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;"> <td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155"> Climate
    (Hot and Humid malaysia)

    </td> <td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155"> Ÿ (Some suburbs in KL/Selangor area are cooler than the other, you can choose them to have a peaceful atmosphere..
    </td> <td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155"> Ÿ (Penang is very hot as it is close to the sea..)
    </td> <td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155"> Ÿ Ÿ (very cool and cosy, as you know)
    </td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"> <td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt; border-style: none solid solid; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155">
    </td> <td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155">
    </td> <td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155">
    </td> <td style="border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; border-style: none solid solid none; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) windowtext windowtext rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 116.1pt; background-color: transparent; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt;" vAlign="top" width="155">
    </td> </tr></tbody></table>
     
  3. preethiitech

    preethiitech Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    Re: If you could retire in Malaysia, which place would you chose & why? Some criteria

    Also, you might have to consider about transportation..
    Atleast one of you having a local license makes life a lot more easier..

    Also, look for entertainment options like library, sports club, recreation centers, spas, gyms, shopping malls, easily available 24*7 shops, neighbourhood people, community activities, religious activities etc..
     
  4. Indianna

    Indianna New IL'ite

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    Re: If you could retire in Malaysia, which place would you chose & why? Some criteria

    DHi Preethi THANK YOU ever so much for that wonderful, well thought out information. You are absolutely amazing! Yes my hubby will definitely get a local licence. I dont drive at all unfortunately (or maybe fortunately - traffic in KL is pretty chaotic!) Which parts of KL would you recommend for rentals between 1000 -2000? And which you would consider slightly cooler?
     
  5. preethiitech

    preethiitech Moderator Staff Member IL Hall of Fame

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    Re: If you could retire in Malaysia, which place would you chose & why? Some criteria

    Hi indianna,it's my pleasure being a part of Indus ladies :) I have got lots of help before and now I'm just giving you info that I know of.. Glad you find them useful..

    On your query: I consider Bangsar , mont kiara etc to be a good place for condos. They have quite many Indians as well..

    Selangor suburbs are cooler definitely : many townships in shah Alam, petaling jaya are peaceful green and cool. Newer developments like Usj heights, Putrajaya heights and subang heights are also good. But could be more expensive..

    Good luck on your choice..
     
  6. Cathyg

    Cathyg New IL'ite

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    Re: If you could retire in Malaysia, which place would you chose & why? Some criteria

    Hi Indiana
    Welcome to Malaysia or as the locals say 'Selamat Datang'. Malaysia is a wonderful place with fantastic infrastructure and facilities. We have one of the best infrastructure in Asia. There is a diversity of culture,people and places. It is a food haven here. Everyone enjoys Malay,Chinese and Indian food.

    English is spoken in all major towns and most of the smalle towns too. Even in rural areas, a smattering of English is spoken. You will never be lost as the people are warm and friendly.
    As for places to consider for living, there are other towns near to KL. All major towns in Malaysia are equipped with adequate facilities. No worries there. You could consider Seremban and Malacca. It is a breeze driving on the highways. Seremban is a 40 mins drive from KL whereas Malacca is around a 1 hour drive.
    If you want to be next to Singapore, then the other alterntive would be down south in Johore. It is a 30 min drive to Singapore.
    As for a cool climate, you could also consider Genting Highlands which is a 20-30 minute drive from KL. It is a entertainment and casino resort. Fully developed.

    Cathy
     
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  7. Indianna

    Indianna New IL'ite

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    Re: If you could retire in Malaysia, which place would you chose & why? Some criteria

    Hi Cathy,

    Thank you for that warm introduction to Malaysia – your description nicely sums up all the reasons why we have chosen to move there!

    We are considering Johor as an option. It’s pretty exciting to see the development focus on that area. However, two major concerns about Johor, from what we hear, are that the crime rate seems to be a bit higher there (may be over-stated by some parts of the media). And secondly that it has a reputation for a higher concentration of strong religious groups (don’t want to detail here). But the first problem may get better once sufficient development does happen and the second may not be a real problem at all – as in it may not affect one’s day to day life.

    We plan to visit a few shortlisted places (beyond the ones we are familiar with) before deciding. At this stage, trying to get the right shortlist in place. Malacca has been suggested by a few people and sounds quite interesting. Thanks for the tip on Seremban – had not considered that; will check it out. Genting Highlands is cool and pretty but just a bit too touristy and casino-focused for our liking.

    It’s nice to have all these options to consider. More and more we think the practical plan will be to simply rent in KL or Penang for a couple of years and then work out where we want to be long-term.

    Would love to hear any other insights. Thanks!
     
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