Malaysia ranked as best place to retire in South East Asia
Sep 03, 2010 | Comments 7
Malaysia is the best place in South East Asia to retire, according to an annual survey published this week.
The International Living magazine’s ‘Best Place in the World to Retire’ report ranks Malaysia as the top country in the region, and ranks it 19th globally. Thailand is ranked at 25th spot and is the second best place to retire in the region.
The survey assessed a number of factors to produce the ranking. Real estate, including pricing, value for money and ease of buying for foreigners, made up 15 per cent of the weighting.
Steenie Harvey, speaking to Property Report on behalf of the publishers, said: “One of Malaysia’s strengths is that it offers the Malaysia My Second Home retirement program. And, unlike elsewhere in the region, foreigners aren’t solely restricted to buying condos – they can also purchase landed property.”
Harvey added: “There’s also no need to learn a foreign language. Once part of the British Empire, Malaysia is a multicultrural melting pot of Malays, Chinese and Indians. English serves as a second language.
The cost of living, whilst lower than Europe and the United States, is not as low as other countries in the region, and the fact it’s a majority Muslim country also deters many Western investors, according to the publishers.
Thailand’s strengths, according to Harvey, include a wide choice of locations and really low day-to-day costs, especially away from tourist beach resorts. Drawbacks here include the fact that foreign buyers are restricted to condominiums, the political turmoil of recent years, and the country’s reputation in the minds of some potential retirees as a sex tourism destination.
Top of the list for the second year running is Ecuador.
Filed Under: Country News • Malaysia • News
Ecuador is the top place to retire for the second year running?? Bizarre.
Malaysia is a much better place to live than Thailand from every respect. The foreigner here is treated with the utmost respect and almost as an equal in regards to property ownership.
Steenie said it correctly – with Malaysia My Second Home (M2H)you can own landed property in your own name, no need for corporate structures or legally questioned ownership through proxy buyers.
Yes the cost of living is slightly higher on a locals rated basis but as a foreigner who has lived in both countries the costs pretty much even themselves out.
The cost of drinking out in Malaysia is 1.5 times that of Thailand but the cost of food in super markets (especially the foreign foods from home!) are actually cheaper.
The cost of land is higher in Malaysia but prices are more stable and ownership is more secure.
Swings and roundabouts!
Malaysia has it all. It’s the Asia’s best kept secret. Thailand is nice, yes, but it’s right next door, you can always visit but you don’t want to deal with Thai authorities and laws. Things are amazingly straight forward and efficient in Malaysia. In 12 years I never had an issue with a contract or anything. Almost everything can be done in English. Also, I don’t see Islam as a problem, non-Muslim do what they believe is right. You don’t binge drink in public places and you don’t have in-your-face-girlie-bars such as in Thailand but I can very well do without.
One of the most important reason to choose Malaysia as retirement home is widely spoken English language. I also like the weather there.. Then its much cheaper compared to US and Europe. I’m also looking for overseas property investments and more interested in Malaysia property. Keeping track of daily real estate updates through http://www.homeguru.com.my/ ..soon finalize my decision. Thanks for the post.
The other comments are correct- Although the amounts to be deposited under the MM2H scheme have increased, as have the floor limits for property purchases, the scheme is a world-beater. Scared of Moslems? Stay at home in a cocoon then! Malays are extremely polite, helpful and far more trustworthy than any other racial group which I’ve encountered. Religious extremism? Go to America or Northern Ireland for that!
Alcohol, with the exception of the duty free islands like Labuan, Langkawi and Tioman is expensive; everything else is amazing value. The country is stable, unlike its northern neighbour. Food, climate, scenery, social life are all excellent.
This is not a country for disgusting expats who want to go to sex shows (there are none, I’m pleased to say!) or pay locals to demean themselves, nor is it full of sickly false smiles.
Good & glad to be in Malaysia. They respect & believe with each other rather then reading a hush2 media. Cool. Looking for overseas property investments and more interested in Malaysia property. Keeping track of daily real estate updates on http://www.propwall.com ,there’s good deal. Thank you all for sharing…and the post.
[...] Sep 03, 2010 | Comments 6 [...]