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 about 400 miles from 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 offers a low cost, tropical paradise to retirees. The monsoon season generally runs from December to March, and hits the East Coast hardest- although rain is year round. Depending on where you are from, Malaysia can be hot and humid in the summer, just like Texas.
Crime is very low in Malaysia, few areas could be considered unsafe, even in the larger cities. Drugs are best avoided completely, since the penalties for possession are severe. 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. You can see signs like the head scarves being worn by women that show Malaysia has Islamic roots.
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.
You can afford to live in Malaysia cheap because the cost of just about everything is so cheap.
Fortunately Malaysia has a low cost of living and helpful tax laws, you can live cheap here. This is a good reason to retire in Malaysia.
Another reason why some people want to retire in Malaysia is that it has superb healthcare facilities and highly-skilled medical practitioners. Yet medical expenses and insurance can be very cheap and affordable compare to other countries.
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. It is reflected in literature, music, dance, and 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.
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