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Asia's best-kept secret for
expatriates, Malaysia has a vibrant mix of foreign and
indigenous tribal cultures, creating a veritable melting
pot of peoples, traditions and religions.
A sizable enclave of
foreigners (Brits, Americans, Australians, and Canadians)
live full time or maintain holiday homes in Malaysia, and
you'll find that just about everybody speaks English,
since its compulsory in local schools.
Not only are three
world-class playgrounds (Thailand, Bali, and the
Philippines) all within a few hour's travel from Malaysia,
but with miles of white sand coastline, tropical islands,
and beachfront property galore, it has all the makings of
a fairy-tale setting.
Despite being the capital
of a developing nation, Kuala Lumpur is a modern
cosmopolitan with clean streets and sidewalks and every
modern convenience to found in New York or London. Home to
the tallest building in the world, there are also FedEx
and UPS offices, international banks, English cinemas and
bookstores, western-style supermarkets, French and German
bakeries, Chinese, Indian, and Italian restaurants,
gourmet coffee, Cuban cigars, Internet cafés and some of
the best shopping in the world!
One of the few things that
lend a "Third-world" feel to the capital are the
open-air night market, where local merchants peddle
everything from fresh fruit and vegetables, to meat and
fish, to exotic animals and traditional handicrafts.
All the major newspapers
are available at newsstands, including the Wall Street
Journal, USA Today, the Financial Times, the International
Herald Tribune and The New York Times. Cable and satellite
TV provides access to a wide variety of English-language
programming, including CNN, the Discovery Channel, Filmnet
and many more.
Despite the local Muslim
population not drinking alcohol, Kuala Lumpur has some of
the liveliest nightlife in the region and there are more
than a fair share of clubs and bars, where tourists,
expatriates and locals alike mingle and party. Though the
official religion of Malaysia is Islam, great tolerance is
shown for other religions, with many beliefs being
represented and their adherents practicing openly,
including Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Taoists and Jews
(the nearest synagogue is in neighboring Singapore).
Compared with other major
Asian cities (Tokyo, Singapore, and Hong Kong, for
example), Kuala Lumpur is downright cheap. Even in the
over-priced tourist spots you can get a good meal for two
for around $20. Outside of these places, a 3-course meal
for two with all the trimmings, including drinks, will set
you back no more than $10…a doctor's visit $8 to $15 and
live-in domestic help $200 a month.
Rental properties are
readily available and not overly expensive by American or
European standards. The cost of 2-bedroom rental
apartments begins at around $225 per month, with 3-bedroom
houses starting at $35,000. Naturally, comparable housing
in expatriate communities or the luxurious suburban homes
that date from British colonial period can set you back
considerably more.
Other properties recently
on offer include:
A 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom,
725-square-foot apartment with a dining room, a kitchen,
ceiling fans, a walk-in closet, and parking, costs
$45,215.
A small two-story bungalow
with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a kitchen, a living room, and
a dining room going for $35,700.
A penthouse apartment,
close to downtown, with a sea-view and a 350-sqare-foot
terrace. It comes fully furnished and has 2 bedrooms, 1
bathroom, a kitchen, and a dining room. The asking price?
$75,000.
A spacious 3-bedroom,
2-bathroom, 2500-square-foot condominium with a large
living room, an elegant dining room, a fully equipped
kitchen, and a pantry, for $125,250.
Though there are expensive
restaurants and accommodations, there's simply no reason
for you to check into a five-star hotel when you can stay
in a clean, friendly hotel in the city center for $40 a
night where every meal costs less than $5 per person.
CRIME-FREE AND FOREIGNER
FRIENDLY
Of course, cheap living
shouldn't be the only deciding factor when choosing a new
home. As well as being very affordable, Malaysia is
safe.The government's real no tolerance policy means
street crime is virtually nonexistent.
The Malaysian government,
through its "Silver-Haired Program," offers
expatriate resident retirees extremely attractive
benefits. Outside of nationals of Israel and Yugoslavia
(Serbia and Montenegro), the program is open to citizens
of most countries. To qualify, you need only be over 50,
show you can bring a guaranteed income of about $1300 per
month into Malaysia (or open a savings account in Malaysia
with $40,000), and have a local sponsor (which can easily
be arranged).
Penang, a small island off
the northwest coast, has been called the "Pearl of
the Orient" and its beaches are a favorite tourist
destination. The coastline is also dotted with many small,
quiet seaside villages. The tropical rainforests and
jungles offer many opportunities for exploring lush
mountains, trekking through the jungle, or even taking a
riverboat safari. The bountiful sea surrounding Malaysia
provides for some of the best scuba diving and fishing
anywhere in the world (Malaysia's seas are home to the
Black Marlin, tuna, mackerel, sailfish, barracuda and a
host of other species).
PRACTICAL BENEFITS
Medical care is good, with
excellent hospitals and clinics in all the major towns.
Doctors speak English, and the majority gained their
qualifications in Western Europe or North America.
Although foreign residents
must arrange private health insurance, visiting tourists
who have an accident are entitled to free emergency
treatment in public hospitals. A consultation with a
private doctor in most cases will cost just $8 to $15.
When it comes to banking,
management methods and the range of services offered
closely follow the British model. Plus, most major world
banks have full-service branches in Malaysia.
Many expatriates living
here off investment income keep their cash growing tax
free in Labuan, an offshore tax haven administered by
Malaysia, and then bring into the mainland what's needed
for living expenses. Labuan is also perfect for anyone
looking for a private, offshore bank account, a tax-free
corporation, a trust, or other offshore structures.
Led by Malaysian Airlines,
the national carrier, the island is served by many major
airlines, linking it the world through its international
airports. A good network of modern roads covers the
distances between towns, and Malaysian telecommunications
are among the best in the world.
If you've ever thought
about living overseas, you owe it to yourself to
investigate Malaysia.
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About
The Author
Copyright
2005 by Shannon Roxborough
Shannon
Roxborough is an international lifestyle
expert with close to 20 years experience.
He has helped hundreds of clients with
overseas living, retirement and travel
matters. Visit his website at: www.TheGlobalLife.net |
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