Retiring in another country could be one of the best decisions you’ve ever made. With the price of homes and life increasing at unprecedented rates, now is the time to look at what can be found abroad. Malaysia is becoming an increasingly popular destination for American retirees. If you were considering the option or have never thought of Malaysia as a retiree spot, let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of making the move there.
Pro – Safety and Expat Friendliness
One of the biggest reasons why retiring in Malaysia is such a great option is because of how safe it is. Most of the offenses in the country are limited to petty crimes, so you will feel safe pretty much anywhere. The country is also very expat-friendly. You get a visa the minute you land on Malaysian soil and buying property is pretty simple for foreigners.
Speaking of which, the real estate market in Malaysia is very favorable for buyers and there are prime spots in areas like Midori Green that would be perfect for retirees. If you want to learn more, you can check out Midori Green units on sites like PropertyGuru. This is one of the top places to go if you want to find great properties not only in the area, but anywhere in the country. They have very detailed listings of each unit along with details of the person you have to contact for inquiries to make the process easier.
Con – Culture Clash
One of the things you should know about Malaysia is that it has a very strong British and Muslim influence. This means that you will have a hard time finding a nice place to get a drink. And don’t expect restaurants to have an extensive wine list either. If you want to drink, you’ll have to buy it from a supermarket and it will be marked up due to taxation.
You might also have trouble finding anything that is made from pork. Even beef is not something that is as widespread here as it is in the west. And another thing, people drive on the left in Malaysia, so you’ll need to be prepared if you intend on driving there.
Pro – Great Food Culture
With that being said, Malaysian is an absolute dream if you’re a foodie. The country has a great mix of fine dining options and street food. Finding fresh, great, and organic produce isn’t a challenge either. The country has some of the best authentic Chinese and Indian food you’ll find everywhere. It also has a wide variety of small markets that are open day and night.
Con – The Weather
If you’re sensitive to hot weather, don’t move to Malaysia. The country is a scorcher most times of the year, and yet, AC is not as prevalent as it is in the US. So, you’ve been warned.
Another peculiarity of Malaysian weather is that the country has two wet and dry seasons. Weather can change dramatically and there are many thunderstorms in the country. January is the coldest month of the year and March is the hottest. Monsoon season can also be tough as the rain can go for days on end and get very heavy.
Pro – Great Infrastructure
The quality of the infrastructure is something that has to be mentioned. One of the things that will surprise people the most when they visit Malaysian cities is how modern they look and feel. Most of the development in the country has been in the last 40 years, so a lot of the infrastructure is recent.
Major cities in the country also have top-of-the-line transportation systems. Whether it’s rapid buses, monorail, or train, you’ll find it all. Most cities also have great taxi services and apps that make booking one a cinch.
Con – Lesser Environmental Awareness
If you’re someone who gets emotional every time you see someone throw a gum wrapper on the street, then you’re going to have a fit when you get to Malaysia. The country still has a long way to go when it comes to environmental awareness, and you can expect to see a lot of debris lying about in certain areas. It gets particularly bad around roads. Bodies of water are also sometimes used as dumping grounds for plastic waste, so that might be something that will be offensive to some people.
Pro – English is a Major Language There
One of the top reasons for Americans to move to Malaysia is how fluent the population is in English. Also, they are very familiar with American culture, so you’ll have less of an issue adapting.
These are all reasons why Malaysia should be on your radar if you were looking for a great place to retire to. It’s a safe country with plenty of housing options and great people, so don’t hesitate to give it a closer look.
