An Upgraded Lifestyle in Malaysia — Theo and Daisy Taylor's MM2H Opportunity
Introduction
Curious if life abroad could offer you more? Follow Theo and Daisy Thompson as they leave Liverpool behind for an enriching, comfortable retirement in Malaysia with the MM2H visa the country offers retirees-to-be worldwide. Read on to see if Malaysia's sun-kissed expat lifestyle could be your next step too.
Theo and Daisy, an administrator and nurse from Liverpool, have been thinking of retiring overseas. They've been actively looking for a destination for some time, ideally a land where they can enjoy their later years comfortably, without it costing an arm and a leg if at all possible. With their Liverpool terraced house fully paid off and plans to rely on the rental income it will generate, along with their pensions and FTSI dividend-paying portfolio, they see MM2H, the Malaysia My Second Home visa, as the perfect opportunity to elevate their lifestyle.
In fact, after driving around in Malaysia during their previous two summer holidays, it's Kuala Lumpur, in particular, that has captured their attention. The city's up-and-coming ambiance, the kindness of the people and, last but not least, its excellent affordability, have pretty much set the stage for the couple's new chapter.
Golden Visa
But why opt for the
Malaysia My Second Home visa? Well, for a number of reasons. For starters, MM2H comes with a reduced property purchase threshold. This benefit applies to all visa participants. In practice, it means that Theo and Daisy get to purchase a property in
KL at a lower price than those who are not on this visa. As a matter of fact, since housing in Malaysia is considerably less expensive than in the UK to begin with, this lower minimum, which, incidentally, can amount to a difference in price of RM100,000 or more, is an extra financial blessing for retirees seeking a home that offers both comfort and value. Malaysia My Second Home indeed.
But there's more financial benefit to be had from MM2H. Because it also grants tax-free status to all funds brought into Malaysia by holders of this visa. Now, this feature is particularly attractive, because it allows the couple to wire their dividends and pension income to their KL bank and they won't owe any taxes on this cash flow. Quite a nice windfall, especially when you realize the recurring nature of these bank transfers. This foreign income is the couple's lifeblood after all. Not getting any of this taxed is tantamount to a lovely boost in their purchasing power in Malaysia.
Expats in the Tropics
Part of KL's allure is the fulfilling lifestyle it offers. The city is known for its contemporary amenities, international cuisine and wide variety of recreational options, all of which combining to create an ideal environment for retirees looking to live life to the full. Fervent foodies for as long as they can remember, Theo and Daisy are also eager to explore KL's vibrant food scene, which ranges from traditional Malaysian dishes to international fine dining. The city's renowned shopping centres, cultural appeal and lively arts scene add to its overall charm, ensuring there's always something new to see and experience.
Then there's the area's natural beauty, another big draw, with lush parks and hiking trails close to urban areas, so easily accessible. Given Malaysia's sunny weather practically year-round, Theo and Daisy can enjoy outdoor activities any day of the week. KL boasts superb golfing facilities, as well as private swimming and social clubs, which means the couple can, at all times, stay active and connected to a community of like-minded individuals, both locals and expats alike. This easy access to all these attractions, combined with KL's thriving UK expat community, creates a balanced environment, a nice little sanctuary where they can kick back, discover, explore and revel, all at their very own pace.
Resort-Living
On the topic of kicking back, it's good to note the difference in currency strength between Sterling and the Malaysian Ringgit. As it stands, the ratio is 1 Pound to 5 Ringgit. In essence, that means that just by exchanging your UK-based funds to Malaysian Ringgit, you multiply your discretionary income by a factor of five. In actual fact, this is likely to be higher, since this hasn't yet priced in the considerably lower cost of living in Malaysia. With milk, cheese and other so-called "luxury" products being the exceptions, pretty much everything in Malaysia is cheaper than in the UK, including daily petrol, cars, utility bills, entertainment, etc.
All in all, it's no wonder, really, that more and more forward-thinking 50 and 60-somethings are waking up to the lifestyle arbitrage opportunities offered by the various golden visas out there. Malaysia's MM2H visa, in particular, makes laid-back resort-living in a sun-kissed land more available than ever.
Being Healthy, Staying Healthy
In view of their age bracket, Malaysia's healthcare system, known for its quality
and affordability, was also a key factor in their decision to adopt Malaysia as their second home. Here, high-quality medical care is available at much lower rates than in the UK. Incidentally, this applies to health insurance, annual medicals, diagnostics, therapies and procedures, both on an outpatient and inpatient basis. Better still, healthcare professionals speak fluent English, the reason being that most acquired their expertise overseas, including in the US, the UK, Singapore and Australia.
Basically, healthcare in Malaysia offers both convenience and peace of mind. The bottom line is that this level of accessible healthcare ensures Theo and Daisy will be able to enjoy their retirement years with the assurance that their health needs will be met without having to worry about excessive cost.
Incidentally, the MM2H visa also includes the option to rent a home for a year before committing to a purchase. This gives Theo and Daisy the flexibility to explore KL's dozen or so different residential estates before ultimately settling on the residential neighbourhood that ticks all their boxes.
And since they're not doing away with their Liverpool home, they can return to Blighty whenever they want. And speaking of returning, it's also good to know that KL is well-connected when it comes to flights in and out of the country. As such, frequent direct flights between KL and major UK cities provide an additional layer of comfort for all foreign retirees that chose KL as their home away from home.
All in all, with all that upside and so little downside, it's no wonder that Theo and Daisy also picked KL and MM2H as their ideal combo for an undoubtedly gratifying retirement abroad.
Interested in reading more about staying in Malaysia on the MM2H visa? Visit
MM2H.co.uk for further details.
