This is my first post! We're Canadians living on the West Coast. My husband and I are making our first trip to Malaysia in February on a scouting mission. We are considering Malaysia for our retirement in 2015. We're planning a 7 week trip, hoping to spend time in Penang, Ipoh and Kuching...and probably many places in between. We're hoping to meet other liked people on our travels. I really love this expat blog. I've already learned a lot about retirement in Malaysia!:

Hi Cheryl and, as your first post, may I be the first to welcome you guys to the forum.
My wife and I are from Tsawwassen so we are almost neighbors. We have the MM2H visa to live in Malaysia but have opted to retire in Bali instead. Malaysia is a beautiful country and Penang used to be called the 'Pearl of the Orient'. It still shines as a place but, imo has lost its lustre.
Nonetheless you should pay a visit and look around...you will find many from UK and other English speaking countries that have set up their retirement in Malayasia as it is fairly easy to get a long stay visa.
To some it is permanent but to others it is an MM2H (Making Malaysia their 2nd Home).
You will find many members with great knowledge and insight on this forum so don't hesitate...ask questions.

Thanks for your reply. We can't wait for our journey to begin! We've never been to Bali...we've heard it's absolutely georgous! First stop...Malaysia!

Hi there and welcome to the forum

If you haven't already done so, have a read of the sticky thread at the top of the Malaysia section titled Retiring in Malaysia. Quite a long topic but some info about the visa, and if you decide to do it, it's worth looking at the Gov site and also the MM2H info site. You'll find links to both sites in that thread.

And of course ask some questions on here.

I've been living in Penang for 3+ years now and still love it, so don't listen to Davita hehe

Which part of my post should our lovely Cheryl not listen to....Oh!Oh! I got it...must be this part...

quote "You will find many members with great knowledge" unquote!

Gotcha...

No it was the "it's lost its lustre " bit . We have said so many times.....it's horses for courses as always. It depends what you want out of a place. It suits me. It wouldn't suit everyone I am sure.

And ALL places change. You are comparing with how many years ago? 20? 30? But we've had this conversation before on another place I think

Oops...actually it isn't my original statement...here's a link from a Penangite
http://www.malaysia-today.net/mtcolu...early-any-more

You think only 30 years BBean...I went there with Sir Francis Light!