Blakes

My husband, myself and our 12 year old daughter are looking at possibly relocating to Malaysia in a couple of years time, we currently live in North Cyprus and would like a change as not much here for our daughter. We are planning on a month's stay next summer to get a feel for different areas we may want to live. Any advice would be greatly appreciated ie are international schools better in Kl to penang and what sort of fees would we be looking at, cost of health insurance etc. Look forward to any advice

SushiFan

Have you already investigated what kind of visa you would want to apply for?
I can't comment on international schools.
About medical insurance: the annual premium is based on your age. There are multiple insurance companies active on the Malaysian market. One example is AIA. Their online brochure has a table which shows how much you would have to pay: https://www.aia.com.my/content/dam/m...r-brochure.pdf (see the end of the document and find the appropriate table).
It makes sense to visit both KL and Penang before making a decision where to move to. These two places are very different in size and what they have to offer. In case you want to get an impression of the cost of renting or buying property you can take a look at websites such as propertyguru or iproperty (Google search for these).

Blakes

Thank you for your reply we are planning on coming over next year for 4 weeks and travelling around to see if we get a feel for the place. Looking at a Retirement visa as husband will be 64 and I'll be 54 but we have a 13 year old so will do lots of research.

bakedbean

There's a whole section on here about the retirement visa mm2h so have a good look at that also. Lots of info.
Sensible to take a look and spend some weeks in Malaysia see if you like or not.

SushiFan

Going for an MM2H visa would then be the most likely course of action. Government website about MM2H is here: Malaysia My Second Home Official Portal - MM2H Official Portal Although it is often referred to as a "retirement visa" it does not have an age restriction. And, as @bakedbean already mentioned, tons of information about it can be found on this forum.

RedApe

Sarawak is the only State in Malaysia that has an age restriction (50 and over). There are different income requirements on the Peninsula for those over 50 and those below, but you are on the sunnier side of that. The Peninsular MM2H is different enough from the Sarawak Program that they best be treated as distinct. Here are two links re. the current Sarawak MM2H program...though it is undergoing some review and revisions.
https://www.sarawak.gov.my/web/home/..._view/221/279/
https://mtacys.sarawak.gov.my/page-0...awak-MM2H.html

man from emas

Personally can only comment on Penang to any depth wher ewe are, most expats in Penang live along the north coastal area, GeorgeTown to Batu Ferrighi, there are huge selection of condos, landed property to suit all tastes. There are excellent Supermarkets, all other shops, good hospitals. There are I think two major private schools for expat children, there is one also on the west side, but I think that's mainly boarders really not certain, they all have web sites. Penang has a good airport also, not fully international but flies to many regional countries. Penang obviously attracts a large proportion on retirees, being close to the sea it has a more holiday relaxed atmosphere.

I've visited KL countless times over many years, & many locations, but never lived there, either in hotels, or staying with friends, obviously unlimited number of accommodation all types, malls, hospitals, private schools etc. I cannot comment on known expat areas, I know one or two but would be wrong to suggest as there maybe several others better.

You may also consider your leisure time, any hobbies sports, etc you may wish to continue with, might help with your selection.

eCdD

Maybe you just have a look at the fees of International Schools in Malaysia first, could be your idea of moving here will disappear immediately.

Life in Malaysia is so much cheaper than in Europe.
Life in Malaysia with a kid at International School not.
Life in Malaysia with two kids at International School hahaha

OriginalSunshine

meched55

So that's $4000.00+ USD per month. $48000.00 a year.
That must be one heck of an international school? What's the name of that one?
Looks like I'll be retiring some place else other than Malaysia.
The international school is about my entire retirement income.
Most people don't even get half that. So mm2h is a REALLY not a deal if one has kids in school.

RedApe

There are certainly some International Schools that are vastly cheaper than the above. Still a major expense...but that seems to be true almost everywhere.

Tunku Putra in Kuching, Sarawak is offering a 25% discount currently as they are trying to build student body for their expanded new campus...about US$4000/year (RM16,000) which is about 1/10th of the above. The above tuition fee does not include
Technology and Resource fees, books, uniforms, canteen food, field trips and extracurricular costs, and extramural exams. https://tphis.edu.my

meched55

HI RA,
Link for looking for schools. Great place to for comparing finding schools.

International Schools in Selangor – Cyberjaya and Putrajaya | Education Destination Malaysia

OriginalSunshine