Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

I would like an honest opinion between Malaysia, Thailand and Phillipines which is a better place for retirement?? which country is offer better health treatments, education and etc.

Your suggestions is much appreciated.

Thanking you in advance.

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

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Interesting question!

OK, these are purely my own personal views:-

The Phillipines would be my last choice, mainly due to relatively high crime rates, corruption (these things exist in Thailand & Malaysia too but to a lesser extent), and poor state of the infrastructure.

Thailand isn't bad, (lovely food and people), but you will find buying property there very difficult (i.e. many legal constraints) and getting a long term visa might be difficult......although I heard there is now some form of 'Retirement Visa' for Thailand now?

Malaysia would be the place for me! Why? Well firstly they have a proper legitimate retirement visa scheme, (called Malaysia My Second Home), which is simple enough to apply for. Secondly, English is very widely spoken and they have an English Common Law system so you can understand what is going on and read a contract (handy when buying property).

In terms of cost of living, I think you'll find the Phillipines probably the cheapest, Thailand second and Malaysia the highest......having said that, non are too expensive and if you are coming from the UK you'll find all three countries 'very reasonable' in terms of costs.

All three countries have great beaches, lovely people and good food!

Difficult choice......but it would be Malaysia for me!

Cheers & good luck.

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

Dear Paddy,

Thank you for your reply/comments. A lot of people that I've spoken to, also suggested Malaysia is the best place to retire due to a safer environment and better standard of living and english is widely spoken in Malaysia... (that is very important) plus its strategically located around other Asian countries..I can always go to Thailand, Phillipines, China and etc for holiday :) . I'm just spoilt for choices now.. I think the best thing to do is, do some homework/research. But I think Malaysia will be my top list followed by Thailand and Phillipines..

Thank you.

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

Heres a website/forum where people will answer your questions about Thailand.
thaivisa.com You will have to register. Its free. But do expect some smart arse comments. But many of the guys on there are retired or working there. Good luck. I love Thailand. So i'd say go there. Great people, great food and cheap. Good luck.

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

The Philippines is probably the most westernized country out of the 3. And the asian country with the highest concentration of english speakers. But we did learn english from the Americans though, so that might pose an slight problem. An american would probably fit right in the Philippines. Just like an british person would probably find Malaysia more to their liking.

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

This malaysia property portal tells where to find a place to rent if decided to go to malaysia to stay.
http://www.iproperty.com.my

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

Bear in mind that the poster above is somewhat biased. I believe he/she is Philippino...




NC Penguin

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

Hi Mayahani,

It all depends on your preference but let me tell you something about Malaysia.

Basically, it's a nice country. Lots of entertainment, Kuala Lumpur is nice and most of the called Malaysia as 'Food Paradise'. You can get almost anything you want here. The cost of living over here is reasonable.

As for the weather, it is typically hot and sunny most of the time. Sometimes, you will encounter heavy showers during the evening.

Feel free to message me if you would like to know more about Malaysia. I will be glad to help. :)



Rgds,
Van

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

Well...our choise is and remains the northern part of THAILAND, where we live now for over 5 years.
It's a lovely country....fantastic people....correct prices....and to posess property or a visa is nothing more difficult as elsewhere.
The northern part is the best climate for the northern Europeans and in Chiang Mai is everything what one likes in ambundance for sale....and there is a great foreign community
I am Dutch...my English is not that well...in case you want more detailed info...please contact me [email protected] and please take a look in my website http://www.paradise.flappie.nl :) :) :)

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

As a Filipino, of course I'd want to retire here in the Philippines, but I think for everyone else, I'd recommend Thailand. Thai people are naturally friendly, and the cost of living over there is so cheap. I don't know about Malaysia though. It seems too orderly there. :)

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

THe Philippines for the following reasons.
First financial: The UK has the Double taxation aggreement with the Philippine government and our state pension is allowed to be index linked there (very important).
Security: Appart from a small area on Mindanou island, all the Filipinos are Christian and live a similar life style to us Europeans. Choose a nice area to live with similar Filipinos families and all will be okay. Nice properties are within 7/24 security patroled areas. I've usually obtained good respect from the police when i've crossed their paths.....once was offerred a beer after refusing to pay an on the spot "jay-walking" fine!
Lifestyle: English is learnt by school children in Infancy and they smile when given the chance to use it. Menus, okay, not as varied as Thai/Malay but you can grow Lemon grass plants on your balcony and all the other makings are cheaply available. Religeon also effects the working day of its inhabitants, visit Hatyai on the Thai border and see the Malays enjoying the benefits that they can't get in their own country. Dress and behaviour culture is very different to our European way and should be considerred. Pointing your feet at people in Thailand for example or touching them on their heads is very bad manners.....easily done? Bar life in each of these countries is very different to Europeans. Women do not drink alcohol as a hole and the few bars around will be patronised by older men and the odd "good time" girls.
Manila is a sprawling down-at-heal city since the departure of the Americans and is only useful for shopping in the many marbelled glittery Shopping malls in Makatii (best shirt in the shop £3.00). Cebu and other Island major cities are more likely for setting roots down again and do not have the quantity of "Shanty town" areas that Manila has. There is a retirement programme for overseas retirees, take a look at www.livingingthephilippines.com for more info. ...Private medical insurance might be an issue and govern where you choose to live.

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

undefined I live in Thailand, on my 3rd retirement visa now. It's not difficult to get a 12 month retirement visa. all you need is, Either a pension equivalent to 800.000 baht ( 11ooo pounds stirling ) or pension and money in bank to equal this.
Depending on where yo stay, Thailand has everything you could want.
Excellent hospitals at a price. Supermarkets as good as the west and very cheap. Schools are plentiful, run on western lines. It's hot, of course, but thats what we want.
I have a company pension, which fares me well here. In the uk, I would have to do some serious budgeting, but I have a better standard of life here than when I was working in the uk. There are many of us here, and we have a great ex-pats community, playing pool, darts, and generally doing what blokes do.
Hope this has been some help.

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

Hi Mayahani,

One vote for Malaysia from me.... :)

I have moved to the US for four years now because of my husband's job and I've missed Malaysia terribly since the very first day.

Malaysia is a diverse country, comprised mainly of Malay, Chinese and Indians. Therefore, you get different kinds of food (yummy!), culture and public holidays. Weatherwise, you will love Malaysia if you love warm weathers (throughout the whole year). Also, Malaysia is very advanced in their technology too.

I can go on and on about Malaysia but to summarize - sun, beaches, night life, high technology, good food !!!

Do e-mail me at [email protected] if you need more information on Malaysia. I grew up in Kuala Lumpur and I would be able to give you advice on accommodations, good restaurants and etc.

Good Luck to you!

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

Hi! everyone,

Thank you so much for your reply and I really appreciate it. Malaysia, Thailand and Phillipine are indeed very nice and fascinating country and we really love them all as we've been there.

Just to let everyone know that we've made our mind and we chose Malaysia is our second home due to the fact, and for the simple reason that Malaysia is offer better health treatment, better economy, education and a lot saver to live and that is very important to my family and I appreciate for those who reply my post thread, God bless you.

If everything goes well, my family and I will be moving to Malaysia middle of next year (2006) and at the moment I need to find out what are the procedures involved and get ourselves ready for MALAYSIA... :D

Malaysia here we come!!! :p :)

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

For more properties option in malaysia, You may visit http://www.homesearch.com.my
There are over 1000+ properties available for sale / rent

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

personnally, i would advise u to consider Singapore.
It may not be as cheap as Thailand, M'sia or Philippines, but it offers a safer environment, better health care facilities and educational environment.

Do check out this forum for more information
KnowingSingapore

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

Exactly. Go for Singapore! It's a nice place although its kinda congested. You will definitely love Singapore. :)

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

Er.... Singapore is small and the population is slighlty over 4 million, but its not really congested...

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

Thailand by far, Easy for retirement visa, good medical facilities, good quality cheap food, excellent transport links, good road network. I'd rent first, you can get a three bedroom house in the North East for about £120 a month.

If you retire here your money will go a long way, no big heating bills, no rip off local tax. Lots of expats moving to Nong Khai, Udon Thani, and Khon Kaen.
Three cities in the North East part of the country, locally called "Issan". All three cities have plenty of nightlife :beer: esp: Udon Thani, also has Multiplex cinema, bowling alley, lots of places to eat, nightclubs, and disco's shopping mall, "Center Point" night market with lots of open air cafes. :beer:

For more info www.udonmap.com :beer:

p88

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

I agree it is Thailand for me. I have lived in the country for 10 years and just love every moment. I serious question. I am coming up to retirement and have had a problem with bank drafts sent direct to the bank taking an age to clear. Any advice on Banks and methods would be appreciated.
Ed

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

I love the different cultures in Malasia and Thailand and if we were younger and able to absorb a new language, we'd retire there. At our 60's age, learning is not that easy, maybe we've done too many courses along the way and our brains reached saturation! Its ok to say that English is understood in these countries, but the chatting all round you in public places is the local dialect and after a while it can leave you feeling isolated. We tried Spain and picked up a bit of the lingo but not enough, I was actually replying in German at times from my much earlier days living there before a family came along.
Moving to the Philippines is more like our natural culture if not a bit USA, English is widely spoken and living expenses are low. If you've paid into a UK state pension for all your working lives, it will be index linked, unlike living in Malasia or Thailand. Some pensioners have hard luck stories from countries such as Australia and New Zealand.
The middle and upper classe Philippine families live in secure subdevisions, some with swimming pools and sports clubs. Walking around at night poses no problem and much safer than walking round some of our UK places! ;)

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

Hi,

could you tell me if the £11,000 is per person or for a married couple. I would like to retire to Thailand with my husband. I am 12 years younger than him and not of retirement age. Any ideas?

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

LOL have you ever been called a kano?? LOL most filipinos who have never left the country would think anyone who is caucasian is kano, short for Amerikano.

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

Yes, when I bussed it round South America and crossed many dried up river beds in rickety old busses. I would be asked to leave the bus at army checkpoints to sign their books,...it was always the "Americano"..somewhat irritating.
I made the mistake of jumping ahead of the n'th checkpoint to do the usual and the guy cocked his rifle at me....yuk, ...but I always had a cheery salute goodbye.. ;)

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Philippines???
 

I would suggest joining some Yahoo Groups or Forums dedicated to providing information to Foreigners in each of these countries.

Having said that I moved to Cebu in the Philippines in May 2001, and have been living here ever since. I had not done any research other than having made several business trips to Manila, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpor. I have also had holidays several times in Malaysia and Holiday in Cebu.

In my opinion Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur is nicer than Manila or Bangkok. I also feel Malaysia is best geared up for Tourism followed by Thailand, then Philippines. Having said that there are nice beaches and accommodation in some parts of the Philippines, it's just not marketed and promoted that well by the Philippines Department of Tourism.

There are many British and other Foreigners who have decided to retire in Cebu, Philippines (and other places, but I do have nearly so much knowledge on them).

Cebu's weather is relatively moderate, having no distinct wet and dry season, the perfect vacation spot for seasons. One can bask under the sunshine the whole year through since Cebu is blessed with a tropical climate with a generally fair temperature range of between 23 –33°C (73-91°F). Coolest temperature can be felt in January and warmest in May. Cebu is also sufficiently far South to avoid most of the Storms/Typhoons experienced up North of the Philippines at certain times of the year.

Another consideration for Cebu is that it is in the Central Visayas - surrounded by other islands/land masses, so unlike to suffer any 'hits' from Tsunami!

The Filipinos, smiling and happy and very many speak English (American). The Filipinas in particular are very warm, loving, sexy brown beauties. I guess that is why I married one and have retired here in Cebu.

The other big factor is the low cost of living. It is a fraction the cost of living in the UK for example. I know because I retired at age 50 by cashing in my Private Pensions. I tool the maximum 25% Tax Free Cash Lump Sum Option from the non-protected elements part of these Private Pensions and converted the balance to Annuity paying only £3,000 a year! How far would that get you in the UK? Here in Cebu that converts to about Php22,000 a month, and a couple can easily live off that if you already have a house to live in.

I noticed someone saying the Philippines has crime and corruption! Tell me anywhere in the World that does not? The truth is there is some crime and corruption here. The corruption is reducing with the Philippine Government Departments introducing Computerised systems. In the nearly 5 years I have been living here in Cebu, not once robbed or attacked or swindled. Our house has never been broken into and things stolen either (we dont leave it empty though!).

Health care is good here, and many treatments can be significantly cheaper than Europe/UK etc.

For example my son visited us here in Cebu and lost his glasses (fell into lake at Kawasan Falls). Being short sited and unable to find them, he needed replacements. Spectacles are lot cheaper than UK but my son decided to try Lasik Laser eye surgery having spoken to some friends of mine who had such treatment here in Cebu. This cost just Php50,000 (managed to get additional discount of Php5,000 for members of my Yahoo Group - Cebu_BritClub, so only Php45,000). He is very well pleased with the results being able to see as soon as he wakes up and go swimming - without needing glasses. Dental Surgery is lot cheaper here also - many Australians come for that reason. The flights, the hotel, food, drinks and the treatment is less than back in Oz, so they get free holiday, teeth fixed up and a bit of spare change!

Having said that though my asawa's (wife) Mother was taken ill and rushed to Hospital. She was diagnosed as having Pneumonia and 50/50 chance of living. The Hospital, the doctors together with treatment and drugs saved her life. She was not covered by Phil Health (my wife is now applying as we learnt dependant parents can be covered on her membership - this could have covered 25-35% of the bill) and the total cost of her treatment was Php120,000! If you are not generally a healthy person, this needs to be taken into consideration and health insurance considered to help cover the costs - drugs mainly!

Education here in the Philippines seems no where near as good as say the UK. Then again one could say the standards of education in the UK has slipped over last 40 years? Private Schooling is available and 'resonable standard' but relatively expensive. Putting my step daughter through San Carlos University for example, was about Php30,00-Php40,000 a year!

Cebu, being second largest City in the Philippines (and once the capitol), has many of the modern day 'trappings' of Manilla/Makati, but perhaps on smaller scale. There are large air conditioned malls with all major shops, restaurants and bars/night clubs. There are Cinemas, Bowling, and other forms of recreation. Cost of eating and drinking out is very reasonable, as is the cost of Taxi transport - Php30min. Lots of things to see and do here in Cebu, as well as being able to buy just about everything you likely to need and want.

I hope this has given you some ideas and info releated to Cebu, Philippines.

As I said you can probably get more in-depth answers to specific questions related to living here (Cebu, Philippines) from the following websites:-

www.livinginthephilippines.com (Rose tinted persective - no crime or corruption here!).
www.cebuliving.com/forums (Very informative Furum with information grouped into different topics)

www.wayblima.com (informative portal for locals and foreighners alike).

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/liveincebu/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/livingincebu/ (Both these restarted after the original Yahoo Group 'LinC' got deleted - dont know which will survive and become best sourse of information yet - check membership numbers?).

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Philip...land_Paradise/ With over 3000 members - this group must be doing something right and also not specific to Cebu).

http://www.au.groups.yahoo.com/group...isephilippines (Non PC look at what it's really like to live in the Philippines - no rose tinted perspective here!)http://groups.yahoo.com/group/philippinedreams1 (Run by same guy Perry Gamsby, now back in Oz. Provides monthly e-zines and other books with useful, informative and enjoyable reading due Perry's humouristic writing style).

Finally if you hold a British passport (ths is not to be elitist or snobbish, it's just to keep the message post content on topic we can all relate to, some of the other Yahoo Groups are Phil-Am dominent most of the time!), you can join http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cebu_britclub

Hope this information helps - but nothing beats taking an extended holiday in each of these countiries to find out what it's really like.

Cheers

David

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Philippines???
 

Nice sales pitch of the Philippines. LOL you should work for the DOT.

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Philippines???
 

Nice sales pitch of the Philippines. LOL you should work for the DOT

What we need now is to get Easy Jet interested for cheap flights ??

...of course you'd need to bring a cushion to ease you through 15hrs hehe

:zzz: :zzz:

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Philippines???
 

I dont work for anyone - I'm retired at Age 50!

What are you doing?

David

Re: Retirement - Singapore
 

Safe yes but very expensive in terms of housing, second only to Hong Kong which has gone stratospheric again.

Re: Retirement - Singapore
 

I enjoyed visiting Singapore on my numerous business trips, and would have prefered being based in Singapore, rather than Hong Kong.

It seemed less crowded and cleaner than Hong Kong. I would not have thought it much cheaper if any to live, than Hong Kong, and certainly more than Malaysia, Thailand or Philippines.

Cost of drinks in Bars is certainly higher than in Hong Kong. If you are a 'smoker', you will find bars you can smoke at - but wont be serving food! Those serving food wont let you smoke!

What I liked about Singapore the most (especially compared to Hong Kong whwere I was based), was that English was the language in the office, in the bars, restaurants, trains, buses, taxis. The 'locals' only switched to their 'native tongue' when they got to their homes with their families. As a Brit in Singapore, you somehow felt like you fitted in, and were accepted (whereas in Hong Kong they would speak Cantonese, switching to English just to ask you a question!).

Here in the Philippines, they do speak Tagalog, or here in Cebu, Visayan in the main. But some words here and there are in English (because they dont have an equivalent word, or just because it fits better - some switch to English mid conversation as if it re-inforces status or something?

Living here I am picking up something of Visayan and can sometimes get the 'jist' of a conversation topic, if not the 'details'. They find it 'uncanny' that I join in their conversation (in English) adding my view on the 'topic', and they think I understood the lot as what I said was seemingly relevant?

For me, Singapore would be nice place to live if I was able to secure a good salary job there, It's also nice for a holiday (took my daughter there). Not sure I would want to retire there though - too expensive. Better to retire in Malasia, as cheaper, and visit?

Cheers,

David.

Re: Retirement - Singapore
 

a few people mentioning Singapore to retire but it actually does not have a retirement scheme for foreigners unless you can invest a large sum of money (I mean serious money - millions of dollars). In order to stay in Singapore long term you need to obtain Permanent Residence and that is not always easy to do. Malaysia of course does have a retirement scheme for foreigners.

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

Malaysia would be at the top of my list but I am biased because I was born there and my parents lived there till I was 20, and I still visit whenever I can. I wouldn't even consider the other two. I'm definitely considering the 'Malaysia my second home' scheme, though I'd probably only spend about 6 months of the year there.

Gnut

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

How about Johor, just over the causeway from Singapore? There you'll have the benefits of Singapore (including healthcare) on the doorstep, but the living costs of Malaysia

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

For me it is Penang in Malaysia. Good food and lovely beaches up north.

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

Hmmm.
Not for us as I've noted in the other thread.

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

Is anyone concerned about the growing threat of Dengue Fever which is reaching almost epidemic proportions in SE Asia?

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

Haven't heard that about Dengue.

But there has been a lot of rainfall in Malaysia this year which might aid mosquito breeding.

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

Not sure of the actual death figures, but even Singapore has not been able to keep Dengue at bay. 3 years ago there were I believe 10 deaths on Penang.

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

Re: Retirement - Malaysia, Thailand or Phillipines???
 

Wow James can you turn your font down a bit, it's way too loud for me.

Singapore for retirement - katongkaren is right, you can't just move and settle here without the right paperwork, and it's not a cheap place to live out your retirement unless you've made your millions. Property prices are going through the roof at the moment, too. You can go live in a gated community in JB but do you want to live somewhere you need to be guarded? You can get carjacked going to Tesco.

Dengue Fever - well I guess it's a fact of life if you want to live in Asia but it's not nice at all. We live in a Dengue hotspot (ten minutes' drive from SG city centre!) and it put my husband and me in hospital last July - him for 5 days and me for 3 - both on IV and unable to eat a thing. Great way to lose half a stone in a few days. Unable even to clean our teeth in case we bled to death; my husband's platelet count was so low they were threatening a transfusion.

It's like the worst flu you'll ever experience, the fever and headache are terrible and the rash (and subsequent peeling) has to be seen to be believed. My husband looked like he'd stuck his feet in a vat of burning oil. We were very unwell for a month, no energy at all, and the after-effects can be long term. I have an autoimmune disorder and my liver all but gave up living (resulted in a biopsy); a couple of months after the illness, both of us started losing our hair. The disease specialist says it could take a year to fully recover! And we only had one of the milder strains - if we get it again, we have a much higher chance of haemorrhaging. Needless to say I am a bit neurotic now, every time I get a bite.

You might find this interesting: ttp://app.nea.gov.sg/cms/htdocs/article.asp?pid=2865

In Dengue season, which I think is just starting, that site produces weekly stats.