Re: Why Retire in Malaysia?
 

Not exactly the answer I was expecting, as I have been lurking on this part of the board for the past year.

Where's a thread on a cooler climate area ?


Guess I'll just have to head to Penang, which sound a bit like a Malay version of the Gold coast from this distance. *sigh*

Re: Why Retire in Malaysia?
 

Hi Ozzieeagle,
If you don't like the sound of Penang - Malaysia is a big country. Do a search on the Cameron Highlands for example ;) Might be more what you're looking for.

Re: Why Retire in Malaysia?
 

Ozzieeagle,
Penang has some nice looking beaches.
Problems are that there are lots of jellyfish in the water which also is polluted.
Regarding clean air, you have got the haze from ricefield burning in Indonesia every now and then.
Advantages are a multicultural and international society, good infrastructure and medical facilities.

Cameron Highlands are of course much cooler but also quite wet and foggy.
Not to mention all the ugly plastic sheets covering the farmlands.

Re: Why Retire in Malaysia?
 

Midlands is an older shopping complex on Jalan Burmah, right opposite Adventist hospital. I like these older shopping places...lots of interesting little shops.

Re: Why Retire in Malaysia?
 

Don't know. I'll kick one off in this section for you. As you've posted in the Retirement section, I shall assume you are thinking of retirement reasons.

Re: Why Retire in Malaysia?
 

According to my Aussie chums, nothing like the Gold Coast...and not particularly Malay either. On Penang island, the majority race is Chinese, though also a sizeable population of Indians and Malays. It makes for quite an interesting cultural mix, and a great diversity of food.

Lots to see....heaps of heritage buildings, temples (all kinds), botanic garden, nature trails.

There are some nice beaches but, quite honestly, if you are just looking for great beaches...check out the east coast of the peninsular (during summer months, not NE monsoon time) or Langkawi or head for Thailand.

If you're checking out for retirement purposes, then in my opinion Penang has a lot to offer.

Re: Why Retire in Malaysia?
 

Thanks BB very reassuring :thumbup: Especially the heritage building and cultural mix part, sounds interesting.

Re: Why Retire in Malaysia?
 

Cooler climate is definitely on higher grounds, specifically Cameron Highlands.

However, your requirement states shopping malls, easy transportation and what not. Can't say for sure a cooler place in Malaysia that has all the above.

Re: Why Retire in Malaysia?
 

Thanks for the feedback.

At least I'll be able to get a cool fix if needed. I've narrowed the top contenders to two very different places now. Malaysia and Tasmania. It looks like we will end up living in Malaysia for a while renting, whilst renting our Melbourne house out and we may end up buying in Tasmania later on, after selling our Melbourne place. Still plenty of water to go under the bridge before we can leave our youngest to fend for himself. Despite me hitting my 60th next year and the wife in 2 years. It's getting exciting now :thumbsup: I have to keep an eye on the Aus Government pension means test which complicates matters slightly. So timing is going to be a bit tricky.

Re: Why Retire in Malaysia?
 

Many thanks bakedbean. I too like to wander around older shopping places. Fewer crowds and often it is like stepping back in time.

Re: Why Retire in Malaysia?
 

Do both?? Quite a few Aussies split their time between home country and Malaysia. Something to do with tax I think....you'll know more about that than me. Why not? Buy in Tasmania, then rent in Malaysia for 6 months or so. When one gets a little doddery in senior years, you've got the option of staying in Tasmania.

There you are. All sorted out for you. No charge ;)

Re: Why Retire in Malaysia?
 

I've started a new topic in this section, Roy, if you want to join in. You are probably more knowledgeable than some (that includes Me).

Re: Why Retire in Malaysia?
 

Worth considering. Re the Aussies splitting their time:- It's to do with permanently residing in Aus rules and the government pension v the means test on the Government pension. I personally come in after 35 years plus in the Aus workforce as a person that wont be getting anything in the way of entitlements from the UK... Well maybe a small amount that the Aus government will deduct... That is if we qualify for the Aus pension after the means/assests test. So we have to be particularly careful.

Re: Why Retire in Malaysia?
 

Greetings everyone. :)

It has been a long time since I visited this site. Saw a familiar avatar here........hello baked bean. How have you been? I came here because another ex member informed me that Scott's mm2h has closed down and if there is another forum going.

Cheers

Redbean

Re: Why Retire in Malaysia?
 

Bakedbean been fine Redbean.

Re: Why Retire in Malaysia?
 

Just got wind(!) the beans have been in touch

Re: Why Retire in Malaysia?
 

This is the message you get when you try to access Scott's website (my2home.info):-

8 1/2 years running the Forum and that's it folks.

Many thanks for all the good wishes over the past few months.

All the posts, members profiles, and everything else, are now deleted and there's nothing left.

regards,
Scott

It's very sad for, if not rather dismissive of, those who have posted over the years on this website to see all their contributions deleted at the snap of Scott's fingers.

So glad I never signed up.

Re: Why Retire in Malaysia?
 

IVV there's a thread on the subject.

Re: Why Retire in Malaysia?
 

Ah yes:-

http://britishexpats.com/forum/retir...e-gone-844749/

Re: Why Retire in Malaysia?
 

I haven't return, not since I got booted out. Lol!

Now, to get back to those intriguing discussions, where should I post, here or the link above? Heh heh heh

Re: Why Retire in Malaysia?
 

Having had to look after my elderly father for 8 years in the UK support and caring for the elderly leaves a lot to be desired. District nurses may give you moral support for 10 mins if they can spare the time and soon discharge the caring as soon as the carer can manage the care in their opinion. Hospice care is similar, the hospice nurse will call for about ten minutes take notes from the carer and leave and this visits can vary from 2 to 3 weeks in between visits.
At least in the Far East you can get a helper to assist the carer and very often they are quite dedicated and are very caring over a period of time.
In the West you do get up some support but it will be very difficult to get help and the cost of getting a carer for half and hour and is trustworthy can be very expensive and difficult.
Still from my personal experience I would not like to be in the West when I am elderly.
We all have to make plans that suit us in our old age accordingly.

Re: Why Retire in Malaysia?
 

That is something I hadn't even thought of.... Great food for thought that one !

Re: Why Retire in Malaysia?
 

I have given the thought of where I would prefer to grow old a great deal of thought, but have failed to come to any conclusion. I understand your view, but the problem is none of us can predict the future, and so planning becomes difficult.

From the point of view of mobility, I would prefer to be in the West. Mobility scooters are a great way of getting around, and ramps and automatic doors etc. make them easier to use. It would be impossible to use one in Malaysia. Likewise, if I were in a wheelchair, I imagine it would be easier in the West.

I have no experience of hospices in the UK, but at least they exist. I do not know if there are any in Malaysia. I believe end-of-life care is left to the family. I assume an experienced carer could be employed by the family if needed, and presumably pain-killing medicines are available to ease suffering.

I do have experience of District Nurses in the UK, and although they have a heavy workload, I believe they do their best to care for their patients. Again, I don't think there is an equivalent service in Malaysia. Perhaps it is possible to arrange for a trained nurse to visit the patient's home, but this will presumably be charged for.

Also to be considered is that benefits are often payable in the UK to disabled people, which is not the case in Malaysia. Nor is the UK pension increased in line with inflation.

I think the level of care an elderly patient in the UK would receive depends on where they live. In "retirement towns" such as Bournemouth, Worthing, etc. I think the health services would be better geared towards taking care of the elderly, compared to say, inner city Birmingham.

For me, it's not a clear-cut decision as to whether care of the elderly is better in the West or in SE Asia, or that it is better to be elderly in one or the other.

Re: Why Retire in Malaysia?
 

Hi there, I just came back last week after spending almost a week visiting sister who was initially diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. I was told to come sooner than later so off I went. I must say I was quite impressed with the medical care provided but not so much the nursing care especially in public hospitals. I was told that the nursing care isn't any better in private hospitals except you get your own room and I suppose the top medical/surgical doctors and/or specialists. Anyway, this is what I had observed that you need a family member who is willing to take time off to nurse the sick family member. Asked my niece about employing someone to take care of her mum/my sister. I was informed that to do that you need to outlay a huge sum to employ a maid from Indonesia/Philippines/Cambodia/etc. I thought that with so many illegal immigrants hanging around Malaysia waiting for an opportunity to hightail to Oz, it would not be too hard to find someone willing to earn some pocket money.

So, for those of you who intend to stay here for the long haul, are you prepared to employ a maid from o/s?