RETIRE IN MALAYSIA

One of the most motivating reasons to retire in Malaysia is the cost of living. Living in another country can cost considerably more.

Almost anywhere in the world your monthly expenses are largely what you make them. Individuals can decide, for example, whether to rent or own a home. If you don't buy a house you don't have the accompanying carrying costs to worry about, such as repairs, maintenance, and homeowner's insurance. You can also decide whether to purchase a car or not. Going without a vehicle means you don't have to pay to fix it when it breaks down, fuel it, or insure it.

Retirees make choices about whether to run air conditioning 24 hours a day or only in your bedroom at night. And you decide whether to shop for groceries at the supermarket or the local pasar tani. Individuals choose whether to hire help around the house and where and how often you dine out.

Another fundamental choice retirees abroad must make is how local to go. If you're willing to purchase local goods your budget can be seriously controlled. Going native doesn't mean living uncomfortably. Your lifestyle, in fact, could be enhanced and improved in many ways. Retiring is all about embracing the new and the different.

Just how affordable could your new local life be? As little as RM 1500 a month or less. Malaysia is one of the world's most affordable places to live well.

Think of this as a starter budget. For a total of RM 1500 a month, including a comfortable entertainment allowance, you could live a comfortable and interesting life in this part of the world that boasts warm weather year-round.

Malaysia is small enough so that you always see someone you know when walking around town. Yet it's not so remote that you can't find the services you need. The local lanscape, night markets, and heritage of the cities make you really feel like you're really experiencing a country with a rich culture that provides loads of different ways to spend your time. Public transportation is great, both within the city and between cities. Retirees won't need to invest in a car if they don't want to. The community is large enough so that you can find English-speaking company when you want it.

Malaysia is perhaps the top choice in the world right now for living well in retirement on a super-modest budget.