In Malaysia, the cost of living is rather low and affordable compared to some other Asian countries like Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan. This aspect makes Malaysia one of the best places to retire and assure a great life. Whether it is accommodation, food or cost of electrical goods, everything is reasonably affordable in Malaysia.
Accommodation Cost:
If you choose to retire in Malaysia with the MM2H visa, you may stay in the country for 10 years without having to leave the country. After 10 years, the visa can be renewed and you can continue to do so as long as you fulfil the requirements set.
The prices of residential units depend on the types of units, amenities provided and the area of your choice. In order to choose a suitable place, it is advised that you gather information and have some ideas about the surroundings of the place for instance the local traffic situation in that area, accessibility to the airport, public amenities and so on.
If you are planning to rent a place rather than making a purchase, the rental prices may differ from one place to another depending on the area. For example, a three-bedroom condominium located in an uptown area in Kuala Lumpur can cost up to RM 4,500 a month. However, the types of building with different types of amenities and securities have different range of rental cost. Besides Kuala Lumpur, the house rental and property value in the island of Pulau Pinang (Penang) is also known to be quite high, compared to other districts in Malaysia. The cost to run and maintain a household varies, but you can live a comfortable life if you have sufficient allocation for amenities – water gas, electricity, etc.
Food and Eating Cost:
The local food in Malaysia is cheap and affordable. Not only that, Malaysia possess some of the finest recipes from across the world. There are variety of food available, ranging from Malay, Chinese, Indian, Javanese, Siamese, Western and fusion food. These foods are available in restaurants as well as in hawker stalls on the streets. The food from hawker stalls are enjoyed by many locals, and seem to have found its way to fit the taste of tourists and expats in the country. The hawker stall foods are usually cheaper than those in restaurants. There are many types of restaurants in Malaysia, serving local and international food, with many different types of servings, from traditional serving to fine dining.
Electrical Goods Cost:
Like other Asian countries, the prices of electrical goods are cheap. The quality of these products is up to the mark. Mobile phones, computers and cameras can be purchased with reasonable price.
If you are planning to shop for electrical products, it will be the best to know what exactly you are looking for. This may help you in finding more options of where to get these products and gain benefits from bargaining. Shopping for such items can be done during public and festive holidays as many shops offer special deals during these times.
The choice of accommodation depends on the budget that you have. The price of a rental home is high in the capital city. However, moving to other districts will help you get accommodation at affordable rates. As for the food, the country is a paradise of food, as you will get the opportunity to experience some of the world's finest cuisines. Meal budgets can be kept under check if one plans to have hawker street foods or local restaurants. Electrical goods are also available at cheap prices, yet no compromise is made on quality.
Martin Wynn
