A Fresh Start with MM2H: Why UK Citizens Should Consider Relocating to Malaysia
As a British family, my wife, teenage son and I have spent countless evenings discussing our future. The world is changing rapidly and like many in the UK, we 've been susceptible to the impact of economic uncertainty and to a certain extent to the rising social unease that seems to be the case in the UK these days. Some time ago, we began searching for a place in earnest. A place where we could not only stretch our finances but also enjoy a better quality of life.
Now, it so happens, that there are actually quite a few Golden Visas out there that cater to people in our position. But it's when we came across the
Malaysia My Second Home visa, that we really felt a Golden Visa was worthy of further exploration. In fact, the deeper we delved into
MM2H, as it's also know, the more it seemed like the perfect opportunity for a fresh start.
Financial Benefits of MM2H
One of the most persuasive aspects of the MM2H visa, for us anyway, is the financial advantages it offers. Maintaining our middle-class lifestyle has been increasingly challenging for us. Between rising costs, higher taxes and stagnant wages, it often feels like we're running on a treadmill. That's to say, in spite of the long work hours, we're just don't seem to be getting anywhere. Malaysia, on the other hand, appears to offer a much lower cost of living, which, clearly, is a huge draw, given that, to us, it's tantamount to a better quality of life.
Under the MM2H visa, foreign nationals like us are given a so-called 5+5-year visa, renewable every ten years, which allows for long-term residency in Malaysia. This stability is quite appealing to us. Moreover, any income brought into Malaysia from abroad is not taxed at all. For a family like ours, with savings and investments in the UK, this represents a significant financial windfall, one that we get to enjoy each time we remit funds.
Better still, it allows us to convert our UK savings into Malaysian Ringgit at the excellent exchange rate of around 5 MYR to 1 GBP—instantly multiplying our spending power fivefold!
Living the Expat Lifestyle
Although it's not just about the money of course, we're rather enamoured by the way Malaysia promises a lifestyle that, quite frankly, we can only dream of in the UK. The thought of living as expats in Malaysia, enjoying the perks of a higher standard of living, is incredibly appealing. With the lower cost of living, we'd be able to live in a bungalow, likely with a good-sized garden or even a pool. And daily expenses, from groceries to bills to petrol, are much more affordable, courtesy of this wonderful arbitrage opportunity. Basically, it means more disposable income, for instance to enjoy leisure activities, travel and experiences that would be considered luxuries back home.
Cultural Richness and Community
Malaysia is a melting pot of cultures and this diversity is reflected in its rich wealth of food, festivals and, really, everyday life. And for our son, who's just completed his O-Levels, Malaysia offers excellent educational opportunities, with international schools where he can go on to do his A-Levels. Obviously, it's reassuring to know that he can continue his education in a familiar environment. Not to mention that he's also gaining exposure to different cultures at the same time.
The other thing we were delighted about was the discovery of Malaysia's substantial British expat community, particularly in the more popular areas, including Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Bahru. In all likelihood, this means we won't be alone in our new adventure, since, by the looks of things, there are many Brits who've already made this move and who are now thriving in their adopted land. It's quite comforting to know that we'll likely have a support network of fellow-expats who can offer advice and share their experiences. And it goes without saying that we look forward to, one day, pay it forward.
Climate, Cuisine and Convenience
Then there's the weather. Let's be honest, the less said about the British climate the better. The thought of living in a sunny country is certainly enticing. No more grey, damp winter; just year-round balmy temperatures and sunshine. And the beautiful beaches, rainforests and highlands are the icing on the cake. By the way, we found that Malaysia's location also makes it a great base for travel, with easy access to neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia. Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, they're all a quick budget airline hop away. So exciting.
And let's not forget the food. Malaysia is famous for its diverse and delicious cuisine, with influences from Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures. From street food to high-end dining, there's something for every palate, including... fish and chips :-)
New Chapter
Frankly, we truly believe that the MM2H visa offers an incredible opportunity to start a new chapter. It provides financial freedom, a better quality of life and a chance to experience a different culture—all within a stable and welcoming environment. As it stands, to us, the prospect of relocating to Malaysia on the MM2H visa almost seems like a no-brainer. Sure, it may not be for everyone, but if you've always been a little curious about expanding your horizons, then MM2H surely has to be the opportunity of a lifetime.
That said, make sure you look before leap. So go ahead, do as much looking as you need on
MM2H.co.uk
David Wilson,
Liverpool
