Why Buy in Malaysia?
Property Life News, APRIL MAY 2014
Malaysian property is worth of serious consideration. The most obvious is the fact that buying a property worth USD $303,000 provides a ten-year renewable visa and a host of other residential rights.
Under the Malaysia My Second Home Programme, investors are given a permanent residence status which is renewable in 10 yearly cycles.
Investors are free to leave the country at any time- there is no minimum residency. Spouse and children (under the age of 21) are welcome and are granted the same rights as the holder.
Foreign buyers looking to settle in the country will enjoy:
- A tropical climate with an average temperature of 86 °F (30 °C).
- A welcome array of leisure activities, entertainment options and fantastic foods.
- Tourist hotspots that includes, LEGOLAND and Hello Kitty Town, El Centro (for foodies), Zouk Club Malaysia (for partygoers), Chinatown Petaling Street (for endless entertainment and shopping opportunities). Malaysia also boasts wonderful scenic attractions such as Cameron Highlands, Taman Negara, Perhentian Islands, Sungai Kinabatangan and Mount Kinabalu.
- Malaysia has numerous festivals and events during the year. The most popular are Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Raya Puasa, Thaipusam, Wesak.
- Although Bahasa Melayu is the national language, English is widely used on information signs and in public spaces.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Violent crimes against expats are infrequent and the overall crime rate could be classified as 'medium'. It's best to take precautions as foreigners can be the victims of petty theft, purse snatching and credit card fraud.
COST OF LIVING
In the 2012 Household Income Survey, figures revealed that the average monthly income of Malaysian households is pegged at RM5000. When eating out, an average meal cost about RM8 to RM10 per head and RM600 or more per month. On the other hand, basic items at an outdoor market such as a loaf of bread, a litre of milk and a kilogram of imported steak generally stand about RM3, RM6 and RM50, respectively. One Malaysian Ringgat is about 30 US cents.
EDUCATION SYSTEM
Malaysian education is structured into five levels: optional kindergarten (age 3-6, obligatory primary school (age 7-12), secondary education (age 13-17), post-secondary education (age 17-18) and university education. These stages are under the supervision of two ministries; the Ministry of Education (for primary and secondary) and the Ministry of Higher Education (for tertiary).
HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT
Everyone has universal access to Malaysian healthcare, which is divided into two systems: the public and private sector. As one of Asia's top health destinations, Malaysian hospitals are equipped with high-quality facilities and well-trained physicians.
CONTENTMENT
Malaysia is hailed as the world's 51st Happiest Country in the United Nations World Happiness Report released last year. Factors, which were taken into consideration, include materialistic prosperity, a person's general disposition, level of contentment with basic aspirations and wealth.
PL
