A waking moment

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About 18 months ago I was offered a job redundancy.  The department made my decision for me and saved me from living a slow spiritual death.  We have 4 weeks to go before we take off for Penang, some of my extended family are looking at me like I've lost the plot.  I really don't worry about what people thing, as people don't do it that often anyway.  Has anyone out there had one of those "what have I done" moments?  Especially those that have the MM2H Visa?  Or wish they were back in their home country but due to their financial situation are unable to?



Thanks


Bob

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There have been days in Phuket when we've thought "What have we done" 

Seriously, we left our "home" country in 2005 and never regretted that at all, despite many twists and turns that we didn't quite expect in Asia.  "Home" country (England) has ceased to be Home.  It's my country of birth.  I shall always be an English expat - that won't change - but we don't keep a home there and cannot really imagine living back there again.  Yes we've had that look too from some UK friends like you've gone totally loopy - but they're still working hard into their senior years in an expensive country with high income tax and lousy weather usually - and we're early retired and not experienced less than 24 degrees in 5 years.  So... who's crazy?

Anyway Spider, you're not getting nervy are you?  Well we're 2 weeks behind you - will be there in 6 weeks.  So see ya there!

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There have been days in Phuket when we've thought "What have we done" 

Anyway Spider, you're not getting nervy are you?  Well we're 2 weeks behind you - will be there in 6 weeks.  So see ya there!

Ha Ha.  No Papaya, I'm not getting cold feet.  Too late now, I sold our car last week.  I don't miss that, no car insurance, petrol bills, NRMA road assistance.  Public transport and walking for us. I gave away junk that we don't use. 

Yes, see you there


Bob 

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About 18 months ago I was offered a job redundancy.  The department made my decision for me and saved me from living a slow spiritual death.  We have 4 weeks to go before we take off for Penang, some of my extended family are looking at me like I've lost the plot.  I really don't worry about what people thing, as people don't do it that often anyway.  Has anyone out there had one of those "what have I done" moments?  Especially those that have the MM2H Visa?  Or wish they were back in their home country but due to their financial situation are unable to?

I am experiencing one of those "what have I done" moments and I haven't even made a start yet. 

However, I do find comfort reading the members positive experiences in the forum. Yes, there are a few who felt that their move to Penang / Malaysia has not been the wisest thing they have done but on the whole most have shared their lack of regret for the choice they have made. I do believe that we, Aussies are the lucky ones. If we felt homesick, we could hop on AA and do a quick trip back to catch up with friends and family members unlike our European counterparts who not only have to spend more but travel a greater distance.

Cupert

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Spider mate,

The only waking moments come on a regular basis along the lines of "what took me so long to get up here". As Cupert says its only an AA trip away to see the nay sayers..even for the Pom's AA now to Stanstead. No regrets here.

Tink

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Hi Bob,

There appears minimal risk since you have previously posted that you are retaining OZ base + initially renting in Malaysia.

Perhaps, greater "RISK" remaining in OZ & rapidly using up your capital !!!

Cheers,

James

About 18 months ago I was offered a job redundancy.  The department made my decision for me and saved me from living a slow spiritual death.  We have 4 weeks to go before we take off for Penang, some of my extended family are looking at me like I've lost the plot.  I really don't worry about what people thing, as people don't do it that often anyway.  Has anyone out there had one of those "what have I done" moments?  Especially those that have the MM2H Visa?  Or wish they were back in their home country but due to their financial situation are unable to?



Thanks


Bob

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I guess I've been a sojourner practically a big portion of my life and making a big circle back to MY is exciting and refreshing.
But two years ago and again recently I did feel like if I did make the right decision. That's when 1st grand child came along, now the 2nd soon and I felt if I should be closer to 'home' especially traversing the 30++ hrs one way from Pg-Tor. Could be age and being granny (I envy those from Oz!)
Other than that we are very happy here and it's 'home'. Yes, basic costs is a big factor - eg. utilities and prop taxes; then weather - never liked driving on icy roads over 6 mths a yr or get stuck in -30C; here both of us can work in the garden all yr round; the health care that's the envy of many, but I hate the waiting - here I walk in and get seen by Drs and Specialists all arranged in one day!
I consider all the pluses here a portion of quality of life.

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hi,

A "what have I done moment."

I was living and working in Singapore. I went to the UK, then a holiday in Portugal. In the 10 days there I bought a town house. Back to the UK, back to work in Singapore . . . and JEEZ what have I done ?

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hi,

A "what have I done moment."

I was living and working in Singapore. I went to the UK, then a holiday in Portugal. In the 10 days there I bought a town house. Back to the UK, back to work in Singapore . . . and JEEZ what have I done ?

Hey Scott,

Sounds like a good definition for being busy.  You might be better off where you are than back in the UK.  Old western economies are clearly losing their dominance. Particularly in Europe, the costs of broken pension plans and entitlement programs are bankrupting entire economies.

Something needs to change… and it appears that Britain is the first major western government to face the music. Osborne’s budget cuts deep. It hits the elderly, it hits low income workers, it hits single mothers, it hits business owners and investors… it even hits the Queen, who will see her multimillion pound salary frozen for several years.  Better days ahead.

Bob

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Hi Bob,

There appears minimal risk since you have previously posted that you are retaining OZ base + initially renting in Malaysia.

Perhaps, greater "RISK" remaining in OZ & rapidly using up your capital !!!

Cheers,

James

Yeah James,

I have kept our house here.  A lot of ex-pats return to their country of origin, especially us Australians.  Ask any Australian if he would give up his passport and that wouldn't be a big line up.  It is tempting to sell the house and buy a condo in Penang but once I leave this Sydney market, there is no coming back.  I can always sell down the line if I chose to.  Alcohol is expensive in Asia so I might have to.


Bob

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I'd be interested to know about the long-term gameplan of those who have sold up everything and settled in Malaysia..... when you get really old and not so mobile, require nursing care etc.... do you plan to return to your home country?

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Interesting point (perhaps nursing/care is more feasible in Malaysia) !!!

I'd be interested to know about the long-term gameplan of those who have sold up everything and settled in Malaysia..... when you get really old and not so mobile, require nursing care etc.... do you plan to return to your home country?

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Interesting point (perhaps nursing/care is more feasible in Malaysia) !!!

I wonder how one gets around the visa requirements/renewals when in this condition?

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Again, very relevant point & would be good to have some feedback !!!!

James

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I guess would depend on:-

a) whether you still wanted to be here still.
b) what you could afford.

24 hour private nursing care is a possibility, but I guess it would come at a price - even in Malaysia!

My pop is 87 & still very mobile & compos mentis, so i try not to think of it too much other than hope that I have his genes