Let’s talk Malacca

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Hello all,

Like 'Let's talk Penang' which has been very informative for future MM2Hers like me, it would be good if we could have something similar from people living in Malacca.

All I know at this point from my travels there in March 2009 is that it is near the coast, KL and Singapore and property is cheaper then Penang. It is not too far from Port Dickson where the beaches are quite nice (did not visit), I don’t know if they are any better then those in Penang. It is a heritage site like Penang and there was talk about a domestic airport in the near future. Obviously, the cost of living is cheaper then Penang and KL.

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I think the airport has been upgraded hasn't it?  I note that, according to the Firefly website, they will be starting flights Melaka to Singapore in September 2009.

I think there was someone on this forum who was planning a move to Melaka so maybe he/she will put in a response soon 

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Melaka - Malacca

What can I say?  We looked at KL, Langkawi, Penang, Seremban and then Melaka.  We liked it from the moment we left the Expressway.

Hardly any high rise or tower blocks.  Well tended roads and municipal areas.  A Chief Minister with a mission to drag/push Melaka into the 21st century and fast!  Loads of money has been spent on the town in the past 3 years.

Property prices are reasonable and cheaper than KL or Penang.

It has the Eye on Malaysia now, and a nicely renovated Riverside area.  It has a lot of Colonial history and like Penang it has a lot of Chinese.  Oh and it has the World Heritage award just like Penang.

There are some lovely golf courses too.

Obviously it has all the usual stuff - Tescos, Cold Storage etc, a Zoo, Mega Malls and the like.  By Christmas it will have the newest and biggest Jusco Cente in Malaysia, a new Planetarium and a new 52 lane Bowling Alley (Tolworth Bowl eat your heart out) plus opened last week the largest (they claim) go kart track in Asia.

In September Firefly start 3 times a week to Singapore and Air Asia is due by December.

We like it here and are building a new (UK Spec) home.

What it does not have though is any decent beach to speak of.  There are beaches -  but don't come here if you want a beach of any quality. 

Within 70 mins from the Toll Plaza and you can be at Mid Valley, KLCC (not in rush hour), KLIA/LCCT.  Its 2 hours to Singapore. 

But each to their own.  We love it, other may not.

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Hi Sag you certainly are right about the property prices. Just did a quick search and for those who want room for the WHOLE extended family for MYR800K you can have:

Double storey baglow hosue .total 8 bedroom, 9 bathrooms, all bedroom got batroom, 2 kitchen(wet&dry kitchen),1 dining, 2 living hall,swimming pool;gymroom, badmintoon court,garden

Is it a place for people who like to mess around in boats?

Cheers

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'evening

Yes prices here are most reasonable.  Its not a cheap place just not as expensive as the more 'popular' MM2H haunts.  I guess as its a bit out of the way it gets missed by Expats.

You can get a large 2 storey bungalow with pool on a Golf & Country Club for about 1 Million RM - pretty good I think or a large new bungalow on a 'select' development for about 500K.

Boats.  mmm.  Don't really know about that but the Chief Minister has had a Marina built at the river mouth and that should open later this year.

All I would say to anyone coming to Malaysia is 'add it to your list of places to consider'

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Is the Marina actually going to happen, Sag, do you think?  Keep seeing dates going back n back and wonder if it's a reality.

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Rumour has it that tycoon Scott is contemplating converting this gem  into a MM2H resort and that Corporateangel is designing a golf course around it.  I wouldn't wait if I were you, Donohue.

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hi,

Paper empires. Ha, ha! 

A marina would be really good at Malacca as there's nowhere to pull-in on the trip from Singapore to Port Klang. And municipal marinas tend to be pretty cheap. Often they're free for a short stay, or if the marina has just opened.

Currently the best option is to anchor at the Water Islands, and catch the ferry in.

Malacca's also about 3 hours drive from Singapore, if I remember correctly, and there's plenty of coaches down south or up north.

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hi,

The marina is open. There was an article in yesterday's Sunday Star :
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/7/5/nation/4260012&sec=nation

Seems that no sooner is the marina open but the Chief Minister is asking the Federal Government for an extra RM100 million to extend it. It cost RM28 million, "which only provided for the construction of a basic 40-dock pontoon system marina and a single-storey office building that will house the offices of the Immigration, Customs and the Marine Department."

The marina is called the Melaka Marina Complex. It can accommodate up to 18M length sail boats. It hopes to attract boats from Singapore and Indonesia. There wasn't anything on prices but normally it's free for the first few months to about a year.

It's obviously a great bonus for boats doing the north/south route between Australia, Indonesia, and Thailand as it cuts out the  Water Islands. They're a nice spot, and worth a visit, but a bit out of the way for just a transit stop.

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Thanks Scott - so it's a reality    We'll stick it on the back-up list after (1) Georgetown City Marina (2) Port Dickson Marina.  All these operating marinas - wow - boatee paradise!!

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What about Puteri Harbour here in Nusajaya? Free berthing at the moment, I hear. And it's been open for a few months. It'll be quite close to ... ahem ... Legoland, once it's built.

Kaz @ Johor

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Just did a google and that marina looks good - so many marinas to choose from    Shall I start a new Johor thread, Scott?  save muddying up the Malacca thread... okay I shall...

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Hi all,

I just came across this thread in the repository. I recently met the friend of a friend of mine who has worked as an oil engineer based in Malacca for the past few years and he insisted that it is well worth a look for those considering moving to Malaysia.

But since he's on an expat deal, he had no real clue about rents. If the property prices are lower than Penang or KL, then rents most probably are too, but can anyone confirm or give details?

With the grandchildren in Singapore, it would make sense for us to be close (but not TOO close). 

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Hello All.

Having at last received our Provisional Offer letter, we are looking for alternative places to live, and Malacca does seem to be of interest.
We currently live in Penang, and for economic reasons, need to find somewhere that offers cheaper rentals.

We love Malaysia in general, but like many people, have been hit hard by the disastrous UK
financial mess. We certainly wouldn't consider going back there even if we could afford to.

Could anyone be kind enough to enlighten me on the property rental prices for the area. We only require something quite small and modest, but hopefully clean and tidy.

Many thanks.

Ken

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Hi Ken,

I estimate Malacca property prices are up to 50% below Penang.

Cheers,

James