Are You 'Falling out of Love' with Malaysia?

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Hi

In response to FCS - I agree with all the points he has made. Unfortunately whether its the haze, the general BS, in my opinion the confusing direction of where things are going here or the general attitude of some of the people in KL - we too are slowly starting to fall out of love with Malaysia.

It may just be a minor blip at this moment in time, but even small matters such as dealing with 'English' speaking people tends to throw up problems for us and quite often mis-communications.

The big problem is, where is going to be better?

Generally, a high quality of life comes with much higher costs, for example the places that have been voted the best in world to live are:

1. Vienna in Austria
2. Zurich in Switzerland
3. Geneva also in Switzerland
4. Vancouver in Canada
5. Auckland in NZ
6. Dusseldorf, Germany
7. Munich, Germany
8. Frankfurt, Germany
9. Bern, Switzerland
10. Sydney, Australia

The report can be seen here: http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/04/0428_best_places_to_live/index.htm

The lure of being here for us is the general cost of living especially the basic neccessities, but branded goods etc are annoyingly more expensive than our home country - the UK. I know people on the forum will say that their experiences are different, however it all comes down to your personal situation. We all deal with different types of people, we are generally of a different age group and the people/parties that each of us deal with will be for different reasons resulting in different responses.

Maybe its boredom or just frustration? Its something that we will have to deal with.

 

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My brother is living in Switzerland. I find it utterly boring. It is so neat and tidy that I felt a strong urge to litter, (what I, under normal circumstances, would never do)
But seriously, maybe KL is a bit different generally people in big cities seem to be more rude and care less.
Maybe Corporateangel and FCS should try the countryside 

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Words fail me.  Would someone like to try?

Leeches - A good course of leeches

(Blackadder)

JJ

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hi,

I think that it was Eccles, in the Goons, who made gave the world the earth moving insight, "everyone has to be somewhere."

For me, it's who you are, and who you're with, rather than where you are and what you have. So, basically, any place is as good or as bad as any other. And if you can't be where you'd really want to be then don't want it.

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For me, it's who you are, and who you're with, rather than where you are and what you have. So, basically, any place is as good or as bad as any other. And if you can't be where you'd really want to be then don't want it.

Reminds me of "If you can't be with the one you love; love the one your with"

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4.  Poor quality of workmanship and little or no quality maintenance.
 

I appreciate that this particular issue is not restricted to Malaysia alone!

Here is a quote from the Phuket gazette (Online version):-

PHUKET CITY: The tsunami direct detection buoy launched from Phuket in 2006 is inoperable because the Thai agency responsible for maintenance has not been able to replace its battery, the Gazette has learned.


Some asses need to get fried!!

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I have a bit of a theory about Expats - having mixed around the world with many of them

The more disposable income they have, the quicker they get bored.

For example many "richer" Expats are always looking for the latest gadget while I will wait for the latest gadget so I can but the one before at a reduced rate

Richer Expats find themselves in a keep up with the Jones problem with rich locals or other richer expats

Just a theory

JJ

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I have a bit of a theory about Expats - having mixed around the world with many of them
The more disposable income they have, the quicker they get bored.
JJ

Doesn't apply to me JJ. It's taken me 10 years to get bored. I, like you, rarely buy the latest version of any gizmo (apart from perhaps computers). I have a friend who does, and he has a new mobile phone practically every month!

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hi,

I got my first (and last) mobile phone about 2 weeks ago. I've been in Malaysia since 1996. Not bored yet, or anywhere near. But then I'm somewhat lazy. You just can't get bored being lazy. It's the way to go.

And it helps with the answers to all those questions from folks who want to know if you're bored now that you're not working.

"Aren't you bored being retired/out of work/between engagements?"
"No. I've been diagnosed as being patholgically bone-idle."

And if you are bored you may like to read this : "The Joy of Not Working" by Ernie J. Zelinski, published by Ten Speed Press. It's a book for the retired, unemployed, and overworked.

Also, just added this, I've been looking at the YouTube videos on mm2h, and the bits with the testimonials. One testimonialee (?) said that after 3 days on Langkawi she fell in love with the place so they got mm2h etc.etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZxpj9YgWtU&feature=PlayList&p=2DDAAE76063E9CB5&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=10

For me Malaysia was the next stop after having to leave Singapore because I gave up my job, and I didn't wish to stay in Singapore even if I could. The alternatives were the UK, or my place in Portugal. I chose Malaysia for cheapness and convenience. Love didn't come into it then, and it still doesn't. So I can't fall out of it.

I haven't done much sailing on the boat, but there were a couple of longish journeys. One was from from Penang to Kota Kinabalu. It sounds a more exciting trip than it is, from the Malacca Straits to the South China Sea.

Anyway, on the trip there were several nervy moments like the tremendous night-time monsoon squall just off Port Klang. And several wonderful 1/2 days of pure sailing excitement. And the rest, well it was all something in-between, and there was a lot of it.

And that's how I feel about Malaysia, there's a lot of in-between. And in-between is always what you make of it.

My several cents and a few ringgits worth.

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Love didn't come into it then, and it still doesn't. So I can't fall out of it.

I think you've hit the nail on the head there.  I think a lot of people go to countries with a way too rosy view then get disappointed.  NOT referring to Fizzy here - I think he's just got the 10 year blues.

Back to Fizzy's dilemma and also bearing in mind Education is top priority, I would've thought Australia would be a good destination (if you can get in).  Supposed to be very good schooling there.  And, dare I say it, Singapore?  Good education there I understand, not quite as much litter either   

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There were two key factors involved in the decision to say in Malaysia after my 3 year contract expired, and to be honest Love was not one of them!
The principal factor was the boys schooling. They loved the school, and we were also very happy with the whole set up, and the fact that it was an English based curriculum. I had moved around a fair bit when the kids were smaller and it didn't matter so much, but given that they were settled and all was positive we though why disrupt, and move to Cyprus (which we were also considering), and then find we didn't like there, and move again and so on.

The second major consideration was financial & the treatment of my pension 'tax-wise'.
When we 'bottomed out' (and that took some time) that there would be no UK Tax deduction (at source), and in Malaysia we would be assessed for tax under MM2H, but at ZERO percent....that was the clincher!

Now after 10 years, I have reached a stage of 'needing a change of scenery'.
Don't get me wrong, I don't wake up every day with the feeling I gotta get outta here!!

The issue is that we have 4 more years before our youngest finishes his A levels, so we are kind of caught between a rock & a hard place.

Anyway, on the bright side, I am seriously planning a trip to Queenstown (NZ) in Jan or Feb, and maybe that will give me a new perspective.

It is likely to either make me more determined to get out of here, or make me realise that the 'excitement of Asia' is something that I just cannot do without!

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Fizzy,
Curious if you ever considered living in the US.  It's not perfect but what place is these days.  But it's a big country offering many options.  It's more multicultural today than most anyplace else and relatively peaceful.  No internet censorship here, we don't cain women and, as far as I know, bloats don't mysteriously tumble from 14th floors of security buildings...Jim 

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Hi jr6020,

The simple answer is no. However the thought of buying on of those very good value properties has crossed my mind.
Like anywhere, there are great places to live, and then there is the Bronx!
To be honest, I really don't know enough about the place.

Have only ever been twice on business.
1st time San Francisco & San Diego (both very nice places - or at least the bits I saw)
2nd time Atlanta.

The main thing putting me off even thinking about the USA (and the same applies to Oz) is the Government's desire to tax me on my world-wide income!

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hi,

No internet censorship here, we don't cane women and, as far as I know, bloats don't mysteriously tumble from 14th floors of security buildings...Jim 

To be fair it's worth saying that they don't fall from the 14th floors in the USA, but falls can be renditioned in collaterally slippery countries.    

Or, no doubt, along the flight path.   

My friends in the USA have asked me several times to consider the country. The biggest plus that I can see is the relative cheapness of property, and the opportunity to buy land and build. They tell me that New Mexico is the spot to go. They say it's a great, big place with only 1M people.

But getting a green card ... hmmmm?

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Sounds like we need a USA Alternative thread?  But... once again, isn't this one of those countries where you cannot retire if you are a foreigner?  I saw someone on another forum saying you could only stay there for 6 months of the year.  Is that correct?  Might do for some folks but personally I just really want to stay in one country.