Malaysia ranks third as haven for retirees.

Date: 6 January 2013

Malaysia ranks third as haven for retirees.

PETALING JAYA: For its tropical climate, up-to-standard service facilities and friendly locals who speak English, Malaysia has been ranked third as among the world's best countries to retire in. Travel web-magazine Internationalliving.com placed Malaysia third, following Panama, which was preceded by Ecuador, on its list of 22 “World's Top Retirement Havens in 2013” which was posted on the website on Dec 4.

The list was compiled based on a survey on several factors affecting retirees in each country including real estate prices, special benefits and infrastructure for retirees, overall cost of living, medical and health facilities, and climate.

In his post titled “Malaysia: Asia's Most Desirable Destination,” contributing writer Keith Hockton described the country as “having everything. It has everything. Its weather is a tropical 27°C all year round and its beaches, islands and jungles are pristine. It has some of the region's best street food, great restaurants, bars, shopping malls and movie theatres and it's all affordable,” he wrote.

“Malaysia is also an easy place for expatriates to make friends, as English is widely spoken,” added Hockton.

He also mentioned Penang and Kuala Lumpur having medical centres of excellence and that “every day, two plane loads of medical tourists arrive in Malaysia for various treatments. Not only is the healthcare amazing but it's among the world's cheapest. And prescriptions here cost a fifth of what you pay at home,” he added.

Australian Pat Jones, 67, says she loves Penang, especially the vegetarian food, tandoori chicken and char koay teow. The Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) resident, who lives in Merican Road, has many friends. She said George Town was a vibrant city with a lot of on-going activities on offer. “Besides, we have made many friends here. I always encourage people to stay in the city so that we won't miss all those attractive sites and activities,” she said.

Tourism Malaysia Deputy Director-General (Planning) Datuk Azizan Noordin said that Malaysia's “truly Asia” identity was what made the country appealing as a tourist destination. “We have a stable Government and economy, nice tropical weather, good education and medical facilities, and a vast variety of foods that cater to all taste buds. Also with the on-going Malaysia My Second Home programme which offers foreigners who want to live here a 10-year Social Visit Pass which is renewable, more people are opting to make Malaysia the place they want to retire in,” he said.

By YVONNE LIM and TAN SIN CHOW newsdesk@thestar.com.my

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