mohinga

Jingthing, on 2011-06-20 14:08:57, said:

Hey Jingthing, please don't think I'm promoting retirement in Malaysia. I, too, would not qualify if the present criteria were in place when I applied. i.e. the RM 10,000/mth in pension income.
But I checked the link you posted, and I believe there is a bit of misinformation there. The fixed deposit is 150,000 ringgit... not $U.S... so it's closer to $U.S. 50,000, or a little less than double the 800,000 baht required for Thai retirement visa.
I don't know if there is a way around the RM 10,000/mth requirement. But it is a fairly recent rule, and it might be subject to change.
Although, I have to say, it seems that the trend over the past 5 or 6 years is for the requirements to become even stricter. So, when my visa runs out in a few years, I may be forced to move to Thailand.
Not too bad an option.

Jingthing, on 2011-06-20 13:24:57, said:

The visa requirements are more costly, but if one can qualify then the cost of living is nowhere near that of Australia. The RM150,000 fixed-deposit must remain intact thoughout the term of the visa, but it does pay interest (currently about 3%p.a.). I don't know how flexible they are on the income requirements. They didn't exist when I applied. But, for sure, it is possible to live on a small fraction of what they deem to be necessary.
One plus - compared to LOS - is that, once one has the visa, then that's it. No checking in with immigration every three months. And no re-entry permit required. Once one is in, it's quite hassle-free.
Another plus, for the wealthier expat, is that one can purchase property in ones' own name
So, I think that the program is set-up for primarily "comfortably well-off" retirees; but if one can manage to get the visa, it is possible to live at about the same cost as in many places in Thailand (discounting the fixed deposit).

I've been in Malaysia for five years. It is possible to live quite cheaply here if one is just interested in the basics. e.g. can rent a small house in some towns for RM 500/mth. Food at wet markets reasonable... but fruit a bit more expensive than in Thailand.
I find that, in general, people are friendly and tolerant. Perhaps as a result of it not being a very popular detination for farang khee nok, many locals still have a postive view of Westerners. Maybe a carry-over from the Raj?
The retirement progam - Malaysia My Second Home - does require a heftier fixed deposit that LOS. RM150,000. In addition there seem to beem more income requirements being imposed.
A very good  site for info on this topic : http://www.my2home.info/index.php

gotlost, on 2011-03-05 09:33:59, said:

AFAIK Myanmar visa on arrival termiated around last September.

http://www.dhammatalks.org/
http://www.dharmaseed.org/teacher/9/
http://www.abhayagir...ia_download/C22
http://www.cittaviveka.org/talks.htm
http://www.pdxdhamma...o/teachings.htm