A Fresh Start in Malaysia — Oliver and Mia Smith's Journey with MM2H
Thinking about a fresh new start in a sun-kissed country with a relaxed pace of life and a boost in purchasing power? Discover Oliver and Mia's story as they transition from London to Malaysia by means of the Malaysia My Second Home golden visa. Read on to see if their expat lifestyle might be suitable for you too.
Introducing Oliver and Mia Walker
For Oliver, a career architect and Mia, a capable psychologist, the decision to reside in Malaysia on the MM2H visa was motivated by a desire for a more enjoyable lifestyle with a wee bit more comfort. For one, living in London, they were growing a little weary of the ever-escalating living expenses and the relentless pace of work and life. So with their fully-paid detached house able to generate a handsome rental income, along with their fixed deposits, the couple recognised that the MM2H visa was an ideal pathway to a more fulfilling life in Malaysia. To be precise, they've set their sights on Johor Bahru, an up-and-coming region in the south of Malaysia, just a one-kilometer Causeway away from Singapore.
Home Away From Home: Malaysia My Second Home
One of the various appealing aspects of the MM2H visa is the lower property purchase threshold all holders of this visa are entitled to. To be sure, the property market in Malaysia is already considerably more affordable compared to valuations in the UK. But this MM2H perk may well shave off another RM100,000 or more from the asking price of the property the couple is interested in.
Basically, pivoting from the UK to Malaysia allows Oliver and Mia to buy a very desirable residence in a leafy Johor Bahru suburb at a much, much lower price point than they'd be out for when buying something similar in London.
Additionally, the lucrative exchange rate between Sterling and Malaysia's currency, the Ringgit, along with the tax-free status of all MM2H holders' inward bank transfers, makes moving funds to Malaysia an absolute pleasure. After all, not only does the couple's purchasing power jump by a factor of five in one fell swoop, courtesy of the favourable exchange rate, but not having to pay any taxes on their cash flow once it reaches their Malaysia bank account is a lovely little bonus to boot, especially given the importance and recurring nature of these bank transfers.
Lifestyle Upgrade, Disposable Income Boost
In Johor Bahru, Oliver and Mia look forward to an expat-friendly lifestyle upgrade, with access to a wide range of amenities, recreational facilities and dining options. Indeed, Johor Bahru offers a balanced blend of relaxation and excitement, allowing the couple to enjoy contemporary conveniences and easy access to Singapore's world-class infrastructure and entertainment, given that the dynamic metropolis lies just a stone's throw away.
With their UK rental income, supplemented by the other monetary UK/Malaysia arbitrage tailwinds, they can afford a lifestyle that's sure to include domestic help, fine dining and membership at local clubs, in addition to regular trips to Malaysia's other neighbouring countries, all of which with so much to offer.
The natural beauty around Johor Bahru adds another layer of appeal. Malaysia is known for its pristine jungles, cooler highlands and breathtaking eastern coastline with stunning paradise islands peppered along this coast. And with all these attractions easily accessible, the couple can enjoy the many available leisure excursions as frequently as they desire.
In addition, they'll likely also revel in the tight-knit UK expat community in Johor Bahru, a great source of not just potential social contacts but of tips, suggestions and support too. Not to mention that having a few fellow Brits around, the ambiance, the camaraderie and the sense of humour, will do wonders for making you feel at home.
Speaking of home, regular flights between Kuala Lumpur and London means staying connected to loved ones in Blighty is simple. As a matter of fact, Oliver and Mia are aware that their life in Johor Bahru actually combines the best of both worlds—new adventures and cherished traditions.
Malaysia's Great Outdoors
With lovely weather year-round, Oliver and Mia can enjoy outdoor activities pretty much any time they like, from strolls along the beach to tee times at one of Johor Bahru's half a dozen renowned golf courses. Malaysia's growing economy has also seen substantial investment in infrastructure and amenities, including luxury shopping malls and fine dining establishments, as well as healthcare services.
In fact, healthcare, in particular, is high-quality yet affordable, making Malaysia an attractive destination for retirees from far and wide. As well as for Gen-X'ers and Millennials looking to maintain their well-being without budget-exceeding expenses. Clearly, Malaysia hasn't become one of Asia's medical tourism hubs without reason. Knowing that this aspect of life is unlikely to be an issue equals peace of mind.
Lastly, it's also good to know that the MM2H visa provides a good deal of flexibility. How so? Well, any newly-approved holder of the visa is allowed to rent a property for up to a year before having to go buy a home. This transition period can be used to explore and discover the various residential areas of interest, making it easier to come to an informed decision on where to settle.
Incidentally, another reason a relocation to Malaysia is relatively low-barrier is the way UK property owners can of, course, retain the security of their home. In the case of Oliver and Mia, knowing they'll always have their London place, not only as a great source of passive income, but as a backstop too. This provides the couple with additional peace of mind. Because, let's face it, at the end of the day, having the option to return to the UK whenever they want is always going to be quite reassuring.
Interested in finding out more about life in Malaysia and the MM2H visa? Click MM2H.co.uk for more details.
Thinking about a fresh new start in a sun-kissed country with a relaxed pace of life and a boost in purchasing power? Discover Oliver and Mia's story as they transition from London to Malaysia by means of the Malaysia My Second Home golden visa. Read on to see if their expat lifestyle might be suitable for you too.
Introducing Oliver and Mia Walker
For Oliver, a career architect and Mia, a capable psychologist, the decision to reside in Malaysia on the MM2H visa was motivated by a desire for a more enjoyable lifestyle with a wee bit more comfort. For one, living in London, they were growing a little weary of the ever-escalating living expenses and the relentless pace of work and life. So with their fully-paid detached house able to generate a handsome rental income, along with their fixed deposits, the couple recognised that the MM2H visa was an ideal pathway to a more fulfilling life in Malaysia. To be precise, they've set their sights on Johor Bahru, an up-and-coming region in the south of Malaysia, just a one-kilometer Causeway away from Singapore.
Home Away From Home: Malaysia My Second Home
One of the various appealing aspects of the MM2H visa is the lower property purchase threshold all holders of this visa are entitled to. To be sure, the property market in Malaysia is already considerably more affordable compared to valuations in the UK. But this MM2H perk may well shave off another RM100,000 or more from the asking price of the property the couple is interested in.
Basically, pivoting from the UK to Malaysia allows Oliver and Mia to buy a very desirable residence in a leafy Johor Bahru suburb at a much, much lower price point than they'd be out for when buying something similar in London.
Additionally, the lucrative exchange rate between Sterling and Malaysia's currency, the Ringgit, along with the tax-free status of all MM2H holders' inward bank transfers, makes moving funds to Malaysia an absolute pleasure. After all, not only does the couple's purchasing power jump by a factor of five in one fell swoop, courtesy of the favourable exchange rate, but not having to pay any taxes on their cash flow once it reaches their Malaysia bank account is a lovely little bonus to boot, especially given the importance and recurring nature of these bank transfers.
Lifestyle Upgrade, Disposable Income Boost
In Johor Bahru, Oliver and Mia look forward to an expat-friendly lifestyle upgrade, with access to a wide range of amenities, recreational facilities and dining options. Indeed, Johor Bahru offers a balanced blend of relaxation and excitement, allowing the couple to enjoy contemporary conveniences and easy access to Singapore's world-class infrastructure and entertainment, given that the dynamic metropolis lies just a stone's throw away.
With their UK rental income, supplemented by the other monetary UK/Malaysia arbitrage tailwinds, they can afford a lifestyle that's sure to include domestic help, fine dining and membership at local clubs, in addition to regular trips to Malaysia's other neighbouring countries, all of which with so much to offer.
The natural beauty around Johor Bahru adds another layer of appeal. Malaysia is known for its pristine jungles, cooler highlands and breathtaking eastern coastline with stunning paradise islands peppered along this coast. And with all these attractions easily accessible, the couple can enjoy the many available leisure excursions as frequently as they desire.
In addition, they'll likely also revel in the tight-knit UK expat community in Johor Bahru, a great source of not just potential social contacts but of tips, suggestions and support too. Not to mention that having a few fellow Brits around, the ambiance, the camaraderie and the sense of humour, will do wonders for making you feel at home.
Speaking of home, regular flights between Kuala Lumpur and London means staying connected to loved ones in Blighty is simple. As a matter of fact, Oliver and Mia are aware that their life in Johor Bahru actually combines the best of both worlds—new adventures and cherished traditions.
Malaysia's Great Outdoors
With lovely weather year-round, Oliver and Mia can enjoy outdoor activities pretty much any time they like, from strolls along the beach to tee times at one of Johor Bahru's half a dozen renowned golf courses. Malaysia's growing economy has also seen substantial investment in infrastructure and amenities, including luxury shopping malls and fine dining establishments, as well as healthcare services.
In fact, healthcare, in particular, is high-quality yet affordable, making Malaysia an attractive destination for retirees from far and wide. As well as for Gen-X'ers and Millennials looking to maintain their well-being without budget-exceeding expenses. Clearly, Malaysia hasn't become one of Asia's medical tourism hubs without reason. Knowing that this aspect of life is unlikely to be an issue equals peace of mind.
Lastly, it's also good to know that the MM2H visa provides a good deal of flexibility. How so? Well, any newly-approved holder of the visa is allowed to rent a property for up to a year before having to go buy a home. This transition period can be used to explore and discover the various residential areas of interest, making it easier to come to an informed decision on where to settle.
Incidentally, another reason a relocation to Malaysia is relatively low-barrier is the way UK property owners can of, course, retain the security of their home. In the case of Oliver and Mia, knowing they'll always have their London place, not only as a great source of passive income, but as a backstop too. This provides the couple with additional peace of mind. Because, let's face it, at the end of the day, having the option to return to the UK whenever they want is always going to be quite reassuring.
Interested in finding out more about life in Malaysia and the MM2H visa? Click MM2H.co.uk for more details.