Malaysia is a lovely place, the only draw back for us, is the tropical climate - someone described it as similar to Florida. English is widely spoken as it was British Malaya until the 1950s, so the legal and commercial services are based on British law, etc. People are very friendly, and it is safe. Outside KL, there's Ipoh, Penang, Malacca etc. - KL airport is a central regional hub to southeast Asia, Australia and beyond. Daily flights to London, Portugal, Amsterdam etc
Check out Malaysia! It's really a fantastic option and you don't have to boil Malaysia down to KL alone. We'd like move to Penang. We almost did once. - Josh & Kalie
talking about malaysia..this is a coincidence!! i am half portuguese half malaysian.. portugal is my country but malaysia is always in my heart 🥰 i have many relatives in malaysia, some are muslim, christian, hindu, buddhist and we speak many languages👍
Kuala Lumpur was not originally built to abide by any form of structure, traffic wise. The locals know of this wayyyy back. However, they have made great leaps in terms of accessibility in which one could enter and exit the city limits easily with proper journey planning. Putrajaya and Cyberjaya, as well as several other upcoming mega cities in Malaysia, on the other hand, are planned well and very structured.
Malaysia is a former British colony and ever since independence Malaysian economy has always been highly reliant on Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), just like Singapore. To remain competitive at attracting foreign investments English proficiency has always been pushed hard by the government. The level of English that was taught in Malaysia is significantly higher than most Asian countries.
Medical Tourism is a thing here in Malaysia. Many foreigners come to Malaysia for Medical Care and surgeries - Low Cost, even Singaporeans come over for Medical Care. Very high quality private medical healthcare.
Josh, should your dad & step mom wanted to experience water bungalows again in Malaysia, aside from the ones in PD and Sepang, check out the ones in Pangkor like Pangkor Laut Resort and in Langkawi like Berjaya Resorts. There are many other options around the other tropical islands in Malaysia.
Sorry to hear about the rude treatment you guys experienced at KLIA, and also the about the car accident. Actually, there are lots of places that serves pork in KL, Penang etc. The Chinese restaurant that you guys visited could probably be a certified Halal, permissible for Muslim, otherwise, the operator wouldn't have removed any pork items in the menu.
Hello. Regularly watch your TH-cam channel. I have been living in the Algarve for a year. Have often been to Malaysia. Regularly for a few months. Although I like the Portuguese very much and the country is beautiful. Malaysia is my preference. It is very comfortable and affordable. The different cultures and food also appeal to me. Portugal has become more expensive rapidly after covid. Portugal also remains a developing country in Europe and is not as modern as Malaysia. Living in Portugal means losing out on that. I like being in Kl. It is not as chaotic as Bangkok but livelier, more affordable and more comfortable than the Algarve, Lisbon and Porto.
Hi, thank you. I'm not sure but it seems like it's your first comment! Thanks for commenting. Yea, we agree with a lot you say here. The lifestyle between KL and a variety of cities in Portugal are totally different! It can be compared of course but at the end of the day, a lot would come down to preference. Kalie and I think that if we lived in KL that we'd likely end up spending about the same amount per month. We look forward to seeing you in the next episode next week when we talk about Singapore! - Josh (& Kalie)
Absolutely! English has become even more common since our last visit. Regarding the accent, the thing that blew us away is that we didn't struggle with it but my parents did a bit. :-) We hadn't considered it to be much of a thing until seeing their interactions. We're used to the accent since we lived in Singapore. - Josh & Kalie
Malaysia offers a unique blend of cultural diversity and affordability, making it a popular destination for many. Food and Drink: - Most Chinese eateries serve pork, readily available due to local pig farms. Beef is also widely available. - Alcohol tends to be expensive, reflecting the country's conservative nature. - Food and gas prices are extremely affordable. Lifestyle: - Malaysia is a conservative country, making it a suitable environment for family life. - Healthcare is excellent, providing quality medical services. - Transportation is good, with the government continuously improving infrastructure. Geography and Culture: - The weather is hot and humid. - English is spoken to a certain degree, facilitating communication. - Malaysia is a multiracial country with a rich cultural tapestry. - The country is divided into West and East Malaysia, with East Malaysia comprising Sabah and Sarawak, also known as Borneo. Overall: While Malaysia offers numerous advantages, like any place, it also has its drawbacks. It's important to consider both the pros and cons before making any decisions. Welcome to Malaysia.
For me the changes in the MM2h / SMM2H programmes have made Malaysia (my first choice) completely unaffordable. Portugal is still possible on a UK state pension although rents look quite expensive.
Yeah, you're right. A lot of people have said that. I remember where I was when I saw the change and new price. I did a double take reading the news! - Josh (& Kalie)
My 70 yo English neighbour is on state security and doing visa run since the 80s. He's here in Penang and sending money to his wife and daughters in Indonesia all on that state security. It's illegal though but been okay for decades
Google visa requirements for Sabah or Sarawak (East Malaysia). The criteria for a long term visa is more affordable than West Malaysia (where Kuala Lumpur is). Obtaining a visa from either entitles you to also live or visit West Malaysia. You only need to live in Sarawak or Sabah full time for 30 days within a year period (I believe). Hope this helps.
@@stevenhull5025That depends...Sarawak still has a fairly high foreign income/pensio/foreign savings requirement while MM2H has dropped this but put in a mandatory property purchase requirement (with a ten year required ownership period). Sara ak also just upped their Fixed Deposit requirement to RM half-million. I expect many retirees on fixed incomes may run off to The Philippines or Thailand, or even Vietnam or Cambodia.
I'm an American retiree now 7 years in Kuching, Sarawak on the Sarawak MM2H. There's also a Sabah MM2H so one should definitely understand that the programs vary by State ( it has to do with the fact that Malaysia formed as a confederation from four culturally and politically different states. The Islamic aspects are less prominent in Sarawak and Sabah. So you can get both domestic pork and wild boar (which is a staple in traditional diets). Christianity is actually the majority faith in Sarawak and Sabah. And these two regions are much more forested and water oriented...if you want to stay in water village resorts, dive, or kayak. There's even .mountain climbing and caving. Teh tarik is pulled coffee or tea, and Sarawak and Sabah have started commercialising their Liberica coffee which is definitely distinct from Starbucks and most world brands (Arabica beans). Lots of tropical fruits and juices. The Malay, Indonesian, Chinese food influence is pretty big in Sarawak with some Philippine influences in Sabah. But you are unlikely to find the distinct Dayak (local hill tribe) foods and influences in the Peninsula of Malaysia. Lots of sea food, as well. Anthony Bourdain loved the Sarawak Laksa dubbing it the "breakfast of the gods". Watch his two programs about his visits. Kuching is now a UNESCO Gastro city. In most of Malaysia they now require the purchase of a property to get a long-term MM2H visa. But Sarawak MM2H does require that...simply a 30 day visit/year. You can travel to, but not reside in, West Malaysia. The big recent change is the requirement of a Fixed Deposit in a local bank of the equivalent of $118,000. It's a ten year visa with an intermediate check. You can purchase property (either landed or strata) in Malaysia. But, as mentioned, Sarawak is the only version of MM2H visa that doesn't MANDATE purchase, or even renting. So for nomadic travellers that can be a big plus. So a lot of short term renter's are common expats. But some do purchase property and they can withdraw up to 50% of the Fixed Deposit for that. One can also withdraw funds for car, school fees, or medical expenses. If you do purchase landed property there's a minimum of Rm600K ($140,000) for foreign buyers -but there's no floor for Strata Property purchases. I gave up my Medicare Plan B due to the uselessness abroad of Medicare. But as you mentioned the quality and cost of healthcare in Sarawak is commensurate with the Peninsula. So everything is over-the-counter, but for MM2H those under 50 must buy a basic insurance plan. Waived for those over 50. They do expect a checkup but only exclude those with communicable diseases or indicia of drug usage (so clean up if you are a marijuana user). Sarawak has four international schools. And education is one of the areas that Sarawak allows expats on SMM2H to work part time in. The other areas are Medical, Banking/Securities, and Manufacturing. One can also invest in a business, but only as a silent partner with a Sarawakian. For more info go to the government website www.mtcp.sarawak.gov.my and click on the "For Public" draw down menu. Since these are new requirements click cj on the banner about the new updates ("Enhancements"). Sarawak has lower street crime than West Malaysia. I think motorcycle theft is the number one crime and sadly family violence the #1 violent crime. The biggest safety risk is motorcycle accidents.
I am christian widow, turning 50 next year, having 3 children under 11. I am looking at Sarawak. Any particular schools you recommend? How is medical in Kuching? I have daughter with Pacs1.
Great breakdown guys....Kiwi (NZ) here, just applied for MM2H (malay residency) have home in Nazare pt...but Malaysia works better for me being close to family etc in NZ.. two great countries regardless
Thank you! Nice to hear from you!! Yeah, you've got the opposite issue most North Americans do (geographically). We appreciate your comment. Agreed, both great countries. - Josh & Kalie
Great comparison ..... I've lived in malaysia and region many years and now many years in lisbon Portugal where am currently ... only disadvantages are suprerhot climate, mm2h visa more expensive and difficult to switch to perm resid which is far easier in Portugal plus public transport far better in Portugal
Actually, you still can find many restaurants western, Korea, Japanese, Thai restaurants serve variety of pork dishes pork burger, roast, grill, bbq port cost around usd 3- 10. The famous Chinese dish pork call Bak Kut Teh in Malaysia. 2 vision of Din Tai Fung restaurants halal pork free and non halal serve pork. May try to find chatgpt too
@@ExpatsEverywherePodcast yeah i am gonna have to call you out on that one. I think you got a bad driver but majority of Malaysians do wear seatbelts 99% of the time. I mean i cant even remember a single instance of a Malaysian driver not wearing their seat belt.
We didn't say that drivers didn't in this comment but we literally had a driver say not to worry about it when one of us couldn't get the belt on. - Josh & Kalie
Hey glad you came visit Malaysia. Btw the Chinese eat pork as staple right here in Malaysia. You need to go to Chinese restaurants or Chinese kopitiam (coffee shop) and there's lots of cafesrestaurants where you can have bacon n egg breakfasts or or all day big breakfass with bacon pork sausages etc. Not to mention bak kut teh, a meal with pork spare ribs as main dish.
I HV lived in the US, I agree with you that the road in the city is quite chaotic while in the US it's squares and quite easy to get around. But I do find Malaysian drivers are very patience and motorcyclist are wiser these days. No honking unnecessary unlike other Asian drivers
Pork products in malaysia you can find them easily...just go to the non halal section in every supermarket especially in chinese, expats residential area......also there are so many restaurants that sells pork , even din tai fung have a non halal branch here, in pavilion i think...
I'm seriously surprised you discounted KL as place to live based on the main airport not having family friendly lines and the pricing structure of a single airline. KL airport has for more routes than probably Lisbon and Porto combined - larger more extensive facilities and more options to get into their respective cities. I'm surprised no one mentioned the heat and humidity?
@@ExpatsEverywherePodcast just be aware that school in malaysia tends to copy the chinese model...sit and rote learning. Choose carefully or homeschool
@@RC-ik8iphuh…my kids attend international schools, they have flourished and love the school. The amount if curticular activities and support from teachers are incredible.
Yea! That's true! Good call. DTF are in malls though so we'd still likely need Singapore for the good pork buns but yes, we did have pork dishes in other places. :-) - Josh & Kalie
@@ExpatsEverywherePodcast DTF in Malaysia offered 2 different type of restaurant, halal(no pork) and non halal (pork) most branches in KL city are halal.
Now, in view of forest city opening up and being a duty free zone...would you consider JB to stay in Malaysia? And since you hate KLIA you can fly off from Singapore there....
Did Forest City open?! Wow, that's cool. We saw that project from the planning days and it seemed unreal. Not sure, you know the magic of Singapore for us was the community that we had there. Let's see. - Josh & Kalie
Welcome to Malaysia! We not only welcomes Christisn Ronaldo but everyone elso. Under the government Second Home Program, anyone interested..pls come n settled here in Malaysia..TQ guys..good job..
*Welcome to Malaysia truly Asia good foods beach jungle other's Malaysia centre off Asean region, eazy to go anywhere Thailand Philippines Vietnam China Indonesia Australia, it's safe for family's holiday's single girl woman's holiday here's olso can try cendol durian fruit Musang King Malaysia it's delicious too 🇲🇾*
Coz malaysia is islamic country mostly malay.. so yea pork is not in every shop.. but actually its easy.. u have to go to chinese restaurant or stall.. or even foodcourt.. u will find it there anywhere in malaysia.. and yes halal restaurants we have the most but non halal restaurants we have alots too.. u just need to find any chinese restaurant mostly.. coz i think this is first time i hear that people say hard to find pork 😂 i think u need to know where to get it.. but as long as i know yea we are muslim friendly country the most but at the same time not so hard to find pork.. u can search it online if youre dont want to walk around.. and vegetarian we hve too yea but not so many.. normally indian would sell it.. not MAMAK restaurant.. thats different.. but i think so far we have it all.. u just need to dig a bit.. google it or if u want it delivery we have food panda or grabfood where u can see the menu and what type of restaurant
Safety Wing is also very Not Easy to cancel. They automatically renew you each month several days before the end of the month charging you early. If I paid for a monthly plan, why can't I cancel on the 29th of the month for the following month? Nope! I am charged on the 27th before I even have the chance to cancel...
Their policies renew every 28 days so I don't believe it's a "monthly" plan. We had a really easy time cancelling. You were charged on the 27th day because of the 28 day rolling policy I guess. - Josh & Kalie
If u say traffic in malaysia is bad u should try indonesia or india..crazy driving complete wt nonstop honking...singapore u cant even buy car! And bak kut teh pork soup originates in malaysia so weird if u say hard to find pork when chinese malaysians made up 2nd largest citizen..din tai fung has no pork branch and regular branches serving pork and where do u think singapore got their pork supplies?
So true! Indonesia and India are WILD! Egypt is crazy too. LOL You're right on purchasing in Singapore. First, it's the car price and then you've gotta pay for the plate! Yikes. We were more commenting on the options in the restaurants we had been to on this trip when we were in malls. Which is why I kind of corrected Kalie when she was talking about no pork. :-) - Josh & Kalie
We've been to Serani! We went before moving to Portugal and were blown away by the connections. We've gotta make it back to Malacca. Thanks for the message. - Josh & Kalie
@ExpatsEverywherePodcast Serani is the name of that group of people, not a place mind you haha. The place is called Kampung Portuguese as in Portuguese Village.
Sorry, nothing current. We haven't visited Thailand since 2019 so we haven't created anything new. We'd like to visit again. Having a 4 year old makes traveling intercontinentally more challenging. :-) - Josh & Kalie
It appears you dont understand the budget airline business model... Also as far as I know, no Asian Budget airlines have beaten up their passengers and then carrier them off the plane unconscious and bleeding unlike in the US
We get it but we can also challenge it. Regarding the second part of your comment, the comparison isn't the US here, it's Europe namely Portugal. - Josh & Kalie
The thing is, some people are looking at places in Europe (like Portugal) but maybe they could keep looking further East. Both have nice local populations, lower cost of living compared to North America, and both are culturally rich countries. - Josh & Kalie
Interesting views on KL. As far as I know, Malaysia is not an Islamic country. However, the religion of Islam is practised by 60% of the Malaysian population. There are plenty of restaurants which serve pork. There are also “halal” (pork free) and “non-halal” Ding Tai Fung in KL. You probably went to one that’s halal. KL is also known to expats as a place with many lovely cafes serving fantastic & quality coffees. I personally find the coffees in KL great! Re airports, you mentioned Tony Fernandez, then you were referring to Terminal 2, KLIA2 (more for domestic flights)? I can’t help but compare that to many airports in USA and other countries…. Do you really think it’s abysmal? Having said that, I do think KLIA 1 & 2 can be improved, that’s for sure!
Regarding the food, yes, that's why I attempted to gently correct Kalie when she made that observation. It was narrow to where we went to eat and found several Halal restaurants. Thanks for the comment. - Josh
Great video. Keep showing more options to the north americans besides Portugal. Don't get me wrong, but that type of immigration and hardcore tourism, has ruined the country for the natives. People from rich countries state that Portugal has become more expensive, but that's not only on you (the immigrants and the tourists).. the government should've refrained a bit regarding who they let in the country.
Hi Filipe, thanks for the comment. We definitely are getting back to the origin of ExpatsEverywhere and we're excited about it. While we have commentary on what you said, it's really hard to capture it in a quick post comment. :-) We appreciate thoughtful viewers like you. Keep helping us build this community. Thanks for the support. - Josh & Kalie
Have you guys been to Vietnam or Thailand? I think you guys just talking nonsense you live in Malaysia and you still don't know much about the country!
Yes, we've been in Vietnam and Thailand although it's been quite some time now since we've visited. We haven't lived in Malaysia. We've just visited a bit since we lived in Singapore. - Josh & Kalie
Malaysia may be better on taxes but they (like Panama and other nations) don't recognize gay marriage and have systemic financial discrimination against gay couples. I'd rather pay more in taxes.
Ughhh these Americans clearly had been brainwashed by Singaporeans to talk so negatively about Malaysia, love Andrew from Nomad Capitalist but he attracted these kind of people to visit Malaysia and we don’t like it….. this is a waste of my time
We spoke rather glowingly of Malaysia! We really, really like it. Not sure what gave you a different impression. Not everything can be a "pro", places have "cons" too. - Josh & Kalie
I keep hearing amazing things about Malaysia. Thanks for your insight. I lived in Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, and England. I'm done with Europe.
Malaysia is a lovely place, the only draw back for us, is the tropical climate - someone described it as similar to Florida. English is widely spoken as it was British Malaya until the 1950s, so the legal and commercial services are based on British law, etc. People are very friendly, and it is safe. Outside KL, there's Ipoh, Penang, Malacca etc. - KL airport is a central regional hub to southeast Asia, Australia and beyond. Daily flights to London, Portugal, Amsterdam etc
Check out Malaysia! It's really a fantastic option and you don't have to boil Malaysia down to KL alone. We'd like move to Penang. We almost did once. - Josh & Kalie
talking about malaysia..this is a coincidence!! i am half portuguese half malaysian.. portugal is my country but malaysia is always in my heart 🥰 i have many relatives in malaysia, some are muslim, christian, hindu, buddhist and we speak many languages👍
That's awesome! Tell us more!! Where do you live in Portugal?! - Josh & Kalie
@ I live in the West Lisbon..have you ever been there? right now I'm in Malaysia visiting my grandparents and relatives.
@@audreyDsouza we are currently in Setubal.
@@tinglestingles setubal is not far from lisbon just next to it..
@ we regularly travel there by uber, bus or train
Kuala Lumpur was not originally built to abide by any form of structure, traffic wise. The locals know of this wayyyy back. However, they have made great leaps in terms of accessibility in which one could enter and exit the city limits easily with proper journey planning. Putrajaya and Cyberjaya, as well as several other upcoming mega cities in Malaysia, on the other hand, are planned well and very structured.
Malaysia is a former British colony and ever since independence Malaysian economy has always been highly reliant on Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), just like Singapore. To remain competitive at attracting foreign investments English proficiency has always been pushed hard by the government. The level of English that was taught in Malaysia is significantly higher than most Asian countries.
LETS MOVE TO MALAYSIA =)
Medical Tourism is a thing here in Malaysia. Many foreigners come to Malaysia for Medical Care and surgeries - Low Cost, even Singaporeans come over for Medical Care. Very high quality private medical healthcare.
True true. - Josh & Kalie
Thank you for this wonderful interview with Josh & Kalie, if I'm not mistaken, have been living in Porto, Portugal for several years now.
Josh, should your dad & step mom wanted to experience water bungalows again in Malaysia, aside from the ones in PD and Sepang, check out the ones in Pangkor like Pangkor Laut Resort and in Langkawi like Berjaya Resorts. There are many other options around the other tropical islands in Malaysia.
Sorry to hear about the rude treatment you guys experienced at KLIA, and also the about the car accident. Actually, there are lots of places that serves pork in KL, Penang etc. The Chinese restaurant that you guys visited could probably be a certified Halal, permissible for Muslim, otherwise, the operator wouldn't have removed any pork items in the menu.
Hi Yasin! Great to see you on this channel. :-)
@ExpatsEverywherePodcast Hi there you guys. Hope that you guys are doing great in Portugal. 😁
Hello. Regularly watch your TH-cam channel. I have been living in the Algarve for a year. Have often been to Malaysia. Regularly for a few months. Although I like the Portuguese very much and the country is beautiful. Malaysia is my preference. It is very comfortable and affordable. The different cultures and food also appeal to me. Portugal has become more expensive rapidly after covid. Portugal also remains a developing country in Europe and is not as modern as Malaysia. Living in Portugal means losing out on that. I like being in Kl. It is not as chaotic as Bangkok but livelier, more affordable and more comfortable than the Algarve, Lisbon and Porto.
Hi, thank you. I'm not sure but it seems like it's your first comment! Thanks for commenting. Yea, we agree with a lot you say here. The lifestyle between KL and a variety of cities in Portugal are totally different! It can be compared of course but at the end of the day, a lot would come down to preference. Kalie and I think that if we lived in KL that we'd likely end up spending about the same amount per month.
We look forward to seeing you in the next episode next week when we talk about Singapore! - Josh (& Kalie)
We have just received our MM2H visa and visiting to pick it up next month. Always good to have options with the end of our NHR coming in a few years.
Congrats! It's a good idea. - Josh & Kalie
Selamat Datang ke Malaysia
@@zafir7007 Thank you very much!
@@ExpatsEverywherePodcast The process of picking up the MM2H visa was 100x easier than dealing with SEF/AIMA. Totally different experience.
The fact that we speak English is a bonus despite the accent
Absolutely! English has become even more common since our last visit. Regarding the accent, the thing that blew us away is that we didn't struggle with it but my parents did a bit. :-) We hadn't considered it to be much of a thing until seeing their interactions. We're used to the accent since we lived in Singapore. - Josh & Kalie
@@ExpatsEverywherePodcastfor sure, the accent would throw anyone off. There's Manglish, Singlish, and everything in between 😊
Malaysia offers a unique blend of cultural diversity and affordability, making it a popular destination for many.
Food and Drink:
- Most Chinese eateries serve pork, readily available due to local pig farms. Beef is also widely available.
- Alcohol tends to be expensive, reflecting the country's conservative nature.
- Food and gas prices are extremely affordable.
Lifestyle:
- Malaysia is a conservative country, making it a suitable environment for family life.
- Healthcare is excellent, providing quality medical services.
- Transportation is good, with the government continuously improving infrastructure.
Geography and Culture:
- The weather is hot and humid.
- English is spoken to a certain degree, facilitating communication.
- Malaysia is a multiracial country with a rich cultural tapestry.
- The country is divided into West and East Malaysia, with East Malaysia comprising Sabah and Sarawak, also known as Borneo.
Overall:
While Malaysia offers numerous advantages, like any place, it also has its drawbacks. It's important to consider both the pros and cons before making any decisions. Welcome to Malaysia.
Love this comment! Great contribution here!! Thank you. - Josh & Kalie
For me the changes in the MM2h / SMM2H programmes have made Malaysia (my first choice) completely unaffordable. Portugal is still possible on a UK state pension although rents look quite expensive.
Yeah, you're right. A lot of people have said that. I remember where I was when I saw the change and new price. I did a double take reading the news! - Josh (& Kalie)
My 70 yo English neighbour is on state security and doing visa run since the 80s. He's here in Penang and sending money to his wife and daughters in Indonesia all on that state security. It's illegal though but been okay for decades
Google visa requirements for Sabah or Sarawak (East Malaysia). The criteria for a long term visa is more affordable than West Malaysia (where Kuala Lumpur is). Obtaining a visa from either entitles you to also live or visit West Malaysia. You only need to live in Sarawak or Sabah full time for 30 days within a year period (I believe). Hope this helps.
@@stevenhull5025That depends...Sarawak still has a fairly high foreign income/pensio/foreign savings requirement while MM2H has dropped this but put in a mandatory property purchase requirement (with a ten year required ownership period). Sara ak also just upped their Fixed Deposit requirement to RM half-million.
I expect many retirees on fixed incomes may run off to The Philippines or Thailand, or even Vietnam or Cambodia.
I'm an American retiree now 7 years in Kuching, Sarawak on the Sarawak MM2H. There's also a Sabah MM2H so one should definitely understand that the programs vary by State ( it has to do with the fact that Malaysia formed as a confederation from four culturally and politically different states. The Islamic aspects are less prominent in Sarawak and Sabah. So you can get both domestic pork and wild boar (which is a staple in traditional diets). Christianity is actually the majority faith in Sarawak and Sabah. And these two regions are much more forested and water oriented...if you want to stay in water village resorts, dive, or kayak. There's even .mountain climbing and caving.
Teh tarik is pulled coffee or tea, and Sarawak and Sabah have started commercialising their Liberica coffee which is definitely distinct from Starbucks and most world brands (Arabica beans). Lots of tropical fruits and juices. The Malay, Indonesian, Chinese food influence is pretty big in Sarawak with some Philippine influences in Sabah. But you are unlikely to find the distinct Dayak (local hill tribe) foods and influences in the Peninsula of Malaysia. Lots of sea food, as well. Anthony Bourdain loved the Sarawak Laksa dubbing it the "breakfast of the gods". Watch his two programs about his visits. Kuching is now a UNESCO Gastro city.
In most of Malaysia they now require the purchase of a property to get a long-term MM2H visa. But Sarawak MM2H does require that...simply a 30 day visit/year. You can travel to, but not reside in, West Malaysia. The big recent change is the requirement of a Fixed Deposit in a local bank of the equivalent of $118,000. It's a ten year visa with an intermediate check. You can purchase property (either landed or strata) in Malaysia. But, as mentioned, Sarawak is the only version of MM2H visa that doesn't MANDATE purchase, or even renting. So for nomadic travellers that can be a big plus. So a lot of short term renter's are common expats. But some do purchase property and they can withdraw up to 50% of the Fixed Deposit for that. One can also withdraw funds for car, school fees, or medical expenses.
If you do purchase landed property there's a minimum of Rm600K ($140,000) for foreign buyers -but there's no floor for Strata Property purchases.
I gave up my Medicare Plan B due to the uselessness abroad of Medicare. But as you mentioned the quality and cost of healthcare in Sarawak is commensurate with the Peninsula. So everything is over-the-counter, but for MM2H those under 50 must buy a basic insurance plan. Waived for those over 50. They do expect a checkup but only exclude those with communicable diseases or indicia of drug usage (so clean up if you are a marijuana user).
Sarawak has four international schools. And education is one of the areas that Sarawak allows expats on SMM2H to work part time in. The other areas are Medical, Banking/Securities, and Manufacturing. One can also invest in a business, but only as a silent partner with a Sarawakian.
For more info go to the government website www.mtcp.sarawak.gov.my and click on the "For Public" draw down menu. Since these are new requirements click cj on the banner about the new updates ("Enhancements").
Sarawak has lower street crime than West Malaysia. I think motorcycle theft is the number one crime and sadly family violence the #1 violent crime. The biggest safety risk is motorcycle accidents.
awesome info thankyou
I am christian widow, turning 50 next year, having 3 children under 11. I am looking at Sarawak. Any particular schools you recommend? How is medical in Kuching? I have daughter with Pacs1.
Great breakdown guys....Kiwi (NZ) here, just applied for MM2H (malay residency) have home in Nazare pt...but Malaysia works better for me being close to family etc in NZ.. two great countries regardless
Thank you! Nice to hear from you!! Yeah, you've got the opposite issue most North Americans do (geographically). We appreciate your comment. Agreed, both great countries. - Josh & Kalie
Great comparison ..... I've lived in malaysia and region many years and now many years in lisbon Portugal where am currently ... only disadvantages are suprerhot climate, mm2h visa more expensive and difficult to switch to perm resid which is far easier in Portugal plus public transport far better in Portugal
Portuguese in Malacca come start years from 1511
Yup! Thanks for the comment. - Josh & Kalie
Actually, you still can find many restaurants western, Korea, Japanese, Thai restaurants serve variety of pork dishes pork burger, roast, grill, bbq port cost around usd 3- 10. The famous Chinese dish pork call Bak Kut Teh in Malaysia. 2 vision of Din Tai Fung restaurants halal pork free and non halal serve pork. May try to find chatgpt too
Yeah, it's true. Kalie was more commenting on the area where we were and it was indeed Halal. - Josh & Kalie
In Malaysia all car drivers and passengers are required by law to wear seat belts. There are stiff penalties for anyone caught not wearing seat belts.
In practice, not everyone was wearing their seatbelt. - Josh & Kalie
@@ExpatsEverywherePodcastnot true. Every driver puts on theirbseat belts. Theres no question of that
@@ExpatsEverywherePodcast yeah i am gonna have to call you out on that one. I think you got a bad driver but majority of Malaysians do wear seatbelts 99% of the time. I mean i cant even remember a single instance of a Malaysian driver not wearing their seat belt.
We didn't say that drivers didn't in this comment but we literally had a driver say not to worry about it when one of us couldn't get the belt on. - Josh & Kalie
Hey glad you came visit Malaysia. Btw the Chinese eat pork as staple right here in Malaysia. You need to go to Chinese restaurants or Chinese kopitiam (coffee shop) and there's lots of cafesrestaurants where you can have bacon n egg breakfasts or or all day big breakfass with bacon pork sausages etc. Not to mention bak kut teh, a meal with pork spare ribs as main dish.
I HV lived in the US, I agree with you that the road in the city is quite chaotic while in the US it's squares and quite easy to get around. But I do find Malaysian drivers are very patience and motorcyclist are wiser these days. No honking unnecessary unlike other Asian drivers
Yes! You're right. Drivers all seem to get "it". People are really polite. Even that wreck we were in, everyone stayed really calm. - Josh & Kalie
Pork products in malaysia you can find them easily...just go to the non halal section in every supermarket especially in chinese, expats residential area......also there are so many restaurants that sells pork , even din tai fung have a non halal branch here, in pavilion i think...
I'm seriously surprised you discounted KL as place to live based on the main airport not having family friendly lines and the pricing structure of a single airline. KL airport has for more routes than probably Lisbon and Porto combined - larger more extensive facilities and more options to get into their respective cities. I'm surprised no one mentioned the heat and humidity?
Ah no, it was more a frustration that it wasn't more like Changi. :-) We actually like Penang better than KL. - Josh & Kalie
If u go to semporna Sabah there alot of water banglo .u can swim .u will have fun water clear u can see fishes swim around the water banglo .
It's time to enroll your kids in an international school in Kuala Lumpur.
:-) Not just yet! She's only 4 - Josh & Kalie
@@ExpatsEverywherePodcast just be aware that school in malaysia tends to copy the chinese model...sit and rote learning. Choose carefully or homeschool
@@RC-ik8iphuh…my kids attend international schools, they have flourished and love the school. The amount if curticular activities and support from teachers are incredible.
@@hagridlemonhead611 do you mind sharing which ones, as I have heard opposite...and schooling so expensive to get sub-standard education
@@RC-ik8ip I will send it to you through email due to privacy for my family. Hope that's okay.
If u guys into pork stuffs, they are around mostly in Chinese areas. Shopping mall restaurants it has to be halal because to cater for those Malays.
Agreed, we had pork many times - also alcohol, which is also prohibited for Muslims to consume.
Yea! That's true! Good call. DTF are in malls though so we'd still likely need Singapore for the good pork buns but yes, we did have pork dishes in other places. :-) - Josh & Kalie
@@ExpatsEverywherePodcast DTF in Malaysia offered 2 different type of restaurant, halal(no pork) and non halal (pork) most branches in KL city are halal.
not just Malays but muslim. Malaysia wants to use Halal industry as our main market bcs its growing.
Now, in view of forest city opening up and being a duty free zone...would you consider JB to stay in Malaysia? And since you hate KLIA you can fly off from Singapore there....
Did Forest City open?! Wow, that's cool. We saw that project from the planning days and it seemed unreal. Not sure, you know the magic of Singapore for us was the community that we had there. Let's see. - Josh & Kalie
People shld know our long term visa have 3 regions.
Peninsula
Borneo sabah
Borneo sarawak
Different
We are in Sarawark next month - love Kuching!
Good point! - Josh & Kalie
Welcome to Malaysia! We not only welcomes Christisn Ronaldo but everyone elso. Under the government Second Home Program, anyone interested..pls come n settled here in Malaysia..TQ guys..good job..
Guys, have been to Indonesia or Vietnam and experience the traffic
So true! Those places are wild! Or the motos of Kaohsiung. :-) - Josh & Kalie
*Welcome to Malaysia truly Asia good foods beach jungle other's Malaysia centre off Asean region, eazy to go anywhere Thailand Philippines Vietnam China Indonesia Australia, it's safe for family's holiday's single girl woman's holiday here's olso can try cendol durian fruit Musang King Malaysia it's delicious too 🇲🇾*
Coz malaysia is islamic country mostly malay.. so yea pork is not in every shop.. but actually its easy.. u have to go to chinese restaurant or stall.. or even foodcourt.. u will find it there anywhere in malaysia.. and yes halal restaurants we have the most but non halal restaurants we have alots too.. u just need to find any chinese restaurant mostly.. coz i think this is first time i hear that people say hard to find pork 😂 i think u need to know where to get it.. but as long as i know yea we are muslim friendly country the most but at the same time not so hard to find pork.. u can search it online if youre dont want to walk around.. and vegetarian we hve too yea but not so many.. normally indian would sell it.. not MAMAK restaurant.. thats different.. but i think so far we have it all.. u just need to dig a bit.. google it or if u want it delivery we have food panda or grabfood where u can see the menu and what type of restaurant
Safety Wing is also very Not Easy to cancel. They automatically renew you each month several days before the end of the month charging you early. If I paid for a monthly plan, why can't I cancel on the 29th of the month for the following month? Nope! I am charged on the 27th before I even have the chance to cancel...
Their policies renew every 28 days so I don't believe it's a "monthly" plan. We had a really easy time cancelling. You were charged on the 27th day because of the 28 day rolling policy I guess. - Josh & Kalie
Malaysian passport could never be a 2nd passport....we do not practice dual citizenship
Good point. - Josh & Kalie
Coffee is a religion in Vietnam
Cool. - Josh & Kalie
Could you share the link to the overwater bungalows in Malaysia?
Sure! www.avanihotels.com/en/sepang?GoogleMyBusiness&GMB&Sepang&Home&Google_GMB
You can also watch vlogger 'our tiny adventure'. They recently went to the water bungalow.
If u say traffic in malaysia is bad u should try indonesia or india..crazy driving complete wt nonstop honking...singapore u cant even buy car! And bak kut teh pork soup originates in malaysia so weird if u say hard to find pork when chinese malaysians made up 2nd largest citizen..din tai fung has no pork branch and regular branches serving pork and where do u think singapore got their pork supplies?
So true! Indonesia and India are WILD! Egypt is crazy too. LOL You're right on purchasing in Singapore. First, it's the car price and then you've gotta pay for the plate! Yikes. We were more commenting on the options in the restaurants we had been to on this trip when we were in malls. Which is why I kind of corrected Kalie when she was talking about no pork. :-) - Josh & Kalie
Bacons is not that popular in Malaysia that is the reason you do not find it easily in KL
Good call. - Josh & Kalie
If you go to Malacca, there is Portuguese village. Blending with locals, they are called "Serani"
We've been to Serani! We went before moving to Portugal and were blown away by the connections. We've gotta make it back to Malacca. Thanks for the message. - Josh & Kalie
@ExpatsEverywherePodcast Serani is the name of that group of people, not a place mind you haha. The place is called Kampung Portuguese as in Portuguese Village.
C’mon…you have to explain the pineapple thing at Mercadona.
www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8rx2xvj237o Here ya go! :-) - Josh & Kalie
Got any episodes related to Thailand?
Sorry, nothing current. We haven't visited Thailand since 2019 so we haven't created anything new. We'd like to visit again. Having a 4 year old makes traveling intercontinentally more challenging. :-) - Josh & Kalie
It appears you dont understand the budget airline business model...
Also as far as I know, no Asian Budget airlines have beaten up their passengers and then carrier them off the plane unconscious and bleeding unlike in the US
We get it but we can also challenge it.
Regarding the second part of your comment, the comparison isn't the US here, it's Europe namely Portugal. - Josh & Kalie
Malaysia has no freedom like Portugal though
No, Malaysia is not. They both have a totally different climate, food and vibes.
The thing is, some people are looking at places in Europe (like Portugal) but maybe they could keep looking further East. Both have nice local populations, lower cost of living compared to North America, and both are culturally rich countries. - Josh & Kalie
Interesting views on KL. As far as I know, Malaysia is not an Islamic country. However, the religion of Islam is practised by 60% of the Malaysian population. There are plenty of restaurants which serve pork. There are also “halal” (pork free) and “non-halal” Ding Tai Fung in KL. You probably went to one that’s halal. KL is also known to expats as a place with many lovely cafes serving fantastic & quality coffees. I personally find the coffees in KL great! Re airports, you mentioned Tony Fernandez, then you were referring to Terminal 2, KLIA2 (more for domestic flights)? I can’t help but compare that to many airports in USA and other countries…. Do you really think it’s abysmal? Having said that, I do think KLIA 1 & 2 can be improved, that’s for sure!
Regarding the food, yes, that's why I attempted to gently correct Kalie when she made that observation. It was narrow to where we went to eat and found several Halal restaurants. Thanks for the comment. - Josh
Great video. Keep showing more options to the north americans besides Portugal. Don't get me wrong, but that type of immigration and hardcore tourism, has ruined the country for the natives. People from rich countries state that Portugal has become more expensive, but that's not only on you (the immigrants and the tourists).. the government should've refrained a bit regarding who they let in the country.
Hi Filipe, thanks for the comment. We definitely are getting back to the origin of ExpatsEverywhere and we're excited about it. While we have commentary on what you said, it's really hard to capture it in a quick post comment. :-) We appreciate thoughtful viewers like you. Keep helping us build this community. Thanks for the support. - Josh & Kalie
Ask the local Malaysian non-muslim to recommend pork-based restaurants.
if you wont survive driving in Malaysia. its mean other Asian country will be a lot harder for you.
Agreed! :-) Except Singapore.
Chaos , hello have you been to NYC? I will literally die
Yes, a lot chaos, although a more familiar chaos. - Josh & Kalie
Have you guys been to Vietnam or Thailand? I think you guys just talking nonsense you live in Malaysia and you still don't know much about the country!
Yes, we've been in Vietnam and Thailand although it's been quite some time now since we've visited. We haven't lived in Malaysia. We've just visited a bit since we lived in Singapore. - Josh & Kalie
Malaysia may be better on taxes but they (like Panama and other nations) don't recognize gay marriage and have systemic financial discrimination against gay couples. I'd rather pay more in taxes.
It's a predominantly Muslim country, of course immoral act publicly frown upon.
That's fair, Chuck. - Josh & Kalie
*The question is.... WHERE IS MALAYSIA...???*
True…where is malaysia?
😊
Right in between Singapore and Thailand
It’s a tropical country. So it must be in the tropical forest, right? Ability to climb tree is a must.
@@tg988 all trees have elevators and high level walkways in Malaysia.
:-) Southeast Asia. Is that the answer you're looking for? - Josh & Kalie
Ughhh these Americans clearly had been brainwashed by Singaporeans to talk so negatively about Malaysia, love Andrew from Nomad Capitalist but he attracted these kind of people to visit Malaysia and we don’t like it….. this is a waste of my time
We spoke rather glowingly of Malaysia! We really, really like it. Not sure what gave you a different impression. Not everything can be a "pro", places have "cons" too. - Josh & Kalie