A 30-Something Sheffield Couple's Expat Life in Malaysia

As a couple in our thirties, my wife and I have always had a passion for the outdoors. We're both teachers based in Sheffield and while we like our jobs and our life here, we've always dreamt of living somewhere tropical, a place where we can enjoy being outdoors more.

As it happens, the rising cost of living in Sheffield and the increasingly unpredictable weather have only strengthened our desire to move abroad. So when we heard about Golden Visas and Malaysia's MM2H Golden Visa, in particular, it seemed like the perfect exit strategy for us.

We have some savings, a fully paid-for house and a few fixed income investments that give us a steady income. Upon checking, it turns out that in Malaysia, with its much lower cost of living and very favourable exchange rate, these funds will go a lot further than here in Sheffield. In fact, miles further! And that's not even counting the tax breaks that MM2H-holders are entitled to!

With all these financial advantages, we found that we can afford quite a fancy lifestyle there—something that, obviously, would be next to impossible to achieve in Sheffield, even with our combined salaries.

Natural Beauty
But what also attracted us to Malaysia was its natural beauty and the wide range of outdoor activities available. From hiking in the Cameron Highlands to diving off Tioman Island, there's so much to see and so much to do. As avid hikers and nature enthusiasts, we can't wait to explore all that Malaysia has to offer. Oh, and the tropical climate is of course another huge plus. No more cold, rainy days stuck indoors, thank you...

But we're also drawn to the idea of immersing ourselves in a new culture. With Malaysia's rich history and diverse population there should always be something new to learn and experience. We're looking forward to trying out new foods, learning some Malay and making friends with people from all over the world. Knowing that Malaysia has traditionally had quite a large expat community is reassuring as well; it's good to know that there will be others who understand what it's like to move to a new country.

Game-Changer
Frankly, the MM2H visa has been a real game-changer for us. It allows us to hedge our bets by keeping our house in Sheffield, just in case we decide to return one day. But we're also able to fully commit to making Malaysia our new (second) home. I mean, the financial benefits are undeniable and we'll be able to live quite luxuriously.

While the decision to move halfway across the world isn't an easy one to take, we believe it's the right one for us. We're ready to embrace a new lifestyle, filled with a laid-back lifestyle, adventure and opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. Malaysia, here we come!

By Margaret and David Green,
Sheffield

If you want to read up on MM2H, visit MM2H.co.uk.