Our Midlife Golden Visa Journey: MM2H, From Glasgow to Malaysia
My wife and I are in our mid-40s and, like many in the UK, we've started feeling the weight of uncertainty that seems to be hanging over the country. We're both born and raised in Glasgow and while we love our hometown, we're finding ourselves increasingly drawn to the idea of starting afresh somewhere new.
As it happens, we've done ok for ourselves, having managed to save up a decent amount. However, the constant worry about what's in store for us in the UK, both socially and fiscally, has prompted us to explore other options. In so doing, we came across the concept of Golden Visas. Apparently, ever since the pandemic, these have been gaining ever-more traction worldwide. But whereas most Golden Visas appear to be after the rich and famous, we found the one offered by Malaysia quite feasible. In fact, MM2H, as it's called, is now on top of our list.
Why MM2H is Ideal for Midlife Middle-Class
Malaysia My Second Home provides people like us with the unique opportunity to enjoy a higher standard of living in a country that's not only welcoming to foreigners, but also has a ton of other benefits on offer. For one, MM2H's financial benefits are substantial, especially considering the exchange rate between the two currencies. To wit, by converting our savings from pounds to ringgit, we effectively increase our spending power in Malaysia by fivefold! Clearly, this is an incredible windfall and it, in fact, allows us to live a lifestyle that would be very challenging to attain in Glasgow, if indeed it's possible at all.
In addition, the MM2H visa also provides excellent flexibility and security. It's valid for 10 years and is renewable, offering us a stable base from which to plan our new life. Better yet, for MM2H-holders, there's no taxes on foreign-sourced income, meaning we can finance our lifestyle in Malaysia by remitting UK rental proceeds and investments fixed-income sources, without incurring any tax hits once received in Malaysia. I think it's this that made us sit up and really feel we should commit to our Malaysia quest, for obvious reasons.
Embracing New Culture and Environment
But naturally, there's more than money matters. And the other thing that excites us about moving to Malaysia is the chance to experience a new culture. The country's rich history, diverse population and welcoming spirit are, without a doubt, rather appealing, too. Not to mention Malaysia's food scene. It's no secret that this is second to none, with an array of dishes that reflects its multicultural heritage.
Moreover, the tropical climate means no more Glasgow weather, which we think doesn't need any clarification. Instead, we can look forward to sunny days, plenty of outdoor activities and a generally more active lifestyle. Speaking of healthy lifestyle, Malaysia's healthcare system is affordable, yet highly regarded. So much so that, next to Singapore, the country has become South-East Asian second medical tourism hub. Obviously, in view of our age, this is very reassuring.
Community Waiting for Us
We've since also heard that there's a good-sized active British expat community in Malaysia, which is good to know, as we may be able to tap into their support during our first few months. After all, it's not unheard of to run into a few bumps during the transition phase. So yeah, it's comforting that there are others who've left the UK behind, taken the leap and are living it up in Malaysia. Anyway, courtesy of MM2H, Malaysia has become quite the cosmopolitan society. So from social clubs to professional networks, there's bound to be plenty of opportunities to meet new people, both from the UK elsewhere.
Bottom line, for us, the MM2H visa represents not just a visa, but a ticket to a new chapter in our lives. We're ready to take the plunge and make Malaysia our second home. If you're facing similar uncertainties about your future in the UK, perhaps you want to take a closer look at MM2H too.
By Errol Brown,
Glasgow
