New Zeander retired in Malaysia for warm weather and low cost of living

Ten years ago, the Tozeur generation mobilized her bags, said goodbye to her daughters, and moved alone to Penang, a state in the northwestern part of Malaysia.

Former physical therapy specialist, Tozeur was born in New Zealand. She lived in Craysherch for years, In a four -bedroom house I rented. She lived with one of her daughters and friend. Her other daughter was far from the university.

In 2011, the earthquake decreased many of the city of Craysherch to the rubble. Tozeur’s works were also affected.

“I have been at a crossroads since the earthquakes have finished what I was trying to prepare at that time,” Tozeur, 68, told Business Insider.

She said, “The numbers are silent and thought, is it better to stay in New Zealand and pay ridiculous amounts for rent, or unable to get a good -wage job, or come to Malaysia and live the investment income? I thought I might be better at here.”

The idea of ​​retirement in Malaysia was in its mind for years.

Tozur was there before to visit her friends, and she was eager to return every time she returned from her trips.

“I will return to New Zealand, I think,” Oh, Oh, said, “Oh, Heather and John John are still sitting on their balcony, as they were sunset every night of the year.” I am inside, gathered next to the fire, freezes. ”So I thought, yes, I would like to give it.”

Forgotten apartment with sea view

Tozeur had moved outside once before – to Canada – when she was in her twenties.

However, it was frightening to do this again. This time, this also meant her two adult daughters left behind.

“But my older daughter said,” My mother, just go for three months, and if you don’t like it, I go home and look at her as if I had spent a good vacation for three months. “I thought this is a good way to look at it.

“But after 10 years, I am still here,” she added.

The hunting of the apartment was smooth. Within a week of arrival in Malaysia, Tuzar found an apartment suitable for all its requirements.

“I found an agent, and I spent only two days taking me,” Tozeur said.

After watching about eight different units, a three -bedroom apartment in Tanjung Tokong decided, alive near the Penang capital, George Town.

It has an area of ​​1,200 square feet, with a small balcony and two additional bedrooms for her daughters or friends to stay when they visit. The rent is 2000 Ringgit Malaysian, or about 450 dollars, per month.

She got the sea view that she wanted, and the closest grocery store is five minutes.

Life is slower, but with “a lot” to do it

Tozor in Malaysia, the second Betty, or MM2H, a visa, which was presented in 2002 to attract foreigners who want to retire and live in the country.

There were 58,468 holders of active MM2H passes in the country as of December, the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture in Malaysia, Tying King said in A, in A. Parliamentary response on February 24.

For Tozer, the climate was one of the largest privileges to live in Malaysia.

“The main reason that makes me here is the weather. I never love to be cold,” Tozeur said. “I would like to be able to leave my doors and open windows day and night. I would like to be able to swim at any time I want.”

It also says that society was comprehensive and welcome.

“In New Zealand, as in many western countries, the elderly are almost uninterrupted, but here you get more respect. People are really nice with you, they notice you, and they want to help you,” Tozeur said.

Tozeur said that the low cost of living helps. Monthly living expenses, including bills and food, are often less than 4000 Malaysian Rangeette. This does not include additions, such as travel expenses if you decide to make a trip a place.

“The food for me is very cheap. I do not eat meat, dairy, cheese, or anything like that imported and expensive,” said Tozeur, adding that she eats three or four times a week.

Her life here is much slower than she was, partly because she is completely retired. However, she says that there is a “lot” of things to do that keeps you busy.

She said, “Yoga, swimming. Play Mahmoud. Play a bridge. There is a lot to do.” “It is very good to be able to meet people without the need for anxiety,” Oh my God, how much will this cost? “

Although she did not know anyone in Penang when she first arrived, it was not difficult to find her community.

She joined the EXPAT Facebook groups and started attending the Meteups hosted by member colleagues. She is still friendly to some of the people you met in her first event.

Determine the next

While MM2H made Malaysia an attractive place for expatriates, the latest al -Qaeda changes, which were announced in 2024, included tougher financial requirements.

There are now three different categories of the visa. Depending on the visa category they apply for, applicants must have fixed deposits between 150,000 dollars and $ 1 million and also buy property in Malaysia.

Tozer is not the renewal of its visa for another for another years, but it says that it will be when you start thinking if she wants to return to New Zealand.

“I am not sure at this stage. In the end, I may need my children near. It only depends on what is happening,” said Tozeur.

She said that her time in Malaysia was fulfilling, and moving to a new country alone is not scary as one might think.

“One of the reasons that came to me here, especially to Malaysia, is that she is safe. For a single woman, this is a very big consideration,” Tozeur said. “There are many places that I will not move on alone, but Malaysia, no problem.”

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