Relocating to Malaysia with the MM2H visa has been an incredibly rewarding experience for us, a born and bred Singaporean family. To be sure, life in Singapore has its undeniable perks, but the fast-paced environment and ever-increasing cost of living made my wife and I consider a change. When we first learned about Malaysia My Second Home, more commonly known as MM2H, we were intrigued by the prospect of living in a more relaxed setting, with ample space, a lower cost of living and easy access to all the amenities we've grown accustomed to in Singapore.

The MM2H visa offered a pathway to experience a different lifestyle, one that balances modern comforts with a more languid, more peaceful way of life. JB, where we decided to settle, has been an absolute joy. The city offers a perfect blend of tradition and modernity, with beautiful colonial architecture, lively street markets and a food scene that rivals any other in Singapore. And let's not forget the beaches at Desaru; being able to take a short drive and find ourselves on a genuinely pristine, sandy shore is a luxury that's hard to come by in Singapore.

Purchasing Power Upgrade
Financially, the move made a lot of sense too. Like, a lot. As we all know, the cost of living in Malaysia is significantly lower than in Singapore, allowing us to stretch our income and enjoy a way more comfortable lifestyle than back across the Causeway. Take dining out in JB, for instance. It's much, much more affordable than in Singapore. And groceries, utilities and our club memberships come at a fraction of what we used to pay. Basically, the strength of the SGD against the Ringgit gives us a lot more bang for our buck.

The major pull factor for us was the real estate situation here. It's no secret that property prices in Singapore have been on a relentless upward trend for decades, making it difficult to find a spacious, affordable home. But in Malaysia, we purchased a beautiful, landed home, with a garden. Literally our dream home come true. And the housing market here also has fewer restrictions on foreign ownership, even for freehold!

International Schools
Education was another consideration for my family. JB offers a range of excellent international schools that follow the British curriculum, which was important for my children's continuity in education. The schools here are well-regarded and the fees are very reasonable, courtesy, again of the favourable exchange rate and the way lower living costs here. Anyway, bottom line, for me, the quality education here gives me peace of mind, knowing that my children are receiving a quality schooling.

Healthcare in Malaysia is also top-notch, with modern facilities and well-trained professionals. In fact, a good number of the hospitals are run and owned by Singapore medical groups, among them are Gleneagles Medini and Regency Specialist Hospital, each approved for CPF/Medisave. No wonder Malaysia's healthcare system is highly regarded internationally, along with Singapore's. Though of course price points in Malaysia are much lower.

Still, for all the goodness Malaysia offers, as a true-blue kiasu Singaporean, I still appreciate the proximity to home. Knowing that I can easily travel back to the old neighbourhood, especially once the RTS is completed, to catch up with my kaki or our relatives, made it a lot easier for us to commit to our new life. After all, we now get to enjoy the best of both worlds.

Application Process
The process of applying for MM2H was straightforward and the support I received from our MM2H agent made the experience smooth sailing pretty much throughout. And best of all, with MM2H, once approved, you get the flexibility to enter and leave Malaysia if and when you want, without worrying about the immigration official's discretion. It's basically free flow. Awesome!

But it gets better. Because what we didn't necessarily anticipate was the warmth and hospitality of the Malaysian people. The sense of community here is strong and we quickly found ourselves integrating into the local society. Additionally, the comprehensive expatriate community here in JB, including many Singaporeans who've made the move, provided a great support network whilst all of us settled into our new routines.

Best Decision
Truth be told, MM2H has given us the opportunity to enjoy the best of both Singapore and Malaysia, though at a fraction of the price. We get to live in a beautiful, affordable and spacious environment, whilst effectively still being right next door to Singapore. MM2H has really opened up a new chapter in our lives, one that's filled with comfort, convenience and lots of financial peace of mind. For any Singaporean considering a lifestyle boost, I can safely say that MM2H is definitely worth exploring.

Want more details on the pros and cons of MM2H, click MM2H for Singapore citizens.

By Jonathan Ling,
Singapore

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