Kuching offers unlimited opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. This is the land of endangered proboscis monkeys, orangutans, the world's biggest flower, and the elusive hornbill. Some of the world's largest remaining virgin rainforests can be explored in the many national parks just a short distance from the city. However, this isn't about jungle living. Kuching is a pleasant and modern city. On your less adventurous days, you could relax on pristine beaches, be pampered in a spa, play a round of golf, watch the latest Hollywood films, or enjoy a day shopping at one of the many malls and specialty shops in the city.
The gilded cupolas of Kuching Mosque.The name Kuching is derived from the Malay word for "cat," and feline lovers will find themselves in good company here. The city is proud of its cat statues and cat museum and seems to have a certain lazy and content feline quality about it.But Borneo? Where in the world are we talking about? Kuching, the capital of the state of Sarawak, is situated very near the equator in the northwestern part of Malaysian Borneo, the third-largest island in the world. Sarawak is bordered on the south by the Indonesian state of West Kalimantan and on the east by the tiny oil-rich country of Brunei. The South China Sea lies directly to the north of Kuching. Sarawak, with a total population of about 2 million, is the largest in area of the 13 Malaysian states. It has 420 miles of coastline and an extremely rugged interior, much of which is still covered in primary rainforest.
Kuching itself, though, is a pretty city that presents a comfortable blend of neo-classical British colonial forts, museums, and government buildings, Chinese-style churches, shop-houses and temples, and unique Borneo-style arts and crafts. It's an eclectic mix.
One of the many things that make Malaysia in general such an appealing retirement option is its high standard of health care. Hospitals are well-equipped and modern, and most medical personnel speak fluent English. In addition, health care costs are very low, and the quality of care tends to be excellent. Since Malaysia does not have any medical schools, all physicians practicing medicine here have received their education abroad, mainly in the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the U.S. Health care is of such a high standard and so reasonably priced that Malaysia is one of the world's top medical tourism destinations, with visits growing at a rate of 30 percent annually.
Crime-wise, very little happens in Kuching. The risk of being a victim of a violent crime is almost nonexistent in Kuching, and acts of terrorism are extremely unlikely. According to the Global Peace Index, Malaysia is the 19th safest country in the world. (In comparison, the U.S. ranks 82nd in the same survey.)
Kuching has other attributes that make it a pleasant, comfortable, nice place to be. It is one of the cleanest cities in Malaysia and has been recognized by the United Nations, the Alliance for Healthy Cities, and the World Health Organization for this achievement. English speakers will have no problem communicating in Kuching, as English is an official language of Sarawak. Foreign home buyers enjoy special incentives with the My Second Home Program in Kuching and select other cities in the state of Sarawak, and are permitted to purchase property at a lower minimum investment than in any other state in Malaysia.
If living in a modern city in the heart of "wild" Borneo piques your imagination, you'll find that Kuching will exceed your expectations. Outdoor enthusiasts will delight in the pristine beaches, virgin jungles, and unparalleled exotic wildlife, as well as the opportunities for golf and hiking in the cool highlands. Retirees preferring city life will be heartened by plentiful shopping, museum hopping, and abundant culinary delights. Whether you prefer the cosmopolitan life or the great outdoors, you'll be immersed in the unique culture of this region, interacting with the indigenous community and gaining appreciation for the distinctive arts and traditions of a people found nowhere else in the world.
Kathleen Peddicord is the founder of the Live and Invest Overseas publishing group. With more than 25 years experience covering this beat, Kathleen reports daily on current opportunities for living, retiring, and investing overseas in her free e-letter. Her book, How To Retire Overseas--Everything You Need To Know To Live Well Abroad For Less, was recently released by Penguin Books.
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- 24users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down2users disliked this commentMichael A •
The most interesting retirement spot is the home you own...
2 Replies - 57users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down6users disliked this commentearlyere •
I've been to Borneo. What the article doesn't tell you is that it helps to be Muslim if you want to live there
11 Replies- 3users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down2users disliked this comment.
don't forget the bleeding of cattle to death at midnight in the road
and being stared at like you are from Mars
the lack of common grocery items you take for granted... More
- 7users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down0users disliked this commentfrufie •
It sounds wonderful & I have no doubt that it is. But it's on the equator & in a tropical zone.
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You don't mention the weather, but it is extremely humid there, hot, and many bugs. - 23users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down3users disliked this commentMotorhead •
Just watch out for the guys with machetes.
1 Reply - 25users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down0users disliked this commentFred •
NO PICTURES???
6 Replies
I've had the opportunity to be in Borneo and if you can forget the rat race we now know and live a modest lifestyle then you could make it. Your diet will change. You can never think that a foreigner will ever be totally trusted. They are good people and will accept you for... More- 16users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down8users disliked this commentTampa Tony
Yeah, ok. But what about liquor? Only muslims I saw drinking were Arabs in Detroit and Dearborn-that were Muslim Arabs, not Christian.
- 30users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down1users disliked this commentCharles •
Hey, go there first for several weeks at a time. Gotchas abound outside of dreamy Yahoo articles written by shut-ins.
Reply - 17users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down1users disliked this commentHabakkuk •
I've been there. It is mostly Muslim, but the article leaves this out. Be very careful if you want to move over there.
Reply - 8users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down0users disliked this commentjb •
"SECRET" NO MORE! I can't afford it anyway. What's "retirement"? I'll work until the day I die. R.I.P.=Retirement In Progress.
2 Replies - 33users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down5users disliked this comment2muchfreetime •
I've traveled the world, been to lots of wonderful places but you just can't beat the USA. There is a reason why so many are trying to come here rather than stay in their country. And so many of these “ex pat” communities are scams and full of escapism freaks.
5 Replies - 25users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down5users disliked this comment! •
I'd rather retire in a van down by the river then a Bacon fearing country.
2 Replies- 4users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down1users disliked this commentRick
No bacon fear there, had some great pork BBQ in Malaysia last time I was there
- 1users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down0users disliked this comment. •
vely cleep
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you rike
you buy... More - 7users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down0users disliked this commentKevin •
I', leaning towards Central or South America. I'm more in tune with the cuisine, like the culture (no place is perfect there are ups and downs even here at home in the USA) and I speak Spanish and have a Mexican wife. A temperate, semi tropical climate looks PDG to me.
Reply - 28users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down2users disliked this commentTim •
Dorothy said it best in "The Wizard of Oz" . "There's No Place Like Home".
6 Replies- 6users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down0users disliked this commentJ.
That's my breez way with a hammock and a good glass of Pinot Noir.
- 33users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down3users disliked this commentdiablodejalisco •
would a map be asking too much?
5 Replies - 0users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down0users disliked this commentGary T •
Notice how everywhere to retire in good shape is out of our country
Reply - 7users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down4users disliked this commentTom •
The place is rabidly MUSLIM! You would have to be out of your mind to live there!
4 Replies- 4users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down5users disliked this commentBill
Obviously, you are an uneducated ignorant American. Malaysia is a great country. Yes, the majority is Muslim but it is a democratic country with freedom to worship all religions. Malaysia is NOT the middle east or like any part of it. Their are tons of Christians worshiping in Malaysia... More
- 6users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down1users disliked this commentJack •
The question I have is if a guy works all his life to only be able to live on $600/mo in Borneo then why not move there as a young man when during your salad days you may have a hot at owning the place...
Reply - 8users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down3users disliked this commentjoe •
right in Malaysia, i think i'll go else where
Reply - 1users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down1users disliked this commentts •
felines, mmm, mmm, good. Do they still sell cats for food in the local markets? Those aren't statues they are signs for restaraunts.My retirement plans don't include being held for ransome or being washed away by a sunami.
Reply - 12users liked this commentPlease sign in to rate a Thumb UpPlease sign in to rate a Thumb Down4users disliked this commentlost boy •
"This is the land of endangered proboscis monkeys, orangutans,..." It's also the land of religious fanatics..Good luck with that and..Enjoy!
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