Malaysia continues to be a popular destination for expatriates looking to settle down or retire — thanks to the culture, affordable living expenses, and of course, the amazing food.
However, a recent viral post has sparked concerns among netizens. As more foreigners consider moving in, many are worried that this could lead to price hikes, especially in certain areas.
Aiming to save RM5.2 million for retirement
A screenshot of a post shared on X showed a foreign couple expressing interest in moving to Malaysia under the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme.
The couple, a 37-year-old Indian engineer and his wife, a lecturer, are hoping to retire in Malaysia by 2028 and sought financial advice from Malaysians online about the cost of living, property prices, and retirement planning.
In the post, the couple shared their fondness for Penang and Melaka, and said they plan to visit Kuching and Ipoh later this year to explore more options.
They currently have around RM3.3 million in savings (approximately USD 700,000) and are targeting RM4.7 million to RM5.2 million (around USD 1 million to USD 1.1 million) by 2028 to support their retirement in Malaysia.
Not looking for a lavish lifestyle
Their retirement plan includes living a comfortable lifestyle — possibly purchasing a condominium — and they wanted to know how much they would realistically need to achieve that.
They estimated a monthly expenditure of RM8,000, including housing, and asked netizens whether that would be sufficient.
The couple added that they aren’t looking for a lavish lifestyle — just good food and occasional travel would be enough to keep them happy.
Spark discussion among netizens
The post has since gained traction among Malaysian netizens, sparking a lively debate.
Some expressed concern that an influx of foreigners with higher purchasing power could drive up local property prices and rent, making it harder for locals to own or rent homes.
“LOL. Just the other day I was chatting with someone from India Mainland about retirement plans. He loves Malaysia. Not just him, but many from the US, UK, Australia, China, India — all want to retire here. They say it’s cheap and comfortable.
The problem is, when you retire here, you’re not contributing to GDP or the upskilling of our citizens.”
“House prices are getting more expensive, and while many people may qualify for housing loans, most Malaysians still can’t afford the repayments. At the same time, there’s an oversupply of high-rise buildings, but units priced under RM300,000 are often too small for larger families. Rent isn’t any better either, with rates continuing to climb. At this point, it’s hard to tell what direction Malaysia is heading in.”
However, not all responses were negative. Some netizens welcomed the couple’s interest, saying that foreign retirees could contribute positively to Malaysia’s economy through spending and investments, especially if they are buying high-value properties worth millions of ringgit.
“He’s coming here just to retire, but he’ll spend his money in Malaysia — our economy will benefit from his USD1 million savings.
You sell burgers, he buys burgers — he’s paying with his money. If he sets up a company, he still has to pay taxes.”
As Malaysia continues to promote itself as a retirement haven, discussions like this highlight both the opportunities and concerns that come with being a globally attractive destination.
Read the full post here:
Orang luar yang berkemampuan datang nak pencen comfortably here & yet some of us here nak mula hidup pon susah. https://t.co/gqXvFtHE18 pic.twitter.com/j6Fozo77VI
— Dibs (@adibhazlami) May 4, 2025
