An American acquaintance, I once knew who had previously worked at the international school in Kuala Lumpur, comes to mind when I listen to your conversation with Allen and Paul. He not only adores Malaysia but has also blended in so well that we never even realised he was an outsider. He speaks Malay so effortlessly and with such a regional accent. At first, I was perplexed as to why an American like him would find Malaysia to be so appealing given many Malaysians themselves wish to immigrate to industrialised nations like America or Europe. He had a lot of Malay friends and appeared to be extremely content with the Malaysian way of life before deciding to wed a Malay. After their marriage produced two children, he has since passed away. I never thought of him as a foreigner. Many people were astounded to hear him speak to us in Malay because his proficiency in the language was ten times greater than some of the locals here. That's my old friend, an American who cherished Malaysia to the point that he ended his life here.
I wish more expats would learn to speak Malay and mingle with the average locals more... Not just the urbanites. And also for the locals to accommodate and encourage foreigners when they try to speak the local language, not simply diss their efforts and speak English right away.
@@Aeybiseediy -True. We never give foreigners the option to learn Malay or any other native language since the majority of us want to make communication easy in English especially for English-educated senior urbanites. For instance, English is not a language that the majority of people in Thailand can speak. If you were an expat, you would need to learn Thai to be able to speak with them and make sure your communications were understood.
As a Malaysian, I'm really happy that Ellen and Paul are living their lives to the best in Malaysia if compared to the US ! Yes, don't forget too, the many other fabulous beaches and mesmerizing islands, world-class dive sites, huge rainforests, three main different cultures with endless shopping malls in the country all for a steal if compared to Europe and the US. Oh, also the crazy gridlock in Kuala Lumpur city and its outskirts ! God bless you both.
Thanks for interviewing Ellen and Paul - such an interesting story they have! I hope Malaysia relaxes the MM2H rules because I'm ready to retire to Penang.
I wonder if the loopholes can be closed pertaining to abuse from a particular country. Thats what I read anyway which was why the rules became strict. A difficult situation yes especially when we are a small nation with little leverage. But with some brains, it could be solved i think. I have a friend who married a local and he was from Eastern Europe. He was complaining to me recently when he shared his experiences with our immigration. He was extremely upset relating to what he went through to get a PR status. I did some research, one of the reason why it was difficult is to protect locals especially ladies. There were many instances as soon as the foreigner got PR status, they divorced the local and brought in thier actual wives and families from abroad. I really hope so not.
I used to live in KL, Subang to be exact, for 37 years, but have moved to Ipoh recently, the hometown of the 2023 Oscar nominee Michelle Yeoh. Nevertheless, I still go to KL regularly, ETS for senior citizens is cheap & convenient. I'd visited NYC, LA, Paris, London, Belgium, Amsterdam, Istanbul, Tokyo, Auckland, etc.. but KL is still the best for recycled teenagers 😜.
Thank you, Andrew, for making Malaysia famous again and trending like she was before. I hope Malaysia relaxes and gives a little leeway for the MM2H rules. #DSAI #KDN #imigresenmalaysia
@douglastan7084; I am in Selangor, Shah Alam, right now and I encountered here a LOT of hateful and Prejudice and Racists MEN. I've been Targeted; Discriminated, and Verbally Abused by SECURTIY Guards here at the D'Sara Condominiums. A lot of Hate Looks and they have told me to "SHUT UP" and they told me "GO BACK TO YOUR ROOM" or "You Cannot be Here" And they told me to "GET OUT" of the Gym and the Pool. They follow Me Around and tell me to Go to My Room, but don't target Men and other people that they Can tell are from HERE; but Me the Target and the Discrimination is VERY EVIDENT. Much Hate Here.
Hello from CA & many thanks 4 amazing interview with expats(American retired teachers) loving their life in Malaysia and what's not 2love? More interviews, please! Living without a car reminds me of living in Tokyo, walk out of apt, ride and go! Wish i was there, until then, Selemat Hari Raya! Year of the rabbit, Chinese New Year, 2023!🐰
I am happy this couple decides to lives in Penang. Talking about California state where this couple comes from, California is really in sad condition. I won't go any further about this. Glad to meet this couple. Terima Kasih kerana memilih Malaysia as your home.
I am a Malaysian living out of Malaysia for the past 20+ years. *I came back as a tourist every other months....for food and 🍻. Thank you for the positives about Malaysia. Both of you are most welcome in Malaysia. God Bless U both abundantly.
I know of some Malaysians whose citizenship lapsed or was lostbecause they took another passport. Malaysia doesn't recognize dual citizenship so the only way to come back and live was generally either a long-term social visit pass sponsored by a relative or the MM2H pass. Some opted for the less expensive SMM2H.
@@gerrelldrawhorn8975 Yes... I fly back to Malaysia bimonthly...Thank you AirAsia for the dirt cheap air tickets. By the way it was then before COVID sets in...now the air ticket is ....
Malaysia had a turning point when we started Visit Malaysia Year in 1990. It was successful event and tourism has been one of Malaysia prime income ever since. From then on, infrastructure for tourism was well planned lead to MM2H program.
Ha! Yes, I was listening, Andy, and yes I’m really coming to Malaysia this year! As you know, unlike you, I’m NOT retired yet. But I’m gearing down and taking more time off. I can’t wait to see you and experience Malaysia, your beautiful new home! Love Liz 😊
Thank you Andrew for this video. This was a shock to see since I also was a Peace Corps volunteer in Malaysia from 1976 through 1979 and may have actually known both Paul and Ellen at that time. We may have been in the same group of teachers who trained in Malacca in 1976. Since you did not give Paul's surname and since the years have intervened to fog the memory I can not be sure if I know them or not. I do remember knowing an Ellen and a Paul. I actually traveled with Paul to Bali and Bangkok during my Peace Corps days. After the Peace Corps we lost touch. Since I am planning a upcoming trip to Malaysia during May and June I was wondering if is it possible to share some means for me to contact Paul if my visit takes me Penang way.
Excellent video, Taylor. It's really good to get an impression of the expat/retirement lifestyle on the coast in Penang and to hear how happy Ellen and Paul are living there.
i just realize some of the wonder art in this video is by you. Can you do a video of your amazing art. Its wonderful and i think would be so enjoyable!
Boy, Penang had that impact on me too. I was there for a solid month finishing up the MM2H process and I just loved the island. Add me as a mah jong partner, Taylor!!!!
An honest description of Malaysia and the changes and growing division between the West Coast and East Coast. This not so apparent in Sarawak and Sabah, thankfully. God bless and take care.
Sarawak is majority Christian and with a plurality of Dayaks @40%,with 30% Malay and 30% Chinese. So no one ethnic group can bully the other two. All have to work together to get anything done. Officials and minority politicians are generally averse to the politicization of religion and race to n politics and even have banned certain rabble rousers from entry...and restricted Malayan party politicians from entering during elections. Kids of all races go to the same schools, there is broad religious freedom, and most of dicussions are on topics like inefficiency and whether programs will actually help the people, not hate speech.
Nice to meet you Andrew. Just found your channel today and am looking to learn more about Malaysia. I'm not yet at retirement age, but I think it's good to get my thoughts in order and make a trip over. Friend's father worked for many years in Kuala Lumpur and he loved it. Thanks for sharing this video with us.
Thank you Taylor for sharing Ellen and Paul expats story. The apartment is so beautiful. Thank you for loving my country Malaysia. Hope you have a safe trip. 🙏
@@andrewtaylor4558 I am yr fan. I am a retired housewife. I would like to meet up with you with my husband one day to buy you roti canai if you allow me to. You reminded me of my brother in law. He is an English man from the UK. He also applied MM2H programme since 2008.
Another great video. Would love to see you interview your friend Jill. I'm in my early 50's and hope i can retire to Malaysia in the near future. Great content!
Hi Taylor, great video. We really liked hearing Ellen and Paul tell their story about coming to Malaysia. We are really enjoying your channel and videos and look forward to your future content. Talk to you later, bye!
One plus point living here I guess is so many countries are nearby to visit. You take a ferry and you are in Malaysia and so many places are nearby and not expensive to visit that’s the charm.
Hi Taylor, it’s good to see you posting again. A very interesting interview, I really enjoyed it. Can I say by way of hopefully constructive feedback, I did however, find the background music rather distracting and in my view not necessary. Keep up the good work, I look forward to the next one.
Just found your channel Andrew! I’m enjoying it immensely. We are Canadian, but my partner and I are exploring retirement options. Hoping that the visa situation improves by the time I hand in the company keys. Thanks for the lovely informative videos.
Veggies on Tour loved Terengganu and Kelantan and so did the Jetlag Warriors etc. In fact, Terengganu is Steve's, of the latter, favourite state. And the Swiss guy from Moonshine and Lemongrass was even treated to some rendang when he and his family went deep into the interior of I think Kuala Krai. Maybe the hostility is perceived?
Thanks for the interview Andrew. It’s good to be able to see Malaysia from a foreigner’s POV. As a Malaysian who has lived in Seattle since 1998, it helps gives me a better perspective of whether I should go back to Malaysia later. Who knows. I just might, but for now, I prefer to stay in Seattle because I prefer the cold and gray over sun and heat. Maybe I will change my mind as I get older.
TBH, because your skin is yellow, you will have a very tough time in Malaysia. Malaysia has become terribly racist since the time you left. You can always check with your relatives in MY.
I agree with them for traveling to USA and to these countries is a hell lot so overwhelming. One needs to take a stopover for some days and than moving further. I did this mistake flying straight to Singapore and I was sick for I was 2 nights on the plane, on my way back I stayed in Dubai for 4 or 5 days and literally enjoyed my Dubai visit too.
As a Malaysian, I hope ur gudself Mr. Andrew Taylor to initiate a club or association for those American's that already make Malaysia as their 2nd home. Thru the association American's who lived here can voice out ur opinion to the current government. Just my 2 cent.
Mr Taylor, could you recommend which parts of Penang where one can live without having a car yet able to take care all daily necessities,such as grocery shopping, eating out?
@@sueannetan4492 There are a few places. Near Straights Quay, Gurney Drive and around Queensbay Mall. I’m sure there are more like the historic parts of Georgetown but those are the main ones. 😊
Thanks for the great video. I plan to spend March 2024 in Penang to check out long-term possibilities. Would you mind sharing the name of the condo complex? Thanks!
