A New Beginning in Malaysia with MM2H: A Recently-Wed Birmingham Couple's Journey

As a couple in our mid-20s, my wife and I have found ourselves increasingly stretched by the ever-rising cost of living in Birmingham. With heating bills sure to be skyrocketing further the rest of the year and groceries taking a bigger bite out of our budget every month, we started to question if there could be a more enjoyable way to live, perhaps outside of the UK. We read about the so-called Golden Visas, but it seemed they mostly target the well-to-do. That is, until we came across Malaysia's Golden Visa offering: MM2H.

To be honest, we've never been averse to trying our luck overseas, but Malaysia's MM2H visa seemed just about a perfect opportunity. For us, Malaysia represents a chance to break away from the daily grind in Birmingham, a chance to experience life in a tropical paradise, whilst still being able to secure a financial future for ourselves. And whilst we may not have kids yet, we do still spend a lot of time thinking and talking about our future and what kind of life we want to create for ourselves and our kids.

Financial Benefits of MM2H for Young Couples
For us, one of the most appealing aspects of the MM2H visa is the financial advantages it provides MM2H-holders with. Given the current state of the pound sterling to Malaysian ringgit exchange rate, our savings are effectively multiplied by a factor of 5! Clearly, that equates to a massive gain in purchasing power once we're there. Add to that, the tax-exempt status of remittances from the UK to Malaysia and Malaysia's lower cost of living and it's easy to see that we'd enhance our quality of life, by a few notches, in fact. We'd leapfrog from a state of financial strain to living the lives of expats!

In a nutshell, living in Malaysia means we can afford a lifestyle that would be nearly impossible in Birmingham. In Malaysia, overheads like rent, utilities and daily expenses are a fraction of what we're paying in the UK now. Not only would we truly enjoy life as young expats, but we'd also save more and still be able to invest in new experiences.

Now, all this probably sounds a little bit too good be true. It did for us. And of course, you do need some kind of income stream, in Pounds, to be able to make it work for you. But once you have decent cash flow, as well as some savings to get you going, MM2H's provisions and Malaysia's Pound/Ringgit arbitrage opportunity will do the rest.

Lifestyle and Comfort
Beyond the financial benefits, there's the promise of a lifestyle reboot too. Malaysia offers lovely sunny weather all year round, something that's clearly not the case in our neck of the woods. So that's a feature we'd enjoy immensely. And we're both foodies too; as such, the idea of living in a country that's famous for its diverse and delicious cuisine is really rather appealing as well.

Meanwhile, the people of Malaysia are known for their friendliness and hospitality, which makes the idea of settling there even more inviting. Better yet, there's a significant expat community there as well, including many like-minded Brits, some of whom would hopefully be able to offer advice if we ever find ourselves in need of some.

Smooth Transition to New Life
For most of us, relocating abroad is a big decision. But truth be told, we feel that Malaysia's MM2H makes it quite a bit easier. Along with above monetary benefits, MM2H includes a 10-year renewable visa, which, as far as we're concerned covers any uncertainties about continuity going forward. The way we see it, MM2H offers a level of comfort and security that, frankly, is hard to resist.

Ultimately, the MM2H visa gives us the chance to start afresh, explore new opportunities and build a life that's not just about making ends meet, but about truly about thriving. And this is why we've just gone ahead and started the MM2H application procedure. With a bit of luck, we'll be in Malaysia by the end of the year. Excited : )

For any young couples, who are similarly feeling the pinch in the UK, we think MM2H is worth considering. Malaysia might be just the solution you're looking for.

Want to check MM2H out? Visit the MM2H.co.uk website.

By Laurence and Jane Bailey,
Birmingham