Best Asia destinations and retirement locations? Other Malaysian possibilities for retirees: Kuala Lumpur, the bustling capital, and Johor Bahru, a city that, according to Lonely Planet, has been replanted and repaved and is being “rebranded.” Plus, the cost of living is low. No need to feel like a “walking wallet” in George Town or the rest of Malaysia; foreigners pay the same prices as locals for goods and services. A 900-square-foot apartment in an “expensive” part of George Town will cost about $480 per month; to hire someone to help keep the apartment clean will cost under $4 an hour. Just a few notches below Malaysia on the Live & Invest Overseas list is Thailand, at No.9. In addition to a low cost of living, Thailand boasts “some of the best beaches in the world, lush mountains and jungles, a laid-back, welcoming culture and a foreigner-friendly infrastructure,” according to Peddicord.
One of the most sacred attractions in Vietnam is the Cao Dai Temple, which was constructed in the 1930s. Caodaism is a uniquely Vietnamese religion that is influenced by elements of Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism and even Roman Catholicism. In the main building of the Cao Dai Temple, there are four prayers conducted daily, and visitors can watch or even participate in the ceremonies. In addition to the temple, which boasts beautiful murals, the complex is home to many additional residences, administrative buildings and even a hospital.
Ang Thong National Marine Park is a pristine archipelago of 42 islands in the Gulf of Thailand with towering limestone mountains, thick jungle, white-sand beaches, fertile mangroves, waterfalls and hidden coves and lakes to explore. Within sight of Koh Samui, Ang Thong park is a protected area of more than 100sqkm of land and sea, and home to a rich variety of exotic wildlife and sea creatures. See additional info on Retirement Villages in Philippines.
If you’ve just got off the plane, don’t have to leave the airport just yet! Entertain yourself at the latest lifestyle concept, Jewel Changi Airport. This majestic dome is home to over 280 dining and retail outlets, with some open around the clock – think dining at ungodly hours at American fast-food chain A&W or food court Five Spice, or killing a couple of hours with a movie at 24-hour Shaw Theatres. You can also catch the hourly light and sound show at the HSBC Rain Vortex, the mall’s 40m-tall indoor waterfall, from 7.30pm to midnight.
What is a retirement village? Unlike in a care home, retirement village residents can buy an apartment on the site, can partly-buy, or even rent the property for a few months. Residents can bring their own furniture, decorate as they wish, and are free to have friends and family come to stay. This way, your friends & family can enjoy a ‘resort like’ vacation at your village. Find even more info on http://www.retirementvillages.asia/.