Why People Prefer Malaysia 🇲🇾(Kuala Lumpur) & Singapore 🇸🇬 Over Japan 🇯🇵 & South Korea 🇰🇷?

As you probably already noticed we LOVE Asia on this channel, so do many of our clients.
But we've noticed an interesting trend - more people are interested in relocating to Malaysia, in particular Kuala Lumpur & Singapore than in Japan and South Korea.

Southeast Asia seems way more popular among digital nomads and online entrepreneurs than northern countries.

But why is this? Why would people rather relocate to Singapore than to Tokyo?

Here is my take on it.
I personally love Japan! It's one of the best countries I've ever been to. I definitely recommend visiting Japan if you get the chance to do so. It's one of the most unique and beautiful places in the world. However, I'd never consider moving to Japan and there are several reasons why.

Firstly, it's the language barrier. Unlike Singapore and Malaysia, Japan is not a very English-friendly environment and you will certainly face some difficulties if you don't speak Japanese.
Needless to say, learning Japanese is extremely hard.
The same thing applies to South Korea. This is, in my opinion, the main reason why foreigners don't choose these two wonderful places to live.

Secondly, it's the culture and openness to foreigners. People in Japan are extremely polite to foreigners, however, you as a foreigner, even if you live in Japan for decades will never be considered Japanese.
You will not experience the same in Singapore which was built by many different nations and cultures. Your chances of fitting in are way better in Singapore than in Tokyo.

Malaysia and Singapore are quite welcoming to foreigners.

Another thing that might contribute to why people prefer to go south is the climate. In my opinion, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur have perfect weather!

What about taxes? Many people that contact us are taking taxes as an important consideration when deciding where to move.
Here again, Singapore and Malaysia win. You can have quite low taxes in both of these places, while not so much in Korea and Japan.

Who are we and what do we do?

We are Offshore Citizen team. We help people become global: get a second passport, set up a second residency, pay less taxes, do banking abroad, etc.

We have lots of interesting articles on different topics, we have relevant information up to date.

Author: Michael Rosmer

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[tlwvwuh]

Reasons why some Japaneses working in Malaysia :
• English widely spoken
• One season outfits
• Relaxed lifestyle & life balance
• No catastrophic events
• Beaches & nature
• Cheap

[justinfoard]

Kuala Lumpur to me is the most underrated city of the East. A 21st century pearl of the orient.

[semsem]

I have been living in Malaysia for the last five years and I’m in love with this country day after day. If only the government is more efficient and more aware of the huge potential of the country especially for tourism. Malaysia is definitely must be a global destination.

[dorothylim]

Many ppl prefer Malaysia as it offers affordable quality living for the family .. a slower relaxed homely lifestyle, wide variety of cuisines, tourist destinations .. KL, Penang, Malacca, Ipoh, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, great golf courses all over d country, hill n island resorts with super diving and scuba sites as well as affordable n spacious condos or bungalows... do come n see for yourself.. you will be spoilt for choices 😁🏝🏖🏞⛳

[brothersman]

Malaysia is the country that I would retire and live for many reasons: cost of living, amazing people, diverse culture, mainly English-speaking, good food but my main reason is because I am a Muslim from the UK and Malaysia is predominantly Muslim so that one of the main reasons but I would also don't mind living in Singapore. I love Japan but only to travel and not to live there. Never been to South Korea and I don't think that I'm interested in going there

[shaunpierce]

I'm desperate to visit Japan, I was supposed to be going there for my 55th birthday later this year but covid has screwed that up. As for Kuala Lumpur, I was there early last year and loved it so much that I'm planning to spend this coming winter there.

[gu]

Certainly valid points presented in the analogy Michael. I have been living in Kuala Lumpur for the past 14 years. Previously, 20 years in the UK and USA. Had the opportunity to travel extensively for the past 35 years.

I think sometimes the line becomes a blur because people get confused with, a) Settling down 'long term' and b) An interim stay eg as a visitor or for work. There are huge differences with both. When settling down on a more permanent basis, one have the time and luxury to observe not only the facade but the 'hairline' cracks and idiosyncrasies of that particular society and its governing body.

I concluded a good way to ascertain what makes a country 'livable' is by drafting out a 10 point chart (no more than that; as it can get murky and counter productive) of Crucial and Vital factors to the individual. For instance; weather, political climate, safety, affordability, culture, tax system, language, friendliness etc. If the chart weighs in favor of 7:10 and above, then BINGO, therein lies the answer. Different things appeal to different individuals and so there is no singular 'answer' I'm sure. As one gets older, (and hopefully more experienced in life) one soon realizes there is no PERFECT country in the world. Therefore the closest to that is one which suits our top 10 requirements.

Having said all that, in my experience, Kuala Lumpur is definitely one of the most affordable modern cities with good infrastructure to live in. Singapore share a lot of similar traits as KL (Kuala Lumpur) but due to its size, land are scarce and therefore it cost at least 3-4 times more to buy similar properties. Food isn't that much different in terms of cost in Singapore with the exception of high end eateries. Another advantage is that geographically, Malaysia share closer proximity to that of many South East Asian countries and definitely cheaper to fly out from by comparison with Singapore. English is widely spoken in both cities and certainly one of the top requirements for many people contemplating a move.

One other point which tip the scale in favor of Kuala Lumpur (and Malaysia as a country) is the MM2H (Malaysia My Second Home) program offered by the government for retirees from abroad. (At the moment the program is on hold pending some restructuring). Under this program, all income derived from outside the country is tax exempt. A very straight forward and uncomplicated program where all the requirements are clearly spelled out.

I have toyed with the idea of perhaps moving back to the UK or USA but the longer I live in Kuala Lumpur, the more convinced I am the plus points far outstrip any of the flaws. Hopefully my take on the city helps.

[heesingsia]

The temperature here in Malaysia is one of the main reasons Japanese and Koreans move here. Because it's sorta stable so you don't get ill easily due to the change in seasons

[eeteetravelfreely]

From Malaysia with ❤️.4 place u can stay in comfortable 1 KL 2 Penang 3 Ipoh 4 Johor.. you find this place easy n economy..Et.

[hero]

Kuala Lumpur is definitely got that warm and cozy city vibes

[ckck]

I live in Malaysia, on the East Coast, cheap and relaxing. Prior to Covid, travelled often to Singapore, Japan and Korea for holidays. It's the best arrangement.

[muhammadhafiz]

I'm from Malaysia.. we have so many variety in cultures, foods and places to visit even we just a small country.. some said Malaysia is truly Asia..

[novayu]

KL is the place to be... better than anywhere else in the world...

[carbonerd]

Simply, living cost in Malaysia is so cheap especially if you compare to other places like Tokyo and Singapore which are some of the highest living cost countries in the world. That’s always one of the main reasons.

[ltchuan]

Somehow agree with your points. My one word summary on the cities i have lived before

Singapore - Efficient
Tokyo - Tiring
Seoul - Old rude drunken man (sorry)
Amsterdam - Happy retirement
Kuala Lumpur - Friendly

[dbrown]

Two very good points. Having lived in both Malaysia and Singapore I hadn’t even considered them as both countries make it so easy. When I saw the title of the video I immediately thought climate, cost of living and diversity (a big part of which is food!)

[cliffm]

Your point of never being Japanese is very true, though Japan is IMHO one of the best countries in the world. Singapore is good but very expensive, KL is a great city, cheap to live there, but Malaysia has been closed for the last 1 1/2 years due to covid and here seems to be no timeline for when the country will be open.

[ridzwanwahid]

KL is one of my favourite cities.I don't find KL boring unlike some people.

[ismylifbrahim]

Yes, every state has benefits and drawbacks; nothing is perfect. For me, Malaysia has it all: modern city, wonderful island, jungle, mountain, and a diverse culture.

[Catspat]

I lived in Japan for 4 years and loved it but I totally agree with your thesis.