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Why do Expats Live in Langkawi, Malaysia

Langkawi has become very popular over the recent years for a place to live for many expats. There are many reasons and vary from person to person. the underlining main features is casual, relaxed and affordable living when compared to most cultures that Expats originate from.

Location.

Langkawi is the most northerly island in Malaysian peninsular. It sits on the border between Malaysia & Thailand which is only a couple of miles from its beaches. 
It sits strategically between Penang Island on the West Coast of Malaysia and the popular holiday destinations of Phuket and Krabi in Southern Thailand.  Koh Lipi island resort is only a short ferry trip away.

Langkawi is an easy and convenient stepping of point to northern Malaysia or Southern Thailand. The recent additions over the last 3 years of Vehicle ferries has greatly enhanced vehicle access to/from the mainland and into Thialand. It takes only 40 minutes to be crossing the Malaysia/Thai border from Kuala Perlis, where the vehicle ferries all dock on the mainland.

Climate.

Situated only 6 degrees North Latitude, Langkawi has a truly tropical climate. The seasons are clearly divided into a wet and dry season. Rarely does rain last the entire day. The majority of rain comes in the form of passing thunderstorms. These thunderstorms are majestic to watch as they build over the Andaman Sea. It is rare to have the entire island under rain. Mostly the thunderstorms effect only small parts to the island at any one time. If it is the northern beaches are affected, then the southern beaches will be fine and clear or vice versa.

Easy Access.

AIR:                             Langkawi is a short 55min flight from Kuala Lumpur. It is serviced many times daily by Malaysian Airlines, Air Asia, Malindo Air, Tiger Air, Silk Air and  Firelfy Airlines. Recently direct flights from ????China with ??? airlines has commenced. Direct links to KL, Singapore, Penang and now direct China to ????

Ferry Services.       Ferry links from the main ferry terminal in Kuah link Penang, Alor Star, Kuala Perlis, and link Thailand via the ports of Satun and Koh Lipi.

Vehicle:                   The island is serviced by two  Roll-on/Roll-off Ferry companies. These take all varieties of vehicles from expensive luxury cars, average sedans to trucks and motorcycles allowing you to drive across to or from the  mainland. The Vehicle ferries all run between Kuala Perlis and Langkawi Sea port. From Kuala Perlis it is a short drive to the main highway which will take you south to Butterworth/Penang/Kuala Lumpur or north to Thailand in just 45 min. Enjoy the leisurely 2hr ride through the 99 islands which make up Langkawi enroute to the mainland.

Why do Expats like living on Langkawi?

LifeStyle:        Langkawi is many things to many people. Some like it purely for its laid back, relaxed atmosphere. Others, its natural beauty which has made it a UNESCO world recognized Geopark. Some like it's excellent golf courses which attract many international visitors as well. The eclectic mix of many different nationalities all wanting to  “opt” out of their home countries for many reasons. Some find the relaxed lifestyle of the quaint little bars with live music a welcome break from the rat race. Some like the beach side bars where you can partake in a cool evening drink with their feet in the sand while there children race around on the beach as the  magical sunsets unfold while they relax without the fear of being molested by touters so common through the rest of Asia.

Many come to retire. Many also come to use it a central base from which to commute to global locations for fly-in/fly-out style of work activities. The location of Langkawi and Malaysia makes it an excellent, centrally located location with easy access to the rest of the world for those who still need to have easy access to the mainstream world. With its very modest cost of living coupled with unique lifestyle, it is an ideal base for world-wide shift workers and families. Away from the rat race of many cities but with quick and easy access to centers such as Penang, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore from where you can easily springboard to ANY other global location.

Rural Outlook. 

Langkawi still has very much a rural charm of old Asia. The buffalo and chickens still have run of the local roads & laneways. The roads are lined with shady Teak, Rain Trees, Rubber and tropical timbers providing year round shade and cooling. The emerald green of newly shooting rice fields and farmers who tend these year round. 

Activities:

Sailing -                     Annual Langkawi Sailing Regatta is held each year by the Langkawi Yacht Club. A very popular international sailing regatta.  Three main marinas with many safe and secure anchorages tucked away throughout the Islands offering safe and protected anchorage.for yachts of all sizes and an ideal base to explore the Andaman Sea and all the protected islands it has to offer. Enjoy the wonderful Langkawi sunset from a relaxing evening sunset cruise on one of the many cruising yachts operating on Langkawi, complete with wonderful fresh food buffets, bar and fun.

Water Sports -        As diverse activities as parasailing, jet skiing (no licenses required),  snorkelling, scuba and of course fishing. Long Boats are available as well offering group or individual charter to take visitors to the many islands and beaches Langkawi has to offer.

Aerial Activities:    Parachuting, Power Parachute tours along Pantai Cenang, Helicopter Scenic tours of Langkawi and surrounding islands. The Cable car ride to the top of Gunung Machinchang.

Eco Tours :              Take in the Natural Beauty, Natural waterfalls, streams and swimming holes that Langkawi has to offer. The  natural habitat sight seeing in the many natural jungle streams & waterfalls, Mangrove Tours, Jungle Tours & mountain tours of Gunung Rayer and Gunung Machinchang , Wildlife spotting such as the Giant Squirrel, Giant Horn Bill, Sea Eagles, Maqauc and Dusky Leaf Monkeys. The unique Flying Lemur which is difficult to see but frequents the forests and rubber plantations. 

Photography:         Langkawi's natural beauty is very popular for photographers to take advantage of the natural setting that it offers. There are several organised eco-tour organisations which specialise on maximising the photographic opportunities. Or you can simply explore yourself in the rich tropical jungle slopes, mountains, streams and waterfalls which abound.

Adventure Sports: Motor bike riding - Relax on Hire-a-Harley...or just a simple Scooter.  For the more serious minded and adventurous  take in Jungle-covered, Mountain Ridge and Rubber plantain tours off-road riding  in the lush tropical jungle hillsides around Langkawi where few tourist get to see.

Experience the newly added activity of Zip Lining through the tree tops and take in the magnificent view of the Seven Wells Waterfalls from a unique aerial perspective.

Relaxed white sand Beaches: Beaches with no touters
LIMA. Biannual International Air show displaying the latest in military and civilian maritime and aviation producst available in
Iron Man event

Duty Free

Langkawi is one of the few Duty Free status provinces in Malaysia. Cigarettes and Alcohol in particular are very cheap…much cheaper than traditional Duty Free outlets at airports and other recognized tourist spots. There is a very wide selection of spirits, beers & wines from all over the world available on Langkawi at very cheap truly duty free prices. 

MM2H

Make Malaysia your Second Home has a 10year Long term Visa program designed to attract Expats to relocate to Malaysia for a long term stay. They in particular are very attractive for Expats who wish to retire or perhaps work globally and require a secure, centrally located and affordable place to base their family out of and tour to/from their place of work..

Property

Malaysia is one of the few, if not the only Asian country that allows Expats to own truly freehold land/houses/villas. The majority of Asian countries have all sorts of restrictions, pit falls and traps which increase the risk of ownership markedly. Most require that a local is involved in the ownership through some mechanism or another. This may be in the form of a spouse from that particular nationality. Or a company structure which involves a person of that particular nationality being the major or even sole owner of the title with an contractual agreement between the National and Expat to give the Expat use of that land ….leaving the Expat running a high risk of exposure to loosing everything should relations with the particular individual turn sour. There are many examples seen of such incidences of this in the past and heard of many more throughout the region. It also happens here in Malaysia should you enter into deals for Malay Reserve or Bumi land. The only truly safe title of ownership in Malaysia for and Expat is for Non-Malay Freehold land. On Langkawi, this is exceptionally rare.

Apartments: Titles for Apartments are touted as being “FreeHold” but are in fact what we in many countries know as “Strata” title. It means that you only own the airspace that your apartment occupies….not the soil over which it is built (even the Ground Floor apartments). As an added complexity to Apartment ownership in the region, there is a similar problem that we face in the countries we all come from. That is the added costs and lack of control that you have over your own property. This is because you must subscribe to a Body Corporate. Even though these body corporates have rules and regulations like most in our own countries, in Asia the Expat is often held at a severe disadvantage due the strong bias that is displayed by the local apartment owners who often flaunt the regulations and rules to their own personal advantage and often to the strong disadvantage of the Expat who tends to bide by the rules/regulations. 

This same title is what is commonly used to cover the town house or Semi-Detached development as well……is you are severely limited to what you can do with the place even though you may have a title to it when compared with the rights of the full Non-Malaysian Freehold title holder.

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