Carol-Anne Reynolds & John Cox
Attributing the sunny weather and mixed cultures living together in harmony as reasons for settling down in Malaysia, Carol-Anne Reynolds, who hails from Scotland and Briton John Cox also came here to be closer to their family, especially the grandchildren. Now happily calling Kuala Lumpur their home-away-from-home, both husband and wife share with us their experience of being here under the MM2H programme.
The Expat: How long have you lived in malaysia under the mm2H programme?
carol: It has now been 18 months.
The Expat: which part of malaysia do you currently live in?
carol: We live in Melawati, KL.
The Expat: why did you choose to live in kuala lumpur?
carol: My daughter married Azman 16 years ago and now I have three lovely grandchildren I wanted to be close to the family. As John and I lived in Edinburgh, we got used to the city life so KL was a natural choice.
The Expat: Have you lived in or visited malaysia prior to that?
carol: Yes. I have visited my family here frequently over the last 15 years.
The Expat: what was the main reason you decided to come and live here under the mm2H programme?
John: Well, I retired from the Royal Air force and never intended to settle down in the UK. We read an article on The Silver Hair programme, as it was known then, and we decided it was just what we were looking for. We love the Malaysian way of life, especially the mixed cultures and the weather.
The Expat: what do you like most about living in malaysia?
carol: Being so close to my grandchildren! They can pop in for a cold drink or just to visit for an hour or so. It is so different from being thousands of miles apart.
John: I love the people who are so friendly, especially all our neighbours who have made us feel so welcomed. We have become an instant "Aunty and Uncle" to so many children.
The Expat: what do you like least about living in malaysia?
carol: I am afraid it is the traffic, particularly the motor cycles, although we are getting accustomed to it.
The Expat: Did you travel outside of malaysia in the last year?
carol: Yes. We went to Bali for a week and it was so pretty we are going back in July. We have just returned from a week in Phuket where we went with our friends, Carole and Roger from home, who have been staying with us for a month.
The Expat: Did you take any trips within malaysia in the last year?
carol: Yes, we visited Redang, Langkawi and Cameron Highlands. We also went to A Famosa in Melaka to support our neighbour who was taking part in the triathlon.
The Expat: please add any other comments you would like to make about living in malaysia, if any.
John: We both love to travel and the opportunities we have here are wonderful. We plan to visit friends in Australia soon. I would very much like to see China and Cambodia as well.
The Expat: what do you miss most about your home country?
carol: The four seasons and friends we left behind.
The Expat: tell us about your family.
John: I have three grown children - two daughters and a son who live in Cyprus.
carol: I have one daughter and three grandchildren. Nicola has lived here in Malaysia for 16 years after she married Azman. They have three children - Atikah, 15, Saida, 14, and Adam, 8. Naturally, Nicola found it hard at first but she has settled down well and is so happy to have us close at hand to help her when she needs us.
The Expat: Do you have any special hobbies or activities?
carol: We both love the garden and a have joined a club where we can swim and use the gym and meet our new friends. We have joined the local gospel church where we have been made to feel so welcome.
The Expat: How happy are you with the mm2H programme?
carol: We are very happy with the whole system. The Malaysian High Commission in London could not have been more helpful. Everyone we approached here in Malaysia went out of their way to help us as well. But I do wish we had an ID card of some kind instead of having to carry our passports around with us at all times. Our experience of moving to Malaysia was hassle free and can recommend it to any one who would like an adventure in later life.
By Aida Ahmad
