Steve & Bella Howse
Having only lived here for a while, Steve and Bella Howse are happily settling into their new home in the East Coast of the peninsula. Being a nature-loving couple, they are happy campers in their cosy new home.
The Expat: what is your nationality?
Bella: Both of us are British. Steve lived in the south (Brighton and Hove) for some years, but also in Australia, the USA, India, Lanzarote and mainland Spain. I hail from the picturesque Lake District in the North West of England.
The Expat: How long have you lived in malaysia under the mm2H programme?
Bella: We have lived here for two months.
The Expat: which part of malaysia do you live in?
Bella: We live in Kuantan in the state of Pahang, on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
The Expat: why did you choose this part of malaysia?
Bella: We wanted to find a quiet place in a stable country, with modern amenities and an established infrastructure and a great climate. Having looked at south eastern Asia, Thailand and Malaysia in particular, we found what we were looking for in Kuantan, a place we feel is full of potential for us and our new home.
The Expat: Had you lived in or visited malaysia prior to this?
Steve: Yes. We visited Malaysia in March 2006 for four weeks and again in July 2006 for five weeks to do our research and explore. We initially met up with my old friend Andrew Robinson who has lived in the region for 24 years and who was a good source of information and advice.
The Expat: what was the main reason you decided to come and live here under the mm2H programme?
Steve: We primarily wanted to leave the UK to live in a warm climate. The scheme allows us to import our car and household effects duty-free and to come and go into the country as we please. The programme also permits us to own two properties should we decide to invest in a second.
The Expat: what do you like most about living in malaysia?
Steve: We like the friendly people, the relaxed lifestyle, the reasonable cost of living and of course, the weather. We especially like eating outdoors and love the abundance of fresh fish here. We also enjoy being surrounded by so much wildlife; white-bellied eagles fly over our house every day, and we had a kingfisher visit us on our first morning! There are also plenty of monkeys and monitor lizards in the forest reserve near our house.
The Expat: what do you like least about living in malaysia?
Steve: We are 'urgent' people from a fast-moving European business environment. The slow administration processes here, where the cogs turn very slowly, just can't be rushed and can certainly be very frustrating! Some of the drivers are a bit 'mad' and the Mat Rempit take a bit of getting used to!
The Expat: Did you travel outside of malaysia in the last year?
Bella: Yes. We both travelled to Switzerland and France in January 2006 for our annual winter skiing holiday. I also went to see the bulb-fields in Holland in April with my two sisters and 80-year old mum. Steve went to Turkey with Steve (Junior) on a "boys behaving badly" holiday. He hasn't told me too much about that trip!
The Expat: Have you taken any trips within malaysia in the last year?
Steve: Yes, to Kuala Lumpur (several times), Penang, Langkawi, Kuantan, Tioman Island, Mersing and Kijal.
The Expat: Do you socialise mostly with foreigners, malaysians or both?
Steve: Both! One reason we are here is to develop a wide social circle and welcome numerous visitors to our new home.
The Expat: any other comments you would like to make about living in malaysia?
Steve: Kuantan is an ideal place to enjoy a laid-back, active outdoor lifestyle. We chose Malaysia as our base and as a springboard for further travel within Malaysia and South East Asia.
The Expat: what do you miss most about your home country?
Steve: We miss our children and close family most of all. We certainly don't miss the cold, wet weather!
The Expat: How many children do you have?
Steve: We have four children, all living, working and studying in the UK. They are Sarah (F), Steve Jnr (M), Samuel (M) and Sian (F).
The Expat: How do you pass your time-hobbies, activities or participation in organisations, charities?
Steve: I'm currently learning to sail, and enjoy getting out and about with Bella on our mountain bikes. I am now also very involved with our house renovation and re-modelling project. I also use the gym and swimming pool regularly. Fortunately the local Hyatt has a good Health Club and is only five minutes down the road. We both enjoy dining out and meeting up with new friends.
Bella: I take piano lessons and practise three times a week. I train in the gym three to four times a week and enjoy mountain biking with Steve.
The Expat: How happy are you with the mm2H programme?
Steve: At first the scheme seemed to have its problems with constant changes to the application requirements. However, we now feel very pleased to have the Visa stamps in our passports, giving us a sense of security and permanence here.
The Expat: Do you have any comments you would like to have listed on our website www.mm2H.com?
Steve: The application process is daunting and lengthy; every detail and document requires verification by a lawyer/notary. We divulged a lot of personal and financial information normally confidential to us, including bank accounts, pension funds, savings, income etc. Fortunately we had a good agent and it was all worthwhile eventually!
By Aida Ahmad
