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Are Muslim Countries Undesirable Places to Live?


Where u live and being undesirable is something I have thought about abit.

When I moved to Sydney around 10 years ago, my sister made a comment to me saying why don't you live near the beach, Sydney has those in the city. I took the comment further and said, why not live about 25 mins away and surf quite often ... you don't see many fat surfers, good exercise, and nothing better than being stuck on a board in the ocean ... hard to be stressed unless you are in a competition ... which 99.9% aren't.

My Dad grew up in poverty in Cloncurry, and was fostered out to many homes, when his dad died quite young. A comment he made to me sticks, people can be happy in over-occupied dwellings as long as there is community.

I spend quite abit of time in Indo, and visit all sorts of relatives, and I must agree with my Dad's statements.

So a few comments, some people live in areas naturally blessed, but don't take advantage of it, some people live in areas not naturally blessed but take advantage of living in a loving community.
 


The "Muslim World" map is not by me, it is a map published on Wikipedia. The direct link is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_world
 
I agree with that
 
That's not Croatia..it's Bosnia. Not that long ago it was all over the news the atrocities committed on the Muslims (Bosnjaks) in places like Bihac and Srebenica...short memories.

Morocco ain't what it used to be...from friend who is a lapsed Muslim, ppl are being heavily persuaded to attend Mosques, respect Ramadan, etc.

I'd love to live in Istanbul, Turkey if I ever got a transfer to the Middle East...Turkish women are hot!! though that Middle East Spring seems to be contagious.

As for desirable places to live, about 10 years ago, bumped into a friends relative at the old Northies. He was drinking with a Bosnian Muslim - a former neighbour of his, and we decided to join them. The 'Bosnjak' lived right next door to Northies and more or less right across the road from North Cronulla beach. In his opinion he preferred Sarajevo!! Talk about disagreement.
 
I have never lived in a Muslim country, but visited.

I have friends who have worked and lived in Saudi, The Emirates, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Palestine, Afghanistan and Pakistan. They have told me what those places are like.

They are lovely places to visit, quite colourful and exotic, but I would not like to live in any.

I particularly would not like to wake up being whipped by four bullyboy zealots while sleeping off a good night on the turps.

gg
 
I plan on retiring to Penang State in Malaysia...population mostly Chinese and Indian Malaysians and expatriate retires taking advantage of the pleasant surroundings and the great conditions of the MM2H visa.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penang

That's the only place in the Muslim world that i would want to live or visit...and that's only because its a non Muslim state in a Muslim country where the states are very powerful.
 
Interesting retirement plan, SC. What is it specifically about Penang or Malaysia generally that makes it more attractive than Australia?
 
Interesting retirement plan, SC. What is it specifically about Penang or Malaysia generally that makes it more attractive than Australia?

In no particular order

  • Proximity & low cost travel to other interesting places, KL, Thailand, Langkawi, China, Bali, Sing, etc.
  • Tropical climate.
  • High standard of living in a low cost environment.
  • Great food, Indian, Malay, Chinese and Thai.
  • Great beaches, Mountains, Shopping & tourism infrastructure.
  • MM2H (see below)

MM2H - Malaysia my second home, is an international residency scheme enacted by the Government of Malaysia to allow foreigners to live in the country on a long-stay visa of up to 10 years (revolving) MM2H visa holders are entitled to enter and leave the country on a largely unrestricted basis, and also benefit from other incentives aimed at making their stay in Malaysia more convenient...such as

  • Allowed to purchase residential houses at a minimum price. (per state)
  • Allowed to purchase a locally-assembled car free of all taxes, or import yours.
  • Allowed to have a foreign maid / DH subject to conditions.
  • Offshore sourced pensions and remittances are tax free.
  • You can own and actively run your own business.
  • Import personal / household items, tax exempted.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysia_My_Second_Home
http://www.mm2h.gov.my/
 
It sounds good, SC. Hope it's not too long until you're happily ensconced there.
 
It sounds good, SC. Hope it's not too long until you're happily ensconced there.

8 years if i can maintain 25% year on year portfolio growth....so far im on target.
 
Now I understand

Its certainly an interesting incentive one condition is that your helper must be a national of Malaysia, Thailand, The Philippines, Sri Lanka or Indonesia....and must to paid appropriately, according to the relevant Malaysian laws and of course obey her visa conditions etc.
 
If Muslim countries are so desireable to live in, why is it that so many of their citizens risk their lives and High Seas in leaky boats to get out?
 
If Muslim countries are so desireable to live in, why is it that so many of their citizens risk their lives and High Seas in leaky boats to get out?

Welfare. They can come here, (or Europe) have their average six children and never work again.
 
I'll live anywhere if you pay me enough (preferably not anywhere there's an active war though).

Malaysia is fine. Parts of Indonesia I would (though probably not the remoter parts). Turkey for sure.

Really the main hassle with living in a Muslim country is getting woken up by the call to prayer at 5 something in the morning every day. Some places it's a bit hard to find pork & bacon too, though generally not in officially secular countries.
 
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