And then this, from another concerned reader, in response to a recent report we published on low-cost medical and dental care in Malaysia: 

"Kuala Lumpur has the highest murder rate in the world! I would not go there if the dental work were free..." 

Let's take the general safety question first. In short, all the places we recommend are safe. We base this position not on government reports but on personal experience on the ground in each place and on the experience of our in-country contacts. 

In fact, we eschew the warnings from, cautions by, and, in fact, most anything published courtesy of government agencies. 

Imagine government agency postings for certain sections of Los Angeles? Or Baltimore, Maryland? Or Washington, D.C.? These are among the most dangerous places on earth. I speak from personal experience, having grown up in Baltimore, where I was mugged twice and where the murder rate most years is at least one per day. 

U.S. and other government agencies publish their warnings to cover their derrieres. These warnings are based on bureaucratic interpretations of realities very far away and typically bear little resemblance to the actual realities. 

We've had the experience, ourselves, many times, over the years, of being in the very spots that government agencies, CNN, Fox News, et al., were promoting as dangerous, riotous, and worse...only to look out our windows and shake our heads. Where's the trouble, we've wondered? We didn't see it and certainly weren't affected by it. 

Again, all the places we recommend are safe. When this changes, we say so (as in certain sections of Thailand earlier this year, from where Intrepid Correspondent Paul Terhorst reported at the time).

Many of the places we recommend are places where I have traveled myself, as a woman, on my own,  including with my children when they were very young. And all are places I would travel now without concern. 

This includes the featured destination in this month's issue. The reader who wrote recently to inform us that Kuala Lumpur has the highest murder rate in the world was somehow misinformed. 

World's most murderous city? That'd be Juarez City, Mexico. In our research, we've been unable to find Kuala Lumpur on any list of the world's most dangerous places to spend time. 

No place is 100% crime-free, of course, and K.L. has a history of street crime. The country is addressing this, and petty street crime is down more than 35% in the first five months of this year compared with the same period in 2009.

None of this is to say that K.L. is the place for you to plan your retirement. 

On the other hand, Asia Correspondent Wendy Justice makes a strong and tempting case for how interesting, enjoyable, and affordable your new life in this part of the world could be in this month's issue of my Overseas Retirement Letter, in final stages of production now. 

If you're a subscriber, watch for this complete and current report in your e-mailbox very soon. If you're not, get on board here now.

Kathleen Peddicord

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"The good news is that it's easy for a foreigner to find a rental in Malaysia. English-language newspapers, such asThe Star and the New Straits Times, have large classified sections with many rental listings. As English is widely spoken throughout the country, it's possible for English-speaking foreigners (like you) to shop for a rental this way on your own (unlike in Spanish-speaking countries, for example). You can call property owners directly and make appointments to look at anything you find in the classifieds that interests you. 

"Good websites to consult include www.iproperty.com.my,www.fullhouse.com.my, www.penangproperties.com, andhttp://malaysia.craigslist.org. 

"While it is quite possible to find fine a rental this way (searching the classifieds, both in print and online), I have found that, in this country, working with a property agent has its advantages. Agents are paid by the property owner and not the lessee, meaning their services are free to you. And their negotiating skills--important in this country for getting a good deal--can make their services invaluable. 

"In addition, your Malaysian property agent will have a much better understanding of the culture and of the nuances of the market than you could ever hope to have. A good agent--that is, one who is not affiliated with a specific development project and who makes an effort to show you only places that meet your criteria--can take a lot of the hassle out of your finding-a-rental experience. 

"Almost all long-term rental landlords will ask for a lease, typically for a minimum of six months; most prefer one or two years. If you are willing to commit for six months only, you narrow your choices, and your rent will likely be a bit higher. 

"As you'd expect, rentals cost more in the cities and less in most smaller towns, with Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru being the most expensive locations. That said, very affordable rentals can be found even in these two areas. 

"Rentals can come fully furnished, partially furnished, or unfurnished. Typically, fully furnished places include all household items, including vacuum cleaners, televisions, DVD players, pots and pans, plates, silverware, linens, towels, wall hangings, etc. They sometimes advertise, 'All you need is your suitcase,' and this can be the case. 

"Partially furnished places include all major household furnishings--sofas and chairs, dining room sets, large kitchen appliances, washing machines, beds, dressers, and so on, but you'll need to provide your own household items.

"Unfurnished apartments come with large kitchen appliances (stove and refrigerator) and air-conditioning but little else. 

"Few places come with an oven, as it isn't an appliance that most Malaysians ever use. 

"Fully furnished apartments, of course, rent for more money than unfurnished ones. 

"Rental agreements generally require the first and last months' rent payable in advance and a utility deposit equal to six months or one year's worth of gas, electric, and water. As most expats choose to keep their utilities in the landlord's name to avoid having to pay large 'foreigner deposits,' this utility deposit saves a considerable out-of-pocket expense. The deposit is refunded within 30 days of vacating the property, often sooner. 

"In addition, a stamp duty is due upon execution of a lease. This non-refundable tax is charged to the tenant based on the government's fixed price of the cost of the rental. The stamp duty generally amounts to US$100 to US$200. Either the landlord or the agent will take the signed lease to an official who will register and notarize the document. Then you and the landlord each will receive a notarized copy. Leases are written in English. 

"Here are a few tips to keep in mind when renting in this country. If you use an agent (as I recommend), make sure he is not affiliated with a specific development project. 

"Visit any property you're interested in at night. Your would-be new neighborhood may be nice and quiet by day but alive with the sounds of karaoke or nightclub partying by night. 

"If you rent a condominium, pay attention to security and maintenance of the grounds and common areas. Ask current residents what their experiences have been. 

"If you plan to rely on public transportation, be certain that bus or train access is within a reasonable distance. Note, for example, that not all bus stops are for public buses. An agent might point to a bus stop nearby without pointing out that only school buses stop there! 

"In urban areas, there are often more vacancies right now that there are renters. Don't be reluctant to try to negotiate on price. Keep in mind, though, that negotiations should be friendly, not adversarial. Also note that, if a price is agreed upon, you are expected to rent the unit. Never haggle successfully and then back out of the deal. 

"Because it's a renter's market right now, you can also ask for certain household items to be included in the price. Maybe ask the landlord of a partially furnished place to include a television or a microwave, for example. Remember that you'll have more bargaining power if you're signing a lease for at least one year. 

"If you pay a deposit--to hold a unit or as a security deposit--get a receipt. 

"Finally, have the landlord show you proof that he or she is the actual owner of the property. A good agent will insist on this. If, though, you're searching on your own, without an agent, you'll have to make the request yourself. Cases of this kind of fraud are rare, but they do occur." 

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"Here are some particular examples to give you an idea just how affordable medical care can be in this country:

• A coronary bypass operation in a private hospital is around US$10,000, less than 10% of the cost of the same surgery in the United States...


• A total hip replacement runs around US$6,700, including a 10-day hospital stay and all meals...


• A knee-replacement costs less than US$6,000, also including a 10-day inpatient recovery...


• A complete blood test (CBC) costs less than US$15 at most laboratories...


• And a chest X-ray runs about US$15...

"For more information on particular procedures and their associated costs, take a look at this website: here

"You find small doctor's offices throughout Malaysia, even in small towns, and in urban areas you have many choices. Most of these kliniks have one physician who functions as a general practitioner. A visit to see a klinik doctor costs around US$5. 

"Medications, if required, are often filled at the office, and, again, prices are rock-bottom. If the klinik doesn't have the medications in stock, you are issued a prescription, which can be filled at any pharmacy, just like in the United States. If blood tests or other diagnostic testing is required, the klinik may be able to run the test on the spot. If not, they may refer you to a laboratory or hospital for testing. 

"Polikliniks have more than one doctor. They may have a general practitioner along with another specialist or two--an orthopedist, dermatologist, gynecologist, and so on. Prices are roughly the same as those charged at the one-doctor offices. These clinics often have their own X-ray equipment and laboratories and sometimes even the equipment to perform minor surgeries. 

"The next level in Malaysian health care is the specialist clinic. These may be free-standing or located in or near a hospital. The doctors have hospital privileges. A visit to a specialist generally costs less than US$30, follow-up visits included. Specialist clinics tend to be extremely clean, with professional staff, modern equipment, and doctors trained in Europe, the United States, and Australia. 

"Finally, there are public and private hospitals throughout the country, including at least 10 major hospitals in and around Kuala Lumpur (KL), as well as excellent hospitals in all the major urban areas, including Georgetown, Ipoh, and Johor Bahru. 

"The quality of care varies, and, though still minimal (that is, amazingly affordable), costs are higher at the private hospitals. Still, most foreigners choose private hospitals over the public ones. Care is generally excellent, with state-of-the-art equipment and trained staff. 

"In KL, Gleneagles Hospital, in the Embassy district, offers excellent care for foreigners, with Western food and English-speaking staff throughout the facility. Other fine private hospitals in the area include Subang Jaya Medical Centre, Sunway Medical Centre, and Damansara Specialist Hospital. 

"The accredited Gleneagles Hospital also has a full-service facility in Georgetown, the second-largest city in the country, home to a large expat community. Island Hospital and the private non-profit Penang Adventist Hospital are also internationally accredited and well regarded. Altogether, there are at least six major private hospitals in Georgetown, and seeing a specialist in Georgetown costs even less than in KL. An office visit can cost less than US$20. 

"Dental care is such a great value that, if you need major dental work, the money you save on the dentistry could pay for the cost of your trip to Malaysia. 

"A consultation and check-up (without X-rays) is free at most dental clinics. (X-rays cost about US$15.) A filling costs around US$25, a root canal less than US$250. A full porcelain crown is US$300, and a full denture (one jaw) costs less than US$250--less than the co-payment for many Americans with dental insurance! 

"To get more of an idea of the costs for dental care, take a look at this website: http://www.bsdental.com/fees.html. 

"As with physicians, dentists are typically foreign-educated and are held to a high standard of care. And you never have a language barrier." 

Kathleen Peddicord 

Editor's Note: We've reported often on opportunities for living and retiring in Malaysia, our top retire-overseas pick in Asia:

• Malaysia My Second Home Programme
• Retire To Malaysia
• How To Be A Renter in Kuala Lumpur
• Utter Peace, Quiet, and Escape

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