Best Asia destinations and retirement locations? The city of George Town is a top pick for retirees and rates a No.6 on the Live and Invest Overseas 2016 hit parade. The city has a colonial past that dates back to the 18th century when the British set it up as an outpost for controlling trade in the Straits of Malacca and exploiting a thriving opium market. By the 19th century, commerce was king, and George Town’s financial district and active seaport thrived. “Wandering around the historic downtown, it’s easy to imagine yourself living in another era—and another place. Here, you’re in old China. Around the corner, you could be in India.
Several miles off the coast of Hoi An is a cluster of mountainous isles known as the Cham Islands. Primarily granite, these islands were once restricted but are now open to the public. The main island Hon Lao, the largest and the only one inhabited, is less than two hours’ away by speed boat. Visitors can come for the day and go birdwatching, snorkel through the surrounding reefs or just enjoy the scenery of the beautiful beaches. Overnight stays are limited, but can be an incredible experience for the intrepid traveler.
Ang Thong National Marine Park is a pristine archipelago of 42 islands in the Gulf of Thailand with towering limestone mountains, thick jungle, white-sand beaches, fertile mangroves, waterfalls and hidden coves and lakes to explore. Within sight of Koh Samui, Ang Thong park is a protected area of more than 100sqkm of land and sea, and home to a rich variety of exotic wildlife and sea creatures. Discover more details at retirement in Asia.
If you’ve just got off the plane, don’t have to leave the airport just yet! Entertain yourself at the latest lifestyle concept, Jewel Changi Airport. This majestic dome is home to over 280 dining and retail outlets, with some open around the clock – think dining at ungodly hours at American fast-food chain A&W or food court Five Spice, or killing a couple of hours with a movie at 24-hour Shaw Theatres. You can also catch the hourly light and sound show at the HSBC Rain Vortex, the mall’s 40m-tall indoor waterfall, from 7.30pm to midnight.
What is a retirement village? Unlike in a care home, retirement village residents can buy an apartment on the site, can partly-buy, or even rent the property for a few months. Residents can bring their own furniture, decorate as they wish, and are free to have friends and family come to stay. This way, your friends & family can enjoy a ‘resort like’ vacation at your village. Discover additional info at http://www.retirementvillages.asia/.