Alysha Nij, a 28-year-old British woman originally from Leeds, West Yorkshire, has dramatically reduced her living costs by moving from London to Langkawi, Malaysia. She now pays just £190 per month for a one-bedroom apartment a two-minute walk from the beach, including bills, compared to the £1,300 she was paying for a one-bed flat in the UK capital.
From Three Jobs to Financial Freedom
In London, Nij worked three jobs—in creative management, social media management, and as a special effects makeup artist—with 12-hour days from 8am to 10pm. Despite this, she lived paycheque to paycheque and could not save for a house deposit. "The UK is really difficult for young people, and it’s super expensive. I was working three jobs; my days would start at 8am and finish at 10pm. I was constantly burnt out, but I still didn’t feel financially free," she said.
After visiting Malaysia and China last September, she fell in love with the relaxed lifestyle. She cancelled plans to start a business in London, citing the capital's high costs, and moved back to her parents' home in Leeds in March to save for her travels. She sold all her belongings and relocated to Malaysia on May 29.
Island Life: Cheaper and Safer
Nij now lives in Langkawi, an archipelago of 99 islands. She has given up two of her jobs thanks to the low cost of living. A meal out costs just 50p, compared to £20 in London; coffees are around 70p; and taxi rides never exceed £1. She furnished her new apartment for £12 at a local discount store, versus the £380 she spent to outfit her London flat.
She also feels safer. "Whenever I was walking around in the UK, I'd always get cat calls and have to be wary of my belongings, but here it’s a completely different environment. It takes so much mental stress away, especially being a woman," she said.
Cultural Adjustment and Future Plans
Nij, who has Malaysian heritage, did not experience culture shock. She plans to set up two businesses with her newfound financial freedom and expects her parents to join her in Asia once she is settled. "I’d just come from living in a big city, so I wanted a completely different way of life. There are lots of beaches and mountains, and no distractions," she added.
