It is possible to apply for home quarantine, but in practice it is very rarely given.
We applied in HK, and it was refused, and we applied again after 2 days in Penang, also refused. This is for a blind 11 yo dog whose rear legs were giving out on her (thankfully recovered now). Even the kennel staff said it was a total waste of time and money.
Did you make any money when you sold those places? It's tempting to own something like that and never worry about landlords. But I just saw some news that vacancy rates now in Japan are multi year high, if it doesn't make sense financially, I would rather just rent forever.
Held about 3 years, again it was a "lifestyle choice" (place that allows cats, ground floor, cats had a garden) more than an investment- I also was planning to stay longer but the aftermath of 2008 put an end to that...so I sold in 2009 which was not a great year, worldwide...
But, truly, property NEVER appreciates in Japan- only the land, which you don't get in a condo. The houses last about as long as the mortgage and then may be torn down and start over. After the mortgage they are worth very little, only the land. Condos are also often torn down and start over but a little longer, maybe 40-50 years.
I also found HK pretty unbearable in the summer between those hours, and rarely ventured out in the afternoon, so nothing new here. The advantage of Pen. is the cooling down in the evenings which HK didn't have. Right now there is a lovely breeze going through the flat with a temp around 26/27 deg.
Trust me the honeymoon was over a long time ago, and the rose tinted specs firmly in the recycle bin. I have been coming here. Ipoh, Malaca and KL for 23 years on and off visiting the wife's rellies and am well aware of the bad as well as good points. If you would like a heated rant on admin/flat management companies/bureaucracy/traffic management/online deliveries/Lazarda/general pen pushing jobsworths and immigration plse ask.
Generally life is pretty easy. English is widely spoken, and the people friendly. There are world class doctors,dentists(all UK trained) and hospitals within a few minutes drive. If you are not looking for wild nightlife,maybe just a few good bars and lots of resteraunts, Penang is certainly a place to consider. Some will love it, others not so much.
Gratuitous pic of Penang attached.
I went to Penang for a quick business trip and even though it was only for 2 days, I quite liked it especially the food stalls with the delicious and cheap foods.
i know some local HK Chinese friends that bought apartments there and moved there and my God sister is looking to buy and move there as well. I wouldnt mind moving there either, I like the heat so it doesnt bother me, not looking forward to the cold in UK
Cough cough from Penang, haze coming in from Indonesia.
Hey, the view from your flat (without the haze) very similar to the view from my flat in KL.
But do you have a clubhouse swimming pool upstairs that leaking into your flat too?
Bloody shoddy Malaysian construction standards. Have to keep ripping my ceiling open every 6 months for the last 3 years.
talking about workmanship in malaysia.. reminded me of this time i went to rent a service apartment for a weekend stay in johor bahru, from one of the listed developer. the apartment is still under the 6% p.a. rental guarantee so it was rented out to weekend visitors..
nicely, in the bed room, is this full length window that when you look out you can see half the city of johor bahru from the tall 20++ storey.. similar views to what is in the photos above...
but on the window, these is a sticker with this warning, 'DANGER, do not lean on the window'...
8-)