Retiring in Southeast Asia: A Cost and Lifestyle Guide for Singaporeans

After the hustle and bustle years, you’re finally able to lay back a little. Maybe you can envision sipping a freshly brewed authentic Vietnamese coffee, strolling along a serene Balinese beach, or indulging in the vibrant street food of Johor Bahru—all while making the most of your retirement savings.

For many Singaporeans, retiring in Southeast Asia isn’t just a distant dream; it’s an increasingly viable option. (Do you remember when Hossan Leong moved to JB last year and made such big news?) With lower living costs, rich cultures, the familiarity of it and its proximity to home, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia are becoming attractive choices for retirement. Here’s a look at the costs, lifestyle perks, and key considerations

Why Consider Retiring in Southeast Asia?

Retiring in Southeast Asia offers more than just financial savings. It’s about embracing a slower, more fulfilling lifestyle while remaining close to Singapore for family visits. Main benefits we foresee is:

✅ Lower cost of living
✅ Diverse lifestyle choices (beach towns, cities, countryside)
✅ Warm, welcoming communities
✅ Proximity to Singapore for easy travel back home

Now, let us break it down and look at the different common options.

Malaysia (Johor Bahru): The Neighbor Next Door

1. Cost of Living: Budget-friendly & convenient

Johor Bahru (JB) is a popular retirement choice for Singaporeans. The average monthly living cost for a single person is about SGD $650 (daily expenses, not including a roof over your head yet), which is significantly lower than Singapore’s expenses. To gauge, groceries are typically 30-50% cheaper in JB. and that explains a big bulk of your expenses on meals.

With accommodation included, estimates a comfortable lifestyle at RM 4,330 (SGD $1,300) per month, which is far below Singapore’s SGD $4,906 average household expenditure. Talk about really stretching that retirement savings.

2. Housing: Affordable & accessible

Property prices in JB are much lower than in Singapore and naturally you may see yourself looking into the private homes, which examples may include:

2-bedroom condo near the Causeway: RM 750,000 - RM 850,000 (SGD $226,260 - $256,400)
Landed property in a gated community: Starts at RM 1 million (SGD 301,600)

3. Proximity to Singapore: Convenient travel

With easy access via buses, trains, and private cars, retirees can travel back and forth frequently. Also, let’s not not forget the upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) in 2026 which will make commuting even smoother. This also means that whatever the emergency - visiting a family member back in Singapore or a hospital, it’s only as far under 2 hours.

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4. Visa Situation: Hassle-free long-term stays

When it comes to relocating to another country, your visa is incredibly important. The Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) visa allows Singaporeans to stay for at least 5 years with minimal requirements and renewable. More details can be found on the official government website.

Vietnam: A Wallet-Friendly Paradise

1. Cost of Living: Extremely affordable out of the other options

A retiree can live comfortably in Vietnam for about SGD $500 per month which includes accommodations and monthly necessities.

2. Housing:

In cities like Da Nang and Nha Trang, a modern one-bedroom apartment costs around SGD $400 - $600 per month. While foreigners cannot buy land in Vietnam, long-term leasehold agreements are possible.

3. Visa Situation & Proximity to Singapore

Unfortunately, this is a huge downside and there’s not much visa options made for retirees in vietnam yet which leaves a few options of:

Vietnam Investor Visa (DT Visa): Grants up to 3 years of stay with a required investment of SGD $150,000
Vietnam 5-year visa: Issued for those with family ties to Vietnamese citizens
Tourist visa: Grants 90 days, requiring frequent travel back and forth to Singapore

Proximity to Singapore
There are direct flights from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City that take only 2 to 3 hours. Quite comparable to our longest bus ride in singapore (Bus 858 apparently, if you’re curious)

4. Best Places for Retirees

Da Nang: A blend of city life and beachside relaxation
Hoi An: A charming, slower-paced town with a strong expat community

Thailand: The Land of Smiles and Savings

1. Cost of Living: Comfortable & Affordable

Chiang Mai: SGD $700 per month for expenses, plus SGD $800 for a one-bedroom apartment
Bangkok/Pattaya: Monthly expenses around SGD $2,000

2. Housing: Varied & Budget-Friendly

In Chiangmai where we feel is more commonly and ideal for retirees:

Standard one-bedroom apartment: SGD $800 per month
Luxury apartment: SGD $1,400 per month

And if you’re into being at the heart of Bangkok or Pattaya and a luxury one-bedroom apartment, be prepared for SGD $1,800 per month

3. Healthcare: High-Quality & Affordable

As a retiree, one of the concerns that will cross your mind is the accessibility to quality healthcare. Thankfully, Thailand is known for world-class healthcare, especially in Bangkok, with many private hospitals catering to retirees. Think private hospitals like Bumrungrad Hospital and Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital which are a top pick for Singaporeans looking for quality healthcare in Bangkok.

4. Visa & Tax Considerations

The Non-Immigrant Visa O-A (Retirement Visa) allows retirees to stay for up to 1 year and renewable over the years. Additionally as of 2024, Thailand now taxes foreign income, which is important for financial planning.

Indonesia: Bali & Beyond

1. Cost of Living: Island Living at a Fraction of Singapore’s Costs

Bali is a retiree’s dream. For around SGD$1,000 per month, you can enjoy a balanced lifestyle amidst stunning beaches and lush landscapes, and add another sgd$1,000 for a monthly rental of a villa with a pool in Sanur.

2. Housing: Leasehold Agreements Available

Similar to vietnam, foreigners cannot own land in Indonesia, but they can lease property under the Hak Pakai (Right to Use) system. So you’ll be looking at housing prices to be similar to:

Renting a villa with a pool (Sanur): SGD $1,000 per month
Buying the lease to a house in Sanur, Bali (20 year): SGD $150,000 - $250,000 (approximately $625 ~$1,041 per month)
Buying the lease to a house in Sanur, Bali (30 year): SGD $260,000 - $340,000
(approximately $722 ~$944 per month)

3. Proximity to Singapore & Visa Options

Thankfully, Indonesia has a retirement visa that offers long-term stay options for retirees and of course, flights from Bali to Singapore are less than 2.5 hours!

4. Lifestyle: Laid-Back & Expats-Friendly

No surprise to all of us, Bali has a thriving expat community, yoga retreats, and outdoor activities, offering retirees a balanced, relaxed lifestyle.

Key Takeaways: Is Retiring in Southeast Asia Right for You?

A quick round up of the costs to better financially plan for the years ahead:

Estimated Monthly Budgets

Country	Budget (SGD)
Malaysia	$1,000 - $1,600
Vietnam	$500 - $1,200
Thailand (Chiang Mai, Bangkok)	$1,200 - $2,000
Indonesia (Bali)	$2,000 - $3,000

Proximity to Singapore

Country	Flight/Travel Time
Malaysia	1-hour or less drive or public transport
Vietnam	5 hours (incl. flight preparation time)
Thailand (Chiang Mai, Bangkok)	2-3 hours flight (incl. flight preparation time)
Indonesia (Bali)	2-3 hours flight (incl. flight preparation time)

Final Thoughts: Your Dream Retirement Awaits

Retiring in Southeast Asia isn’t just about lowering expenses—it’s about creating a vibrant and fulfilling new chapter and perhaps even living a little more luxuriously in your golden years. Imagine a lifestyle where financial freedom meets cultural richness and everyday adventure. If this vision excites you, start planning early—while it’s easy to dream, turning that dream into reality takes thoughtful preparation and careful consideration. Relocating and settling into a new country is a big step, but with the right planning, it can be one of the most rewarding decisions you’ll ever make!