Malaysia among top retirement spots

NEW YORK: Malaysia is among the top retirement destinations for foreigners. It's particularly attractive for North Americans who are faced with rising costs, harsh winter conditions and the stress of daily lives.
Malaysia figures in the latest Annual Global Retirement Index for 2014 by International Living. The index was compiled using input by International Living's team of correspondents based in various countries around the world.
They combine real-world data about climate, healthcare, cost of living, personal safety and other factors to draw up a comprehensive list of the so-called "best-bang-for-your-buck" retirement destinations on the planet.
Malaysia was listed as one of the top five retirement destinations, just behind Ecuador, Mexico and Panama – but ahead of all the Asian retirement destinations.
Other Asian nations listed in the index but much behind Malaysia were Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam.
But International Living administers a word of caution when it tells the potential retirees to take into account that "ultimately no list or formula can automatically deliver the best destination for you. Only you can decide that.