Alysha Nij, 28, traded a £1,300-a-month one-bedroom flat in London for a £190-a-month apartment in Langkawi, Malaysia, where meals cost 50p and she no longer works three jobs. After years of 12-hour days that left her burnt out, Nij decided to leave the UK because she could not see herself affording a house deposit anytime soon.
From pay cheque to pay cheque to financial freedom
Originally from Leeds, Nij moved to London for work in creative management, social media management, and as a special effects makeup artist. Despite holding down three jobs, she described living “pay cheque to pay cheque” and feeling constantly burnt out. Her days started at 8am and finished at 10pm. She said: “The UK is really difficult for young people and it’s super expensive.”
After visiting Malaysia and China in September 2025, Nij fell in love with the relaxed lifestyle and decided to relocate. She moved back to her parents' home in Leeds in March 2026 to save for the move, sold all her belongings, and arrived in Malaysia on May 29. Her new one-bedroom apartment is a two-minute walk from the beach, includes bills, and is “much nicer” than her London flat.
Cost of living comparison
Nij now saves £1,100 on rent alone. A meal out that cost £20 in London is 50p in Malaysia, coffees are around 70p, and taxi rides never exceed £1. Setting up her new home cost just £12 at the Malaysian equivalent of Poundland, compared to £380 she spent in London. She has given up two of her three jobs and now only does freelance creative management, as her monthly expenses are so low.
“It’s super affordable, and you get more than what you paid for,” she said.
Safety and wellbeing
Nij feels safer in Malaysia than in London. “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,” she explained. “It takes so much mental stress away, especially being a woman.” She also noted that people in Malaysia are “friendly, relaxed and happy,” contrasting with what she described as anti-social behaviour in England.
Future plans
Nij plans to set up two businesses: one importing and exporting goods from China, and another providing guidance to female solo travellers. She is working towards Malaysian residency and aims to buy a house in either Malaysia or China within a year. Her parents plan to join her in Asia once she is settled. She shares her journey on Instagram under @alyshainasia.
