In an article published by Forbes Magazine, the capital of Sabah was listed along with seven other cities that Peddicord described as so cheap that expatriates lining there might not need to work at all.

“This laid-back and quiet city is one of the most pleasant places to live in Asia and is incredibly welcoming,” says Peddicord in the magazine.

“It’s biggest practical advantages are the low cost of living and the high standard of health care.”

She estimated the monthly cost of living to be around USD850 (RM3,800) and this included among others, rent, cable TV, transportation as well as entertainment.

“Life revolves around the water and is lived out-of-doors.

“At home, you can fill your days snorkelling, diving, boating and ferry-hopping from the city centre to neighbouring islands.”

According to Peddicord, the expat community in Kota Kinabalu is emerging despite the fact that the city may seem to be out of most people’s comfort zone.

“It offers a mix of adventure and the exotic, as well as a serene, close-to-nature lifestyle at a cost that’s a global bargain,” she wrote.

Others who also made it on the list were Chiang Mai, Thailand (USD1,000), Carvoeiro, Portugal (USD1,150), Santa Familia, Belize (USD1,200), Granada, Nicaragua (USD1,225), Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic (USD1,250), Barcelona, Spain (USD1,600), and El Poblado, Colombia (USD1,650).