Gen Z retirement home opens in Asian country for 'burnt out' young adults
An enterprising entrepreneur in Malaysia has opened the country's first 'Youth Retirement Home' for 'burnt out' young adults - claiming the facility provides a welcome escape from work, high living costs and 'hustle culture'.
For around £376 (2,000 Malaysian Ringgit), young adults can spend four weeks letting go of life's daily stresses at Namshan Wellness, a quiet compound surrounded by nature.
Set on eight acres of land in Gopeng, a small town situated 112 miles from the capital, Kuala Lumpur, the property is aimed at Gen Z-ers and Millennials, many of whom say they're struggling with life, saying they're overworked, underpaid and unable to deal with responsibilities.
According to a Mental Health UK survey in 2024, workers under the age of 25 are more likely to need time off because of poor mental health caused by stress than any other age group; 29 per cent of those aged between 25-34 said they took leave for burnout.
And it appears Malaysia's newest wellness resort could be just the ticket for alleviating stress in younger generations, as the first month is already fully booked.
The retreat, much like a conventional retirement home, offers accommodation, three daily meals and the freedom to live without schedules and the grind of the 9-to-5.
The experience focuses on doing nothing: guests can sleep in, garden, take walks in nature, feed fish, plant vegetables, eat home-cooked food, or simply daydream.
Namshan Wellness, Malaysia's first 'retirement home' for burnt out young adults, allows Gen Z and Millennials to work on their goals, let go of life's daily stresses, or simply do nothing
The retreat, run by a 26-year-old entrepreneur, offers three daily mails, accommodation and the freedom to live without schedules for four weeks for just £376 (2,000 Malaysian Ringgit)
Pictured: Putting out feed for the animals on the site, which includes rabbits and ducks
The owner, a 26-year-old whose family runs a traditional nursing home, recently explained in a video interview with Zestie Malaysia what led him to the business idea.
He said: 'There's a lot of young adults nowadays who are burnt out from their work and studies, so I was thinking I could provide a place for them to regain their energy... to find their purpose of life.
'Older people say, "Young people? Retire? They're not even earning enough money!" There's a lot of backlash from boomers - but young people are very excited to come here.'
The owner, who didn't give his name, revealed that, since opening the retreat, he has been inundated with enquiries from young people who hope to stay at Namshan Wellness - but he admitted the space is somewhat of a social experiment.
And there's no actual age limit; the 'young at heart' are just as welcome to stay.
He added: 'By doing nothing, we're actually doing something. When we go on vacation, we go with the idea of resting, but we end up doing a lot of things. This place should exist because we need somewhere you don't need to think too much.'
The retreat is currently listed as 'closed for public until further notice', which suggests the initiative is fully booked due to the high demand.
The space targets Gen Z and Millennials, who have previously cited being left overworked, underpaid and unable to deal with responsibilities outside their jobs
At Namshan Wellness, guests can recharge by participating in light activities such as gardening, feeding ducks and taking strolls in nature
Earlier this week, tourist hotspots where Gen Z are most likely to ruin your holiday snaps were revealed.
New research commissioned named ten tourist hotspots where crowds are most likely to ruin the shot, with the Mona Lisa, Buckingham Palace, the Taj Mahal and the Colosseum among the worst offenders.
The study shows how far people are willing to go for the perfect picture, with more than a quarter of Brits (27 per cent) admitting to sacrificing their holiday lie-in to arrive early, with some even reaching landmarks before 6am to beat the crowds.
This is most common among Gen Z, with 40 per cent waking up at the crack of dawn to secure the ideal shot.
Older generations seem less than willing to make the same sacrifice, as 59 per cent of Gen X say they would never wake up early just for a photo free of people.
