Mobility, subjectivity and interpersonal relationships: Older, western migrants and retirees in Malaysia and Indonesia

Abstract

Studies of Western retirees, amenity migrants and working expatriates have proliferated in recent years, yet insufficient attention has been given to the role of interpersonal relationships in shaping migrant experience and spatial mobility practices in transnational social spaces. Drawing on ethnographic research with older,Western migrants and retirees living in Penang, Malaysia and Ubud, Bali, Indonesia this article explores the relational dimensions of affect through three intersecting sites of intimacy – couple relationships, transnational kinship ties and property. Through an analysis of emergent, enduring and dissolving landscapes of kin ties I highlight the role of interpersonal rela..