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The decision to leave the hustle and bustle of city life and start over in Terengganu has brought unexpected peace to a woman and her family
Facebook user Atie Baharain recently shared her story of moving to the east coast state after facing financial strain and rising living costs in the capital.
According to the mother of six, the move was decided suddenly when her family's finances reached a critical point amid ongoing economic challenges.
"Today marks exactly one month since my six children and I moved to the happiest state," she wrote in a now-viral post.
Terengganu was ranked the happiest state in Malaysia in 2025, and Atie said the slower pace of life there has been a welcome change from her former routine in the Klang Valley
Despite leaving behind friends, family, and a loyal customer base who supported her home-based business, she said the move has given her the calm she had long been searching for.
Where she once spent her days navigating traffic and visiting shopping malls, her routine now centres around her children, her faith, and a more grounded lifestyle.
"Back then, 'healing' meant going to the shopping mall — now it means going to the beach," she said.
She shared that even simple errands now feel less stressful. Places like school, the local market, and nearby beaches are only 15 to 20 minutes away, compared to the long commutes she once faced in the city.
She also remarked that she used to check her Touch 'n Go balance every time she left home, but now only needs to remember when she last filled up her car.
Atie added that everyday food remains significantly cheaper in Terengganu. "Here, you can still buy three pieces of pisang goreng for RM1, six cekodok for RM1, and five pieces of mek molek for RM3," she said.
Although she is still adjusting to the local food and dialect, she said one of the biggest blessings has been time — especially time to focus on her children's upbringing and a more religious lifestyle
She shared that all six of her children have started school, and for the first time, she has been able to send them to Quran classes regularly — something she was unable to do before due to time constraints.
She added that her new home is located near a mosque, allowing her to hear the azan from inside her kitchen.
"At every prayer time, I hear the azan. Every dhuha lecture, I can listen to it while cooking in the kitchen," she said.
She hopes the move will grant her and her family a life of safety and sustenance in Terengganu.
Her post has since resonated with many Malaysians, receiving nearly 15,000 likes and close to 2,000 comments, with many sharing similar experiences of finding peace away from urban life
One commenter wrote, "Slow and steady, welcome to Terengganu."
Another said, "May your life be happier in the happiest state. May you meet good people and continue changing for the better."
A separate user shared that she had lived in Selangor for 24 years before moving back to her hometown in Terengganu, adding that one of the best parts was having access to cheaper and fresher groceries.
Another commenter said she had spent over 40 years living in Terengganu before returning to Kuala Lumpur after her husband passed away.
"Only Allah knows how much I miss living in Terengganu. It's peaceful, and things are still affordable there. My house in Terengganu is being rented out now. I'm from KL, but my heart is in Terengganu," she wrote.
