The concept of mental health is no stranger to youths today. Between academic pressure, rising living costs, and jobs that drain you before you even hit 30, burnout has quietly become the norm.
Which is why the idea of a “youth retirement home” today doesn’t sound as strange as it might have a few years ago. There’s Gopeng Sanctuary in Malaysia that offers exactly that – a space where young people can step away from the daily grind, slow down, and simply exist without the constant pressure of adulting.
Image credit: @gopeng_sanctuary via TikTok
Located in the northwest of Malaysia in Perak, Gopeng Sanctuary is the country’s first-ever “retirement home” catered to the youths. The space spans across 348,480sqft of green land, and if you don’t know just how massive that is, it’s roughly the size of 6 football pitches.
Image credit: @gopeng_sanctuary via TikTok
A month-long stay here goes for RM2,000 (~S$630.45), and this home-away-from-home experience comes with meals and accommodation fully taken care of.
There are also wide green spaces for walks, as well as gardening activities if you have a green thumb or fancy getting your hands dirty. Alternatively, choose to spend your time befriending animals like free-roaming ducklings – a small but oddly grounding joy rarely found in city life.
The fastest way to get to Gopeng Sanctuary is a 1.5-hour direct flight (from S$240) from Changi Airport in Singapore to Sultan Azlan Shah Airport in Ipoh. Then hop on a 28-minute Grab ride to get there.
If you’re wondering whether there’s really a need for something like this, the answer is pretty clear. Gopeng Sanctuary is fully booked from December 2025 through to January 2026, which says a lot about how this idea has struck a nerve.
The idea behind the space is deeply personal. The owner’s parents run a senior elderly home in Ipoh, but instead of following the same path, he chose to create something for people his age.
In his eyes, many young people today are already experiencing severe burnout, particularly in their jobs, long before they even hit 30.
Image credit: @gopeng_sanctuary via TikTok
At Gopeng Sanctuary, there’s no need to worry about work burnout and the pressure to be productive. Meals are prepared for you, days are unstructured, and you’re encouraged to take walks, rest, and breathe.
The hope is that by stepping away from the rush of everyday life, youths can regain some perspective – and learn that rest is not something to be earned, but something that’s necessary.
Image adapted from: @malaysiahomie via Instagram
Unsurprisingly, the concept has drawn mixed reactions online. In the comments section of an Instagram post, some netizens dismissed the idea as nothing more than a holiday home.
Screenshot from: @malaysiahomie via Instagram
These comments received hundreds of likes, suggesting that many share the same perception.
Screenshot from: @malaysiahomie via Instagram
But there are also others who pointed out that spaces like this can offer meaningful human connection and support for those struggling socially or mentally, and that rest and recovery should be seen as essential, not indulgent, especially for younger generations.
The sanctuary will be going on hiatus until further notice as the owner prefers to keep it lowkey for the time being – you can check out Gopeng Sanctuary’s Instagram page for updates. But judging by how quickly it was fully booked, this may not be the last time we hear about youth-focused spaces designed purely for rest.
Because sometimes, the most radical thing a young person can do is stop and rest.
Address: Jalan Kota Bahru, Kampung Tersusun Kampung Rawa, Gopeng, Malaysia
Contact: Gopeng Sanctuary
Read our other articles on all things Malaysia:
Cover image adapted from: @gopeng_sanctuary via TikTok
See how Singapore’s next mega terminal is taking shape.
Mental health matters.
Keep your eyes peeled for the location annoucement.
Bring your own bats and balls.
It’s like a cinematic crossover between Bridgerton, The Great Gatsby, and The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Save more than a couple of bucks!