Its always bustling here, and theres always something to do, whether its a movie at the IMAX theater, a stroll along the boardwalk or dinner out with friends, Gurney is a hopping place. Lots of tourists, so the area feels more transient than neighborhoody, and it can get crowded. Read hundreds of articles and expert interviews covering Asia property taxes, foreign ownership rules, projects & much more. No spamming and business promotion is allowed. Let me know what kinds of info youd like to know more about and Ill see if I can write some stories to help answer your questions. Penang is one of the safest expat havens in Malaysia. Most expats buy a car or a scooter here, although the Penang drivers are notoriously crazy. Having some good old-fashioned fun after the sun sets is almost everyones favourite past time, be it drinking at the pub or having a nice meal with family or friends after work. But dont just take my word for it. Thankfully, the nightlife scene on the island is bountiful. Retiring to Penang will not only give you the financial freedom you need but also provides you with a First World lifestyle. With a mix of these cultures, the food is touted to be the best in all of Southeast Asia. 04:00 AM May 02, 2013. Same for beer, a large bottle of local Tiger is $4.15, so while you save money on food, you can quickly spend it on booze. There is everything from beaches and shopping to great food and a vibrant culture. Youll reach the Upland International School within a 10-minute drive, hence, this area is highly popular among families with primary and secondary children. Another upcoming International school is Prince of Wales International School. January and February typically bring blue skies and drier days making this a great time to visit Penang. Ive always felt extremely welcomed by the locals. Many are on a fixed budget and want to live in a place that has all the comforts of home, without the same high costs. First of all, these areas have seen a lower influx of foreigners and offer a more genuine local lifestyle. One thing I've learned is how crucial my friendships here have been for me. The most up-market and exclusive seafront residences that offer modern amenities and convenient living is in Seri Tanjung Pinang. You can get off the grid on some fantastic island or live on the 31 st floor of an ultra-modern skyscraper. Like most tropical islands in South-East Asia during nightfall, both the locals and foreigners in Penang come out to play by drinking, socializing, dancing, and eating. For gorgeous clear water beaches, we go to Langkawi because its a 17-minute flight and duty-free. For a small island, there is no shortage of arts and culture to take part in; from the month long George Town festival that celebrates the arts in every form imaginable, the Jazz and World Music festivals, and the International Film festival. No major updates to the story all the costs are about the same, and none of the neighborhoods have changed significantly (with the exception of the Gurney Drive area, which has a huge, multi-year land reclamation project going on across the street). We told the dealer the car had too many kilometres on it. My husband and I choose to retire abroad early. I never had the frustrations of a language barrier, which makes adjusting pretty easy. To offer you a better experience, this site uses cookies, including third-party cookies for re-marketing purposes. I just read your post and I cover a lot of those points in my other blog about the pros and cons of being an expat in Malaysia. Public transportation on the island usually consists of air travel, buses and ferries bringing people and cars into or out of Penang. Lots of tourists, and not so many expats, so making friends can be a bit challenging. Seberang Perai is on peninsular Malay. Flanked by jungle on one side, and the beach on the other. It's nothing like Kuala Lumpur, but Penang has a bunch of malls on the island. Im out of practice, my friends. Can you afford to live there? Below, Ive listed some distinct features that diversify Penang from other places within Malaysia, but also regionally: Deciding whether you should buy or rent is not always easy. It doesnt matter if you live in Batu Ferringhi, Tanjung Bungah, or Georgetown. Newish apartments sit beside crumbling traditional Chinese and Malay homes, which gives expats a chance to live among true locals. Going to the gym is also a great way to meet people and get out of the condo, especially since I work from home. You can go shopping at Gurney Plaza, or Queensbay Mall, and find the same high-end stores you would in the U.S. You can walk through the jungle, laze about on a secluded beach, take a food tour and a cooking class, or even drive a few hours to visit an Orangutan shelter. For years, many people from surrounding countries, like Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Singapore, have gone there for affordable, first class care. And to highlight the unique flavor and special considerations for each neighborhood, Ive enlisted the help of my close friend Sharon Giraud shes an expert on the subject and gives neighborhood tours to future expats to help them find the right rental properties. Its only a quick 45-minute plane ride from the nations capital, Kuala Lumpur and an hour from Singapore and Phuket, Thailand. Ideal for singles working in the area who just need to get to work fast.. Travel2Next.com provides travel inspiration and information about world travel. Hi Stephanie, The best way to keep up to date on the visa situation is https://www.penangmyhome.com/. doesnt sound that good really would you agree. On her blog, Sand in my Curls, she writes about the realities of expat life. From crowded hawker centers to 5-star hotels, the city is overflowing with good food. Education is of prime importance for most expat families relocating to a new country or environment. Tanjong Tokong which is located nearest to Gurney & Georgetown has become one of the top choices. So true! It has movie theaters with American films, spas, high-end malls where you can shop for days, restaurants, and modern living. Travellers seeking a tropical island holiday often choose Penang for its beautiful beaches and quirky culture. Those wishing to dance the night away need not look further than venturing to Upper Penang Road, where an abundance of restaurants, bars and clubs clutter the street with live music, tantalizing aromas, and pleasure-seeking patrons of various ages. Understanding the the cost of living in Penang helps a newcomer what to expect when it comes to apartment or house hunting, grocery shopping, transportation, dining out, utilities and more. Large selection of upscale condo developments and hillside villas with beautiful views of the sea and mountains. Its well preserved, colonial buildings and Chinese clan houses are living testaments to what life was like centuries ago. Penang has been one of the top expat destinations in Malaysia for years. There are quite a few speakeasies or hidden bars, but they are more expensive. People come to Penang for street food because its the best in Malaysia. Kirsten. Yes, Penang is an island and has some pretty to look at beaches, but the water isnt clear. Penang, Malaysia is that place. However, this is a bird and monkey watchers paradise (and snakes and lizards)., Uplands, The International School of Penang, Popular among expats and locals, Tanjung Bungah is a quiet neighborhood with a great wet market, a small array of restaurants including several serving international food a couple pretty beaches, and the monkey-studded Pearl Hill presiding over it all. Very close to Georgetown, and a fairly easy commute to the Free Trade Zone. Since long back, the Northern parts of Penang have been the preferred among foreigners. I fly out to Malaysia today and will be in Penang later this week! Shopaholics visiting Penang should fret not as the city features both local and internationally recognized fashion brands that would surely satisfy some shopping craves. Learn more about Malaysia and other countries in our daily postcard e-letter. St. Christophers International Primary School, To live in a UNESCO World Heritage Site is a rare opportunity! It makes it very easy to adapt and eases any culture shock. If you need to see another doctor, get an X-ray or scan, that also happens in the same day. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Im a Chicago girl who was living in Penang, Malaysia with my hubs, Mark until 2022. Street noise and vehicle fumes can be an annoyance. Renting is a far better choice. Very happy to hear that the article is helpful for you, Teresa and Gonzalo! - This post may contain affiliate links. I was 43 and he was 59. Malaysia itself is home to one of the top 5 sites in the world: Sipadan. Penang is a healthcare haven. Being a Seattle transplant, the warm and sunny weather has been both nurturing and rejuvenating. Not many attractions here not much to do. If you agree and have the time you can hook us up with your friend in order to arrange a little Insider tour in Penang.Thanks for your help and assistance. 59100, Kuala Lumpur Can you live in a safe place with all the amenities that you want or will you have to forgo some creature comforts? Very expensive housing the priciest on the island. However, there are not many expats in this area. Is the in-depth neighborhood guide available somewhere yet? Thanks for this great article! I find there are a lot of young-ish people in Bayan Baru/Relau area (likely due to cheaper rents and being close to work), and there actually are a lot of really good food spots in this area and even some bars, says Lauren B., an expat who lives in the area. KL is a bustling capital. It was the hardest decision. Malaysias local currency, Ringgit (RM), has depreciated much over the years, making Penang attractive for foreign real estate buyers. Thank you Christen. 1. Entertainment in Penang Penang has no shortage of fun things to do when it comes to recreational activities. That being said, Penang is better than Langkawi or Kuching for particular items. We see all sorts of wildlife from our condo including monitor lizards, two kinds of monkeys, sea eagles and bats, which is pretty unique considering we live in a modern high-rise, not in some hut in the rainforest. I've heard that living on the mainland is even more affordable, but for us, the island is where it's at. Its really up to you. I've lived in London, Cape Town, and Brazil. There are seven hospitals on the island so there are plenty of doctors and specialists to choose from. Culturally its a mind-blowing place to live. Imported goods are always more money, and if only Hellmans mayo will do, youre gonna pay for it. A great chance to immerse yourself in local Penang culture. Although the climate is generally the same year-round, there will be some months that are hotter and wetter than others. I was hoping to find a nice Malaysian island without many cars.and motorcycles Thats what I hate about living in Bangkok. Penang is a little island off of the western coast of PeninsularMalaysia. These could include what language you prefer and location you are in. You can find more leisure activities and points of interest compared to the Southern parts, especially in areas of Georgetown to Batu Ferringhi. Because we respect your right to privacy, this tool helps you understand what information is collected, and choose not to allow some types of cookies. The warm welcome of local people attracts foreigners interests, and to engage with the locals, in addition to finding their own international community of friends, Penang is very accessible with many cheap travel options. AsiapropertyHQ.com was launched in 2017 to help property buyers better understand ownership rules, taxes and buying processes in Asia. Dan writes of his own real-life situations and details he has learned while trying to settle his family on this . It is one of the many reasons people are moving out of the country to retire. If you have to commute to the Free Trade Zone or Kulim, it can be a pretty long drive in rush hour. Cost and lifestyle are two of the most important aspects of moving to a new place. Thats fantastic to hear that the guide will be helpful for you, Mia! Thanks Cameron , Very happy to hear that the story is helpful to you, Jeff! Counting on heat, humidity, and rain no matter when you plan on travelling will help prepare you for packing. Both months are considered the driest with less than nine days of rain each month and only three inches per month. More and more are popping up these days, but still, there is a gap in the market here. Most activities will require a 40+ minute drive to the north of the island. But to actually spoil ourselves with crystal clear water and fantastic coral, its best to go to Perhentians, Tioman, or Kota Kinabalu. Hi Marcus Hi there! Also, be sure to get a room with air-conditioning so you can duck out of the heat when need be. Now that you know the living in Penang pros and cons, does that. Its one of the top choices when foreign retirees and expats decide to settle down in the country. Health insurance is available in Penang but with prices so low most expats pay out of pocket for their care. Seberang Jaya - The Land Of Green. Im using this as my guide! Where do most retirees and expats stay in Penang? Having the option to rent a spacious and modern place for RM 5000 (USD 1200) a month, instead of locking in a big sum of money in an illiquid asset that wont appreciate much in the coming years, many foreigners decide to rent property instead. When looking for a place to retire, cost of living is the first concern for most. Overview of Penang Cultures and Tradition The state of Penang is located on the northwestern coast of Peninsula Malaysia. There are a few modern condos on offer, but most of the rentals are in traditional buildings. So, if you are trying to come to Penang because you think you can buy cheap housing and lounge on the beaches, its probably not for you. Good thing we found Penang! It costs $939 a year for both of us. There are road rules in Penang but no one obeys them. Lots of gorgeous high-rise condos with million dollar views., The glitzy seafront retail marina, Straits Quay, and its surrounding condos and villas are the highlight of Tanjung Tokong. Safety is a concern for new arrivals in a foreign country and learning the dos and donts for a new place can sometimes help individuals in avoiding unnecessary predicaments. Now, where do most retirees and expats stay in Penang? One thing that people dont know about Malaysia is that it is a medical tourism destination. It is quick, efficient, and five-star quality for prices that are lower than what most people pay for their deductible. Of course when we can travel Hello are the visas available again yet to enable us to retire in Malaysia ? Dive into healthcare resources for expats and digital nomads in Penang: identify leading healthcare . For more information on our data policies, please read our. With cheap living costs, medical care (with high standard), and a high quality of life in general, keeping a property for more than 5 years is easy for many. Your email address will not be published. Its true that a lack of high speed internet in a building will bring down the rental price. If youre staying in George Town, try to choose a hotel with a pool for your midday cool down breaks; youll need them. Indeed, as reported by the TheEdge Malaysia, Penang is striving to become a medical city for foreigners and locals alike and this is evident from raking in RM336 million in revenue in the sector for the year 2010. Probably slightly cheaper. Penang Why did you choose to retire abroad? A chance to live among true Penangites in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the most popular is Permai Garden Residences with 3 story terraced-houses, one of the latest projects with gated landed properties, managed by Alila. Now, where do most retirees and expats stay in Penang? The cost of healthcare is so low that very few expats have insurance so most people pay out of pocket. If you dont care to live with a view or by the beach, you can rent a nice two- or three-bedroom place for about $550 to $650which means you could easily live on $2,000 a month or less. Far from beaches, jungles and activities. We had previously lived in China for two years, so it is delightful to be able to easily navigate the island and communicate in English. As a highly industrialized city, Penang provides many opportunities to . Or you can sit on the beach with a drink and relax. Last Updated on February 21, 2023 by Kirsten Raccuia I've been living in Penang as an expat since 2013. Thanks so much for writing it. June through August averages between seven to eight inches of precipitation with 15 to 17 days of rain per month. A great way to meet new people is the expat mingles that occur almost monthly at different bars or restaurants. Best of luck with your future move! Thank you for this article! It is big enough to feel anonymous but small enough to feel quickly at home. People from Langkawi regularly fly here for grocery items, and people from Penang fly to Langkawi for duty-free booze. However, the imports in KL are cheaper than in Penang. March begins with around five inches of rainfall and rises to almost 10 inches in April and May with 12, 14, and 17 days of precipitation respectively. Your email address will not be published. These areas are not very popular among longterm expat families, in part because its so far away from everything (except the Free Trade Zone and the Penang bridges). Thank you for reading! Whether you go for the food or the sights, Penang certainly has more to offer to those willing to explore the island and all of its secrets.
where do expats live in penang
