Heres a sample budget for a couple living in Penang: For most people, there is really no such thing as affordable healthcare in the U.S. anymore. Penang has received a big share of foreign retirees and expats over the years. Calling a Grab should only cost you a few dollars unless its a long ride. Thank you!!! 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. A decade went by, and we were still talking about it. Without them, this island could easily have swallowed me up and left me very lonely. 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. Autumn brings the second and more severe of the monsoon seasons. You can get off the grid on some fantastic island or live on the 31 st floor of an ultra-modern skyscraper. Here are the most popular residential areas for expats in Penang: Batu Ferringhi If you've dreamt of retiring to a tropical resort town by the beach, Batu Ferringhi might be the place for you. 04:00 AM May 02, 2013. Overall, living costs in Penang are lower than in many other cities throughout the world. The cost of a nice 2 bedroom home in Penang is typically around $100,000 USD, while a nice 3 bedroom home can cost around $150,000 USD. Living in Kuala Lumpur for a taste of big-city life A first-time doctor visit is about $20 to $65 with follow-up visits around $11 to $28. Tell me in the comments below. 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. And stay tuned Sharon and I are working together to create an even more in-depth neighborhood guide for those who want more details about each location. It is already considered an up and coming area for medical tourism. Thankfully, the nightlife scene on the island is bountiful. Even George Town, Penang states capital and the business hub on the island, has a laze about it. Hello are the visas available again yet to enable us to retire in Malaysia ? Many condo construction projects create quite a bit of noise for neighbors. The Northern parts of Penang have been the preferred place for foreigners since long back. Close to Georgetown and not a bad commute to the Free Trade Zone. Hi Cimeron, we are an active retired couple considering moving to Penang. The island does have its fair share of incredible places to stay that occasionally comes equipped with an incredible view of the surrounding seascape. How to Retire in Malaysia: Costs, Visas and More - SmartAsset Life in Penang Culture and Leisure Expatriates in Penang can look forward to Malaysias favorite pastime: dining out, Penang having taken this obsession to new heights. Below Ive covered three of the main reasons why we continue to see this trend. Construction completed/started, costs, etc? Depending on the time of year, numerous festivals and events also take place across the island. Popular malls include Queensbay Mall, Gurney Plaza, and Auto-City. These are first-party cookies. Of course when we can travel Information about moving to and living in Penang - Expat.com Both months are considered the driest with less than nine days of rain each month and only three inches per month. Being a Seattle transplant, the warm and sunny weather has been both nurturing and rejuvenating. The purchase and rental prices of properties here are some of the highest on the island. Travel2Next.com provides travel inspiration and information about world travel. Cimeron. Rental values in Bayan Lepas are relatively low compared to the Northern parts of the island, which are busier with foreigners. Lots of activities, classes and performances offered at Penang Pac, located within Straits Quay Mall. One thing I've learned is how crucial my friendships here have been for me. Popular areas to live in include Batu Ferringhi, Tanjung Bungah, Straits Quay, Gurney Drive, Pulau Tikus, Georgetown, Queensbay, and Bayan Lepas. Tanjong Tokong which is located nearest to Gurney & Georgetown has become one of the top choices. This is also a reason why we see increasingly more newly completed projects in the Southern parts of the island, attracting more people from the above category. , Excellent article, thanks for sharing. Malaysia also offers the MM2H visa which is renewable and gives you the right to stay for 10 years at a time. Lots of tourists, so the area feels more transient than neighborhoody, and it can get crowded. Id have to say, pretty damn good even though this list has more cons than pros. Thats a little too laidback for me. The temperatures remain the same, around 86 to 88 F, but the rains make it feel cooler temporarily. My wife and I are planning to move to Penang eventually and our first visit will be spring next year. If youre an expat planning to move to Penang, your future happiness may depend a lot on where you choose to live. 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. No way we were going to move across the globe to an island and not be near the ocean. Close enough to the malls and Georgetown to make them an easy trip, but far enough away to escape the heavy traffic and hustle-bustle. If you dont want a car, there is easy access to just about anything you need.. With those prices, its almost ridiculous not to indulge! There are road rules in Penang but no one obeys them. Here are the most popular residential areas for expats in Penang: If youve dreamt of retiring to a tropical resort town by the beach, Batu Ferringhi might be the place for you. Moving on, a number of colleges and universities also exist on the isle of Penang; however, it pales in comparison to the abundance of tertiary educational institutions in the mainland, namely Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. Our content is a fusion of experienced journalism and new media, a marriage of award-winning journalists and new media influencers. There are also 2 international schools in Tanjung Bungah, Dalat International School, and Tenby International School. IQI Global is an award-winning company that has helped many locals and foreigners to find new developments, sub-sales, and rental properties all over Malaysia. But that is what has happened to every good place now. It is all aggregated and, therefore, anonymized. Most of the cafes are cool and sitting with a drink and a good book for an hour or two is perfectly acceptable. Both my wife and myself plan to visit Penang for a few months in the near future for approximately 3 months this comprehensive list provides us with the information to form an opinion on where we should start looking for accommodation. To offer you a better experience, this site uses cookies, including third-party cookies for re-marketing purposes. I didnt want to move so far away, but after visiting Penang, we fell in love, and it just felt right. A chance to live among true Penangites in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If youre looking for a place without many cars or motorbikes, look for islands without commerce, such as Tioman and Pangkor. But dont just take my word for it. Our Company uses these cookies to collect information about how you use a website, like which pages you visited and which links you clicked on. Penang is a little island off of the western coast of PeninsularMalaysia. Penang, Malaysia is that place. One of the biggest benefits of living in Penang is the expat community. In most communities, there are also monthly Newcomers' Events especially for those who have recently joined the American community in Penang. Ask any question about living here, moving here, or anything about life in Penang, and youll get a zillion answers. Blocking some types of cookies may, however, impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. If you are an expat living in Penang, there is a revolving door of people moving to the island. Retire in Penang, Malaysia | Expat Exchange 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. My husband and I choose to retire abroad early. Youve captured the top pros and cons of living on Penang very well! It consists of Seberang Perai, formerly known as Province Wellesley, and comprises mainland territory that has an area about three times that of Singapore at the Straits of Malacca. Because its crazy cheap, we eat half our meals out. Close to the Botanical Gardens, hospitals and Gurney Drive. Again, the temperatures remain about 86 to 88 F in the midday and humidity stays around 81%. And by wild, I mean hitting three bars before calling it a night. Its not strange that Penang has been voted as one of the top 10 destinations to retire in the world as living costs are low, the weather is great, and you can enjoy one of the best cuisines in the world. Sharon adds: This is a buzzy area and if you have teenagers makes it perfect for them to just walk to the mall. Wrapping their minds around Malaysia wasnt easy for them. Traffic can get pretty bad in Penang and on its main bridge during the weekends as well as during peak hours. But when you just want to hang out and grab a glass of wine with friends, the options are far and few between. Entertainment in Penang Penang has no shortage of fun things to do when it comes to recreational activities. Big expat community, with restaurants and shops catering to expats needs. If it was better cooked, theyd tell us their fave method to cook it and then other locals standing nearby would join the convo, telling me their fave way and what restaurant to try it at. Rental prices vary quite a bit from one building to another, and from one neighborhood to another. Penang Neighborhood Guide for Expats | Oh MY Expat Life So true! Thank you for a very informative article. I would agree that buying a property in Penang isnt the best idea. There are a lot of expats on this small island and there is always something social going on. Thanks so much for writing it. Our Company uses cookies that are essential for you to browse the website and use its features, such as accessing secure areas of the site. Im not saying imported items arent expensive in other places in Malaysia. It costs $939 a year for both of us. Especially when it comes to renting, which is the largest portion of your monthly nut. Its very affordable and has a range of offerings, from high-rise condo living to seaside low-rise units. Very westernized it lacks Penangs signature charm and unique feel. There are malls at every corner. Oh My Expat Life: Penang Neighborhood Guide for Expats; Oh My Expat Life: Top 5 Relocation Hacks To Help You Adjust Faster to Malaysia; Oh My Expat Life: Cost of Living in Penang; Malaysia Traveller: 15 Reasons to Retire to Malaysia (and Reasons Why Not) Penang My Home: Pros and Cons of Retiring in Malaysia; LifeHacker Guy: Living Life As An . Of course, there is petty crime here and the odd machete stabbing, but its still less than anywhere else in Malaysia. Georgetown is historical yet modern at the same time, which makes it so fascinating. 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. It comprises resort-styled condominiums, suites, colonial-style courtyard terraces, semi-detached houses, and landed properties with private pools. No spamming and business promotion is allowed. The mosque loudspeaker can be very loud with the call the prayer 5 times per day, plus sometimes lengthy reading of prayers over the loudspeaker. Hi there! Nevertheless, no matter where you stay, plentiful hawker cafes, convenience stores, and Penangs other popular amenities can surely be found nearby. According to Sharon: This is probably the most walkable neighbourhood in terms of access to the seafront walkway, as well as a gated community with landed properties (houses) with yards. Add to that all of the inherent cultural and religious festivals, loads of art galleries with ever-changing exhibits, and the street art scene, and youll never be at a loss for something to do in Penang. We had a little chat on Facebook earlier this year reference our trip to Malaysia. 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. The Light Collection, a fancy new development, sits right beside the water and is attracting lots of interest from new expats. Great article Cimeron. A dinner at a moderately priced restaurant in Penang can cost anywhere from $10 to . Bring lots of cool, light layers, and an umbrella. These could include what language you prefer and location you are in. Itll help youavoid the mistakes we made. It is extremely chill here. Check it out for info on expat life, a unique perspective on living abroad, and practical travel guides. Simply enter your email address below to sign up for ILs free daily postcards and we'll also send you a Free Malaysia Report - Amazing Malaysia: Halve Your Living Costs While Living Like a King in the Pearl of the Orient. 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. Take this chance to mingle and meet other expats and global minds in Penang. The key is to get a good realtor to show you a ton of properties in your price range nothing like an in-person tour to help you figure out whats right for you. In addition, the investment requirements are quite significant as you need to put up at least RM 3 million when buying a villa, which equals around USD 720,000. We do have a small pool but our gym is from 1995, so we joined a gym for US$27 a month. Far from beaches, jungles and activities. Youll reach the Upland International School within a 10-minute drive, hence, this area is highly popular among families with primary and secondary children. Currently living in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, 2023 Sand In My Curls. It is important because education has the ability to mould and shape a childs development process. Last Updated on July 25, 2022 by Kirsten Raccuia. In my 20s as a single woman, I lived in London, Cape Town, and Brazil but I always ended up going back to Chicago, my hometown. Ive always felt extremely welcomed by the locals. Buses are the most popular mode of travel, with Rapid Penang consisting of paid bus routes while the Central Area Transit (CAT) buses provide free transportation for all on selected routes. There are concert halls, loads of art galleries, cafs . Good thing we found Penang! Another expat group that meets from time to time is the international website-based Internations, which organises evenings in wine bars and cafs. Located in the Northwest of the country, the city attracts many expatriates thanks to its heterogeneous population and its cultural diversity. It's got all the consumer conveniences. But they aren't bad and are getting better all the time. Cost of Living in Penang: How to Budget for Expat Life Its also a preferable choice among expats that work in multinational companies in Bayan Lepas or on the mainland, as they can reach these areas within a short distance. Mean Machines, Malaysias largest motorsports and motorshow performance, also visits Penang annually and is an ideal attraction for motoring enthusiasts. It makes it very easy to adapt and eases any culture shock. 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). Others are here for work, yet others are here for the overall quality of life in Penang. Home to an abundance of high-quality hospitals, Penang is fast becoming a go-to destination for those wishing to rid themselves of all types of ailments. The Penang authorities are starting to crack down on the whole visa run thing so you cant get pop over the border to Thailand for a few hours. Your email address will not be published. There are plenty of air-conditioned attractions to visit as soon as the day starts to sear. We found your area report very helpful in anticipation of a visit we will be making soon. Top 4 Areas to Live in Penang: A Guide for Retirees & Expats, These cookies are set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and are used to store whether or not visitors have consented to the use of cookies, These cookies are used to monitor the email newsletter's performances, Penang has warm tropical weather which is highly appreciated among foreigners that come from cold countries. Rentals range from RM 3000 RM 9000 (USD 723 USD 2170). Theres a wide variety of food options and Penang is famous for having one of the best cuisines in Asia, Penang offers low living costs, you can stretch your pension budget or savings and still live a comfortable lifestyle. Safety tips for expats living in Penang We have friends from Zimbabwe, Germany, Australia, Scotland, Philippines, Canada and the US. 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. doesnt sound that good really would you agree. The most incredible food in Malaysia is not found in high-end restaurants, but at thousands of food stalls that serve one signature dishoften a familys secret recipe passed down through generations. That blend makes daily life here exotic, exhilarating and quirky. Start reaching out and making connections, so when you arrive, you already have a bit of help from a friendly face. Convenience is king here restaurants and shops are all within walking distance, and its close to town. All mixed together are fancy high rises, ancient local homes, mosques, Buddhist temples, hawker stalls, gigantic colonial homes surrounded by grand lawns and palm trees, a few shanty shacks, and the fantastic Pulau Tikus wet market. Lively area with lots of restaurants, hawker stalls, and night market stalls. Night markets in Penang are usually similar to other night markets around Malaysia and take place once a week in different areas. For more information on our data policies, please read our. Thank you Cimeron. There arent many neighborhood bars. Its a living in Penang pro and con. We are def on the same page! Flanked by jungle on one side, and the beach on the other. Expats in Penang - Find Jobs, Forums & Events for Expats - InterNations It's nothing like Kuala Lumpur, but Penang has a bunch of malls on the island. In fact, more than 700,000 foreigners came to Malaysia last year for medical treatment. Read hundreds of articles and expert interviews covering Asia property taxes, foreign ownership rules, projects & much more. Kirsten. By the way, if you want to make a city price comparison check out Numbeo. If you are OK with traffic noise and heat and dont need fast internet, and walking to restaurants is important, then this is your scene., Sandwiched between Georgetown, Green Lane and Bayan Lepas are the Jelutong and Gelugor areas, which are truly Malaysian neighborhoods. Besides medical facilities such as hospitals and clinics, Penang also has a profusion of pharmacies that sell over the counter drugs for those who dont require dire medical attention. Even though the temperatures are stable, the mugginess in the air means youll need a change of clothes if you plan to sightsee during the hottest hours of the day. Theres also the night market, which sells every knockoff you can imagine, plus the latest styles in hippie pants and burkinis. 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. Penang has no shortage of fun things to do when it comes to recreational activities. A great chance to immerse yourself in local Penang culture. As a highly industrialized city, Penang provides many opportunities to . As Malaysias food capital, this light guide to dining in Penang will mainly focus on the finer and more popular things to eat on the island, especially its famous hawker street food. But since moving to Puerto Vallarta, Ill be writing about our misadventures here. Sharon says: Not really an up and coming place to live as it is so isolated. Newish apartments sit beside crumbling traditional Chinese and Malay homes, which gives expats a chance to live among true locals. It is big enough to feel anonymous but small enough to feel quickly at home. Our friends range from 20-somethings having kids to fabulous 70 somethings having the time of their lives. Top 4 Areas to Live in Penang: A Guide for Retirees & Expats Since we lived in Malaysia, there is a ton of info on the blog about life here and all the extraordinary adventures we get up to while living in Asia. On her blog, Sand in my Curls, she writes about the realities of expat life. Wales is filled with unexpected beauty. We love it here! 1. Quite a distance to other parts of Penang, which can feel isolating. Very happy to hear that the article is helpful for you, Teresa and Gonzalo! Penang is famous for its food, with a distinct regional take on Thai, Malaysian, Korean, and Chinese food. The islands along the east coast of Malaysia (Redang, Perhentian, and Tioman) are practically rain-free during this time so if youre looking for beaches, head to the east coast. A former outpost of the British Empire, the state of Penang in Malaysias north-west consists of Penang Island (home to the states capital and UNESCO World Heritage George Town) and Seberang Perai (the largest and most well-known place here is Butterworth). In 2014, Lonely Planet deemed Penang to be the top foodie destination to visit in the world. For years, many people from surrounding countries, like Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Singapore, have gone there for affordable, first class care. Families with young children can enjoy low-cost education fees with a high quality and standards, Georgetown has been listed as a UNESCO World heritage. Seberang Perai is on peninsular Malay. St. Christophers International Primary School, To live in a UNESCO World Heritage Site is a rare opportunity! Penang is one of the safest expat havens in Malaysia. To arrange a private neighborhood tour, you can contact Sharon at: giraudcan@gmail.com. There are property sites here but often the pictures arent of the actual unit and sometimes the images are only of the outside of the building.

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