There’s something to be said about island living – a slower pace of life, being surrounded by the sea, better weather, friendlier people, cheaper standard of living, and just having the opposite vibe of a manic city. If you’re contemplating moving to an island and wanting crystal clear seas and white powder sand, then Penang is not for you.
But, if you’re looking for an island steeped in history, has a fantastic array of properties for sale and rent, international schools, good healthcare, an international airport and enough culture and street food to keep you occupied for a long time, then Penang is an interesting option.
For those who are considering relocating, one of the most tedious things is to do the groundwork and worse, tackle the bureaucracy. There’s an easier way of going about the process now with a recently launched website called RelocatetoPenang.com, whose aim is to introduce the island to those who don’t know it and to offer local knowledge.
The people behind it have chosen Penang as their home base and can guide you through everything from purchasing / renting a property and schools to guiding through the heritage zones (George Town is a UNESCO listed site) and showing you where the best street eats are. On the legal side of things, they can also advise you on the Malaysia My Second Home programme and property ownership.
Photo: Tourism Malaysia
Penang in 5 Days
As part of the services offered, RelocatetoPenang.com has put together a bespoke five-day package targeted at people who potentially want to make Penang their home. Within the five days, all the questions you may have are answered by specialists in immigration laws, banking, healthcare, property and local culture. You can also request personal sessions with education and real estate experts.
There’s also some fun activities to be had – it can’t all be about paperwork and money! Part of the package includes meeting MM2H expats who live in Penang, a trip to a local wet market, a heritage tour to a mansion in the UNESCO heritage zone, cooking classes, hikes and an evening sampling the famed street food.
It’s hoped that these five days will give you an idea of what Penang is like to live in with the help of local professionals.
To find out more about why you should consider Penang as a retirement / relocation option and how to get started with the process head to www.relocatetopenang.com and www.penangpropertyangel.com. Then plan your visit in person and make sure you meet with Lily, Serena and Sam to have a chat about your future in Penang.