Penang expat group

[3RunrRound]

It's $400 for a family of 5. I expect that it would be much less for one single retiree.

[johnwboy]

Originally Posted by 3RunrRound

Hi Vin and Johnwboy,

Since my husband's company who transferred us here handles our housing, car, insurance and visas, I'm afraid that I can't be of much help with those questions.

The bicycle rickshaws are fun thing for the tourist but by no means reliable transportation. Considering how many times I've come across them while driving on busy streets, I'm a little afraid to ride them (because a driver like me might be sneaking up behind.) ; ) But seriously, I don't mind driving here at all.

The heat and humidity has been my biggest complaint about living here. And I'm from Houston, so I'm actually quite familiar with this type of climate. My home has an A/C unit in almost every room (not in kitchen, laundry or bathrooms), but they are sooooo expensive to run that I only turn them on when we're sleeping. Still, the electric bill comes to US$400/month. Ouch! I think this is why the air-conditioned shopping malls are so popular to hang out in.

Penang water is not very good for diving or even snorkeling. Langkawi (3 hours by ferry or 1 hour by plane) is much nicer. Phuket which is also about an hour by plane is also good for diving. I hear the best Malaysian dive sites are on the other side of the country. I think Redang and the Perhentians (but I'm not totally sure).

You should check out the blog "Retired in Malaysia." It probably has a lot of the information you are looking for. If not, it sounds like the author is very willing to answer questions. This forum won't let me post the link, but if you search "Retired in Penang blog" and find the web address "ifoundmalaysia", that's the right one.

Good luck!

Thanks 3run, I lived in Florida at one time with the heat and humidity, and was in Thailand at one time for short periods. but yes I have heard that it is brutal.

[johnwboy]

Originally Posted by askpat88

Hi guys,
My name is Patrick and I'm a Malaysian and currently residing in Penang.
Penang today is changing and it has gone thru a beautiful change since our new state government took over in 2008.
Our Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has done a lot that benefit Penang people.
Hope that you guys will settle down in Penang in the near future.
Regards Patrick




QUOTE=johnwboy;741532]Hello Vin,
I am also checking out Penang and KL as possible retirement havens. Those two look better than the other places like the Philippines, Thailand, and Spain. The PI looks like to much crime, baggers, bad food, and bad infrastructure. Thailand good people but bad govt. No English speaking and Americans can be ATM's like in the PI. I really liked Spain, but have not found a way to get a "retirement" visa there.

The MM2H should not be very difficult to get, just have the money. I don't want to tie up $49,000.00 USD to do that. Would rather make 90 day visa runs to Thailand or Singapore.

[/QUOTE]

Well thanks Patrick for that invite. I may be able to get over there for a visit sometime this year. Oh Patrick, do you know any golf & tennis players that live there?

Regarding 3runs electric bill per month, do you think that someone is siphoning off a little?

[askpat88]

Hope to meet up with you when you down in Penang.
Regards Patrik




QUOTE=askpat88;743496]Well thanks Patrick for that invite. I may be able to get over there for a visit sometime this year. Oh Patrick, do you know any golf & tennis players that live there?

Regarding 3runs electric bill per month, do you think that someone is siphoning off a little?[/QUOTE][/QUOTE]

[Vin39]

It is apparent that electric rates are very high in Penang. I suppose central units are not installed in homes and only individual AC units is the norm for home use. Central AC units are much more economical.

A request to those expats that work in Penang and were sent there by firms from US or other places - What sort of area they work in? Teaching, managing an office etc I currently work in US as an engineer and would retire in the next 2-3 years. Just thought that I could begin to enquire about a suitable position here in US for posting in Malaysia.

Thank you.

Regards


Vin

[Vin39]

Sorry I did not mean to enquire about what folks do or work as expat in penang. Just wanted to know what skill set is more in demand and if possible how did they find firms which have needs of skilled people form US to work in penang/malaysia.

Thank you


Vin

[askpat88]

Hi Vin,
Since Penang is an industrial/technology sector most of our factories are IT and electronic factories.
Engineer are in demand here.
Maybe there are other type of job vacancy too.
Regards Pat



QUOTE=Vin39;750026]Sorry I did not mean to enquire about what folks do or work as expat in penang. Just wanted to know what skill set is more in demand and if possible how did they find firms which have needs of skilled people form US to work in penang/malaysia.

Thank you


Vin[/QUOTE]

[3RunrRound]

Vin, I didn't reply because I don't really have any useful info. Mostly, ditto what Askpat said.

Almost all the expats I know here had established jobs elsewhere and then were transferred over to Penang to fill a position. I have no idea how to start a job search here.

Here's a selection of jobs held by expats I know:
High Tech (Penang's trying to be the Silicon Valley of Malaysia)
Factory manager
International marketing
Telecommuting for an international consulting job
Teaching at an International School
Teaching English to Malay kids at the after school tuition centers
Yoga teacher
Photographer
Tour Guide
Australian or New Zealand military
Espionage (okay, that one's a joke)

Other than just surfing the web, I don't know where to point you. Make sure you look into the visa issue if you want to work. I'm here on a Dependent Pass, so I'm forbidden to work, even though a few of the job vacancies (bakery, sales position at a store) I've seen look interesting.

[Vin39]

Thank you all for the info. I was just curious and like the idea of hooking up with a firm in US to get transfered to malaysia (Penang etc) . You are correct Visa is an issue and like many nations, one cant work without permit.


Regards

vin

[roystevenung]

Hello everyone. Welcome to Penang.

I'm Roy and local (last I check) Chinese. I'm an insurance agent and should you need help on medical related please do let me know.

Here are a lists of private hospitals in Penang including its phone numbers for your convenience.

On The Penang Island

1. GLENEAGLES MEDICAL CENTRE, PENANG 1, Jalan Pangkor, 10050 Penang. Tel: 04-227 6111

2. PENANG ADVENTIST HOSPITAL 165. Jalan Burmah. 10350 Penang. Tel: 04-222 7200

3. HOSPITAL LAM WAH EE, I 41, Jalan Tan Sri Teh Ewe Lim, 11600 Penang. Tel: 04-657 1888

4. ISLAND HOSPITAL, 308, Macalister Road, 10450 Penang, Tel: 04-228 8222

5. MOUNT MIRIAM CANCER HOSPITAL 13, Jalan Bulan, Fettes Park, 1 1200 Tanjung Bungah, Penang. Tel: 04-890 7044

6. PANTAI HOSPITAL PENANG, J2, Jalan Tengah, Bayan Baru, 1'1900 Bayan Lepas, Penang. Tel: 04-643 3888

On the Mainland
1. BAGAN SPECIALIST CENTRE, Jalan Bagan 1,13400 Butterworth, 04-332 2800

2. KPJ PENANG SPECIALIST HOSPITAL, 570 Jalan Perda Utama, Bandar Perda, Seberang Jaya, Penang. Tel: 04-548 6688

HTH

Roy, Prudential (016-451 5957)