Penang

[synthia]

Penang, an island off the west coast of peninsular Malaysia, has a large ex-pat community. They seem to be divided into three groups: those who are employed here, those who are retired and are at least comfortable financially, and those who are retired or just hanging out and don't have much money. I fall into the latter group.

Those who are working live in the suburbs or nice residential areas of the city. The comfortably retired congregate out at Batu Ferringhi (Foreign Beach) in high-rise condos. The rest of us are in the Chinatown area of Georgetown, staying in guesthouses or renting rooms, enjoying the atmosphere, and eating well in small restaurants for very little money.

Malaysia has a retirement program like those of other countries that want to be retirement havens.

Hello Synthia,

I am new to this forum and have started the process of learning about Malaysia. You sounded in the know and I was in hopes you could shed a little light on Penang for me.
I currently live in Baguio City, Philippines and have grown tried of the ways of the Philippines. So, if you dont mind, here are a few questions:

1) What is the cost of the mid range housing on Penang? We figure we can
spend around RM1000 per month or less but want a home/house by the
Ocean if possible.
2) What would the cost for Aircon, electricity, water, gas, etc. be? An
estimate would be great to try and put together a budget.
3) I understand visa's are not a problem and that they can be renewed
every 90 days. How much is that per 3 month period.
4) How much would food be for two people if purchased at the wet market?

Just trying to get a fix on how things work there.... Thanks, Brian

[synthia]

Visas are free.

Housing here is expensive. While in Thailand you can frequently save a lot of money by renting an apartment short term, it seems to be the opposite here. I don't think you will get anything near the beach for RM1000, let alone a house. I do know someone who got a one-bedroom for RM 700, but it turned out it was full of apartments being rented by an hour. I'm told you can get something for RM 700 near Gurney Road, which is near the water but not near the beach, and that's an apartment, not a house. There is a large ex-pat community here and there are ex-pat prices, and the places I hear about that are cheap are for locals only.

One of the problems is that all of the apartments that are built for occupation by foreigners are luxury places, three bedrooms and two baths is the norm. There are some two-bedroom places. Rents are 2500 to 3500. If you are only here during the off season, you might get one for RM 1000-1200.

I keep hearing about cheaper places, but I have never met anybody who actually has one except the guy staying in the hot-sheet place.

Malaysia always used to be much more expensive than the Philippines, and that probably hasn't changed.

Thank you for the reply Synthia...
Wow, that blew a hole in a dream for us... We read about 100's of places for rent in various areas with the rent (pics included) being RM800 up to RM1500 that look nice. Deceptive advertising? Basically what we are looking for is a way to form a budget. I am very interested in getting out of the Philippines and just started looking. Any advise you could offer would be apprecaited.... Best Regards, Brian

[synthia]

Where did you find this information? It might be more accurate than what I am finding. As a retired American, no matter whom I talk to, they assume that I have a big fat pension and can afford an expensive place. Were these online sites? And Penang is an island, so what part of the island were these places? Or were they from other parts of Malaysia? This is, I think, an expensive area. Houses or condos? And when were these brochures publilshed?

[synthia]

I asked the local manager of my guesthouse about renting a house. He said that you could get a house near the beach for RM1200-1500, but an apartment would be preferable and more expensive because of security. In Batu Ferringhi houses are robbed regularly. It is not possible to rent a furnished house because owners don't want their things stolen. He said that if you want a house you will need 24-hour guards, which will run about RM800 per month per guard, so for three guards, you would spend RM2400. Most people get into houses because they are cheaper, then move on to apartments when they can afford them. Locals, not just expats.

All the higher prices I heard were for furnished places. The lower ones, like MR700 were most likely for unfurnished places, and just for the off season.

I hope this helps.

[Ninja]

Hi Synthia, I'm looking to invest in a property in Pg with a longer term view to retire there. I was born in KL but have been a naturalised Aussie (sounds like processed meat, doesn't it?) for almost 25 years.
Between KL and Pg, which would you choose as a place to relax in your golden years?
Thanks.

[synthia]

I haven't been to KL in a long time, although I am going this coming weekend to catch my flight to the US. I would choose Penang because it is smaller, more manageable, has beaches, and I like the ethnic mix.

[Ninja]

Thanks Synthia. Have a good flight.