Should You Move to Penang or Retire Here? My Take on Living in Penang Malaysia
- Graceful Roamer
- Apr 30
- 7 min read
Updated: May 9
Whether you're planning to move to Penang for a lifestyle change or considering it as a place to retire, let me share what it’s actually like to live here day to day.
Penang, Malaysia Is Beautiful—But Is It Right for You?
Few places blend charm, color, and coastline quite like Penang.
Even with all the miles behind me, I find myself pausing often to admire how Penang’s skyline unfolds: a layered view of sea, mountains, and city life stitched together by vibrant streets that invite you to wander.
One of the first things I noticed—and appreciate—is how walkable Penang is, specifically Penang Island, very near the heart of George Town.
Sidewalks are often taken for granted in major cities, but here, they make a real difference.
I can easily walk to grocery stores, local markets, cafes, and the beach without feeling like I'm taking my chances dodging traffic. This kind of everyday accessibility matters more than most travel guides will tell you—especially if you're living somewhere longer than a three-day weekend and plan on using your feet to get around.
Penang Offers Variety Without Overwhelm
Yes, there are sprawling malls where you can buy luxury goods if you want them. But just as easily, you can support small businesses, shop from neighborhood fruit vendors, or browse local organic stores that feel personal and community-driven. This will be meaningful to you if your goal is to stay within your budget, live simply, and avoid the trendy expat routine.
My favorite grocer is the organic shop directly across from my apartment; fortunately I can take the covered walkway to avoid crossing the busy street. Inside, I find healthy snacks—tempeh chips, dried mushrooms, dark chocolate, and all kinds of tea, and certified organic vegetables. Just what I need to indulge in my food scientist practice of trial and error. Glimpse the outcome of one food experiment here.
You can also choose from a variety of dental, eye, and other nearby health clinics; many offer weekend and late-night hours. Healthcare is affordable here, a striking difference in cost compared to what you normally pay in the U.S. for the same or similar service.
Why Penang Speaks to Women Redesigning Their Life
For women who’ve lived a lot of life already and want to live their next chapter differently, Penang offers a subdued magnetism. I've noticed many retirees from all over the world, and many are women. My gut feeling is that they choose Penang for its affordability, friendly community, and cultural scene.
Getting to waterfront spaces? Easy! You don’t realize how rare that kind of access is—until you compare Penang to Kuala Lumpur.
For example, I get to the beach simply by riding an elevator down to the lobby, walking across the parking lot, and crossing the street. Wonderful, right?
The daily view heightens my well being, I'm sure. From anywhere—my apartment, the pool, on errands—I can see the sea.
But Penang’s beauty alone doesn’t automatically make it the right place for everyone.
If you crave a hyper-social, high-energy city where something is happening at all hours or you just get the urge to shake your booty like you did back in the day, well, Penang might feel too quiet.
After about 10 PM, the city shifts gears. Restaurants close. Streets empty. If your thing is Starbucks, you can go there. Most stay open until 10p although I found one nearby that closes at 1 a.m—I use it a lot. This particular location has a wide choice of indoor and outdoor seating. There's living-room like furniture, with overhead fans, numerous tables and chairs for working and studying. And the bathroom is always spotless. But if Starbucks ain't your thing, there's always many bar options in George Town.
There’s also the question of social structure. While locals are friendly, integrating into tight-knit community circles can take time, especially if you're not part of a formal network or particularly interested in tourist-facing social events.
It was Good Friday when I quite literally stumbled into a church. The service was being held on the top floor of the mall—just a few levels above my apartment. Someone invited me in, and before I knew it, I was attending a vibrant gathering with people from all over the world. So yes, church can absolutely be a way to meet others and feel part of a community.
But Penang also rewards independent spirits—people who are comfortable with their own company and who see beauty in slow mornings and small daily rituals rather than constant stimulation. For instance, there are many spaces along the waterfront that you can walk, sit, shop, eat, or just people and dog watch.
Living in Penang means learning to appreciate subtle victories:
Finding a new market tucked behind a street you thought you knew.
Watching a thunderstorm—what I call a semi-monsoon—roll in over the sea.
Learning which cafe has the strongest WiFi and comfortable seating.
Making friends with local and native residents
For me, the beauty of Penang isn't about any postcard moments—it's about what happens between them.
The Hidden Costs of Living in Penang No One Talks About
Living abroad is full of surprises—some delightful, some not.
My goal from the start was simple: live like a local.
In Penang, the challenges that stand out aren’t the dramatic ones. They are the persistent, daily realities that reveal themselves only once I settled in.
Living in a sauna comes with rules
Penang’s tropical climate is often advertised as paradise, but constant heat and humidity reshapes your life in small, exhausting ways.
You plan errands around the weather.
You toss out food faster than expected.
You ration your outdoor time like currency—because walking more than a few blocks under the thick, heavy air, (and scorching sun) can drain you quicker than a blink.
Maintenance and infrastructure challenges also aren’t visible at first glance
A building can look spectacular online—infinity pools, gyms, grand entrances. Sadly this doesn’t guarantee daily functionality.
My seemingly perfect apartment turned into a battle zone due to a relentless ant infestation. No matter how much I cleaned, sprayed, or sealed tiny cracks, they found a way in. Luxury finishes don’t mean much when you’re spending your mornings as an amateur exterminator.
Basic transactions come with their own set of complications
Getting mail delivered from the U.S.? Forget it.
Packages disappeared into black holes.
Tracking numbers stopped updating.
Calls to courier services turned into endless loops of reassurances with no actual delivery.
Receiving an envelope—let alone a box became month-long waiting games, with PRICEY, unexpected costs just to track things down.
Walking in Penang: beautiful until it ain't
When the sidewalk gives up on you, you' must figure out how to unwind yourself from a risky situation.
One afternoon, caught in a sudden semi-monsoon without rain gear, I discovered that the sidewalk I was following simply ended. No signs. No warnings. Just an abrupt stop at the edge of a major road.
Darkness falling. Rain hammering down. Winds high.
The only way to avoid being stranded was to cross nine lanes of fast-moving, impatient traffic.
That’s the kind of lesson you only need once
I can't think of another time during all my travels when I felt real, physical fear. Not because of a person or a place, but because infrastructure simply stopped supporting me mid-step.
Since then, I’ve created my own system for navigating unpredictability, and it’s now non-negotiable:
Always carry compact rain gear. Not just an umbrella, I mean a full poncho or rain jacket that can handle side-sweeping wind and heavy downpours.
Try out a new walking route, way before sunset. Make note of sidewalk gaps, busy intersections, and where drivers treat walkways like parking spots.
Wear reflective accessories and highly-visible clothing.
Bookmark or pin essential locations the moment I reach my travel destination. Be able to locate the:
Closest health clinic
Tourist police station
American Embassy or consular office. In Switzerland, after getting separated from my tour bus, The U.S. Embassy staff helped me get back on track. You don’t think you’ll ever need that kind of support—until you suddenly do.
Vist the local public library. It’s one of the most underused tools for travelers. Libraries often have local maps, neighborhood bulletins, and staff who know where to point you for accurate, free, and current information about the community—and sometimes you meet local patrons who genuinely want to help you feel at home.
I'm not guaranteeing my safety-hacks will give you a perfect experience, but they make me feel prepared and proactive.
Why I’m Glad I Didn’t Rush My Move to Penang
Travel has been one of the greatest investments I've made in myself—a commitment to discovery, exploration, and deeper self-care.
When you're considering a move abroad, it’s easy to get swept along by momentum. Flights are booked. Leases are ending. Plans swirling. Then, bam—you're making life-altering decisions based on a handful of good days.
I’m grateful for my intentional approach.
Dan at Vagabond Buddha—one of my favorite slow-travel voices—reminds followers often: "Date countries before you marry them."
Getting to Penang from Kuala Lumpur (If That’s Where You’re Coming From)
If you're arriving from Kuala Lumpur, you'll find several transportation options: flights, the ETS (Electric Train Service), and private drivers. After factoring in the reality of traveling with luggage, I chose the bus.
For around $10 USD, I booked a comfortable, air-conditioned coach that made the journey from KL to Penang in about three hours. Because traffic was light that day, the ride was surprisingly quick.
Even better, the bus made it easy to manage my luggage.
There were no extra baggage fees, no wrestling oversized bags through narrow train doors, and no worrying about weight restrictions like you would with a budget airline. I simply showed up at the bus terminal, stored my luggage, climbed aboard, and watched the countryside roll by.
If you’re traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Penang and want a low-cost, low-stress option—especially if you’re carrying more than just a backpack—the bus is a smart move.
Reflect Before You Pack
My rec: before you commit to a slow-travel or move abroad, shift your focus beyond the apartment listing or the pretty neighborhood photos.
Look deeper. Ask harder questions.
Can you walk where you need to go? If walking is your favorite mode of transportation, but your new home forces you into ride-shares for every errand, you're not saving money. You're also not honoring the life you set out to build.
Can you meet your daily needs without draining your budget? If you need to supplement your finances, here's how you can earn money while your travel.
Does the infrastructure support your quality of life? Think reliable internet, consistent hot water, stable electricity, and streets that don’t flood during tropical downpours.
If you're torn between making a bold move to Penang or looking for a place to retire with charm and convenience, I hope my experience offers a realistic glimpse into life here.
Choose wisely. Choose patiently.
It’s Your Turn:
What are the non-negotiables that shape your ideal day-to-day life abroad? Drop me a message. I read every word.
