Retire in Penang

Why would you consider to retire in Penang? Few places in Asia are so well developed and so easy connected to the rest of the world as Penang island. Some would claim Kuala Lumpur is better, but if you ask me, Kuala Lumpur is just another big metropolis, an Asian metropolis but nevertheless a metropolis. If you have been working your whole life, you wish some peace and still all modern facilities nearby.

Penang is such a place. This page will emphasize a little on the northern area of Penang, especially Gurney Drive, Tanjung Tokong and Batu Ferringhi and on one area on the east coast: Batu Uban.

The Northern part of Penang is (at the moment) the most attractive area with all lifestyle facilities you want, with shopping malls, clubs, golf, cultural events around the corner, hotels etc..

And there's more to come. It is also the area with excellent facilities to live, condos, apartments. So, lets go around in the northern and eastern areas of Penang and see what Penang offers.

Prices

Location and price, those two subjects always come up when buying something. Fair enough. I have good news for you. Penang is a unique island and, even to my surprise, a lot cheaper then other areas in Asia. Compare price quality in property and real estate in Penang with Hong Kong and Singapore and you find the prices up to SIX times cheaper.

Even for apartments in hotspot Thailand, Indonesia or the Philippines are about THREE times more expensive then similar property and apartments in Penang. True, some areas in Malaysia, think about Seri Manjung, (see our property and real estate pages for Lumut and Seri Manjung) are even cheaper (again, compare price and quality!)

So let's see what Penang can offer you in terms of lifestyle and comfortable living.

Batu Uban

The Sanctuary is a new area with upmarket villas. It's a former army camp which is now rebuild in style. These houses are have a suburb view over the straits to the Malaysian mainland. The area is build by an Australian architect. This small village is located in between Georgetown and the airport on the east coast of Penang.

All houses are two or three storey and the price starts from RM 2.6 million. But as we looked around, it's worth the price. Excellent workmanship plus a tasteful design make The Sanctuary a place to live in comfort and style.

Read more about Batu Uban here

Gurney Drive

Gurney drive is for sure an interesting part of Penang. Here you can see best the mix of Asia and the modern western world. It is in this area you find modern apartment towers, shopping malls but also the Burmese temple which was found in 1883.

Gurney Drive, modern living in Penang

Here you find the tallest (and most comfortable living towers in Penang. Modern comfort in the Paragon Towers with shopping malls next door and free views to the Andaman Sea.

The Paragon Towers will be finished in 2010. Here's an extended description of the Paragon which will include the magnificent St. Joseph's Novitiate heritage. More about the Gurney Paragon Towers in Gurney Drive

Gurney Drive is an excellent option to try the special Penang foods. And if you ask me, one of the best vegetarian restaurants I have been. Check out the Sayur-Sayurn Evergreen Vegetarian Restaurant with its dazzling dishes.

Here is a lot more about Gurney Drive

And here's a cheap and very nice hotel at Gurney Drive with additional photos

Tanjung Bungah

If there is one set of towers in Penang where you combine luxury with Asian style of living, then it is the Cove. The Cove consist of 4 towers with 6000 sqr feet unitis. The Cove has everything you can possibly want from your living surrounding including a swimming pool, sauna next to the swimming pool, playground but also a great beach right in front of your house. If there would be one place I personally would like to live in Penang, it's certainly here at The Cove.

You will Tanjung Bungah a few kilometers west of Gurney Drive.

We have more about The Cove at Tanjung Bungah

The Cove, Penang

Tanjung Tokong

Sri Tanjung Pinang, a part of Tanjung Tokong is a piece of reclaimed land which is at the moment developed into a housing area. The area is close to Gurney Drive with all the modern facilities and cultural activities within a stone throw away.

Sri Tanjung Pinang, a new piece of reclaimed land in Tanjung Tokong

Batu Ferringhi

Batu Ferringhi is since many years the main beach destination of Penang. Although these days Batu Ferringhi is mostly taken over by tourists, it once was the area where Tunku Abdul Rahman lived. Tunku Abdul Rahman was the first elected president of Malaysia. His house stands still at Batu Ferringhi although it seemed many people do not realize its importance. We were standing in front of the house and I imagined what life here by the end of the 50's must have been.

Batu Ferringhi is Penangs' main beach area and not for nothing many hotels, cheap and more expensive can be found here. The oldest is the Lone Pine Hotel. This hotel was build in 1948 and preserves some of the old colonial atmosphere.

Batu Ferringhi is not only famous for its beach, it is also an excellent area to hang out at night, visiting the pasar malams (night markets) for all kinds of cheap and interesting things. Don't forget to eat here. Plenty of bars and cafes. The most interesting, if you ask me, are the hawker stalls with their dazzling variety of Malaysian foods.

A nice area to live is the Ferringhi Village, see more about this little village just outside the main Batu Ferringhi area.

Ferringhi Villas

The Ferringhi villas are an enclosed area with, at least the higher villas, a great view on the Andaman sea.

Contact our property and real estate agent Mr. Yeoh for details what we have available.

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See also our Gurney Drive pages

More about Tanjung Bungah and The Cove Beach Condominium

More about Batu Uban

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