5 Reasons to Live in Penang

Last Updated on February 21, 2023 by Kirsten Raccuia

1. Great Food

Penang is well-known in Southeast Asia as a foodie haven. It’s a passion that the locals don’t take lightly (you can’t even take a taxi without getting into a big discussion about food). But, unlike many top foodie spots, Penang’s gourmand attitude doesn’t stem from its expensive Michelin-starred restaurants or celebrity chefs.

In Penang, eating is all about cheap, local food stalls, many of which are pushed into place by a bicycle or a scooter. There are about 85,000 of them on an island of about 700,000 people (that’s roughly one food cart for every eight people). Each stall’s recipes and culinary techniques have been passed down through generations, so no two are the same.

For about $2, you can get a top-class noodle dish served on a banana leaf, or a whole steamed red snapper for under $10.

2. A Multicultural Lifestyle

Penang’s three main cultures—Malay, Chinese, and Indian—are heavily represented in Penang’s eclectic range of architecture, cuisine, and art.

At any given time, one of these groups is usually having a festival, a parade, or a feast that you are welcome to take part in or simply watch. Wander down Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, the Street of Harmony, and you will find some of the oldest temples, mosques, and churches in Malaysia. Step inside any of these religious sanctuaries and you’ll be transported to another world. Nearby, you will also spot the KhooKongsi, which is the most amazing Chinese Clan House in Penang and not to be missed.

3. The Great Outdoors

On the island’s northwest tip is the Penang National Park. Even though it is the world’s smallest national park—at just over 6,178 acres of jungle and wetlands—the biodiversity is rich. Within the park are hiking trails, a canopy walk, a meromictic lake (the lake’s surface and bottom layers of water don’t mix), eight beaches, and over 1,000 species of flora and fauna.

One of my favorite outdoor pursuits is a barbecue on Monkey Beach. You can hike in and bring your own picnic or go in style with Captain Heng. For about $25 per person, Captain Heng can pick you up on his boat and motor you over there. He packs a huge feast to grill, so all you have to do is laze about on a tropical beach and be pampered.

But fair warning, it’s called Monkey Beach for a reason. There are a few troops of cheeky macaques that just might steal your satay when you aren’t looking. To reach Captain Heng, call him at 012 499 5979.

4. Travel

Penang is situated almost smack in the middle of Southeast Asia, which makes traveling to places like Bali, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia a breeze. In a few hours, you could be on the white-sand beaches of the Philippines or climb through the golden temples of Myanmar. And Australia and New Zealand are only a few hours from here too.

5. Escape the Rat Race

In Penang, we spend anywhere from a quarter to a third of what our monthly budget was back in Chicago. For a three-bedroom, three-bathroom, 2,300-square-foot apartment overlooking the ocean and the jungle, we pay about $650 a month. Depending on the week, we spend about $20 in groceries, and if we don’t feel like cooking dinner, we can go out to one of the fabulous hawker stalls. A feast for two, including drinks, costs just $12.