Moving to Penang As an Expatriate
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If you’ve been tossing up where to head in Southeast Asia for great job opportunities, moving to Penang could be the break you’ve been looking for.
Penang in north-western Malaysia is a very attractive destination for foreigners, especially expatriates who are drawn to the low cost of living and the ever- increasing job opportunities. Cost of living in Penang is much more affordable than that of its neighbour, Singapore. Traditionally, the Lion City has drawn the majority of the foreign workforce, but Malaysia is becoming more attractive to workers who love to travel but want to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle for less. This has even led to long-term residents living on the Malayan Peninsula and commuting daily to Singapore for work.
While Penang is a good 8 hours away, it has advantages over other parts of Malaysia, one being that English is widely spoken in many companies. With its stunning coastline, colonial heritage and exotic flavours, sights and sounds, Penang is very popular with tourists, so it can become very busy during certain seasons throughout the year. However, like Kuala Lumpur, there are increasing job opportunities for expats moving to Penang to work in sales, supply and distribution, finance, marketing and engineering.
Penang’s colonial influences
UNESCO has listed the Penang capital of George Town for World Heritage status and there are many streets lined with colonial buildings. War memorials, along with the city’s ornate temples, including the 19th-century Kek Lok Si – which is one of the largest Buddhist temple compounds in Southeast Asia – theme parks and museums attract many tourists to Penang Island. The state originally grew as part of the British empire, due to the Malacca Strait being a gateway for trade in the region. As English was the language spoken by administrators, it’s very common in public service jobs. This familiarity is appealing for English speakers who choose to move to Penang over other parts of Malaysia.
There is also a strong Chinese influence in Penang, with an influx of Chinese nationals adding to the multiculturalism that is appealing to expats with families. Mandarin is becoming very widely spoken, overtaking the traditional Malaysian Chinese dialect of Hokkien. There are also several other Chinese dialects spoken across the state.
Opportunities for families in Penang
The state of Penang has a strong tradition of hi-tech production and development, dating back to the 1970s. This early adoption led to the state becoming the highest earning region in Malaysia, which it continues to this day. The services sector is now larger than the tech manufacturing division of the state’s economy, making it very resilient and attractive to foreigners.
Moving to Penang is excellent for schooling and education. The state’s literacy rate is about 99%, and there are many international schools. Education is a vital element within the culture, in part due to the heavy Chinese influence. The relatively high income in the state also provides funding for good-quality schools and colleges.
Safety and transport links
Penang is a very safe place to live, making it very popular with retirees as well as expatriates. The state is split between Penang Island, where most of tourist attractions lie, and the mainland area of Seberang Perai, or the Province Wellesley hinterland adjacent to the island. This is well connected via its modern infrastructure to Malaysia in the east and south, as well as to Thailand in the north.
If you’re planning on moving to Penang in the near future, contact an experienced international removalist, such as Allied, whereby our teams of movers can help you with visas, accommodation, pet relocations and vehicle relocations as well as moving your household.