Best place to live in Malaysia?

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Hi Everyone

I'm interested to hear where you live in Malaysia and why you think its the best spot to be?

Is it the people, the expat community, the peace and quiet, the crowds, the lack of crowds, the view? Whatever it is, share with us why you choose to live where you live and whats best about it.

Me? Penang. I spent time here as a kid and grew to love it for what it is. I like the idea of living on the ocean, I have great sea views from my apartment and easy access to the mainland if I want to travel in the interior. I love the diversity of its people and I love that you can be in the thick of it if you want it or not if you don't.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Keith

 

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Hi Keith

Check out the Penang thread. Best place to live according to all those who think that is the place to be. Never mind about the other threads, they are just jealous. 

Cupert

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Keith

As an aside, where do you live in Penang & what attracts you to that area ??

James

Hi Everyone

I'm interested to hear where you live in Malaysia and why you think its the best spot to be?

Is it the people, the expat community, the peace and quiet, the crowds, the lack of crowds, the view? Whatever it is, share with us why you choose to live where you live and whats best about it.

Me? Penang. I spent time here as a kid and grew to love it for what it is. I like the idea of living on the ocean, I have great sea views from my apartment and easy access to the mainland if I want to travel in the interior. I love the diversity of its people and I love that you can be in the thick of it if you want it or not if you don't.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Keith

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Check out the Kuantan thread.

I like the beaches.  I like the fact that I can be in the ocean within 5-10 minutes, or hiking a jungle trail, again, within 5-10 minutes.  Take a look at Teluk Chempedak beach; this is where I eat lunch sometimes, during a workday.  Again, only 5 minutes from the office.

Did I mention that the beaches are nice?

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That looks truly beautiful Teak.
Some comments and pictures on and of the local food establishments would be appreciated.
I have Cherating Beach on my list for my next trip. Is it a place you would recommend for good swimming and more importantly good local food? 

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Hi Teak,

Agree that Kuantan is a really cool although I have not been there for some years.

How do property prices currently compare to Penang & how big is expat community ??

James

Check out the Kuantan thread.

I like the beaches.  I like the fact that I can be in the ocean within 5-10 minutes, or hiking a jungle trail, again, within 5-10 minutes.  Take a look at Teluk Chempedak beach; this is where I eat lunch sometimes, during a workday.  Again, only 5 minutes from the office.

Did I mention that the beaches are nice?

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Penang beach! 

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Hi Teak,

Agree that Kuantan is a really cool although I have not been there for some years.

How do property prices currently compare to Penang & how big is expat community ??

James

Property prices in Kuantan are much lower than Kuala Lumpur or Penang.  Semi-Ds are in the 200-350k range.  I bought a Semi-D for 160k several years ago, before the change in minimum price, and added another 50k in renovation.  Now it is probably worth 250-300k.  Unfortunately, the state government decided that they didn't want paupers retiring in Pahang, so they set the minimum for some places up to 750k!!  Crazy.

As with the complaints about the minimum being set at 500k nationwide, I suspect that this will get lowered.  If not, well 500k would allow one to rent for 50-80 years at Kuantan rental prices.  Before buying, we were renting a 5-bedroom Semi-D for 800 per month, which I could rent for 625 months, or 52 years, using that 500k minimum.

The expat community is definitely smaller, but still viable.  Kuantan port and Gebeng industrial area to the north employ expat company managers and they have a fairly active women's group.  My wife and I have stayed too busy to join up much with other expats, but that will change when I retire from active work.  There are many interesting places to visit using Kuantan as a base:
Tioman Island (2 hours south to the jetty)
Tenggol Island (2 hours north to the jetty)
Sungai Lembing mining area
Tasik Chini
Pulau Ular (30 minutes)
Cherating (40 minutes)
Pancing Waterfall
Teluk Chempedak (beach AND jungle hiking trail)
other beaches (Batu Hitam, Balok, Beserah, Sungai Ular, Anak Air, Sepat)
Gambang Water Park (smaller version of Sunway Lagoon)
two major malls now (MegaMall and East Coast Mall)
...but, <sigh>, still no decent book store and NO Nando's Chicken Outlet.

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That looks truly beautiful Teak.
Some comments and pictures on and of the local food establishments would be appreciated.
I have Cherating Beach on my list for my next trip. Is it a place you would recommend for good swimming and more importantly good local food? 

Yeah, Cherating is popular with expats and tourists for its good selection of hotels and chalets, food, and activities.  Last July my college held a 2-day workshop at the Impiana Resort (just north of the Club Med) and I was very impressed with the facilities and food.  But when I have to pay, I am a frugal boy and I usually go for cheaper places such as the Lis Na Ree in Sungai Ular, or the De Rhu resort near Kuantan.  De Rhu has one of the nicest swimming pools on the east coast, so sometimes I go there just for swimming.

Just off the coast at Sungai Ular, barely 1 km out, is the small island of Pulau Ular.  It makes for a decent half-day snorkeling/island trip.  Check out the blog report that I made on our trip there last June (teakinmalaysia.blogspot).  It isn't Tioman or Redang, but it is cheap.  I also have a blog post about the Impiana.