Expatriate Forums in Malaysia

Trax · Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 2:33 pm Post subject: Penang or Langkawi

Hi,
I have seen a lot of discussion from the Penang expat community which has been ever informative. My wife and I are looking to move to Malaysia and wondering what the concensus is about Langkawi.
Do they have an expat community, why cant I any forums from their expat community, is it predominately a tourist island?
We have not been there yet but hope to visit both Penang (we have been here prior and really enjoyed it) and Langkawi later this year.
All (constructive) opinions would be greatfully accepted.

Thank you for your comments

amienleo · Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 11:10 pm Post subject:

Langkawi is an island that is quite realxing... the ammenities in the island is not as advance as in Penang. There should be a small group of expats staying there too...

For your information, Penang is one of the largest city in Malaysia. This really depends on your personal needs..

Trax · Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 10:08 am Post subject:

geordie · Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 12:09 am Post subject:

Just to put it in a nutshell, LGK does have a fairly large expat population. Started off more than a decade ago with the Germans and then the Brits and a kaleidescope of others. Most of them are involved in the tourism industry in one way or another (owners of restaurants, bars Very Happy

. No expat forums yet for the expat denizens in LGK as I expect most of them are usually busy running the businesses and/or enjoying the sea and/or Tiger !!

Two disadvantages of living in a paradise ... Firstly, if you have school-going kids, there is almost no option when it comes to schooling. And secondly, the hospital there is not geared for serious illnessess or even non-natural childbirth. Expats still have to run to Penang for that purposes. On the other hand, they seemed to have done a good job on a friend who ended up there as a result of a cobra sting !

Trax · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:05 am Post subject:

stud · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 3:12 pm Post subject:

Langkawi is the cheapest place in Malaysia to buy beer!!. Even if you relocate to Penang, Langkawi is only a 3 hour ferry ride.
STUD Cool

PakMike · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:18 pm Post subject:

Primrose Hill · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:44 pm Post subject:

Langkawi is a great place to relax and enjoy being away from it all or if you are one of those looking for peace and quiet. However, if you have young children, then Penang will be better. Facilities are there, schools, malls etc.

mm2honline · Joined: 17 May 2008 Posts: 30 Home Country: malaysia

Hi guys,

All of you are right that Penang will be a better place to stay for long term. While Langkawi is definitely a nice place for holiday with cheap beers! Unless you are in non-muslim operated shop, otherwise you will end up like PakMike that you will need to use a coffee cup in order to hide that you are drinking beer.

Thank you.

Trax · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 4:14 pm Post subject:

Thank you all for your information. We are flying to KL October 14 and will connect to LGK that same evening (rather than overnight in KL for a connecting flight to Penang) for some much needed R&R for a few days. The plan is then to ferry down to Penang and have a good poke around the island. It has been many years since we have been there and expect quite some change. We are still deciding whether to train or fly to KL before returning to Australia.
Again thank you all for your information, it has been great. Very Happy

Pete