George Town, Malaysia 🇲🇾
#528
5.414161, 100.328735
Nomad Score:
75%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | George Town is the capital city of the state of Penang, Malaysia, known for its rich cultural heritage and colonial architecture. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 700,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average speed of 25-50 Mbps depending on the provider |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 MYR ≈ 0.22 USD; ATMs are widely available; most major credit cards accepted |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable; bottled water is recommended |
| 🔌 Power | 240V, 50Hz; Type G sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Maxis, Digi, and Celcom; starting from RM30 for a prepaid plan |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Banks such as Maybank and CIMB are expat-friendly; online banking is widely used |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from hostels to serviced apartments; Airbnb is popular |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, mobile payments via Touch 'n Go and e-wallets are accepted widely |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb, Roomz Malaysia, and local property management services |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels such as Ryokan Muntri Boutique Hostel and Chulia Mansion offer affordable rates |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Paperwork Coworking Space, located in the heart of the city with modern amenities |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Coffee Affairs is known for its cozy atmosphere and reliable Wi-Fi |
| 💼 Networking Events | Frequent events organized by the Penang Digital Nomads Meetup group |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | The Penang Expats Facebook group hosts varied social events and gatherings |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Grab is the most popular ride-hailing app in George Town |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bike sharing services like JomBike are available; scooters can be rented from various local shops |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Batu Ferringhi Beach, approximately 30 minutes by car |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Firefly Airlines operates flights throughout Malaysia and the region |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia offer international flights from Penang International Airport |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Connected to the North-South Expressway for easy travel across Penang |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Penang's public bus system is operated by Rapid Penang; no train services |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Rapid Penang offers prepaid cards usable for bus travel |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses connect George Town to other locations in Penang and mainland Malaysia |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Penang General Hospital is the main public hospital; several private hospitals like Island Hospital offer excellent services |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Kundalini Yoga Penang and Yoga One are popular choices for yoga enthusiasts |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness First and Anytime Fitness with multiple locations in the city |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromats like Speed Queen are available along tourist areas |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Foodpanda and GrabFood dominate the local food delivery market |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Penang Laksa and Char Kway Teow are must-tries |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Loving Hut and The Little Kitchen offer great plant-based menus |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | China House and Penang Street are famous for their desserts and cakes |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Gurney Drive Night Market offers a variety of affordable local food options |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Lazada and Shopee are popular for online shopping |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | HappyFresh offers grocery deliveries in the area |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Upper Penang Road is well-known for its bars and nightlife |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Penang Craft Beer Company serves locally brewed beers |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Wine Shop offers a good selection of local and international wines |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Gurney Drive is famous for its street food, attracting many locals and tourists |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants such as The Italian Job and Nirvana serve diverse international dishes |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion and the Penang Hill are essential visits |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Penang Peranakan Museum and Hin Bus Depot Art Centre |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Fort Cornwallis and the Colonial Penang Museum are notable historical locations |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Kek Lok Si Temple and St. George's Church are significant cultural sites |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Penang International Food Festival and George Town Festival are major highlights |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site features stunning colonial architecture |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Performing Arts Centre of Penang (penangpac) offers cultural performances |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Chinatown and Little India are vibrant markets to explore |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music at bars like The Cellar and Route 66 |
| 🎨 Street Art | George Town is known for its famous street art, especially along Armenian Street |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Penang Homecooked offers classes for learning local cuisine |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | No Such Gallery and Zhao Wei Art Studio exhibit local art |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The E&O Hotel and High Court of Penang are notable buildings |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The local culture is a blend of Malay, Chinese, and Indian influences reflecting in its architecture and festivals |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Penang National Park is an excellent spot for hiking and nature walks |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | The reserve is a short drive from the city center |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Esplanade offers scenic paths along the waterfront |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Penang Hill provides stunning panoramic views of the island |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Penang National Park is great for birdwatching enthusiasts |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Some sections of Batu Ferringhi Beach allow bonfires |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and Pos Malaysia offer reliable shipping services |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Mobile repair shops are scattered throughout George Town, easily found |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Community centers often have table tennis facilities available for use |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | English language schools are available, such as British Council Penang |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Penang Public Library offers a quiet place to read and study |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Penang Heritage Trust organizes cultural events |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | PC gaming centers like GG Game Arena attract local gamers |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | There are no casinos on the island, but journey to nearby casinos on the mainland is easy |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. RM8,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = RM320,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. RM5,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = RM200,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. RM7,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = RM450,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. RM4,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = RM270,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. RM6,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = RM520,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. RM4,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = RM320,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 24% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 0% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Territorial tax system for residents, taxing only local income |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 28% |
| 🧾 VAT | 6% Goods and Services Tax (GST) |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, regulations apply for foreign income |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Based on annual value, generally low |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Up to 3% for properties above RM1 million |