Penang ranks 3rd best island in the world to retire in 2021

Especially great if you love food.
Penang ranks 3rd best island in the world to retire in 2021

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If you’ve ever contemplated your plans for retirement, you might want to give some consideration to the Malaysian island of Penang.

Just last week, the island known as the Pearl of the Orient was featured in a list of the “15 Best Islands In The World To Retire On In 2021”, and was ranked third only behind Malta and Spain’s Mallorca.

IMAGE: TravelTriangle

The list was initially published by travel portal International Living on March 25, 2021, and was again featured on the website Travel Awaits. The original list featured islands from all over the world, and described their best attributes while explaining why they were great options for retirement.

In Malaysia’s entry, the article detailed Penang as a favorite of savvy expats, and particularly easy for North Americans to fit in. It described the locals as friendly and easy to communicate with due to a widespread fluency in English, and also talked up the island’s lifestyle as being “First World”.

IMAGE: Thebackpackway

“A couple can live well on a monthly budget of between $1,500 and $2,500 a month,” the article said. “It’s a luxury life on an affordable budget with all the comforts and conveniences of home.”

Crucially, the list also made sure to mention Penang’s wide variety of food options, and described the island as a “foodie haven”, while the re-shared article made note of the “plethora of food stalls” available.

IMAGE: TripSavvy

Addressing those interested in making Penang their retirement destination, Kara Williams on the Travel Awaits website highlighted the “Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H)” program as a possible way for retiring expats to relocate to the island.

But with the program currently suspended, she said to keep an eye out on the official website in case new opportunities arise again.

This accolade adds to the many already won by the island, including the time when its famed Assam Laksa made it to CNN Travel’s list of “The World’s 50 Best Foods”, and also when its capital city of George Town was listed as one of “The 10 Best Destinations for Digital Nomads” by Storage Cafe.

IMAGE: Finding Beyond

Celebrating the list, Penang’s Tourism Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin took to social media to share his delight at the island once again receiving recognition from an international publication.

“Penang ranks third in the world, and first in Asia!” he exclaimed in a post containing a link to the list re-shared on Travel Awaits.

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