Do you know? Condé Nast Traveler (CNT), a high-end western travel magazine, carefully selected the top ten best retirement cities in the world, and Penang, the only city from Asia, ranked second. This is definitely not a joke!

Believe it or not! If you're looking for an ideal city to retire to, the few things to consider should be language, food, healthcare, property, and more. And Penang happens to be able to meet all your daily needs!

Wondering what makes Penang top the list? We thought you wouldn't ask! Read on, so that I can explain to you the many benefits of living in Penang!

1. LOW COST QUALITY LIFE

Photos taken from HotelsCombined, Hin Bus Depot and PIFF

Needless to say, Malaysia is a low-cost country to live in. Living in Penang will give you a better quality of life in terms of the pension you get in the country. In addition to the rich food choices, the price is also much cheaper. When you are free, you can explore some handmade products in the art market, and then go to the street stalls outside to have a lunch for about RM5. This fusion of modernity and tradition is one of the reasons why people are fascinated by life in Penang!

2. MAKE OVERSEAS FRIENDS FEEL AT HOME

Photos taken from Hin Bus Deport and The Star

The locals in Penang are warm and friendly. You will find that every native is very happy to make friends from foreign countries. Most of the people here are fluent in English and Mandarin, so communication will not pose any problem. This is very attractive to most foreigners. On top of that, thousands of foreigners are now living in Penang under the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) program, so meeting new friends from the same place is not too difficult.

3. EXCELLENT INFRASTRUCTURE

Photos taken from Rapid KL, Time Out and The Star

Penang is a small but thriving island. There, you can find all the conveniences you need. For example, hospitals and clinics with top-notch healthcare facilities, grocery stores hawking your favorite cooking ingredients, fresh local markets, parks for morning jogs, and more. What's more, the convenience of public transportation in Penang, such as Rapid bus and Grab, makes it easy for you to go out and have fun!

4. A CITY THAT EMBRACES NATURE

Photo courtesy of Penang Foodie, Asia Marvels and Capturing Penang

Most foreigners like the good weather in Malaysia, which is like summer all year round, and what makes the weather even better is the fine white sandy beaches in Penang, especially the sandy beaches in Batu Ferringhi, which are even more picturesque. In addition, the fascinating wildlife and so on are indispensable. The editor dares to say that it is hard to find a city outside of Penang that makes you feel like you are in nature. Hurry up and seize the opportunity to explore the mysteries of nature in Penang's well-known botanical gardens, tropical spice gardens and other places!