I moved to Penang from Kuala Lumpur in January 2003. I was working for a Dutch bank in Kuala Lumpur and after I met my husband Freddie, who hails from Penang, in 1999, I was travelling up and down for quite some time. The bank transferred me eventually to the Penang branch and now I work for Crown Relocation. I lived in Kuala Lumpur for almost 8 years so moving to Penang was not very difficult. I love Kuala Lumpur, but Penang really captured my heart and I would not even consider moving back to Kuala Lumpur anymore.

I love island lifestyle – it’s slower paced, and the beaches and calming noise of the sea make me feel well. The people – Penang people have their own style with typical Penang idiosyncrasies. And the Food – need I say more? Over the years, traffic has been become a real nuisance. It takes me 1 hour in the morning to drop my children at their school and drive to work. Its only 28KM!! And then the drivers….. It’s a rarity if someone uses their indicator. When I lived in Kuala Lumpur, locals would warn me to watch out for cars with a Penang plate, they were so right.

If you’re visiting Penang you must see the Tropical Spice Garden, which is a hidden gem. There are with spectacular views of the sea from the restaurant platform. The Blue Mansion is another must. It’s one of the first restored Chinese courtyard house and I just love how the owners have been able to revive the authentic atmosphere. Take a ride up Penang Hill – there is a refreshingly cool temperature, with breath taking views if the weather allows and have lunch or high tea at David Brown’s at Strawberry Hill.

If you like food, you must try the Sky hotel, in Chulia Street – it’s got the best char siew and siew bak in Penang. Get there early because if you come after 12.30 PM, there’s high chance they will be sold out. Check out the Nasi Padang on Transfer road – it’s really fantastic authentic Indonesian food and don’t miss Bukit Genting – it’s a quirky Thai restaurant on top of a hill near Balik Pulau. Beautiful views, really good food and very affordable.

Yes, we bought a landed property in Tanjung Bunga in 2008. Luckily so, because I think not so long after, the rules for foreigners changed again and I would not be able to buy it now with the new rules. I would say I have a good mix of Malaysian and expat friends. Although if you stay in a country as long as I have, you tend to try and make more local friends. Expats always leave. After so many goodbyes, it becomes more and more difficult to cope with that. I do miss my family back at home. And also I miss the fact that in the Netherlands my cycle could take me anywhere. You cycle to the grocery shop, cycle to school, cycle to work. In Penang it’s just not safe enough to do this, besides that fact that it often it’s just too hot as well.