Seeking your two cents

[tatugrl68]

Hello from Portugal! My husband and I have lived in Porto for about three years (I'm American and he's Romanian), and are ready to move to more tropical climes (Not Caribbean). We have a retired friend (diver) in the Philippines (Dauin) who raves about where he has retired. We also talk to every Expat Cruise director, dive guide or videographer about their favorite places in Asia that they have called home. We have dived several locations in Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Solomon Islands, Palau, Yap, and Fiji. At this point we are sailing on two LOB trips each year (min.10 day cruise). We have the means to dive more often, but really want to cut out the 12+ hour flight from Europe, just to get into the neighborhood. The options as we see them from conversations with many people are Bali, Malaysia (Penang), or Philippines. Leaning more towards Malaysia because of their Visa program MMSH. I am retired and my husband works remotely. We really want to do this while we are young (both under 60). Really only looking for first hand experiences or second hand (ie, a good friend of yours lives there). Please no rumors, or friend of a friend of a friend.........
Thanks in advance for the information!

 

[Edward3c]

There is an active BSAC club in Penang or via on FD (BSAC 225), but it’s a closed group.

 

[Centrals]

Diving in Penang

Penang is anisland off the northwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Penang's beaches are nice, though a little lackluster whencompared to those in some other Malaysian states, but this is more… Diving in Penang

divescover.com

There are two very good wrecks not too far but at deep water: IJN Haguro and Luxury liner Sun Vista.
Diving in the East coast of Malaysia Peninsular is far better: Perhentian(two islands), Redang, Tenggol and Tioman. However, the best is still Sipadan which is in Sabah.

 

[jale]

. Leaning more towards Malaysia because of their Visa program MMSH. I am retired and my husband works remotely.

I suppose you are aware of the fees. In that case, you can stay wherever you want

 

[tatugrl68]

Diving in Penang

Penang is anisland off the northwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Penang's beaches are nice, though a little lackluster whencompared to those in some other Malaysian states, but this is more… Diving in Penang

divescover.com

There are two very good wrecks not too far but at deep water: IJN Haguro and Luxury liner Sun Vista.
Diving in the East coast of Malaysia Peninsular is far better: Perhentian(two islands), Redang, Tenggol and Tioman. However, the best is still Sipadan which is in Sabah.

Thanks for that, but not looking for dive sites, but a place to live.........

 

[tatugrl68]

I suppose you are aware of the fees. In that case, you can stay wherever you want

Yes, aware of the fees.....however in Malaysia, you can actually freehold (buy property), not just lease for 100 years.....

 

[Centrals]

Thanks for that, but not looking for dive sites, but a place to live.........

Malacca or Penang?
Penang does has a International airport.
Malacca is closer to KL and Singapore.

 

[tatugrl68]

Malacca or Penang?
Penang does has a International airport.
Malacca is closer to KL and Singapore.

We were interested in people's experiences living in Penang, Philippines or Bali.

Thanks