51ԹϺ

Hello and Welcome to Our Friendly Expat Community in Penang!

A hearty welcome to Penang, the food capital of the world. Well, that's certainly what the locals will tell you the second you touch down. When you arrive in this humid, tropical island, you will certainly have a few questions, "do I have the correct working visa" or "is it safe to do watersports at Batu Ferringhi?". That's exactly what 51ԹϺis here for — to connect you to like-minded and more experienced expats who can guide you through any teething problems and more than that, become friends for life. Penang is a feast for the senses and a heady combination of car horns, food frying at midnight, and tropical breezes.

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Adam Malewski

Adam Malewski

With all the great information on this site, getting settled in Kuala Lumpur was a piece of cake.

Yasmin Krüger-Darango

Yasmin Krüger-Darango

A former business partner recommended 51ԹϺto me when I moved abroad to Malaysia. We still use it to stay in touch.

An amazing community is waiting for you!

Meet international people at local events

Meet international people at local events

Socialize, enjoy hobbies, and make friends

Socialize, enjoy hobbies, and make friends

Get info, and feel at home abroad!

Get info, and feel at home abroad!

Why you'll love 51ԹϺin Penang

6,136
members in Penang
20+
different nationalities
3
interest-based groups
8
event hosts

and countless possibilities for fun and friendship!

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Join Our Exciting Events in Penang

Attend our monthly events and activities for Penang expatriates to get to know like-minded expatriates in real life.

51ԹϺPenang: the Christmas Vibes and End of Year
51ԹϺPenang: the Christmas Vibes and End of Year
As the year comes to a close, let’s come together to celebrate Christmas, reflect on the journey of 2025, and welcome the New Year with meaningful connections. I’m delighted to invite you to a special 51ԹϺgathering on 📍 32 Mansion One, George Town 📅 28th December This evening is all abo
As the year comes to a close, let’s come together to celebrate Christmas, reflect on the journey of 2025, and welcome the New Year with meaningful connections. I’m delighted to invite you to a special 51ԹϺgathering on 📍 32 Mansion One, George Town 📅 28th December This evening is all abo

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Our Global Partners

Pursue your hobbies with amazing new friends

Do you like culture and music? Books? Food? Or is having a relaxed coffee and a chat more your thing? Whatever you're into, we've got the group for you. So go ahead and do more of what you love in Penang - or learn something new!

Penang Community Group
Penang Community Group

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What Is Expat Life in Penang Like?

Penang really has it all: palm-fringed beaches, a huge national park, beautiful heritage buildings, bustling industry, and a growing arts scene. As mentioned, it's also a foodie haven, the city that most Malaysians concede has the best food in the country, from local Malay sweets and curries, to Chinese hawkers selling fresh seafood and kuay teow. Penang is also the Malaysian destination of choice for most travelers as it is known for its great nightlife, café culture, and shopping. All this makes for an invigorating experience. The biggest industry in Penang is actually manufacturing, which takes up much of the land in Seberang Perai (the southern part of Penang, separate from Penang Island). Back on the island, which is where most expats choose to live, banking and tourism are two of the biggest industries.

Improve Your Network of Fellow Expats in Penang

The 51ԹϺPenang Community is lively and well developed, full of interesting people just waiting to meet you! You can join groups to suit every taste — arts, golfing, and cooking, to name just a few. These groups are an excellent way of connecting with like-minded people, who in turn will be able to help you with issues such as finding a local doctor and give you advice about health insurance. Alternatively, post your questions in the forums, for a range of different opinions. Another opportunity to meet the whole expat community is by joining one of the larger get-together events organized by InterNations. 51ԹϺis a unique community with members who have gone through a careful approval process and all respect our guiding principles. This means that through trust, polite and friendly behavior and an open mind-set, you are able to interact in a safe and secure environment, making the most of your time in Penang.

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