GEORGE TOWN, Feb 18 — Penang’s state capital city George Town has been listed as one of the best places to retire abroad in 2016 by CNN Money.
One of Malaysia’s two urban Unesco world heritage sites ranked sixth in the US list, beating even Chiang Mai in Thailand and ahead of Las Terrenas in the Dominican Republic, Cuenca in Ecuador, and Puerto Vallarta in Mexico.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the latest listing proved that Penang is heading towards an international city status that is clean, green and sustainable.
“We are proud of being one of the only two Asian cities in the list,” he said and congratulated Penangites for making George Town a liveable city for all.
He also told senior citizens living in the state that they have chosen the right place to retire.
In the CNN Money report dated January 6, writer Katie Lobosco named George Town as an “extremely affordable” location to retire in with a monthly budget of US$900 (RM3,750).
She also pointed out that the island port city has lots to see and do which included museums, arts centres, free concerts, jungle parks, beaches and amusement parks.
She commended the state’s public transportation and health care system as first-class.
The top five locations in the list are Algarve (Portugal), Cayo (Belize), Medellin (Colombia), Pau (France) and Abruzzo (Italy).
