Day 29: Who Wants to Live in a Small Tropical Island?
Nine days have passed since I wrote my last entry. I wish I had a legitimate reason behind my absence like Single Guy Money (being abducted by an alien) or TJ (a healing journey), but I can’t think of any honest reason other than a sheer desire to relax (read: laziness).
You see, work sends me overseas (any other country is overseas for Australia. Heck, even Tasmania is overseas!) to meet clients and run training. At least a couple of times a year, I would fly to Malaysia for work purpose. I always enjoy my trips so far; especially since I cunningly design the trips around colder months. A typical visit covers two or three cities over one week. This time, I bravely (or foolishly?) organise five stops within eight days. We’re only half way through the journey tonight but I feel so psyched and energetic while my two colleagues have been plagued with cold. Must be that thick skin I inherit from my mother.
In regard to my cash-only month project, this trip has become a blessing. The company covers my accommodation, transportation and food so I only use cash for personal spending.
For the next few days, I will report to you what it’s like to live in various Malaysian towns as I visit them.
Penang
I’ve visited this bustling little town a few times in the past but this is the first time I stay for more than one night. My family happens to be in town so I spent most of my free time with them.
Penang is a small island off Malaysia peninsula, just an hour flight from Kuala Lumpur. The island is connected to the peninsula with an 8.5 km long super bridge. The land is so scarce here; most people live in one of the hundreds of apartment buildings. It seems like they preserve the land to build commercial property. The narrow roads are cramped with cars, motorbikes, buses and rickshaws.
The Georgetown area, where I stayed, is on UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Colonial style houses of all colours stand side-by-side with Buddhist temples. In many parts, the original buildings are well-preserved and still used for residential and commercial purpose.
On the first day, my parents instructed me how to catch a taxi to their apartment. Mind you, in most parts of Malaysia, taxis don’t run on meter. You must haggle beforehand. And if you don’t look or speak like the locals, good luck. They said it would cost around RM 12-15 (AUD 1 = RM 3). Having watched my mother haggle the price down to a third of its original offer in the old days, I knew I had it in me.
So I marched out of the air-conditioned hotel lobby to the scorching hot real world. An old taxi driver approached me and I mentioned my destination.
“18 ringgit lah” he said while showing his toothless smile.
I immediately realised that I would feel like a schmuk if I insisted on saving some ringgits. Sigh! I agreed. In the end I asked him to keep the RM 2 change. He waved cheerily at me. Yes, I’m a sucker.
The next day I determined to do things like the locals. So I took a bus to this time. Surprisingly, the air-conditioned (very crucial equipment that is) bus is very clean. It only costs RM 1.40 (less than AUD 0.50) for a ride on any distance. Things are looking up.
If you are feeling adventurous, another mode of transportation you should try is the rickshaw. Some rickshaw drivers act no different from a Harley Davidson convoy. They think they own the road. The only time I rode a rickshaw, the driver pushed through small gaps so fast like a horny bison, I never prayed so hard in my life. Worry not though, not all rickshaw drivers have such Evel Knievelesque approach to mortality.
Don't let the demure appearance fool you. An exhilarating ride awaits.
In between eating too much char koay teow at the hawker’s market and running class until midnight, I imagined what it would be like to live in here. I asked around about how much it costs to live there. Here are some ideas:
Accommodation: RM 35 per room per day (AUD 12) which includes a fully furnished room in an apartment (air-conditioned too!!), utility bill and a maid (who does the dishes, washes clothes and cooks for you). You can get a cheaper rate if you stay longer or under a different arrangement.
Food: RM 4 (AUD 1.30) for a plate of noodle or fried rice at food court or hawker’s market.
Transportation: RM 1.40 (AUD 0.50) for an air-conditioned bus (or half of that for the “economy class”) and less than RM 20 to get anywhere with taxi.
Shoes: RM 50 (AUD 17). Because it’s an essential 
One time I bought six pairs of new shoes for less than AUD 90. Ladies, start your engine!
Generally speaking, you can live like a king for less than AUD 800 (for a couple) per month. In comparison, our weekly budget in Melbourne already exceeds that number. It sounds even more appealing with Air Asia offering AUD 400 for a return ticket from Melbourne and even cheaper fares to other exotic Asia destinations. Who’s not tempted?
Would you move to a tropical island for a cheaper lifestyle? What if you could keep your current job and pay then move to a tropical island? Has anyone done this before?
*1 AUD = 0.93 USD
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I would totally do this, but would probably get bored after six months or a year and want to go back to some normalcy unless there was a hobby or skill to pursue there… I kinda did this with Hawaii, but instead of cheaper, it's much more expensive!
Ryan, that will be my question at the end of this “cheap living overseas” story. What are you going to do there? Living cheaply is only one part of the journey. Without engagement or meaning, life will be boring anywhere on earth. Too bad about the Hawaii… Generally speaking, travelling around Asia is easy and crazy cheap with the rise of budget airline. If you’re sick of beach lifestyle, you can go jungle trekking in Borneo and build a hut there… and learn some survival skills too
I need to stick to the states to be around family, so this is probably not my style, but it sounds awesome!
I'm in the same boat as Crystal with respect to family…
But it would be tempting if I were single and had a successful online business!!! Perhaps, I would visit many different places for short stints of time..
I'd be an internet nomad, if I could get a signal…
@Crystal and @Money Reasons: Yeah, lately I realise that this nomadic lifestyle is not for everyone (duh!). People tend to put a hype on travel but it’s not always as glamorous as they advertise. Being a nomad can be very taxing if you don’t have it in your blood. I’m in my third town today. A new location always invigorates my weary behind.
I’ve been away from my family for 8 years now. So travel or stay put will make no difference in that regard.
Cheers.
Thanks for the mention…the need to relax is probably the most legitimate reason of all for a break…looking forward to reading your updates!
No worries. Thanks for visiting
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Hey,
I didn't know you were from Australia. I have a good friend who I met in Ottawa Canada who now lives in Sydney. He mother was Canadian, but her father Australian. She grew up there and is now studying for her doctorate in biblical studies.
Anyway, sounds like you get to do a lot of traveling for work. I think I could get used to that. At least for short periods. I may find it tough when we have children though.
Thanks for sharing,
Guy
Hi Guy,
Thanks for dropping by. I live in Melbourne. I know a major church movement from Sydney such as Hillsong and friends.
I love travelling, for work and holiday. It broadens your senses. Yes, once the midget arrives, I may need to slow down. That’s why I’m happy to have back-to-back trips now. Off to check your site, mate.
Cheers,
Bytta.
Like you, I travel often. I might take this offer if you promise I could stay!
Seriously, I have been thinking a lot lately about "my number" and how big it is to ensure the resources for the lifestyle I think I want (ed)? Choosing cheaper places to live would get me to "the number" much sooner. It is something to consider but maybe not something I could convince the wife to consider!
Hey Coach, it’s been a while.
I think the immigration officer is the only person who can promise you the stay permit
I agree with your thinking. I’d rather live comfortably in a small island than eat cat food in Australia.
The difference in number is staggering, it makes you think whether it’s worth the fight to stay where you are.
Then again, family and support networks are something that can’t be ignored easily.
My plan is to be flexible; ie. a few years here and a few years there. My husband is happy to move around since we’re both nomadic. As for kids, well… they need us more than we need them, right?
Well, seems that the laziness thing on posting is catching up on most of us. I am also guilty in this part for my own blog.
Anyways, I would say that it is a good place to stay in as I am myself in Bangkok as of the moment. Food and necessity items are in a fair price and apartment rentals are as well. It really depends on the area that you would like to reside in and you are definitely right that you need to know your local area.
People would usually ask for a special price for foreigners in their place looking for services and selling their items. So it’s good to have a guide or know about the local listings and prices.
Benjie @ Zordane´s last blog ..Financial Freedom Starts Here – GDI Weekly Board Leaders
Hey Benjie,
I think some of us are flat-out from the life outside blogging. That explains why there are only a few successful bloggers who stay consistent with their writing.
I didn’t know you’re in Bangkok. Pretty soon I’m going to travel around Asia a lot so keep in touch, mate.
How’s the living cost there? Is it comparable to Kuala Lumpur or Jakarta? Do you travel around too?
Air Asia is sooooo cheap, I practically visit their website so often to create my mental travel plan.
[...] Days Off explains how living on a small tropical island can be cheaper than the hustle and bustle of our cramped city styles! For a fraction of your [...]
Like many other have commented, family will probably keep us where we are at, but we have absolutely looked into it! We figure if you invested enough money to generate a decent passive income, we could move to an island with a lower cost of living and do just fine without working. Either way, this was a fun read, and thanks for sharing!
Thank you,
Timothy
Wealth Artisan Team Member
http://WealthArtisan.com
Above living cost, it is very crucial to think about what to do there. Finding engagement and meaning in a new place is not easy. Thanks for dropping by
Cheers.
[...] April, during my business trip in Asia, I thought about how cheap it is to live there then seriously thought about doing my work from [...]