GEORGE TOWN: Penang has been named among the Top 10 best places in the world to retire by travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller.
Penang, the only Asian country to make it into the list, came in second after Coronado, Panama.
The other eight places are Cascais, Portugal; San Miguel de Allende, Mexico; Killarney, Ireland; Corozal, Belize; Concord, California; Grand Haven, Michigan; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Louisville, Kentucky.
A caption which accompanied Penang, written by Cynthia Drescher on Mar 3, read:
"Thanks to a government initiative named “Malaysia My Second Home” (MM2H), foreigners can now easily apply for a 10-year visa.
"Once you’re in, head to Penang for the best of the country’s culinary offerings, historic architecture, a thriving art scene, international-standard health care, and an English-speaking community of expats.
"Penang is itself an island (with beaches!), and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of George Town is its capital.
"Getting in and out is easy; the metropolises of Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, and the vacation island destination of Langkawi, are quick, cheap flights away."
Drescher had named Penang the second best city in the world for Americans to retire to, taking into account culture, access to health services, quality of life and community.