Life in Penang: Almost One Year Since Moving to Malaysia as a Private Wealth Manager

UK Financial Planner Adam Kinsey recounts his move to Malaysia and the lifestyle changes that came with a bold 6,500-mile relocation across the world. In this article, hear from one of our Private Wealth Managers as he shares how his daily routine has changed, how financial planning is evolving in the Asian region, and what he looks forward to in the future, living in Penang, Malaysia.

Differences Between Living in the UK and Penang

In the UK, my life was pretty standard, a very "normal" way of living. My daily routine involved waking up while it was still dark, eating breakfast, and then sitting in traffic on the M62 for 3–5 working days to get to work (Royal Mail would be quicker than that!), I’d have my coat on the passenger seat, an umbrella ready to go, and a backup umbrella just in case the first one broke. I’d enjoy a gentle walk into the office from my preferred parking spot in Leeds, often joined by a colleague who used the same free-parking area.

Evenings typically involved a gym session, listening to the rain on the balcony, and chatting with friends or family, then, usually at the pub if it was a Friday night. Dinners were often heavy on roast potatoes, gravy, and cauliflower, sometimes in the form of a stew, a roast dinner, or an air-fried plate of mush.

In Malaysia, life is very different. I made the rather brave decision to pack up everything I knew and loved and relocate here. My routine is now significantly different, largely due to two main changes: the lifestyle and culture in Malaysia, and the fact that I am now a proud dog dad to a little long-haired Dachshund named Honey.

These days, I wake up earlier, mainly to avoid any potty-related issues with Honey in the morning. We take a quick walk around the area while I catch up on emails and enjoy the Penang sunrise. Tanjung Bungah beach is just a 3-minute walk from my condo that Honey absolutely loves. Early mornings are the only time it’s cool enough (around a humid 28°C, which counts as "cool" here) to walk a few kilometres without risking heatstroke.

After our walk, it’s time to head to work. The Melbourne Capital Group office overlooks the Straits Quay Marina, with palm trees and yachts in view. And much to the delight of my colleague Tom Raynor, the coffee here in Penang is genuinely outstanding! Mornings typically involve a coffee, a team catch-up, and then working with some truly fabulous clients. One key difference in the work environment is that our client base here is predominantly expatriates, which means I regularly hear awe-inspiring and adventurous life stories. You don’t always get that in the UK, though there are, of course, still some incredible clients back home.

Evenings in Malaysia are special. The country truly comes to life after dark. Instead of roast dinners or Yorkshire puddings, I now look forward to hot and spicy Laksa, Rendang curry, or perhaps some Char Siu and roasted duck. Malaysia is a cultural melting pot, and the way that blend influences both life and food is beautiful.

Another walk for Honey in the evening is now the norm, sometimes while planning the next workday or catching up with friends at a beachside café. I think the closest thing I ever had to a beachside café back in the UK was in Blackpool (where I’m from), and let’s just say it doesn’t quite compare to golden beaches lit by sunset, although those sunsets do sometimes come with a surprise thunderstorm!

Making Friends in Penang as an Expatriate Professional

One of the toughest challenges since moving abroad has been being away from family and friends. Anyone who knows me well knows that my family and close circle of friends mean everything to me. So naturally, being 6,500 miles away from them isn’t always easy.

Thankfully, Penang has a strong expatriate community, with people from the UK, USA, Canada, Europe, China, and beyond. As a result, you often meet others with similar (or wildly different) stories, and there's an instant sense of shared experience that helps you connect quickly.

Making friends with fellow expats, and locals, has been both refreshing and, at times, challenging. There are the usual language barriers, particularly when mixing with European expatriates, and the transient nature of expat life means people often come and go. But what I value most are the stories, how people ended up so far from home and their experiences along the way. These kinds of conversations create instant connections and are far more engaging than the typical small talk you often find in the UK ("How was your weekend?").

Here, I’ve had conversations with people who’ve spent 40 years in oil and gas, international architects, art collectors, antique dealers, and many more. These exchanges are something I cherish personally and professionally.

What to Consider Before Moving to Malaysia

When moving abroad, there’s a long list of things to consider—many of which I admittedly overlooked at times. Here are some key points:

• Cost of living in the new country

• Time difference between home and your new location (for staying in touch)

• Cost of travel back home, should you need or want to visit regularly

• Cultural and religious differences and how to adapt to them

• Driving laws and licenses, including whether you can drive, how to obtain a license, and whether car ownership is viable

• Rental agreements, e.g., in Penang, it's standard to sign 3+ year tenancy contracts, which isn’t ideal for short-term stays

• Water treatment: is the tap water safe to drink, and if not, what are the alternatives?

• International banking and money transfers

• Tax implications and notifying authorities in both countries

• Finding a social circle—have you looked into expat meetups or social events?

It’s completely natural to fall into a few of these pitfalls, we all do. What matters most is embracing the new lifestyle and enjoying the journey. My heritage is proudly mixed, with Chinese-Malaysian roots, which certainly made the transition easier for me, having visited Malaysia many times growing up. But even if you don’t come from a diverse background, embracing change, enjoying the new way of living, and keeping in touch with people back home can make 6,500 miles feel more like 10.

How Does It Feel to Live in Malaysia?

I moved to Malaysia for specific personal reasons, and I regularly remind myself of those reasons. It’s easy to forget sometimes, especially when you're missing family, friends, familiar routines, or, oddly enough in my case, the UK’s bad weather. But staying positive, saying “yes” more often, and reminding yourself of the incredible opportunities living abroad can offer makes the entire experience deeply rewarding. You only miss out on opportunities when you say ‘no’, and I couldn’t be happier having settled into a new way of living – albeit noodles for breakfast is still something I need to get used to.  

As for work, financial planning is an ever-evolving landscape. I have found it immensely fulfilling taking on the new role, which keeps me both busy, learning and driven. For those expats who are considering working abroad, it's also important to align yourself with a work-culture which you can truly get behind, not just for a fancy job role, but also for the sake of your own sanity. With such a big life change as it is, moving across the world can also bring along different work cultures, colleagues and work-life balances. At Melbourne Capital Group, we pride ourselves on a single mantra - ‘Do the Right Thing’ - which embodies my own internal ethics and is something I strongly advise anyone considering work abroad to consider, knowing what company you’re working for before the move. This is something which can be frequently overlooked in the shadows of every other moving part which you encounter when moving country – but is arguably the most important thing.  

It’s not every day that someone can say they had the courage to leave their home country, wake up just minutes from the beach, and live with a mischievous puppy who looks at them only for food, and manages to soil the apartment more than twice a week!

I’m now permanently based in Penang, Malaysia. If you're thinking of moving to Southeast Asia—or are already living here—please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m always keen to connect with fellow expats, hear your stories, and, of course, enjoy a hot plate of Char Kuey Teow if you’re in Penang!

Email me at adamkinsey@melbournecapitalgroup.com or connect with me on Linkedin.