Neighbourhoods of Penang

Neighbourhoods of Penang (7 May 2010)


Here's a list of neighbourhoods of Penang for the benefit of those looking to rent or invest in real estate on the island. As I have advised, before you sign along the dotted line, be sure to do your homework in checking out the neighbourhood.

Among the things to consider:

The type of neighbourhood
Is it a working class, middle class or upper middle class neighbourhood? If you choose a neighbourhood where the median income is above yours, you will find yourself playing catch-up to the Joneses next door. Your choice should be a neighbourhood where the median income is slightly below yours.

Geographical location
While it's nice to stay up on a hill with a panoramic view, the trade-off is having to drive up and down the hill every day, if you work in the city. This contributes to the wear-and-tear of your vehicle. In the same sense, while staying at the top floor of a 35-storey apartment will give you the view, consider the among of time you sacrifice just waiting for the lift every day.

Distance from work
Is it worth commuting an hour from work every day in rush-hour traffic where you do anything but rush?

Location of Amenities
Where's the nearest school, petrol station, hospital? Would you allow your tired child to suffer everyday with the long commute?

List of Neighbourhoods

Air Itam
Working class neighbourhood. Highly congested with inadequate access roads.

Ayer Rajah
Affluent neighbourhood with million-ringgit bungalows.

Bagan Jermal
Mixed neighbourhood with working class flats, older residential houses and new high-rise condominiums.

Balik Pulau
Township on the far side of the island now being developed with double-storey houses. Distance from George Town an issue if you work in the city.

Bandar Sri Pinang
Newly developed mixed neighbourhood built on reclaimed land in Jelutong. Close to city centre.

Batu Ferringhi
Neighbourhood on the main tourist belt. Distance from the city an issue as access road is narrow and winding. Ideal for retirees where distance from city is not an issue.

Batu Gantong
Middle class neighbourhood comprising highrise as well as older grounded properties near major cemetery and crematorium.

Batu Lanchang
Working class neighbourhood to the south of the city centre. Highly congested with more low-medium cost apartment projects on the way.

Batu Maung
New residential neighbourhood built on former rural land, now booming due to the Second Penang Bridge project.

Batu Uban
Middle class neighbourhood, midway between the north and south of the island, with some high-density high-rise condominiums.

Bayan Lepas
Working class neighbourhood, formerly rural land, close to the Free Industrial Zone.

Brown Garden
Working class neighbourhood, predominantly government quarters, next to Minden Heights.

Bukit Dumbar
Mixed middle class neighbourhood with low density apartment blocks and some landed properties.

Bukit Gambier
Mixed neighbourhood with both working class and middle-class high-rise residential blocks.

Bukit Gedung
Working class neighbourhood close to the Free Industrial Zone.

Bukit Jambul
Mixed neighbourhood ranging from working class to the affluent, with flats, condominiums and hill-side bungalows.

Bukit Kecil
Middle-class neighbourhood comprising mostly landed properties with some low-rise apartments.

Gelugor
District with a good mix ranging from working class to upper middle class.

George Town
City centre, with mixed properties, from lower-middle class to luxurious condominiums.

Green Lane
Middle class neighbourhood with older grounded properties and newer high-rises.

Gurney Drive
Affluent neighbourhood with million-ringgit high-rise condominiums.

Jelutong
Working class neighbourhood, quite congested but close to city centre.

Kampung Jawa
Lower middle class landed properties.

Kampung Kastam
Working class neighbourhood predominantly government quarters.

Mount Erskine
Mixed neighbourhood on hill land, some properties afford great views of George Town.

Paya Terubong
Congested working class neighbourhood in the centre of Penang Island.

Perak Road
Working class city street, some parts quite congested.

Pantai Acheh
Rural area on the eastern side of the island.

Permatang Damar Laut
Rural area slowly being developed into mixed landed properties.

Pulau Tikus
Affluent neighbourhood to the west of the city centre.

Queensbay
Newly developed upper middle class neighbourhood.

Relau
Congested lower middle class neighbourhood hemmed in by the hills.

Scotland Road
Upple middle class to affluent, but suffering congestion due to location as a major thoroughfare.

Seven Streets Precinct
Congested, middle class inner city area, with mostly landed shophouses.

Sungai Ara
Mixed neighbourhood from working class to upper middle class, main access roads congested during rush hours.

Sungai Dua
Middle class neighbourhood with older landed properties and newer high-rise condominiums.

Sungai Keluang
Subdistrict within Bayan Lepas, renowned as the location of the Snake Temple.

Sungai Nibong
Middle class neighbourhood, moderate congestion, mostly landed properties.

Sungai Tiram
Former village area on the way to the Penang International Airport.

Tanjong Bungah
Upper middle class neighbourhood, with pockets of poverty.

Tanjong Tokong
Upper middle class neighbourhood, also with pockets of poverty, mixed development of landed properties and high-rise condominiums.

Teluk Bahang
Rural area on the northwestern corner of the island. Distance from city is an issue.

Teluk Kumbar
Former rural land now developed with upmarket landed properties, good for those working in the Free Industrial Zone, but far from city centre.

Teluk Tempoyak
Rural part of Batu Maung, still relatively untouched by development, blocked by hills.

Vale of Tempe
Hilly valley with congested access road, working class neighbourhood.