Why I Moved My Daughter—and Six Pets—to Penang
Keith Hockton shares the story of Nikki Jordan, who uprooted her family and built a better life on this English-speaking tropical island.
In 2013, at the age of 42, Nikki Jordan moved to Penang, Malaysia, with her seven-year-old daughter and six pets. She'd never been to Malaysia before and had been searching for the perfect, affordable destination, where she could live in a less-stressful environment, run her consultancy business, and find the best possible private schooling for her daughter.
Malaysia ticked a lot of boxes on her list: all-year-round tropical weather, affordable cost of living, great food, a fascinating culture, dependable infrastructure, good healthcare, and most importantly: warm, welcoming people. There were also at least six private schools to choose from offering various curriculums.
Nikki says, "It was important to me that whatever school my daughter went to, there had to be a Malaysian component too, so she could understand where she was living and have a sense of belonging."
Nikki is a voracious researcher by nature and having never been to Malaysia before she was able to fit in a quick three-day trip to see what Penang had to offer. "My love affair with Penang was formed in those three days," says Nikki.
She was also able to narrow down the area she wanted to live in, with solid rental options that suited her budget, and she made very helpful contacts. Nikki adds, "Penang is a social place and the people here are very giving of their knowledge.
Today, after living in Penang for almost 10 years, her daughter is halfway through her International Baccalaureate, and due to the high level of education she has received in Penang, she will graduate IB as a scholarship student and receive her American High School Diploma at the same time.
Bringing Pets to Malaysia
Nikki says, "Pets are also a big concern for many potential expats, and like many people, my pets are my family.
"The rules around importing pets change regularly, so it's important to check with an experienced agent so you have the most up-to-date information. Also valid international health certificates can be time-sensitive and need to be properly planned for in your relocation timeline."
Nikki did a lot of the preparation herself, but engaged the services of one of the pet relocation specialists in Penang. "Moving animals to Penang is not as onerous as one might think," she says. "I was able to visit all six while they were boarding (which I appreciated!). My dogs had a grassy area to run around in and I was thankful they weren't in cages 24/7 and all of my pets were well cared for."
Leaving her animals behind was not an option for Nikki. None of them particularly enjoy travel but they'd endure anything to stay close to her. And she would endure any amount of paperwork and travel logistics to make the move happen seamlessly. Nikki says, "They are my family and we all stay or leave as one unit. When we travel it's like the circus has come to town but we just plough ahead and get the job done. No-one gets left behind!"
Safety and Friendship in Penang
Nikki claims the streets of Penang feel much safer than any city she's known in the U.S. Her daughter, who is now nearly 18 years of age, feels completely comfortable walking alone any time of the day and night with her friends.
Aside from a few bag snatches—and they are rare—crime is negligible compared to American cities. And violent crime is practically unheard of.
It's easy to meet friends in Penang. You will meet more people with similar interests if you take language classes, yoga classes, cooking classes, or art and craft classes. And hiking through the jungle or the Botanical Gardens with one of the many groups is an experience.
Nikki is an international coach, author, teacher and podcaster. She co-hosts a successful podcast called "There's Always Tea," which covers a wide range of topics.
She says, "I'm very lucky. I love my work and our podcast is great fun! It also allows me to connect with like-minded individuals not only in Malaysia but around the globe."
Volunteer work is also a sure-fire way to make new friends. Whether it's helping at an animal shelter, working with refugees, or teaching English, you can pursue whatever interests you.
Nikki has made several close friends, from all different cultures, by indulging her passions.
"Friendships start by finding your tribe," she says. "Finding like-minded people who have the same values and interests you have. My advice is to say yes to everything you get invited to in your first year. You can't go wrong, and you'll meet a lot of fun folks and hopefully laugh a lot in the process!"
— Keith Hockton, IL Malaysia Correspondent
Want to Dig Deeper on Life in Malaysia?
If you’re curious about what it really costs to live in Malaysia, how to get a visa, or what it takes to make the move, we’ve got you covered. Check out these helpful resources: