Australian student doctor ABDULLAH NAJI lives in the Gurney Drive neighbourhood of Penang, just a few kilometres northwest of the George Town city centre. We asked him about some of the best things about living in Penang – and food is up near the top of the list!
# An overview of your neighbourhood in Penang
What’s the name of your street?
Persiaran Gurney (Gurney Drive).
What’s a common myth or misconception about living in this neighbourhood in Penang?
That it can be full of snobs – that’s not the case in my experience, and I’m neighbours with lots of down-to-earth people!
Exact words you tell a taxi or rideshare driver to get home?
“Millennium Tower, on Gurney Drive, just after Gurney Plaza.”
How long have you lived here? Why here?
A year now! It’s considered a prime location next to a well-known mall and is only a five-minute drive to work for me. It’s also close to the heart of George Town, so everything you need is accessible. There’s a decent expat population in this area too.
# Out and about in Gurney Drive
When you walk out of your place, what’s the first thing you see?
A promenade along the Strait of Malacca. It makes for a lovely view from the apartment. Currently, there’s a lot of construction going on in the area as they are developing Gurney Bay, a waterfront park, and Andaman Island off the coast, reclaimed land which will soon house a luxury resort.
What’s the closest store to your front door?
There’s a 7-Eleven a one-minute walk away, and the Gurney Plaza shopping mall, an easy five-minute walk in the other direction.
If your street was chosen for a remake of a film, which would it be?
Crazy Rich Asians. In fact, a little-known fact was that film was mostly shot in Penang! Even the opening scene, supposedly in London, was filmed at the Eastern & Oriental Hotel here.
We’re sure your neighbours are great, but is there anything you wouldn’t mind a little less of?
The dogs next door can be a bit loud at times, but they’re adorable, so whenever I see them, it makes up for it.
What’s the unofficial uniform of your street?
Flip flops! I love that you can go everywhere in them here without being judged.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever seen on your street?
A random sinkhole appeared one night, and they came to repair it overnight. It happens a lot here, apparently, especially following bigger storms.
# The best things about living in Gurney Drive, Penang
What are your three favourite places to eat or drink in the neighbourhood?
- Deen Maju Nasi Kandar. The most iconic place in George Town to have what’s probably my favourite Malaysian dish, Nasi Kandar! Queues can get really long, so its popularity is undeniable, but it’s worth the wait!
- Rossi. Authentic Italian food that’s good for when I’m craving a break from local food.
- Narrow Marrow. This is an extremely cosy café with an interesting interior and design. They have a wide range of tasty beverages and probably the best tiramisu in town! I like to go there and get work done every now and then.
What are the best places to shop at in the neighbourhood?
I personally do most of my shopping at the mall. But if you’re after some more traditional items, the Chowrasta market is great.
What are some fun or interesting things to do in the neighbourhood?
I love going to Hin Bus Depot in George Town. They run a flea market there on weekends with bands playing live music. It’s a great vibe! There’s a cool café scene here too, I like to check out a new one every week. A recent find I’ve been obsessed with is BōDO, a hidden boardgame café that I can spend many hours being lost in!
What’s one thing you’d never change about the neighbourhood and living in Penang in general?
The love for food they have here. It’s beautiful!
How about one thing you would change?
The traffic and the “mat rempits” here who engage in illegal street racing and stunt biking in the late hours of the night, their motorcycles can be loud and disrupts everyone’s sleeping. I wish the government would do more to tackle this issue.
If the city gave you a million ringgit to soup up your street, how would you use it?
Expand the roads to ease traffic congestion.
# Exploring Penang beyond Gurney Drive
What are your favourite Penang spots for taking out-of-town guests?
I like taking my guests on a food tour to try out the best street cuisine George Town has to offer, followed by a trek through some alleyways to check out the cool street art around town. Penang Hill is another popular activity which offers great views at the top, you can either hike up or take the second-steepest funicular train in the world!
For dinner, Auntie Gaik (the world’s cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant!) is a must-visit. It’s incredibly popular, tables can be fully booked weeks in advance, so I’d be sure to make a reservation well in advance of the trip.
Honourable mention: The Penang Jewish Cemetery is a bit of an unusual stop, but it’s the oldest Jewish cemetery in Southeast Asia which some might find intriguing.
When you’re in need of a dose of culture, where do you go?
I would go to a super local hawker centre and try out a new dish for the first time, even if I’m scared to! It’s a rich cuisine culture they have here, and I often find myself pleasantly surprised with what’s on offer.
If you’re missing home, what do you do?
Meet up with my other expat friends here and go bar hopping in George Town to meet other Aussies!
# About your condo in Gurney Drive
- Name: Millennium Tower
- Facilities: Swimming pool, gym, billiard/lounge room, car parking
- Size: 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- New or old: Almost 20 years old now! But it’s well-maintained
- Community vibe: People are friendly but not everyone is super social. They can come across as reserved at first but can really warm up to you once you get to know each other!
If you also love living in Penang and want to share your neighbourhood info with others, just email us at contribute@expatliving.net with “Street Talk” in the subject line. Include your name and street, and we’ll be in touch.
Enjoyed this article on living in Penang in the Gurney Drive neighbourhood? Now read about another neighbourhood, Tanjung Pinang.
