Life in Penang is relatively cheap. A night at a 4-star hotel costs less than RM200 (roughly USD54) for 2 persons. A typical meal at the hawker center costs only about USD3 for one person. One of the potential problems is getting around. The bus service is cheap but can be sporadic (depends on time of the day and popularity of a particular route). Taxis can ask for unreasonable prices, so haggle before boarding if the taxi doesn't seem to be running on the meter.

WARNING
* Don't walk alone in deserted places.
* Don't accept rides from Kereta Sapu (passenger car / unlicensed taxi).
* Don't carry valuables in motorbike-baskets.
* Don't leave valuables in hotel rooms.
* Don't place valuables on restaurant tables.
* Do be wary of snatch-thieves - especially when wearing jewelery and/or carrying bags. Some of these felons practice the art of 'ride-by' snatching of ladies' handbags which can result in serious injury to the victim. So ladies: walk against traffic and keep the handbag on the side away from the road or better still - don't carry one.
* Do be wary of the (sometimes aggressive) long-tail macaques at the botanical gardens.
* Do read the local newspapers to know what's going on.