KL is a large and densely populated city located on the Malaysian Peninsula. There are large populations of Malay, Indian and Chinese people living here as well as a significant expat population. The weather is warm and muggy all year round and it often rains, with thunder and lightening being a regular occurence. It is a city that is developing at break-neck speed and there is always a lot of construction going on around the place. A comfortable place to live with both large malls and local markets - you can find pretty much anything here in KL. There are also lots of sights to see and places close enough to travel to for short trips.

KL is such a thoroughfare of a city, locals are generally welcoming towards foreigners. There is such a mix of cultures here already that many are used to interacting with others of differing backgrounds. Tourists and visitors are also seen as being good for the economy. KL is an easy place to live and things happen here 24/7. You can go to eat at midnight if you desire. The food here is varied, tasty and plentiful - eating seems to be a national passtime and the mix of cultures again makes dining out an experience. It can be difficult if you're vegetarian however. You are close to many other wonderful cities and Asian and Pacific destinations should you have the opportunity to explore further. Two things that annoy me on occassion - the prevalence of smoking here. It is still acceptable for people to smoke in restaurants and hotels in many places. And also, the pollution here is fairly heavy. Many people rely on cars to get from a to b when it's not always neccessary. It is a great city for couples to live in as there is much to do and enjoy. Kids are loved very much here and there are many family oriented activities to enjoy. However as it is an Islamic state, public displays of affection are generally not encouraged and homosexuality is illegal. Islamic culture is very strong here and if you are not used to this you will notice it most in that many women cover up here and also Muslims pray 5 times a day. Depending on the individuals you meet you may encounter gender prejudices, but women here do participate in the workforce and hold traditionally 'male' jobs. There are a few Islamic customs it pays to be aware of. If you intend to visit a mosque or traditional village it pays to cover up and take a head scarf. Eating should be done with the right hand, as should receiving gifts. Generally all cultural groups get along well here, however there is tension between native Malays and the Chinese that stems from a view that Malays are often priveledged by law and that the Chinese are 'materialistic' and preoccupied with wealth. Security is generally okay, although you should try and avoid carrying a purse or handbag if you can help it - store your money in pockets with zips / buttons. Jewellery should be kept to a minimum and be aware of your personal belongings at all times. It's safer to walk in company at night time, not on your own and be careful to only take 'official' taxis.

A tourist visa is about 3 months and to obtain a work visa one must be sponsored by an employer first.

There are many expat areas around, however we choose to live right in the center of town, in a hotel apartment. The rent is about 8000 RM per month. You can probably find decent accommodation anywhere from 2000 - 10,000 RM.

Getting household help is common, but I am not sure of rates and details.

I find that my cell phone works out cheaper to call home than our hotel phone. I am with maxis, which seems to be reliable. Generally a card of 60RM lasts me a few months with making a call every couple of days locally and a few longer calls internationally a month. Generally reception is good. Our internet is run through the hotel and is fine. There are also many net cafes around. Local language TV and newspapers are available. The postal service is reliable enough. Often packages from home will have been opened and inspected, but otherwise we have had no problems.

Generally you can get by with English, however it is appreciated if you pick up a few words of Malay. Sometimes you will encounter people who speak very little English and whom you wont be able to communicate with without Malay. There are various options around, including classes and private classes. I'd recommend picking up a good book of learning Malay.

It's safest to drink bottled water to avoid the risk of Hep A and other diseases. We buy 5L bottles at 7.50 RM each from a local store. Gas and electricity are covered by the hotel so I'm not sure about those costs.

It can be difficult to find general employment if you don't speak Malay, unless it's in a specialist industry such as engineering. Teaching English is a popular option for expats, however the salaries for this are equivalent to local salaries and much lower than the minimum wage in Australia & NZ (and salaries for teaching English in other areas of Asia).

The local currency is ringgit (RM). I do not have a bank account here so am not sure of the details involved in setting one up.

There are many pharmacies around, but I have not had to visit a hospital or GP here as of yet.

There are many international schools around that seem to cater to all ages.

KL traffic is fairly chaotic and it pays to drive defensively. We prefer not to own a car for environmental reasons and it's perfectly reasonable to get around and live here without one. Many people use taxis, which are very cheap. There are train lines also which are efficient, relatively clean and cheap however they often don't go to where you need to, so you might have to transfer. There is also a monorail and buses.

Clothing stores are numerous and you wont have a problem finding and buying clothes here.

There are many movie theatres, a few museums and an arts center. Sports clubs are also popular.

Not sure about pets and their care here. We left ours in Australia so as to avoid having them quarantined for months on our return.

A forum where you can ask questions in more detail: http://www.alloexpat.com/malaysia_expat_forum/ See too:

See too:

Our Expat Women Living in Malaysia page

City Experience - Kuala, Malaysia - September 10, 2007