Expat Advice: Moving to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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Share Your Experiences Moving Overseas

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Kuala Lumpur

Name three things that you wish you had brought and three you wish you had left at home.

I wish I had brought a couple cases of wine, a decent barbecue and insect repellant.

Those things I brought and didn't need - jeans, long-sleeved shirts.

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What advice would you give someone preparing to move to your area about the actual move, choosing a neighborhood and finding a home?

Most expats here tend to live in either Bukit Damansara, or if able to afford it - Kenny Hills. These are dominated by larger houses, usually with pools and nice gardens.

You will need to consider proximity to the office/schools etc, since traffic here can be diabolical, especially in the rainy season.

It is often better to ask among existing expats for house availability. This can be a lot cheaper than using an agent.

What type of housing do you live in? Is this typical for most expats in your area?

We live in a 4 bedroom standalone house [bungalow]. Most expats take either a house or apartment, depending on whether or not they have children, or major security concerns. Apartments have better security and amenities, but are typically smaller. Many houses have pools.

How did you choose your neighborhood and find your home or apartment?

We used a realtor engaged by my company.

Are your housing costs higher or lower than they were in your home country? What is the average cost of housing there?

Housing rental charges are a lot higher here than in my native New Zealand. Typical monthly rental for a house is between 8000 and 12000 ringgit - say 2500 to 4000 USD. Apartments are cheaper, maybe 1000 to 2500 USD per month

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