Living in Kuala Lumpur: the ultimate expat guide
Everything you need to know for a successful life in Kuala Lumpur.
Top destination for expatriation, Kuala Lumpur is a modern global city. It is not only Malaysia's capital and biggest city but also its economic, financial, industrial and cultural heart. In short, Kuala Lumpur is a fast growing metropolis.
Surrounded by lush forests, Kuala Lumpur is a green city, interspersed with skyscrapers, providing an unparalleled quality of life to expatriates along with opportunities.
Generalities
Get an overview of living in Kuala Lumpur with general information to discover the destination.
Adjusting to the local culture in Kuala Lumpur
Although cosmopolitan, Malaysia can come as a culture shock especially if you come from very far. ...
Discovering Kuala Lumpur
Managing expectations is an important step when it comes to planning and preparing for a big ...
Developing your professional network in Kuala Lumpur
Establishing a professional network can be essential to the success of your move abroad. Kuala ...
Work
Dive into the Kuala Lumpur labour market, legal framework and tips on how to find a job in Kuala Lumpur.
Working in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is a fast-paced city, where work is often at the heart of people's lives. As ...
Kuala Lumpur's labour market
Due to recent changes in the global economy, the labour market in Malaysia has undergone some ...
Jobs in Kuala Lumpur
Discover professional opportunities in Kuala Lumpur and boost your career.
Accommodation
Explore real estate or temporary rentals in Kuala Lumpur. Find out more about renting or buying a house or a flat, real estate agents, leases and rental agreements.
Accommodation in Kuala Lumpur
The city of Kuala Lumpur offers a wide range of accommodation options. Many expats opt for luxury ...
Buying property in Kuala Lumpur
When you plan to move to another country or another city, your first concern is undoubtedly where ...
Find your ideal home in Kuala Lumpur
Explore real estate listings in Kuala Lumpur to buy or rent your next home.
Study
Universities, training courses, student visas, registration procedures: all you need to know about being an international student in Kuala Lumpur.
Transport
From public transports to renting or buying a car, explore the best options to getting around in Kuala Lumpur.
Getting around Kuala Lumpur
One of the advantages of moving to Kuala Lumpur when settling in Malaysia is the quick access to many facilities and the ease with which one can move ...
Leisure
Sports, leisure, culture and other activities expats can enjoy in their spare time in Kuala Lumpur.
Gastronomy in Kuala Lumpur
If there is one thing no one can complain about in Kuala Lumpur, it's food. One of the most ...
Sports activities in Kuala Lumpur
As with any city, Kuala Lumpur can feel like a concrete jungle. Yet, there are pockets of green ...
Things to do in Kuala Lumpur alone, with your partner, friends or family
You will never run out of things to do when you live in KL. A bustling art scene and recurring ...
Everyday life
Eager to discover what life in Kuala Lumpur looks like? Here's a taste.
Articles from the magazine
Andrew: "Malaysia is a salad bowl - there are hundreds of ethnicities and sub-ethnicities, religions, cultures and influences"
Andy describes himself as a third culture kid, born in the Philippines to Scottish and Filipino parents. He grew up in Saudi Arabia and studies in Scotland, and then went to teach in Vietnam following his studies. Nowadays, he lives in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Dutch retired expat couple living the adventure in Kuala Lumpur
Frank and Francien come from the Netherlands. In 1986, Frank joined an American multinational in South Africa, and for 35 years he was enjoying the prosperities of an international career. Since his retirement in 2015, Frank and his wife Francien have been living an exciting adventure in the vibrant capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.
A trailing spouse from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur
Being a trailing spouse doesn't necessarily mean sitting at home, feeling bored. That's precisely what Paula, an Aussie expat, talks to Expat.com about. She has lived in Hong Kong for more than a decade, and now lives in Kuala Lumpur where she's enjoying a great life between her daily routine and weekend getaways.
Finding happiness in the bustling Kuala Lumpur
What led Philippine to Malaysia is a job opportunity she could say no to. Coming from the Vosges region in France, she flew to Kuala Lumpur with her family. Both Philippine and her partner work for the same company under a local work contract. Happy about her new life in the heart of the bustling and multicultural metropolis, she talks to Expat.com about her everyday life as a mum and part-time employee far from where her home is.
Malaysia: Changes aim to reduce expat employment
The Malaysian government is phasing out the Employment Passes Category 2 and 3 and also changing marriage laws for expatriates.
Why Malaysia needs 500,000 additional foreign workers
During COVID, more than 700,000 foreign workers left Malaysia. Faced with major labor shortages in key sectors, the government has announced a vast international recruitment program. Here are some insights.
Interview: David, the stay abroad dad...
He left his office job to become a stay at home dad in Malaysia while his wife is a teacher in an international school. And he has been pretty busy since: from following people into supermarkets because he might have spotted new friends for his young daughter, to his very first dress up day… David tells us about being able to take his children swimming everyday and about the difficulty of not being the breadwinner anymore, among others.
Author Melanie Cheng discusses the impact of a bicultural upbringing on identity
Join us as we explore the journey of Melanie Cheng, a writer profoundly influenced by her upbringing in Hong Kong and Australia. Her unique bicultural background has deeply shaped her perspective and voice as a storyteller. Today, Melanie shares insights into how navigating two distinct cultures has enriched her writing, offering a nuanced exploration of identity, belonging, and the complex interplay of language and tradition in her work.
