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Guide
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 🇲🇾
#527
,
Nomad Score:
75%
Essentials
🏙️ City | Kuala Lumpur is the capital city of Malaysia, known for its modern skyline and vibrant culture. |
👥 Population | 1.8 million |
💻 Internet Speed | Average 100 Mbps |
💸 Currency & Banking | 1 MYR ≈ 0.22 USD |
🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable, bottled water recommended |
🔌 Power | 240V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G sockets |
📶 SIM Card | Maxis, Digi, Celcom |
💳 Banking for Expats | CIMB, Maybank, TransferWise |
🛌 Accommodation | Airbnb, OYO, local apartments available for rent |
💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards widely accepted, mobile payments popular |
🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb, local agencies, serviced apartments available |
🛏️ Budget Accommodation | YMCA Kuala Lumpur, Rainforest Bed & Breakfast |
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Bukit Bintang, KLCC |
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Bangsar, Petaling Jaya |
Working and Networking
🏢 Best Coworking Space | WORQ, Common Ground, Spaces |
☕ Best Cafe for Work | VCR Cafe, The Coffee Academics |
💼 Networking Events | Monthly gatherings by Malaysia Digital Nomad Community |
🥂 Social Events for Expats | Kuala Lumpur Expats group on Meetup.com |
Transportation
🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Grab |
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Mobike and GrabWheels available |
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Cherating Beach, about 3 hours away |
✈️ Top Regional Airline | AirAsia |
✈️ Top International Airline | Malaysia Airlines, Emirates |
🛣️ Highway Access | Well connected with North-South Expressway |
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | KL Sentral Station |
🚍 Public Transport Passes | My100 and My50 monthly passes for unlimited travel |
✈️ Regional Travel | Bus services to nearby cities (e.g., Penang, Malacca) |
Health and Wellness
🏥 Best Hospital | Prince Court Medical Centre |
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Bakti Yoga, YogaOnTheMove |
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness First, Celebrity Fitness |
🧺 Laundry Services | Laundrette, Self-Service Laundry |
Food and Drink
📱 Best Food Delivery App | GrabFood, FoodPanda |
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Nasi Lemak |
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Rice and Shine, Sala |
🍫 Best Dessert Spots | N2 Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream, The Dessert Story |
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Pasar Seni, Jalan Alor street food |
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Lazada, Shopee |
🛒 Grocery Delivery | HappyFresh, Tesco Online |
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Changkat Bukit Bintang |
🍻 Local Brewery | The Beer Factory |
🍷 Wine Bars | The Refinery |
🍲 Street Food Stalls | Jalan Alor |
🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Wild Rice for Chinese, La Boca for Argentinian |
Culture and Attractions
🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Petronas Twin Towers, Batu Caves |
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Islamic Arts Museum, National Museum |
🏰 Historical Sites | Merdeka Square, Sultan Abdul Samad Building |
🕍 Religious Sites | Masjid Wilayah, Thean Hou Temple |
🎉 Annual Events | Merdeka Day celebrations, KL Fashion Week |
🎨 Cultural Districts | Chinatown, Little India |
🎭 Theater Venues | Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre |
🛍️ Local Markets | Central Market, Petaling Street |
🎼 Music Scene | Live shows at Bobo KL, No Black Tie |
🎨 Street Art | Street art in Kampung Bharu |
🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Leya's Cooking Class |
👩🎨 Art Galleries | Ruang by Think City, Wei Ling Gallery |
🕰️ Historic Buildings | Railway Station, Kuala Lumpur Tower |
🏴 Local Heritage | KL Heritage Trail |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | KL Forest Eco Park, Templer Park |
🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Taman Negara National Park, Endau-Rompin National Park |
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Lake Gardens and Botanical Gardens |
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | KL Tower observation deck |
🦉 Birdwatching Locations | FRIM (Forest Research Institute Malaysia) |
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Location not available within city; check outskirts |
Other Services and Amenities
📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Pos Malaysia, DHL |
🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iFix, Apple Authorised Service Provider |
🏓 Table Tennis Spots | MSSS Table Tennis Club |
🧑🏫 Language Classes | British Council, Language Malaysia |
📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Perpustakaan Kuala Lumpur |
🏘️ Community Centers | Kuala Lumpur Community Centre |
🕹️ Gaming Lounges | SPLAT Gaming Lounge |
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino de Genting |
Business
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. RM 10,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = RM 400,000) |
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. RM 6,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = RM 240,000) |
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. RM 8,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = RM 480,000) |
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. RM 5,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = RM 330,000) |
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. RM 7,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = RM 560,000) |
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. RM 4,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = RM 360,000) |
💼 Corporate Tax | 24% |
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 0% |
🏦 Tax System | Residents taxed on Malaysia-sourced income only |
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 28% |
🧾 VAT | 6% Goods and Services Tax |
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, exists under certain conditions |
🏠 Property Tax | Generally low; varies by location |
🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 1% for the first RM 100,000, 2% up to RM 400,000 |
💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | No tax on foreign income for non-residents |