Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 🇲🇾
#527
3.151696, 101.694237
Nomad Score:
73%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Kuala Lumpur is the capital city of Malaysia, known for its modern skyline dominated by the Petronas Twin Towers. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 1.8 million. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed is 100 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 MYR ≈ 0.22 USD. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Tap water is generally not drinkable; bottled water is preferred. |
| 🔌 Power | 240V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Maxis, Celcom, and Digi are popular mobile providers. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Maybank, CIMB, and HSBC offer services for expats. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include serviced apartments, hostels, and Airbnb; average rent for a 1-bedroom is around MYR 2,000. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cashless payments are widely accepted with cards and e-wallets. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and Booking.com are popular for short-term stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel options like KL Hostel or Regalia Suites start from MYR 50 per night. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Common Ground Kuala Lumpur offers a vibrant work environment. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | The Coffee Academics is known for a cozy work atmosphere and good Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup.com features various tech and startup events regularly. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expat groups on Facebook and local meetups are popular among the community. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Grab is the most popular ride-hailing service. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Mobike and e-scooters like Beam are available for rent. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | The closest beach is Sepang Gold Coast, about an hour away. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | AirAsia is the leading low-cost airline in the region. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Malaysia Airlines and Emirates provide international services. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Major highways include the North-South Expressway and the Kuala Lumpur-Seremban Expressway. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | KL Sentral is the main transportation hub with connections to trains and buses. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Touch 'n Go Card for convenient travel on public transport. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses and trains connect KL to surrounding cities such as Penang and Malacca. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Prince Court Medical Centre offers excellent healthcare services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | The Yoga Room in KL offers various classes for all levels. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Celebrity Fitness and Fitness First provide comprehensive membership options. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Self-service laundries like Laundrette are common throughout the city. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Foodpanda and GrabFood are popular food delivery services. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Nasi lemak is the must-try traditional dish. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Tasty Green and The Ganga Cafe offer excellent plant-based menus. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Cakesmith and Sangkaya are famous for their desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Petaling Street (Chinatown) is great for budget shopping. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Lazada and Shopee are popular online shopping platforms. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | HappyFresh offers grocery delivery options within the city. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Bukit Bintang is known for its vibrant nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | The Beer Factory and O'Briens serve local brews. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wicked Wine is a cozy spot for wine lovers. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Jalan Alor is famous for its street food options. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Try Din Tai Fung for excellent Taiwanese cuisine. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Petronas Twin Towers, Batu Caves, and Merdeka Square. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia and National Gallery offer insights into Malaysian culture. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Sultan Abdul Samad Building showcases colonial architecture. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Masjid Negara (National Mosque) is a must-visit. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Aidilfitri festivals are major celebrations. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Chinatown and Little India reflect Malaysia's diverse culture. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre hosts various shows. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Central Market is a hub for local crafts and street food. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music venues like The Bee host local and international artists. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Check out street art in Bukit Bintang and Petaling Street. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Siti's Cooking Classes offer a hands-on culinary experience. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Ruang Art Space showcases contemporary and local art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Kuala Lumpur Railway Station is an iconic building. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The Batek fabric represents the rich Malaysian heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | FRIM Forest Reserve offers hiking trails and nature walks. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Taman Negara is a renowned national park a few hours away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | KLCC Park offers scenic walking and jogging paths. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Menara Kuala Lumpur provides stunning views of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Lake Gardens is great for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Bukit Tabur has designated areas for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and Pos Malaysia offer reliable parcel services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | QCD Tech provides general electronic repairs. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Check out RTC Table Tennis Centre for a game. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Berlitz offers English and Malay language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Perpustakaan Kuala Lumpur is great for reading and studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Wisma Pertanian hosts cultural events and functions. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | GameOn Esports Arena caters to gaming enthusiasts. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Genting Casino, located about 35 km away, is the nearest casino. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. MYR 10,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = MYR 400,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. MYR 7,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = MYR 300,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. MYR 9,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = MYR 570,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. MYR 6,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = MYR 390,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. MYR 8,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = MYR 680,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. MYR 5,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = MYR 440,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 24%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 0% for non-residents. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Territorial basis for residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 28%. |
| 🧾 VAT | 6% standard rate. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, there are CFC rules in place. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property taxation based on assessed value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 7% standard rate for properties above MYR 1 million. |