Petaling Jaya, Malaysia 🇲🇾
#1549
,
Nomad Score:
71%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Petaling Jaya is a vibrant city located in the state of Selangor, Malaysia, and serves as a key urban center within the Klang Valley. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 600,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average speed of 100 Mbps, with fiber optic broadband widely available. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 MYR ≈ 0.22 USD, cash and major credit cards accepted; ATMs are widely available. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Generally not drinkable; it is recommended to drink bottled or filtered water. |
| 🔌 Power | Voltage of 240V, with Type G sockets commonly used. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Maxis, Celcom, and Digi with competitive prepaid and postpaid plans. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Popular banks include Maybank, CIMB, and HSBC; international cards are widely accepted. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from serviced apartments to condominiums; popular platforms include Airbnb and Booking.com. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, widely accepted with systems like Touch 'n Go and various e-wallets. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local rental services offer many options for short stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Affordable options include Tune Hotel and Capsule Hotel Petaling Jaya. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | The area around Sunway Pyramid offers numerous attractions and entertainment. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Damansara Perdana is popular among digital nomads for its coworking spaces and amenities. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Common Ground Petaling Jaya is highly rated for its amenities and community events. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | The Coffee Academics is a popular café well-suited for remote work with reliable Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Digital Nomads in Malaysia Facebook group hosts regular meetups and networking events. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Expats Malaysia hosts various social gatherings and cultural exchange events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Grab is the preferred ride-hailing application in Petaling Jaya. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Mobike and other similar bike-sharing services operate in the area. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | The closest beach is Sunway Lagoon Beach, about 20 minutes away. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Firefly is a leading regional airline servicing domestic routes. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Malaysia Airlines operates numerous international routes from Kuala Lumpur International Airport. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Major highways include the LDP (Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong) and the NKVE (New Klang Valley Expressway). |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Kelana Jaya LRT Line connects to major locations in and around Petaling Jaya. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Touch 'n Go card is convenient for all public transport systems. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses and commuter trains connect Petaling Jaya to other major cities in the Klang Valley. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | KPJ Selangor Specialist Medical Centre offers a range of health services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | The Yoga Shala is a well-reviewed yoga and wellness center offering classes and workshops. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Celebrity Fitness and Fitness First are popular gyms in the area. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Several self-service laundromats are available, such as Wash & Fold PX. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Foodpanda and GrabFood are popular choices for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Nasi Lemak, served with coconut rice, sambal, and various sides. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Ganga Cafe offers a delicious variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Millefoglie serves exquisite pastries and desserts. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | The Petaling Jaya Night Market offers a variety of street food and goods. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Shopee and Lazada are popular e-commerce platforms in Malaysia. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | HappyFresh and Tesco's online service are convenient for grocery delivery. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The Rooftop at The Pool offers a lively nightlife scene with great views. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Output & Bottled serves craft beers on-site. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Penny Lane Wine Bar offers a great selection of wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Laundromat Cafe features various local street food options. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Sushi House offers an excellent variety of sushi and sashimi. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Sunway Lagoon theme park is a popular attraction for visitors. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Petaling Jaya Museum showcases local history and culture. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Sri Subramaniar Temple is a significant cultural landmark. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Masjid Jamek Ara Damansara is known for its beautiful architecture. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Chinese New Year festivals and Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations are vibrant in the area. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Petaling Jaya is home to diverse cultural communities contributing to its multicultural landscape. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre hosts various theatrical performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The Puchong Night Market offers a variety of local and international food options. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Various local bars feature live music performances regularly. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Street art can be found in various locations, especially around Section 17. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | The Palm Villa offers local Malaysian cooking classes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre exhibits works from local artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Petaling Jaya Civic Centre is an architectural landmark. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Petaling Jaya reflects Malaysia's diverse cultural heritage through its neighborhoods. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Sunway Lagoon Park provides recreational outdoor activities and relaxation. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Bukit Broga Hill is a popular hiking destination located about 30 minutes away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Taman Jaya Park features scenic walking paths and green spaces. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The view from The Summit offers picturesque scenes of the cityscape. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The Lake Gardens at Titiwangsa is a notable site for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Sunway Lagoon has designated areas for bonfires and gatherings. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and Pos Malaysia provide reliable parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Computer repair services are available at places like iFix and Techfix. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Visit the Petaling Jaya Table Tennis Hall for local competition and practice. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | The British Council offers English language courses to expats and locals. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Petaling Jaya Library has study areas and community events. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Petaling Jaya Community Centre organizes events and workshops. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gamer’s Paradise offers gaming experiences and community events. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | There are no casinos in Petaling Jaya, but nearby Genting Highlands offers gambling options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. RM 5,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = RM 220,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. RM 4,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = RM 180,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. RM 4,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = RM 288,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. RM 3,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = RM 228,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. RM 4,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = RM 336,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. RM 3,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = RM 256,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 24% for companies generating revenue. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 0% for tax residents, 15% for non-residents. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Tax is based on a residency tax system, applying to Malaysia-sourced income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 28% for individuals with chargeable income above RM 2 million. |
| 🧾 VAT | 6% Goods and Services Tax (GST) applies to most goods and services. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | No specific CFC rules; income from foreign subsidiaries may not be taxed. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | There is a property tax assessed annually based on a property's annual value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 3% to 4% on property value, depending on purchase price. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | No tax on foreign income; favorable for digital nomads. |