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Although Malaysia is promoted highly by the Malaysian Government as a second home, the majority of foreigners are in Malaysia on working assignments rather than a change in their way of life. Depending on the status of the expat, single expat tend to be more active in socializing thus wants to be closer to the city centre where all the entertainment actions are. Those with families would prefer the suburbs, closer to international schools or a community where the lifestyles are similar to that of the originating country.
Being a modern city, Kuala Lumpur has a wide variety of accommodation choices to suit the lifestyle of both the single expat and those with families. The expat communities in Kuala Lumpur are centered around Ampang, Bangsar, Damansara Heights, Mont Kiara and Sri Hartamas.
City Living in Ampang
The Ampang district encompasses the Kuala Lumpur City centre (KLCC) and is one of the prime residential areas where expatriates and most embassies are located at. This is an upmarket area where most of the high class shopping malls and restaurants serving international cuisines are located. Besides being in close proximity to Suria KLCC, Ampang is also host to Tesco beside the Kuala Lumpur Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2). Other amenities within the Ampang district include the Ampang Puteri Hospital, Hospital Ampang and Gleneagles Hospital. The International School of Kuala Lumpur (American curriculum) is also located in Ampang.
The Suburbia
The main disadvantage of living in Ampang is having to put up with the pollution (Both air and noise) from the incessant traffic jams during rush hour. Also as a prime residential area, prices and rental of properties in Ampang are higher than the norm. As such, most expat families prefer the suburbs around Bangsar, Damansara, Mont Kiara and Sri Hartamas west of the city center.
Bangsar:
Bangsar is extremely popular among the younger expats due to its wide varieties of western influenced pubs and restaurants. Against the green backdrop of Finnegan’s pub in Jalan Telawai and a pint of Kilkenny in everybody’s hands, you could easily mistaken yourself to be in Ireland.
Apart from the troves of expats who converge here after nightfall, Bangsar is also extremely popular among the locals as “THE” place to hang out. Perched on a hill, Bangsar is in close proximity with the Mid-valley megamall and is serviced by the Light Rail Transit (LRT) system. Those who love the nightlife will feel right at home in this area.
Sri Hartamas:
Just a stone throw away from Bangsar and one of the fastest growing townships in suburbia is Sri Hartamas. Becoming an alternative area to Bangsar for dinning and entertainment, Sri Hartamas is growing to be one of the new prime real estate areas of the Kuala Lumpur. Its strategic location lures many of the inhabitants of both Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya to converge here for entertainment or dining. This township is linked by the Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP), the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) and the Penchala Link making it extremely accessible.
Mont Kiara:
Just adjacent to Sri Hartamas is Mont Kiara. As with Sri Hartamas, this suburb is well linked by the LDP, NKVE and the Penchala Link tunnel. With only 15 minutes drive to either KL or Petaling Jaya, many expats families find Mont Kiara to be the ideal place to reside at. The condominium township is complemented by an array of facilities which caters to the mostly Japanese and Koreans expats population here. There are also three International schools (American, British and Australian curriculum) in the vicinity.
Damansara:
A district in the State of Selangor just laying on the fringe of the Federal Territory of KL, Damansara is also an alternative for any expat to consider especially in the township of Damansara Heights or Bandar Utama. This area is regarded as the main economic center of Selangor and is second only to KL as a commercial center. The district is host to the Ikano Power Centre, a Tesco Branch, an IKEA center – the largest in South East Asia, the One Utama shopping mall and the Curve shopping mall, all within the same neighborhood.
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