Meet fellow Brits in Kuala Lumpur
Want to know what it's really like to live in Kuala Lumpur as a Brit? Read on to discover the highs and lows of expat life in Malaysia’s capital and find answers to the most commonly asked questions.
Moving to a new city can be exciting, but there are moments when homesickness kicks in, and the best antidote is meeting someone who just gets you. Find out how to meet fellow Brits and gain valuable insights from their experiences, like how to survive Malaysia’s hot weather, the best jobs or careers to pursue, and how to avoid traffic.
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Adam Malewski
With all the great information on this site, getting settled in Kuala Lumpur was a piece of cake.
Yasmin Krüger-Darango
A former business partner recommended 51ԹϺto me when I moved abroad to Malaysia. We still use it to stay in touch.
Why you'll love 51ԹϺin Kuala Lumpur
and countless possibilities for fun and friendship!
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The pros and cons of living in Kuala Lumpur
No place is absolutely perfect. There’s always the good, the bad and the ugly — read on to find out what our British members love about Kuala Lumpur as well as the challenges they face.
Pros:
Low living costs: A single individual can live comfortably on a budget of around 920 GBP per month, which is much more affordable compared to living costs in the UK.
Rich cuisine: The food scene is amazing, with everything from fancy restaurants to affordable and delicious street food. From Western to South Asian cuisines, Kuala Lumpur has it all.
Excellent infrastructure: Despite the affordable living costs, Kuala Lumpur maintains its high-quality infrastructure, including well-maintained roads, reliable public utilities, and fast internet.
Friendly atmosphere: Locals are very welcoming and helpful. English is widely spoken here, so language barriers are not something Brits struggle with, especially for basic conversations or daily tasks.
Cons:
Heavy traffic: As the capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is very crowded and densely populated. Even though public transport is convenient, most people still get around with private cars, leading to traffic congestion.
Expensive beer and wine: While daily living is affordable, imported items like beer, and especially wine, is expensive due to high import taxes. a bottle of beer in Kuala Lumpur it costs around 5 GBP (24–28 MYR).
Hot weather: Malaysia is a tropical country with hot weather throughout the year, with temperatures averaging between 23°C to 33°C. If you love winter, you won’t experience it here.
Expat stats on Brits abroad
Every year we create the biggest global survey among expats to ask them about various aspects of their expat life. Learn what motivated our British members to move abroad and discover some stats about the average British expat below.
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Meet British expats at our weekly events
Making friends in a new city can be pretty challenging. But our Newcomers’ Events are specially designed for new people like you to make connections with other expats. Meet other Brits and exchange stories about your expat journeys in Kuala Lumpur. We have various upcoming events you don’t want to miss out on, as they’re not only a great chance to build networks but also to learn more about your new home and get useful information from other experienced expats. Our Ambassadors will help you get settled.
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Frequently asked questions about living in Kuala Lumpur
There’s a cosmopolitan area in Kuala Lumpur called Bangsar, which is a popular hangout spot for expats. There are many shopping centers, malls, top restaurants, and bars. While strolling around, you won’t have a hard time spotting other British expats. Kuala Lumpur also has several British bars and restaurants, such as The Sticky Wicket, The Green Man, and Cor Blimey, where you can enjoy authentic British food like scones, steaks, and fish and chips. If you want to avoid the hassle of going up to random strangers, try attending our events aimed at British expats and expats in general. In no time, you’ll make your first British friends!
Due to lower living costs, most Brits choose to live in middle-upper class neighborhoods that offer various entertainment, bars, and restaurants. These neighborhoods are very popular among expats in general, making them international areas where it’s easy to socialize with other English speakers. Here are some of these popular neighborhoods:
Mont Kiara: It’s 15 minutes from the city center, and includes many international schools. However, it’s one of the most expensive areas in Kuala Lumpur.
Bukit Damansara: It’s not on the cheap side but still affordable. A place good for families being a quiet, peaceful neighborhood.
Bangsar: This suburb is full of hang-out spots and entertainment, but it comes with a hefty price tag.
Desa ParkCity: There are many green spaces, parks, and clubhouses, making it great for families. It’s not as central however, which makes it affordable.
According to the 2022 Expat Insider survey, 79% of expats there find it easy to live in Kuala Lumpur without knowing Malay (vs. 51% globally), so getting around or doing daily tasks shouldn’t pose too much of an issue.
However, this may start to feel limiting. There may be times when you'll hit the language barrier, and it can be frustrating. The most challenging moments usually occur when handling official paperwork, finding a flat, seeing a doctor, or making an official appointment.
To help you avoid these struggles, we've collected some services that cater to English speakers (not affiliated with InterNations):
| **Kuala Lumpur - English** | **Description** |
General practitioner (GP) | A GP at Klinik Petaling Jaya, specializing in family medicine and FOMEMA services. Speaks English, Cantonese, and Malay. |
Dentist | Dental clinic that’s 15 minutes by car from the city center. |
Urgent Care | A private hospital that’s 18 minutes by bus from the city center. Website available in English. |
Immigration assistance | Visa, permanent residence, and immigration services along with personalized advice for clients. The website is available in English. |
Tax Advisor | Connected services across all tax disciplines. Website available in English. |
Instant interpreting service | Get connected to a native Malay speaker on your phone and use the phone's loudspeaker to have an instant interpreter with you. |
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Find friends to pursue your hobbies with
Do you want to continue your hobbies while you're in Kuala Lumpur? Our 51ԹϺGroups got you covered. Led by dedicated Consuls, there are a variety of groups you can join, including everything from sightseeing to coffee and tea gatherings. Each month, various activities are held, such as sightseeing at Malaysia’s iconic Petronas Twin Towers, visiting the Islamic Arts Museum to embrace local culture, or climbing the Rainbow Stairs at Batu Caves.
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Enjoy the International Experience with InterNations
We’re not just in Kuala Lumpur! 51ԹϺhas lively communities in 420 cities around the globe.
So if you’re thinking about relocating or are simply in the mood for a nice night out while traveling, 51ԹϺis your go-to platform. As a member, you’re welcome to join events in any of our 51ԹϺCommunities.
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British expats in Malaysia
Other Nationalities in Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia Guide Topics
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