There are several options for living in Malaysia - bungalows or freestanding homes, condominiums (apartments with extra facilities) and apartments (usually with limited facilities). Living spaces can be leased with or without furniture although even the latter will usually have standard facilities like ceiling fans, air conditioners, stove, hot water system and fridge.

Recently built condominiums in good areas include most of the following - pool, gym, lifts, 24-hour security service, adequate parking, convenience store and landscape gardens.

Kuala Lumpur is no different from any other city in the world; location and facilities are all important. The traffic in the city can often be bad. So access to work, education and recreation facilities becomes important. There are few natural attractions that make certain areas better for living - being inland, for example, there are no beach-side locations near to the city. The dress circle areas therefore tend to be based upon location with proximity to the CBD, all-important. These areas include Kenny Hills, Damansara Heights and the city end of Jalan Ampang where many embassies are located. Other popular areas include Bukit Kiara, Ampang, Bangsar Baru (commonly known as Bangsar) and Taman Tun Dr. Ismail. These upmarket surburbs have long been established and are very well-equipped with plenty of amenities; with the exception of Kenny Hills as its prestige lies in its landscape - built around and along mother nature's own precipices.

If you have school aged children, location to one of the international schools will be important and it is a good idea to determine this before looking for accommodation or your childe could have a long commute each day due to the traffic conditions. Most are direct neighbours to the city centre, known as the Golden Triangle. Despite being well-known for erratic road traffic conditions, Ampang still attracts many expats as not only is it close to town, but offers plenty of fine dining restaurants of European cuisine to help lessen home-sickness.

Damansara Heights and the many apartments in the Bangsar area have relatively easy access to Bangsar Baru which has many bars, shops and restaurants. Many consider this the "trendy" end of town. In the last few years the Sri Hartarmas area has become popular and there are many apartments there together with shops and restaurants.

Bangsar Information

Here's some indication of monthly rents in Kuala Lumpur. Modern, three-bedroom condominium, 2,100 sq. feet in Bangsar - RM7, 500 and a two-bedroom condominium, 1,200 sq. feet in Bangsar - RM3, 000. Semi-detached house in central area, RM4,000 to RM6,000 and detached house, central location and pool - RM9,000 to RM15,000