Living in Kuala Lumpur as a Digital Nomad: Why It's My Top Choice

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Kuala Lumpur is a little like Marmite; some people love it, and some hate it. Many people do not love it because they spend all their time in Bukit Bintang or other tourist areas.

If you spend a few days in the city and focus on experiencing it like 99% of other tourists, then all you will find are the same high-street shops, restaurants, and coffee shops in every major city across every continent.

I have focused on living in a new city every 30-90 days for ten years. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital city, has been the most visited city, and there are genuine reasons for this.

Kuala Lumpur has transitioned from a muddy tin mining outpost to one of Asia’s most modern cities. It has an incredibly delicious food scene, fast internet speeds, and excellent connectivity to the rest of the continent.

Let me add a vital point: no city is 100% perfect. I do not write this blog post while wearing rose-colored spectacles. Kuala Lumpur is not pedestrian-friendly, and traffic can be ridiculously heavy during peak times. Air pollution can also be a problem.

Still, all of these issues are also found in most SE Asian cities.

The question is, though, why is it my top choice?

Heat and the Weather

You will find yourself living in shorts and a T-shirt. Flip-flops are also necessary if you go in full KL-local mode like me.

This could be an issue for some, but I love the heat and humidity. The temperature is 30-35C on most days, but it’s a tropical climate, so rain can arrive in the blink of an eye.

Kuala Lumpur has two monsoon seasons, so be aware of flash flooding and torrential rain storms, usually late afternoon or evening. Your Kuala Lumpur survival kit should include an umbrella, sunglasses, a hand towel to wipe off sweat, and sun cream!

Living in a warmer climate is better for people in their 50s; who wants to spend 4-5 months of the year in freezing cold temperatures, dark mornings, and in darkness by 3.30 PM?

Fast Internet

High-speed WiFi of 100mbps and upwards and 5G mobile connectivity make Kuala Lumpur a great place to live as a Digital Nomad. Coffee shops across the city offer free internet.

You can also tether your mobile to your laptop if you find yourself working in a Kopitiam with no WI-FI, while eating a delicious plate of Char Kway Teow. Believe me, it happens!

It’s advisable to use a VPN when working on a public WiFI connection; SharkVPN or NordVPN are my favorites. As a digital nomad, you must protect your personal information no matter where you live.

Buying a local SIM card is easy. You can pick one up from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), in malls, or most convenience stores like MyNews, 7/11, and KK will sell SIM them. Hotlink is the best option, with some good unlimited internet packages, if you are a heavy user sharing on social media, like I am.

Co-working spaces are all over the city and are easily accessible for daily and infrequent use. If you want to meet new friends or get work done without distractions from a coffee shop or home, you will find plenty of places to work remotely in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysian Food

Malaysian food is underrated compared to its neighbor Thailand. While not the healthiest, it’s by far my favorite. You will never starve in Kuala Lumpur, with many restaurants open 24/7, from mamak stalls to street food vendors open until the early hours.

It drives me crazy when I see tourists eating Western food. This is available here, along with every other cuisine, from Egyptian to Bangladeshi and Mexican. For vegans and healthy eaters, well, there are plenty of options, too.

You will find a mix of Malay, Chinese, and Indian food all over the city. Head to Little India for Biryani. Kampung Baru is a fascinating area to explore foot and eat Nasi Lemak. Head further out of the city center to Pudu for Bak Kut Teh.

You will find Malaysian food down little alleys in local neighborhoods, in huge mega shopping malls, and over the road from your condo, provided by street stalls in the early morning to serve locals heading to work.

Food is everywhere in Kuala Lumpur!

Things to Do

At first glance, Kuala Lumpur appears to have fewer things to do than cities like Singapore or Bangkok, but this is because most people visiting the city focus on the top attractions promoted by the tourist board. The city’s best things to do are hidden away.

My favorite park in Kuala Lumpur is not the Botanical Gardens or Titiwangsa, although they are both places you must visit.

Permaisuri Lake Garden Park is my favorite. Although it’s not directly accessible by LRT/MRT, you can book a taxi there. It’s quiet on the weekdays since it’s not a tourist hotspot. It’s busier early morning, evening, and weekends with families and runners.

I recommend a ride on the MRT to Semantan for great coffee, which is away from the busy tourist areas.

A short walk from the exit will take you to Yellow Brick Road, which offers a more unique coffee experience. Then, close by is Nourish by Kenny Hills Bakers.

TTDI is another neighborhood that I like to frequent. It’s home to a wet market and many coffee shops and restaurants. Plus, hiking trails are accessible from a short walk from the MRT station.

Rather than heading to the crowded malls in KLCC and Bukit Bintang, Sunway Velocity Mall is my preferred place to work and socialize while keeping cool in the air conditioning.

Home to Seven Cups for coffee lovers and many restaurants and cafes for all tastes.

These are just a small sample of things to do in Kuala Lumpur.

The Culture and People

English is spoken in Kuala Lumpur, a big advantage for digital nomads. Communicating in the same language makes it easier to get things done and have conversations with local people.

Not having a language barrier is why this city feels like a place where the locals are generally friendly and approachable. Of course, every city has its fair share of rude, unfriendly people, and a massive city like Kuala Lumpur is no different.

This statement might not go down too well with locals, but Malaysia, an ex-British colony, does have some benefits linked with this era, like driving on the correct side of the road and having three-pin plug sockets!

Due to the multiculturalism, you see this in the architecture, history, and, of course, as mentioned previously, the food.

Kuala Lumpur is a fascinating city to walk through. There’s nothing better than sitting down or standing in a quiet corner and witnessing the street life and the local people who work so incredibly hard.

My friends group is amazing in the city. Through YouTube and Instagram I have met good people here. Honestly, as an introvert it is so hard for me to make friends but that’s not the case here.

Standard of Living

As Westerners living in Kuala Lumpur, we live a privileged life because our income comes from abroad, so our pay rates are considerably higher than those of locals. So, it goes without saying that the cost of living here is lower than in US or UK cities.

That said, I prefer to focus less on the cost of living and more on the standard you get here than back home.

Most condo buildings have at least one or two swimming pools and a gym. If you live in a condo away from the LRT/MRT, the management offers a free shuttle bus service to the stations.

You will often find one or three convenience stores on your doorstep, and a wide range of restaurants and cafes are within 3-5 minutes’ walking distance.

Prices vary depending on the apartment size, location, and facilities available within the building. However, expect to pay at least 40% less here in Kuala Lumpur than, say, even the cheaper cities in the UK.