10 Best Residential Areas in Kuala Lumpur
For many tourists, Kuala Lumpur is the place to go in Malaysia. The Malaysian culture evident in the sights, cuisine, nightlife, and activities are just a few reasons why KL is such an amazing place to experience.
But did you know that Kuala Lumpur also doubles as a home to about 1.3 million people? For expats, families, retirees, and young professionals, there is a place for everyone in KL.
Why live in Kuala Lumpur?
Many people choose to live in Kuala Lumpur since it is a diverse city with a great infrastructure, friendly people, and endless choices for amenities.
As the capital of Malaysia and a well-known tourist spot, KL caters to any essential needs and lifestyle that a person may have.
KL also has numerous residential areas that can cater to anyone and everyone. We’ve rounded up the best spots to live in Kuala Lumpur for young professionals, families, retirees, and even expats.
Check out our top picks for the absolute best residential areas in Kuala Lumpur below!
Best Residential Areas in Kuala Lumpur for Young Professionals
As a young professional, you’re probably looking to live somewhere close to work but also close to fun. After all, this is the time of your life when you can afford to explore your interests while also settling in at the beginning of your career.
Wangsa Maju and Bangsar, are the top spots for young professionals in Kuala Lumpur. Aside from them, Kuala Lumpur offers many co-living spaces for accessible and affordable living.
1. Wangsa Maju
Wangsa Maju is the perfect place to live for a young professional that’s just starting out in the workforce. The affordable monthly rent for many properties here means that you can have more money for leisure and fun.
The town of Wangsa Maju can be found in Setapak, a KL suburb known for having numerous educational institutions in the area. Although it was deemed to have a high population density in 2022, the town is still a great location for young adults.
Majority of the population are students so prices in malls, retail stores, and convenience stores can be very budget-friendly.
There are also many ways to get around KL when you live in Wangsa Maju. The town is close to highways and light rail transit (LRT) stations so you can conveniently get to other places in Kuala Lumpur.
2. Bangsar
Bangsar is another pricier yet high-class option for young professionals. Located in the southern area of the Kuala Lumpur City Centre, Bangsar is home to a variety of luxurious properties, shopping complexes, restaurants, and art galleries.
From trendy malls that house everything from indie to exclusive fashion brands, upscale restaurants with delicious food, and outstanding cultural centres, you can find everything in Bangsar.
Aside from the many recreational and leisure activities you can do in Bangsar itself, there are also many more activities in nearby places like Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) or Petaling Jaya.
A lot of properties in Bangsar come at a high price so it can be an excellent option for established young professionals.
Best Residential Areas in Kuala Lumpur for Families
There are numerous well-developed residential areas for families in Kuala Lumpur. Whether you’re looking for your first family home or you’re looking for a change in scenery for your family, there’s definitely something for you in KL.
The top three residential areas in KL for families are the following: Damansara Heights, Sri Hartamas, and Taman Tun Dr. Ismail. These areas offer a great environment, perfect for raising children and creating meaningful bonds with them.
1. Damansara Heights
Damansara Heights has earned its reputation as one of the most exclusive neighbourhoods in KL. Living here will certainly feel like a treat every day, with luxurious properties that are a bit on the pricier side but still worth it.
In Damansara Heights, there are endless choices for amenities like shopping centers, gyms, independent groceries, and even nearby international schools for the kids. It will be easy to get around via car or the MRT.
There is also an abundance of properties in Damansara Heights, with semi-detached houses and bungalows just waiting for you and your family to occupy them.
The exclusiveness of Damansara Heights can definitely be seen in the property prices. Any type of property here can reach up to the millions, depending on the size and exact location.
Even if the prices are steep, the exclusivity and area of Damansara Heights are what make investing your money here worth it.
2. Sri Hartamas
Sri Hartamas is another ideal option for families looking to live in Kuala Lumpur. When you live here with your family, you get to enjoy many of the amenities as well as the nearby Mont Kiara.
In Sri Hartamas, there is a wide variety of residential properties that you can check out. The monthly rental cost for these properties can be affordable, depending on if you want an apartment or a semi-detached home or even a bungalow.
Sri Hartamas is well-connected, with MRT stations and buses around the area to serve the population. You can also easily get around Malaysia from Sri Hartamas with the Sprint Expressway; take note that it can get busy here around rush hour!
This township also boasts a lot of upscale amenities like high-class golf courses, modern health and fitness establishments, and even theatres and lounges for the more artistically-inclined people out there.
When you live in Sri Hartamas, you can ensure that you and your family will always have something fun to do and somewhere exciting to go.
3. Taman Tun Dr. Ismail (TTDI)
Taman Tun Dr. Ismail (TTDI) is an urban township located on the very border of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. It is one of the top residential spots for families looking to live in KL because of the many academic institutions in the area.
Living in TTDI gives you access to the nearby townships of Sri Hartamas, Mont Kiara, and Bangsar. Getting to KL from Taman Tun Dr. Ismail is easy with how well-connected this area is, thanks to various expressways and public transport lines.
There are definitely property choices for everyone here, especially for families looking to send their kids to great schools. With more than 5 schools in the area, you’ll have your pick of the best education that KL has to offer.
The properties in TTDI range from spacious terraced homes to comfortable apartments, giving you many choices of where you can stay and enjoy KL life with your family. You can also guarantee family fun time with the parks and shopping centres around.
Best Residential Areas in Kuala Lumpur for Retirees
Going into retirement is surely something to celebrate. So, why not celebrate it by looking for a new place you can stay and relax after years of non-stop work?
Thanks to the many wonderful places and activities you can do in KL, there are a lot of residential areas for retirees looking to enjoy some well-deserved rest. We’ve narrowed it down to two: Bukit Jalil and Desa Parkcity.
1. Bukit Jalil
Easing into retirement can be difficult because we’re so used to always having to do things. That’s why it’s important to keep yourself occupied with hobbies, interests, and such– and that’s why Bukit Jalil is a perfect pick for retirees.
There are many things to do for retirees in Bukit Jalil. You can be closer to nature in various recreational parks, tee off in the luxurious golf and country club, and even see the sights in the town with the many public transport hubs available.
Of course, health is something that we should take into account when looking for a place to retire at. Bukit Jalil isn’t lacking in this aspect, with the local IMU Healthcare Clinic providing services for medical, dental, dialysis, and more.
Properties in Bukit Jalil are mainly made up of a lot of condominiums and apartments, promising many relaxing amenities and stunning views. You can also look into renting or buying your own property like villas or link houses.
2. Desa Parkcity
Desa Parkcity is hailed as an urban green space in Kuala Lumpur. The township is known for its rejuvenating parks, walkable spaces, and endless amenities for every single one of its residents.
You’ll honestly find everything you need and more in Desa Parkcity, with most of its amenities being easily accessible by walk or by car. The Waterfront in the town is home to various retailers, essential grocery stores, and restaurants with delicious food.
Anything you could ever need for a healthy retirement is also right in Desa Parkcity. From the town’s esteemed Medical Centre to the bright and spacious Central Park, you can ensure that you’ll stay fit and rested during your retirement.
If you’re looking to live in Desa Parkcity, you certainly have many property options that you can choose from. Live out your retirement in a semi-detached home, your own apartment, or maybe even a cool bungalow!
Best Residential Areas in Kuala Lumpur for Expats
Malaysia has a large population of expats and it’s no wonder why. The beautiful scenes, cheaper cost of living, and rich culture and cuisine in Malaysia are all very good reasons to settle down there.
We gathered three of the best residential areas for expats who are looking to enjoy their life in Kuala Lumpur. All of these places have a great combination of Malaysian and international communities so let’s get to it!
1. Mont Kiara
Mont Kiara is a suburb near downtown Kuala Lumpur that is full of expats from all over the world. If you want to live in an area with a vibrant international community, then this is the place to go.
In Mont Kiara, there are many kinds of properties available. There’s a residential property for any expat here, whether you’re going to be living alone or with your spouse or family.
Aside from the properties in Mont Kiara, there are also a ton of amenities and activities you can get into here. You can start your day with a stroll in any of the parks, and end it with a fun shopping spree at the malls.
If you’re looking to raise a family in KL, Mont Kiara also has top international schools in the area. Any of these schools will give your child the highest quality of education you can get in Malaysia.
All in all, Mont Kiara remains to be one of the best residential areas ever for expats and their families.
2. KL City Centre (KLCC)
For expats looking to explore Malaysian culture and nightlife, KLCC is the best place in Kuala Lumpur to do so.
We agree that living in the Kuala Lumpur City Centre can make a bit of a dent in your finances. However, the price you pay for whichever property you choose (of which there are many, with most of them being super modern) is worth it.
Properties in the KLCC promise the ultimate luxury experience, with options for serviced residences, furnished apartments, and spacious homes. Many of the properties for apartments also have their own amenities in the building.
Aside from the lively nightlife and rich culture, there are also major KL shopping complexes in KLCC. After a long shopping day, you can try out the authentic Malaysian restaurants and end the day by going around the KLCC Park.
3. Ampang
A perfect spot for the more artistically-inclined expats in Malaysia is Ampang.
Ampang is a stunning district that is located just east of Kuala Lumpur. It is a unique district in that many of the structures are pre-war buildings, with most buildings keeping their original beauty.
Ampang is also home to many countries’ embassies like Indonesia, Thailand, and France, just to name a few. This just means that Ampang has a brilliant international community so you won’t really feel out of place here with so many people.
A few amenities of Ampang include private hospitals, cocktail lounges, and even the National Art Gallery of Malaysia. There is also the Istana Budaya, the stunning cultural centre of Malaysia that is the stage for many live performances.
Properties in Ampang vary, as well as their prices, but these are just generally apartments, serviced residences, and even a few terraced houses.
Where do the rich live in Kuala Lumpur?
In Kuala Lumpur, rich people usually live in places like Damansara Heights, Bangsar, and the Kuala Lumpur City Centre. These residential areas can cost a lot, with monthly rent starting at RM2,500 and reaching up until RM18,000.
Rich Malaysians can also afford to get properties in Damansara Heights from anywhere between RM835,000 to RM5,000,000.
How much do you need to live comfortably in Kuala Lumpur?
A monthly income of about RM7,000 is enough to live comfortably in Kuala Lumpur. This amount is enough for those who live alone and do not need to provide for any people other than themselves.
A family living in Kuala Lumpur can live comfortably with about RM13,000. This can vary depending on how many people are in the family, as well as where the family chooses to live.
Final Thoughts on Kuala Lumpur Living
Living in Kuala Lumpur is definitely a must-try for anyone in Malaysia. The multiple amenities, fun activities, delicious cuisine, and top residential areas all make living in KL something to look forward to.
When it comes to residential areas, KL has many amazing options for everyone. From young professionals to families who are just starting out, there is a property for everyone in KL.