What can you tell me about Kuala Lumpur?

[LoopyLoopsPussInBoots]

Just that really! A possible move is on the cards...

[SolarPrestigeAGammon]

It's the capital of Malaysia.

[cece]

It's very hot!

[LoopyLoopsPussInBoots]

OK...

[Sibble]

I'm bumping this for you. We were there earlier this year but only for a week in total although we did catch up with friends who had lived there for 2 years (back 2 weeks ago). So I'm definitely not an authority but.....

It seemed to have a very diverse cultural mix. The choice for eating out was great. It was very fast, densely populated, humid/hot and the traffic unbelievable. It is neither Singapore nor Thailand but a mixture of both, I guess reflected by it's location i.e. designer shops, very flash hotels next to falling down buildings and the stench of raw sewage. The friends we visited had a fantastic villa probably 15 mins as the crow flies from the city centre but 1.5 hours in the traffic! Lovely pool, air con and huge although they had to keep the shutters shut at all times to stop the monkeys coming in and stealing things (we couldn't leave our shoes outside) which my boys thought was great and ds2 spent hours looking out the window for monkeys doing somersaults in the pool. We stayed in a hotel for a few nights and couldn't drink alcohol in the restaurant, westerners wanting alcohol had to sit behind a curtain in a windowless room off the dining area and children were not allowed. A reflection I guess that it is a muslim country. We did venture to the Westin for dinner and paid an absolute arm and leg for a bottle of wine. If KL is anything like Hong Kong I would find out where the ex-pat clubs are and join as alcohol will probably be cheaper (a guess?) Our friend (male) worked and found it a hard country to work in due to the vastly different culture, work ethic and corruption, his wife was refused a work visa and found being an ex-pat wife quite hard. They had been working in Dubai for a few years prior so were used to working in a different culture. They raved about the schooling - International School. We had a horrible moment when a man tried to walk off with ds2 into a lift and witnessed a bag snatch (common as there are signs in the streets warning of it along with notices in the hotels). Our friends car didn't have seat belts (common I'm told), ds 2 traveled on my lap (I was petrified and didn't want to get in the car but they said it was what everybody did), the roads full of pot holes from the airport and the bus ride very hairy.

If I were given the chance to live there I would probably take it for the experience, short but not long term in mind. I think it would make a great base to visit Borneo, Singapore, Thailand and the fantastic beaches the area offers. Am hoping somebody who has lived there can come on and give you a better view rather than impressions after a week. Failing that our friends who lived there are coming for dinner tomorrow night I am sure I can pick their brains.

[LoopyLoopsPussInBoots]

Well, interview in 50 minutes!

Thanks for the bump, and for info. :)

[latermater]

Hi Loopy. I moved here from the Uk with children 6 weeks ago (DH here since March). Post again if the interview went well and you still want some thoughts and I'll be happy to help. Early impressions include the following: driving and traffic nothing like as bad as I thought it would be (based on a short recce trip earlier this year), though road layout is worse, so getting lost is an occupational hazard, with or without satnav; we are very happy with the international school (primary) the children are at - and, more importantly, so are our children (and its only 10 mins drive away); happy we went for a condo option (lots of ex pats at ours, so easy to meet people (and lots of nationalities - not just Brits); it sometimes feels like harder work to go out and Do Stuff, because of the often-oppressive weather, but there is a fair amount to do (and I am sure more than I have discovered). I have not seen bag snatches though I am well aware they happen, alcohol is very widely served in restaurants (thank goodness) and there is often BYO at places where it isn't. All in all, feeling positive about our 2-3 year posting here - but do let me know any specific queries you have and I will do my best to answer.

[LoopyLoopsPussInBoots]

Hi Later, thanks so much for your reply. I had the interview but don't find out until next week...
Can I ask (PM if you'd prefer for anonymity) what area, school etc. you decided on?
Lots more questions but I'm trying to rein myself in until I know the outcome of the interview!

Thanks :)

[SolarPrestigeAGammon]

If you are young (20-35) and want to make money then it's all an adventure and as long as your package works for you, then, why not.

[Primavera]

LUCKY YOU!!! Hi, we lived there from 2004-2007, DH worked there and me too, and had my 2 kids there. Had a FABULOUS time, brilliant resturants, brilliant shops, georgous beaches, cheap to travel (and easy to get to Thailand, Oz), only downside is the humidity and the smog, and the traffic is crazy. Loads of ex-pats and lots of things to do. We now live in Brazil which is great too - but miss KL a lot. PM me if you want more info - don't want to bore everyone.

[latermater]

Hi Loopy - yes do PM me, either now, or when you hear back if you don't want to tempt fate. Happy to talk to you about our experience of neighbourhoods, schools etc, so fire away. Also, if you are planning a recce before you come (which I'd strongly recommend), happy to meet up. Good luck!

[southchinasea]

I didn't live in KL but elsewhere in Malaysia but enjoyed visiting for weekends. There are some lovely places to eat, beautiful spas, shopping etc is easy and there are lots of expats based there and plenty going on. For schools, Alice Smith has a really good reputation, also ISKL, and Garden international worth looking at too. It's easy to get cheap flights around the region (with AirAsia), so weekends away to singapore, cambodia, borneo, vietnam, langkawi etc... I'm jealous! One of the best hols I had was driving around peninsula malaysia- through the central highlands and stopping off in rural villages along the east coast. Nice contrast to cosmopolitan KL. Good luck with it all.