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Living overseas

Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

Original poster

Moving to Kuala Lumpur 2013

39 replies

ama29 · 27/05/2013 10:20

hello! Just jumping on an old thread here and hoping you get notified? My husband and I and 5 and 3 year old are moving to KL in August, there is list to think about and it would be good to ask some pro's! Would you recommend just trying to find furnished property to rent and save the hassle of shipping? Or is unfurnished much cheaper? We will be on one teachers salary initially so we will have to to be fairly careful with what we spend. still confused about areas as well, we need to be near to MOnt Kiara for work. Thanks v much in advance for any help, if anyone ever gets this! X

OP posts:
Original poster
ama29 · 27/05/2013 10:21

Oh, I didn't reply to a thread at all did I! Opps

OP posts:
teddymummy · 27/05/2013 14:43

Hi there. We are moving to KL in August too. So I am just bumping up this thread!
We are taking a full container with all our furniture because we have been expat before and I couldn't bear to start furniture shopping all over again!
We think it will be desa park city for our new home but are going to rent a short term apartment for a few weeks when we arrive.

suburbophobe · 04/06/2013 20:07

I envy you. Spent time in KL - No, I know it's not the same - and loved it.

For an Asian capital it is quite laid back. People are lovely and friendly and helpful, there's very little poverty and there's loads to do.

I went up the Petronas Twin Towers, to the bird and butterfly parks, Hop-on/off bus, Chinatown, hung out at the terrace at Reggae Bar (meet loads of people), and just had a great time! Loved the Central Market, you can eat there too and had lunch in Harrods Grin twice. Pimms, the lot.

Lots of great places to go to in Malaysia. Malacca, Pulau Langkawi and Tioman etc. when you get time off.

PoppyAmex · 04/06/2013 20:10

Like suburbo I always made a point of stopping in KL when I was living in Sydney - amazing food, lovely people and surprisingly "familiar" aspects in terms of culture.

I'm sure someone who actually lived there will come along soon for advice. Good luck!

mizzledmum · 06/06/2013 23:15

There's a few of us then! We're also moving to Kl in August. I'm hugely excited already. We're looking at Bangsar or mont Kiara to live; we'll need to be in a house as have two hounds as well as two dc to acclimatise. The city looks fantastic.

KLdragon · 07/06/2013 04:46

Hi all. Well I am just into my second year here and we are still really enjoying it. We live in Bukit Damansara which is in between Mount Kiara and Bangsar so might be worth adding to your places to look I love both Bangsar and Mount Kiara and all the areas you have mentioned are big expat areas with good shops and restaurants Another place to look is Sri Hartamas which is in the same vicinity.
Teddy mummy I don't know a lot about Desa park city but I have heard good things about the school there and it is quite close to the Curve and 1Utama so good shopping and restaurants close by.
When we moved we shipped everything as my DH's company paid but we have an IKEA here and electricals are reasonably cheap so you could get by with a furnished I guess it depends how long you are planning on staying and what you are doing with your house in the UK.
When you come over make sure you Join the ABWM they have been great for me for meeting new friends and joining clubs.
Also make sure you stockpile umbrellas!

teddymummy · 07/06/2013 17:19

Smile at umbrellas! I did wonder about that actually!
Still looking at desa park, but will tell dh about the other places you mention. Need to be in the right part of town for the british school. Bskl. We are taking most of our stuff, but will top up with ikea as needed.
Really getting excited now, but will really miss my parents Sad

teddymummy · 07/06/2013 17:23

Kl dragon, what do you think are important items to bring with us from the uk? Kids school shoes, medicines, adult shoes, bras on the list so far...

KLdragon · 08/06/2013 09:21

You seem to have the key things we do have clarks for school shoes but limited choice , bras especially if you are in a larger size can be a problem Never had an issue with Medicine here but not ill often. Although I would stockpile mossie spray, cream etc especially with DEET in as I am bitten to death here. I use Elemis products which I can't get here so if you have a particular skin care brand might be worth buying. Other than that We have all the familiar shops here M &S, Debenhams even Tesco so I don't want for much and prices tend to be quite reasonable (although I was in Dubai before this so might have a slightly warped take on what is reasonable!) BSKL is a great school I have friends with children there and they love it

Campervan3 · 10/06/2013 10:36

Hi, we are also moving to KL this August with 3 kids. We have looked at Desa Park City but our eldest is 16 so we need somewhere with public transport so he can be independent. Possibly looking at Bukit Utama initially until we find our feet and decide where is best for us to live. Any advice/comments?

teddymummy · 10/06/2013 21:21

Hi campervan, good luck with your move. Are you going to do a short rental for a while, we might do that too. Have you found a good agent?

PurpleNeihu · 11/06/2013 07:27

I have heard great things about living in KL. I am envious.

ripsishere · 17/06/2013 01:57

Desa Park City is great. Not sure about the public transport since I drive.
One thing I would suggest is super plus tampons. My days of bleeding are a distant memory, I do have bitter recollections of trying to find them when we lived in Bangkok. Since then, I've taken an interest Hmm
They are not available.

ripsishere · 17/06/2013 01:58

One other thing springs to mind, if you got married or your DC were born in a country that produces a certificate in a language other than English, it would be worth having it translated (certified) before you arrive. Malaysia only deals in Bahasa or English
Also, get a copy of your no claims bonus. You can use that when you come to insure your car.

teddymummy · 17/06/2013 19:02

Thanks for that. Our container is arriving to be packed on 9th July. Getting ever closer!
Have stocked up on kids meds, deet insect repellent etc etc. bras and shoes done, just need to get kids school shoes to put in suitcase and then I think I'm ready. Oh and a few packs of my fave hair dye/ styling products. Am coming back to uk for Christmas so can stock up again then.

ripsishere · 18/06/2013 01:25

I was just about to post about hair dye. A friend who was blonde is now blonde with dark roots due to the lack of bleach type hair stuff.

teddymummy · 09/07/2013 13:39

Well the big day is here and all my worldly goods are this minute being boxed up. The container leaves here tomorrow!
KL here we come. Looking forward to our lovely new home and the challenges of a new life overseas.

KLdragon · 09/07/2013 13:56

Good luck Teddy hope the move goes well. Good to hear about people arriving . At school we are busy saying goodbye to all those moving on so it's nice thinking about about other people coming the other way

MarjorieAntrobus · 09/07/2013 17:41

Just found this thread. I'm in the UK for the summer right now but live in KL.

I have a friend who lives in Desa Park City. It has a nice quiet atmosphere so kids can ride bikes and there's a centre with restaurants etc. It's not too good if you don't have a car though, as too far out of city for LRT stations.

Also I recently met somone who lives in Bandar Utama. It's not the most typical expat area but probably will become more so now that BSKL has opened. Apparently there is a shuttle bus that links the shopping centres there (1Utama and The Curve (Ikea)) and Kelana Jaya LRT station.

As KLdragon says, join the ABWM asap. I have found it a great source of friendship, support, and occupation.

teddymummy · 10/07/2013 20:09

We have a house in mutiara damansara so very close to the curve etc. can't wait!
What does ABWM stand for. What's it all about?

LoopyLooplaHoop · 11/07/2013 05:43

Hi, I'm a teacher in KL and have been here for a year so far.

I wonder if anyone fancies a KL meet up at some point?

LoopyLooplaHoop · 11/07/2013 05:47

Ah, and things I would bring out with you:

DEET repellent, especially kids
Tampons/mooncup/both
Enough school shoes for the next year
Cotton clothes, lots of them (there is Debenhanms, DPs etc. here but more expensive than UK and local shops love their synthetics)
Frizz Ease
A kindle linked to UK credit/debit card (malaysian kindle extremely limited)
Bread machine
Coffee machine
Nice towels

kreecherlivesupstairs · 12/07/2013 02:24

I tried to organize that Loopy. It fell flat.
You sort something out in the next month, me and my DD will be there!

LoopyLooplaHoop · 12/07/2013 09:02

Hmm OK, well we're moving house in 3 weeks so before then might be tricky, but will have a think.

MarjorieAntrobus · 12/07/2013 10:58

I'm in, Loopy, but not back in KL till September.

Sorry, Kreecher, didn't see that you had suggested a meet-up. Was it a while ago?