Talk to me about KL. The good, the bad and the ugly.

[Barbie1]

Hello.

We have a possible move to kL within the next 6 months.

Currently in Korea, after arriving from Paris via Dubai.

We love expat life and have embraced that with each new relocation there will be changes and new starts so I'm fully prepared for what is to come.

For some reason we just can't get on with living in Korea, too remote, not enough to do etc.

I need any tips, info, advice for kl that you are willing to share to make our final decision.

I have two dc's under four. My main concern is safety. Is it safe?

Many thanks for reading.

Anybody?

Going around and around in circles trying to figure it out on my own!

Where is KL? I can only think of King's Lynn.

Kuala Lumpa. Possibly spelt wrong! We have an office there so I will ask some at work that have been and get back to you!

Ha! Could do Kings Lynn but not Kuala Lumpur.
Good luck OP.

Ha ha, kings Lynn!

Thanks moodykat

I live in KL

Fire away with questions

Crime is on the rise and we recently made the top ten dangerous cities in the world, which is alarming, but honestly I don't think it is any more dangerous that London or any other big city as long as you are sensible.

People's main concerns are house break ins, so you might want to consider living in an apartment with good security or one of the gated communities if that is a concern for you.
I have lived in stand alone houses for 10 years (3 houses in two different areas and never had a problem)
Snatch theft in the street is also a concern, but again, be sensible. Don't carry more in your bag than you need, put keys on your pocket if you can and don't talk on a flash phone while walking along the street.

One the plus side, education is good (I know your kids are little but you will be thinking about preschools in the next year or so) but expensive so you need to be on a good package.
Medical care the same

You'll be paying RM8000-12000 for a four bed appartment or house in a "nice" part of town.

Driving is mental, but you do get used to it.

You can get most things here, but imported stuff is expensive (if you shop at local markets, groceries can be very cheap)

English is widely spoken.

My kids are older (15 and 12) and they have missed out a bit on personal freedom (they can't just hop on a bus to see friends), but on balance I think it is a good place to grow up.

Good hub for local travel-have been to cambodia, vietnam, Singapore, Bali, Australia

It's a long way to get home (my best time is 20 hours door to door!)

Anything else I can help with? I think you would find it easier to live than Korea. I have have a friend who went from KL to Seoul and struggled.

fatowl thankyou, thankyou!

You post was very thoughtful and insightful.

Pretty much sounds like Dubai, especially the crazy driving and expensive education/ medical.

I think it's the crime that is my main concern. Dubai was so safe, Korea is too.

I have lived in London and Paris so I would consider myself pretty street smart but would hate to feel constantly threatened especially while out with the children.

Is there stuff to with the children. Our island has nothing to offer and weekend we struggle to entertain.

Would it be safe to let them play in a garden if we are lucky enough to get one? Or is there a constant threat?

I will be back if i think of more of that's ok? My head is all of a muddle at the moment

So much of a muddle my grammar is all over the place

You could let kids play in a garden.
There was a horrible case a few months ago when a toddler was snatched from a garden. It turned out to be a ex-maid who had been fired took him out of spite, so it was not a random thing.

If crime/safety is your main concern, I would go for an apartment or a gated community for your peace of mind (even if there is no more actaul risk.

My youngest was two when we moved here.
There are things for families to do at weekends, there are parks and open places, but don't underestimate how hot it gets (you would need to be morning people to get the best out of them)
You could join one of the private clubs to get a swimming pool (if your housing budget doesn't stretch to a private pool)
Butterfly parks, soft play, a myriad of classes they can do with them- sports, dance, gym etc.

It is very similar to Dubai in some ways. (but greener)
Less sanitised and more visible poverty once you are out of the city centre, but in other ways very similar.

Schooling, housing, medical all comparible

Morning people? My Ds wakes at 5 every bloody morning so I guess we will be ok in that respect

I love the heat, Dubai had the heat and Korean summers have the humidity so hopefully I will remember what it's like.

We are looking for a house ideally, one thing living here has taught us, is that we can't really get on with apartment living.

It seems there is nothing I can say that will be anymore useful than what has been said perfectly by FatOwl!
Love Mumsnet for threads like these.

If you start looking at areas, "safe" expat-y areas are Mont Kiara (mostly apartments though), Bukit Damansara (mostly stand alone houses), Bangsar (mix) and Seputeh (lots of popular Gated communites- mostly town houses with communal pool area)

Further out - and consequently lower rents- Tropicana, Valencia, Desa Park city.

Desa Park city is nice- new development, could walk to local shops, playgrounds, green spaces etc, which is very unusual for KL. Popular international school there too. Lots of expat families living there, but a good way out of town if you/dh are commuting into the city, and no public transport links.
you'd need two cars

fatowl you have been awesome

Thank you so very much. We plan to visit in the next few months. I absolutely refuse to relocate again without knowing what I'm walking into.