Kuala Lumpur: what to see and whether to move there

What the city lives on and who it suits

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia and the centre of the Klang Valley metro area, home to about 8 million people. The economy rests on finance, trade, electronics, oil and gas and tourism, and the city is one of Asia's most affordable metropolises with good infrastructure. English is widely spoken, alongside Malay, Chinese and Indian cultures.

The city suits remote workers on the digital nomad visa, entrepreneurs with business in Asia, families who need affordable international schools and retirees on the second home programme. It is harder for those who struggle with year-round heat and humidity.

Neighbourhoods: where newcomers settle

• The centre by the Petronas Towers: skyscrapers, malls, expensive condominiums with pools.
• Bangsar: a green area with cafés and restaurants, popular with foreigners.
• Mont Kiara: many foreign families and international schools.
• Bukit Bintang: the shopping and nightlife centre, noisy.
• Petaling Jaya: a neighbouring city, cheaper and calmer, good schools.

Cost of living

Exchange rate: about 4.09 ringgit per dollar on 6 October 2026. Condominium rent usually includes a pool, gym and security.

Practicalities: transport, climate, money

Transport. Metro, light rail and monorail link the centre and suburbs, and since June 2026 a digital monthly unlimited pass for 150 ringgit is open to all passengers. App taxis are cheap. Climate. Hot and humid all year, 30-33°C by day, with frequent afternoon downpours. Money. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, and mobile wallets are popular.

Taxes

• resident income tax runs from 0% to 30%, and non-residents pay 30%;
• individuals' foreign income is exempt from tax until 2036;
• corporate tax is 24%, or 15-17% for small businesses;
• from 2026 foreigners buying homes pay 8% stamp duty.

More on the Taxes in Malaysia page.

Moving and legal status

• Russian citizens need no visa for up to 30 days and fill in an electronic arrival card before entry;
• the digital nomad visa: income from $24,000 a year for digital professions, for up to 2 years;
• the second home programme: a deposit from $150,000 and a home from 600,000 ringgit, a visa for 5-20 years, 90 days in the country a year;
• the start-up programme: from 50,000 ringgit held for 3 months.

Schools and healthcare

Kuala Lumpur has many international schools with British, American and Australian programmes, noticeably cheaper than in Singapore. Private hospitals are modern with English-speaking doctors, and the country is known for medical tourism. Foreigners usually take private insurance, which is mandatory for the second home programme.

Getting there and trips

The main airport is 55 km from the centre, about 30 minutes by express train. The city is the base of a major low-cost airline, so flights to Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia's islands are cheap. At weekends people go to the Cameron Highlands, Malacca and Penang.

Renting: how to find a flat

The standard lease is for a year. On moving in you usually pay a two-month deposit, another month for utilities and the first month's rent in advance. The lease is subject to stamp duty. Condominiums are let furnished, and the price often includes a pool, gym and security.

Is the city worth considering

The pluses are moderate prices with good infrastructure, English, the tax exemption on foreign income and clear visas for remote workers and retirees. The minuses are year-round heat and humidity, traffic and a path to citizenship that effectively does not exist. Kuala Lumpur works as an affordable base in Asia for a few years.