Hotspots in Kuala Lumpur
Klang Valley
The Klang Valley is a term used to describe KL and the surrounding neighbourhoods. The area of the Klang Valley is sometimes referred to as Greater KL and incorporates certain towns in the state of Selangor. Named after the principal river that runs through the capital, the Klang Valley offers a huge range of choice when it comes to property, and there are various locations to cater for every budget and lifestyle.
Downtown KL
The heart of the city is a vibrant, busy place with good train connections and a huge variety of places to eat and drink. KLCC is the spiritual heart of the city, where a large shopping mall and green park attract tourists and locals alike, while Bukit Bintang is a shopper's paradise with its various malls and huge choice of restaurants that pull in the crowds every day of the week. Taxis can be quite expensive in the city centre, and housing is mainly high-end condos that cost significantly more than their out-of-town counterparts thanks to their central location. The historical areas of the city are around China Town and Merdeka Square, where tourists flock for the old buildings, markets and wealth of cheap, tasty food.
Ampang
The area known as Ampang is actually a collection of sprawling neighbourhoods, where living arrangements can vary from older apartments to new condos, as well as houses and bungalows. There is a good choice of international schools in Ampang, and plenty of restaurants and shops, although a car is necessary as many places are not well-connected. The Ampang area is quite far from the other expat communities in Bangsar and Mont Kiara, but it is very close to the city centre and some parts have a lot of green open space, making you forget you are so close to the city. There are a number of malls in Ampang, as well as smaller shops.
Ara Damansara
This township, situated within the established commercial areas of Damansara and Kelana Jaya, was developed in 1999 and offers residents a large variety of homes, from condos to link houses, on the 299-hectare land. This area is well connected to the highways and has a number of train stations within driving distance, as well as being well-located for Subang airport. Without traffic it takes 25 minutes to the centre of KL, and the international schools in Mont Kiara are within fairly easy commute. While there are some local shops and businesses, many people travel to the various nearby malls - the Curve, One Utama, Ikano Power Station - for shopping and for eating out.
Bangsar
This is a hugely popular location thanks to its great choice of houses and condos and its relative accessibility - Bangsar is just 4km from the city centre and close to a variety of highways, with the international schools in Mont Kiara just 20minutes drive away. Bangsar boasts a huge choice of restaurants and bars, and had a blossoming nightlife, as well as three large malls - Bangsar Shopping Centre, Bangsar Village I and II - with supermarkets, stores and more F&B outlets. Bangsar has an LRT station with quick access to the city, and has banks, post offices and a good private hospital nearby.
Bukit Tunku
This may be one of the older suburbs, but Bukit Tunku (previously called Kenny Hills) is a very exclusive area with large and sometimes palatial bungalows built with staff quarters and guest houses attached! There are a few older condos, as well as some more modest houses, but property here is expensive. Despite being close to the city centre, this area is very hilly and green and a great place to live if you have a dog. There are not very many amenities nearby, so a car is vital to drive to nearby Bangsar to visit the supermarket and malls, while international schools are a drive away in Mont Kiara.
Country Heights
This gated community was established in 1992 and is a gem of open space with unique houses built on a site that offers a grocery shop, tennis courts, a pool and a restaurant, while shopping can be done at nearby malls. Country Heights is a long way out of the city centre, but well-positioned for those working in Cyberjaya and convenient for the Australian International School and Alice Smith Secondary Campus. You will need a car to get around, as the public transport is very limited, and the closest hospital is located in nearby Putrajaya.
Damansara Heights
Dubbed by The Star newspaper as 'the Beverley Hills of KL', this is an exclusive and expensive area of town thanks to its location in a quiet, hilly area above the city while still being in easy reach of the centre. Damansara Heights is less than 5km from the city centre and is well connected with highways, although there is limited public transport and a car is essential. Housing is mainly large bungalows and gated houses, and many of these large properties have pools. For shopping and amenities you will need to drive to nearby Bangsar, where there is a good private hospital and plenty of restaurants and bars.
Mont Kiara
This is one of the newest townships in the city and was built as a planned suburb, so what it lacks in character it makes up for in amenities, with international schools, supermarkets, restaurants and bars all within walking distance. The housing is mainly condos with a few houses, and there is no public transport, although the highways link this area to the city centre and nearby malls. Mont Kiara can be a long commute from the city due to the traffic, but it is still a popular place for expats to live and the new condos being built are quite spectacular.
Sri Hartamas
In close proximity to Mont Kiara, this area offers a wider choice of housing options and is a little more laid-back lifestyle. Thanks to the nice playgrounds and community atmosphere, this area is popular with families. Sri Hartamas has a small shopping centre and a huge array of restaurants and shops, banks, post offices and services such as hairdressing and spas. A car is necessary for commuting to the city, and the traffic can be a nightmare, but there are international schools just 5minutes drive away in Mont Kiara.
Sungai Buloh
Although it may have previously been a leper colony, this area has been transformed into two gated communities which are popular with expats thanks to their lower cost of housing than other places in the city and the vast amount of amenities on site. These communities offer a 'village square' with shops and services, a restaurant, a gym and a pool. This area is a little further from town - a 25 minute drive (outside rush hour) to the centre - but close to large shopping malls and with an international school nearby. There are limited public transport options to this area so a car is essential.
Taman Seputeh
This up and coming area is popular thanks to being the closest neighbourhood to the Alice Smith primary school as well as being within walking distance of two large shopping malls: MidValley Mega Mall and The Gardens, which have supermarkets, restaurants, clothes shops and plenty of entertainment options. This area offers a choice of condos and houses, and as it is still being developed there is the chance to purchase land and build your own house. Taman Seputeh is well-connected to the highways and has a KTM station for access to the city, although a car is preferable.
Taman Tun Dr Ismail
This planned township, known locally as TTDI, is beginning to come into its own now that a new highway has connected it more easily to the city, and is unique for fostering a genuine community spirit, with a generous amount of public space and places for children to play. Housing is mainly linked houses or condos, and there is a good market for fresh produce, all major banks, and a good cluster of independent shops. There are a number of shopping malls in close driving proximity - the Curve is a good option for shops and restaurants - and for bars you can also drive to nearby Sri Hartamas. There is not a lot of public transport to this area, so a car is vital.
