Pros and Cons: Kuala Lumpur As A Digital Nomad

Are you curious about what it’s like to be a digital nomad in Kuala Lumpur?
Join me, Niluka, as I share my personal experience of spending two weeks in this vibrant city.
From the bustling streets of China Town to the modern financial district, Kuala Lumpur is a city of contrasts that has a lot to offer. But is it the right fit for digital nomads?
In this video, I’ll cover the pros and cons of living in Kuala Lumpur as a digital nomad.
Discover why the city's varied cultural landscape, affordable cost of living, and impressive infrastructure make it an appealing destination.
I'll also discuss some of the challenges I faced, such as the lack of a strong digital nomad community and the cultural aspects as a solo female traveler.
Pros:
Varied City: Kuala Lumpur is a melting pot of cultures with something for everyone-from China Town's vibrant markets to the hip Bukit Bintang area.
Affordable Cost of Living: Enjoy delicious street food, affordable rent, and cost-effective transportation options.
Good Infrastructure: Modern buildings, clean and efficient metro systems, and reliable internet connectivity.
Cons:
Not Western Enough for Solo Female Nomads: Cultural differences can be challenging, and you might stand out a lot since there's not many expats.
No Digital Nomad Community: Unlike other Asian cities, Kuala Lumpur doesn’t have a well-established digital nomad scene.
Sterile and Boring: The city can feel too orderly and lack the vibrancy and spontaneity of other popular digital nomad destinations.
If you're considering Kuala Lumpur as your next digital nomad destination, this video will give you all the insights you need to make an informed decision.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
01:02 - Pro 1: Varied City
02:47 - Pro 2: Affordable Cost of Living
03:46 - Pro 3: Good Infrastructure
04:55 - Con 1: Not Western Enough for Solo Female Nomads
06:09 - Con 2: No Digital Nomad Community
06:57 - Con 3: Sterile Vibe
08:00 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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#DigitalNomad #Travel #KualaLumpur #LivingInKualaLumpur #DigitalNomadLifestyle #ProsAndCons #AffordableLiving #TravelTips #ExpatLife #ImagineThat

[@self..destroyer]

First off, appreciate your honest takes on KL as opposed to only hearing the usual praises from visiting Ytubers. Yes, it's not a city with a clearly defined feel to it, and it does take a while to grasp its vibe, which I'm sure you'll agree in all fairness would take more than a fortnights stay. You're correct in noticing the lack of a pronounced nomad culture here. Several reasons: Nomads gravitate to destinations like Bali and Chiang Mai that are heavily promoted as such, where they feel they can work 1st world and yet enjoy '3rd world charms and prices'. We don't so much. Also, as Nomads here have said, the need for nomad social groups is less here - unlike Thailand and Vietnam, most Msians are so English proficient and 'Anglicized that's it easy to make local connections and friendships in no time. You won't find co-working spaces jammed with people here, when incredibly affordable rentals all come with great net connectivity. Is it the most exciting city in SEA? - most likely Not. I think we honestly lie somewhere in-between garish, sex-centric Bangkok and pricey controlled clinical Singapore and that seems to be proving an attractive middle-ground for more and more people coming here.. But please, don't spread the word around too much....KL's our secret we want to hold onto for as long as we possibly can....😁

[@ajoielan3333]

Perhaps the wishes of most Malaysians came through. lets be underrated !!!! we're happy wth that !!!

[@breakingboundarieswithniluka]

😂

[@marianaatan410]

kuala lumpur is more suitable for families and couples. especially families.

[@eerievon2208]

other options when not finding a digital nomad friend or colleague.. u can try to be friends with local malaysians… we can converse in english if that will make u feel comfortable.. why stuck with fellow westerners.. what’s the point of travelling when u don’t mix arnd other than ur kind.. we don’t bite.. i know there are lots of foreign migrant workers in malaysia.. eg frm indonesia.. bangladesh.. pakistan.. etc.. don’t get confused them with local malaysians… our locals consist of malay.. chinese n indians.. punjabis.. indigenous people frm east malaysia (borneo)… most locals can converse in english.. either simple or good english.. i’m sure u won’t feel lonely .. the ones that love to stare at women are foreign workers.. u can find them hanging in group.. we don’t keep them in hostels 24/7… most are free to roam the city after working hours… n btw.. malaysia hv tons of public holidays.. so that is why.. most foreign workers like to spend their off days meeting up their countrymen arnd town… as long as they don’t cause big nuisance.. staring at women of cos do not fall under this… most local women do not walk alone at areas where lots of foreign workers hang arnd.. not saying these people will do something bad.. lots of them are good people.. it’s just that they like to stare at women.. u can tell them off.. i’m sure they’ll turn away… or u can inform security officers (then again most security guards are foreign workers too, frm nepal.. 😐)… anyways.. stay safe.. generally malaysia is safe.. but don’t be foolish by wondering at bk alleys or lonely spots… crime can happen anywhere n anytime.. just use ur instinct n common sense… u’ll be safe.. 😅

[@nickloong]

We Malaysians appreciate the quietness and lack of noise pollution the likes of neighbouring countries of SEA though. Lol😊😂

[@breakingboundarieswithniluka]

😂 definitely quieter than some other places that’s for sure!

[@MrErosennin68]

Malaysia is practically a laid back country, it's the opposite of a hectic lifestyle. It's more suitable as a vacation destination or if you are also have a laid back lifestyle or a retiree .

[@kamrulz659]

For your info, kl n msia as whole only suitable for people looking for calm n healthy living.The cultures that made msia be such a country😊

[@magnetoforce704]

I feel the same way about KL. The city is not fun and not much to do besides shopping and eating.

[@jaynern]

I know what you mean by vibrant, it is You expect the chaos like ho chi minh bangkok or manila. I think the people staring at you because your face look like a local Malay women but hotter. Am glad that Malaysia or KL is out of a radar from the westerner, I don’t want KL to becoming like Barcelona. Too much tourist is bad for the local. KL has more than enough foreign worker to deal with. Enjoy your stay and please come again.

[@makkienleong6865]

You can try visiting Bangsar and Mont Kiara. Many expats lives there.

[@AlanKangBanMeng-sv5en]

KL is not the place for you to be then . Yes you right, its up to your preference. The city is more into starting a family of your own or relocating not known for crazy night life. If you're looking for fun and crazy night life then i guess you already know to go to. Honestly i don't find KL a boring city like you said. I find KL to be a calm and a relaxing city to be with affordable food , transportation and accomodation . You need to know people in the city and have friends here, then i believe you dont feel the city is boring. There are lots of expats in KL and they don't normally roam around the city. That is why you don't really see them in the city roaming around Thank you for your personnel view of Kuala Lumpur . Oh i like to add in if you are in a street called changkat bukit bintang there are over a dozen bars, restaurant and cafes and you can find and see the entire street is busy and noisy with expats from all over europe in this area drinking, eating, chatting with each other with smiles and laughter. I guess you don't really know the city of kl really that well.So here i will disagree with you that you can't find and see or meet up with expats in Kuala Lumpur

[@breakingboundarieswithniluka]

Exactly that! Thanks for watching and sharing your comments 😊 Yes as I said in the video I feel most of the expats were working in the office or at home. Unlike digital nomad hubs (Bali, Chiang Mai, Lisbon) where you can see them everywhere!

[@darkreeze]

As malaysian i 100% agree, for digital nomad bali or thailand will suit u better. Even for holiday every year i always go to thailand (hatnyai, phuket) or Indonesia (bali/ bandung), the vibes there hits different. KL is ok, much better developt as compared to other ASEAN cities, but is not really a place that u can have 'the vibes' holiday, but rather more suitable a place to livefor a few month or year. Its more cater to family, to raise kids or kids friendly equipped with good international school, trasportation hub and healthcare, its quite comfort and convenient. Everything else it not that much different from other cities around the world except u pay 30%-50% cheaper than else where cities like dubai, singapore, new york, UK... However i do see Sabah, Malaysia becoming very popular destination among korean and japan.. its kinda wierd when i go there last month it feel like im the foreigner, not them,...

[@breakingboundarieswithniluka]

Yes I think you completely understand what I mean and being Malaysian yourself I appreciate it 😊 thanks for sharing this, I’m sure it will be helpful to some viewers too!

[@arii1987]

I fully agree with your take on Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia. In the 1960s at the height of the Vietnam War. Malaysia flatly refused party and sex based R&R to American troops. If at all any came over the often went to Penang which already had a large Australian military presence who were there with their families (RAAF). So no sex parties or hippie culture there. Digital nomads are simply a modern version of hippie culture with an infusion of tech. The term Nomad can be synonymous with Hippie. Based on observation thats how digital nomads are dressed and behave. There is NOTHING wrong with that but its simply not what we like over here. The Government is also two-minded over this digital nomad thing hence the stringent requirements. We didn't even cater to backpackers until about 10 or so years ago when budget hotels mushroomed across Malaysia. The focus here has always been for corporate folks and family tourism. Same for local promotions. Thats why we Malaysians travel to the same Asian destinations like Thailand, Bali, Philippines, Vietnam etc. that Western tourist go to. AirAsia the largest budget airlines in this part of the world is Malaysian, and Malaysians are the most traveled along with Singaporeans in ASEAN. Malaysia is the luxury car market in ASEAN. Not Singapore or Thailand, despite the high taxes on cars. This alone should explain to you why nomad types are not present much. Grab that you see everywhere is also from Malaysia. Spend 90 days here and travel the country. You will know why. Anyway thank you for your honest opinion. And you are correct. 😊❤❤❤

[@keangwooichoo6138]

No country is perfect. We never say it was. If I fire fireworks during chinese new year, eid, diwali, Christmas, people will be annoyed especially tourists

[@afifi-my]

First of all, KL is not a boring city, with plenty of greenery. Many religions are celebrated most of the time, including Eid, Chinese New Year, Diwali, and more, unlike any other Asian country. Many expats speaking various languages, live dispersed across Malaysia, including KL, Penang, Malacca, Sabah, and Sarawak. These places consistently rank as top favorites for Japanese, Koreans, and Muslims from Western countries, who find them safe and friendly for families and kids.

[@breakingboundarieswithniluka]

@@afifi-my I definitely found it safe but wasn’t my vibe. This is my own personal experience and take on the city. Everyone will have their own thoughts which will always be somewhat subjective based on their own experience there. Thanks for sharing your perspective 😊

[@hypermageran1110]

Mlysia superb accept unbearable heat n humidity, 34 deg feels like 40 and 90% humidity..? hmm.. Extreme. But it is what it is. Its a mother nature, cant help more. Safe country.

[@breakingboundarieswithniluka]

Yes! But luckily the shopping malls and cafes etc had strong AC which always helps 😊

[@farahharis5016]

If u single craving in your life for wild day n night life less law to abide with, prefer loud rather than calm u can go to Thailand, we are more moderate full of cultures and religions, modern but eith boundaries in life to balance with..we are here suitable for family for thise whose hands off with all crazy chaotic night life and wild open relationship..but as more i noted expat who achiwved certain age suddenly thinking to spend their quarter of life here in Malaysia..so each of country has their speciality

[@matderaman6333]

Suka hati kau lahh.. hahaha

[@noorazmanarshad3810]

As a european of course you wil dule bcoz here no drunkens, no prostitute soliciting no open kissing or flirting and we prefer it that way. KL is more for family oriented vacation.

[@kriskhoo]

100% agree with you

[@AbdulRazak-z3x]

Digital nomad still new for Malaysia. We more focus on eco tourism like Sabah Sarawak. KL is good for short stay, shooping or working in corporate but not suitable for digital nomad. Maybe you can try stay in island like Langkawi or Penang. Its small place, many tourist there and maybe have digital nomad community stay there.

[@breakingboundarieswithniluka]

Yep definitely feels like digital nomadism is new for Malaysia! Didn’t get a chance to go to the islands but have heard great things. Beautiful beaches too apparently 😊

[@Lucy-Lu-1]

This is great and very informative... I was thinking of going there, maybe I will for a few weeks but not more... thanks for sharing!!

[@breakingboundarieswithniluka]

Thanks Lucy! I’m glad you found it helpful. Will be interesting to see if you experience similar or different to me 😊 thanks for watching!

[@samueltitikon9813]

Are you satisfied or dissatisfied living in Malaysia?

[@rouilliew]

I'm listening to your lovely British accent (from an American standpoint)and I'm wondering why there are so very few Americans doing videos of this sort.

[@breakingboundarieswithniluka]

Thank you!

[@Adam_Maya]

We are happy that u dont like kuala lumpur as a peace and quite city. We prefer it to be as it is.

[@nawawimohamad2439]

Obviously Malaysia is not for you.

[@momotaroed215]

As a Malaysian KL attraction is just twin towers😂. Other attraction is out of KL,. highlands and beautiful island n beaches. A boat ride less than a dollar per person to a festival island, foreigner doesn't know that😂.