Where to live in KL? This is an important decision that will determine the success or failure of your migration. We will compare the characteristics of each area, focusing on reviews from people who have lived in multiple areas.
Area comparison list
| Area | Estimated Rent | Security | Transportation | Japanese | Malaysianness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mont Kiara | RM2,500-5,000 (approximately 100,000-200,000) | ◎ | △ No train | ◎ Most | ✕ |
| Bangsar | RM2,000-4,000 (approximately 80,000-160,000) | ○ | ○ LRT available | ○ | ○ |
| PJ | RM1,500-3,000 (approximately 60,000-120,000) | ○ | ○ LRT/MRT available | △ | ◎ |
| Imbi / Bukit Bintang | RM2,000-4,000 (approximately 80,000-160,000) | ○ | ◎ Convenient transportation | △ | ○ |
| Damansara | RM2,000-4,000 (approximately 80,000-160,000) | ○ | △ | △ | ○ |
Mont Kiara — Area with the highest number of Japanese people
“Rent is high = people with a certain income live here, so it’s safe” (reviews from residents)
| Item | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Public safety | ◎ | High rent = good public safety |
| Japanese | ◎ | Expatriates and their families are the largest group |
| Food and Drink | ◎ | Hachi Bakery, Korean Yakiniku, Chinese food, etc. |
| Shopping | ◎ | Honest Shop, Daiso, Korean supermarkets |
| Transportation | △ | There are no trains. Grab dependent |
| Disadvantages | “Not Malaysian” |
Mont Kiara condo market price
| Grade | Rent/month | Japanese yen conversion |
|---|---|---|
| General | RM2,500-3,500 | Approx. 100,000-140,000 yen |
| location_onArte Mont Kiara (relatively cheap) | RM2,000-2,800 | Approx. 80,000-110,000 yen |
| Luxury condo | RM4,000-6,000 | Approx. 160,000-240,000 yen |
PJ (Petaling Jaya) — Recommended for locals
"I've lived in Mont Kiara, Bangsar, Imbi, and PJ, but I recommend PJ because it's more local food and community-oriented." (Reviews from people with experience in the four areas)
| Item | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Prices | ◎ | Best value for money in KL |
| Local food | ◎ | Closed concentration of gourmet spots such as SS2 and SS15 |
| Transportation | ○ | LRT and MRT stations available |
| Community | ◎ | Close to locals |
| Japanese | △ | Less compared to Mont Kiara |
Bangsar — fashionable area
| Item | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | ◎ | No.1 fashionable area in KL |
| Cafe | ◎ | Popular stores such as location_onVCR, Lisette's, etc. |
| Transportation | ○ | LRT Bangsar station available |
| Prices | △ | Slightly high |
Imbi / Bukit Bintang — Convenient transportation
| Item | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation | ◎ | Central KL. Close to monorail and MRT |
| Shopping | ◎ | Lot 10 Donki, Pavilion, etc. |
| Japanese food | ◎ | Donki food, Japanese food chain |
| Vibrant | ◎ | Always crowded |
Area selection flowchart
| Your priorities | Recommended areas |
|---|---|
| Emphasis on the Japanese community | Mont Chiara |
| Emphasis on local food and low prices | PJ |
| I want to live in a stylish city | Bangsar |
| Priority on transportation | Imbi |
| I want to live in a large house with my family | Damansara or PJ |
⭐
There are many patterns of “First, move to Mont Kiara → Once you get used to it, move to PJ or Bangsar.”
*This article contains word-of-mouth information from the LINE community.
Last updated: February 2026