Ena

Hi there!

My husband and I might be relocating to Kuala Lumpur, so I'd like to know is there western expat community in KL?
My friend who spent few months in KL says there is hardly any westerner there. But ok, maybe it's her perception.

What about the weather. I am not afraid of hot weather since I live in Dubai, but is it really rainy almost every day?

Is KL safe city?



Thanks

ex reg

Use the search function.
Loads of info.

bakedbean

Hi, I don't live in KL but have visited a few times. There are tons of expats in and around KL. Your friend must be walking around with eyes closed. Yes the weather is hot in Malaysia, typically in the low 30s. No it doesn't rain every day but there is high humidity. Compared with Dubai, it will probably feel a lot hotter just due to the humidity.

I don't know of many cities that are safe. I think you must be sensible and vigilant - that spoken by someone who was robbed in Georgetown, Penang a couple of weeks ago

As Ex-Reg said, do take a browse through this forum. There are loads of posters who live/work in KL. Try tagging on to some existing threads.

Bocat

Sorry to hear that. Who dared to rob our lovely Bakedbean?

bakedbean

big lummocks on a motorcycle. i've given up handbags now.... multi pocketted shorts now. next ducksh1t will have to be more nimble fingered and risk knee in the goolies

Bocat

I can't get my smilies to work for some reason - but that made me laugh. The last bit obviously!! Not the first bit! Is it a big problem in Penang?

Ena

Bakedbean, I am so sorry ..,anyhow thanks for the info.

bakedbean

Well......I would have said No. I've been living in Penang for more than 18 months and have not seen anything happen so far.... until the bag snatch. Having said that, I've seen the signs in Georgetown and a few other places Beware of Bag Snatchers and I guess I just got complacent. Anyway, lesson learnt.

When I lived in Phuket... where I expected bag snatchers and worse, I took more care. Never bothered with a bag. There ya go.

moer2237

KL is relatively safe. However, I do agree with bakedbean you can't be too complacent also. As for the weather, KL will be mostly hot with occasional shower. Unless you are staying in the East Coast region like Kelantan & Terengganu then the monsoon (late Nov till early Mar) can be very wet.

Nemodot

Hi KL doesn't have that many expats compared to somewhere like Bangkok - and less white expats. What has happened in last ten years is more "non white" expats from all over the world so less obvious.

bakedbean

I find that hard to believe. Whenever I've visited KL and the surrounds, always seems to be tons of Western expats and certainly a fair few on this forum too, but does it matter anyway? Malaysians are pretty easy to get on with.

ajw

You can't move for Western expats around my way, but perhaps it depends on where you live and hang out.

Nemodot

Those you see are mostly tourists duh!

Expat events are now dominated by Indian / Asian / African expats - and that's a good thing - but Indian and Asian expats look like locals. I knew a fillipino (American born citizen) basically be treated as a hooker at work due to colour of her skin and not seen as an expat. Luckily attitudes seem to have changed a bit but even I am sometimes mistaken as a malacca born Indian! I'm obviously not white enough lol

Yes malaysians are generally friendly and speak English although older people speak far better English. In KL especially

ajw

[QUOTE=Nemodot;10055818]Those you see are mostly tourists duh!

How do you know they are tourists?

My area is off the tourist map and is filled with western expats. Also, I have never been to an 'expat' event and know lots of people who wouldn't go near one so perhaps that's not representative either!

bakedbean

I'm puzzling over what an expat event is. It's not the "Mingles" is it?