I Tried Living in Kuala Lumpur! I spent about 5,200 MYR during my stay. Whether that feels expensive or not depends on the person, but for me, it was a very satisfying experience.
Accommodation: An Airbnb Condominium
I booked a condominium on Airbnb for 2,600 MYR per month. After traveling around Europe, I wanted a place where I could properly rest, so I was okay with the price.
The location was near "Purta" Station, a bit outside the city center but convenient since the train and metro stations were nearby.
The best part? The infinity pool on the rooftop (37th floor), where I could enjoy a breathtaking night view of Kuala Lumpur!
Access from the Airport
I took the express train to KL Sentral (50 MYR one way), then a local train to Purta for just 2 MYR. The total transportation cost was reasonable.
However, some condo residents told me that using Grab might have been a cheaper option.
Daily Routine & Nomad Life
I followed this routine almost every day:
- Morning – Start the day with an Americano (8 MYR) at Starbucks in Sunway Putra Mall.
- Afternoon – Work from my condo.
- Evening – Go out for dinner.
Since I was still recovering from a long trip, this slow-paced lifestyle felt just right.
Exploring Kuala Lumpur
During my first week, I visited KL’s main attractions:
- KL Tower area (Feels like Shinjuku in Japan)
- Pavilion KL area (More like Shibuya)
- Jalan Alor – Enjoyed delicious street food
Here, I tried Durian for the first time in my life. The texture and smell were overwhelming, and I couldn’t finish it… but fried durian was surprisingly good!
Food: Enjoying Local Delicacies
- Nasi Lemak (Malaysia’s soul food) – 80 MYR per plate
- Satay (Grilled skewers) – 1–2 MYR per skewer
- Nasi Kandar (Curry-style dish) – Had it on my last day
I also went to a local satay shop with an Italian couple from my condo, enjoying skewers with beer.
Weekend Getaways
Week 2: Chinese New Year & Batu Caves
- Visited Thean Hou Temple, the largest Chinese temple in KL, and tried a fortune slip (but I couldn’t read the Chinese text, so I had no idea what it said 😅).
- Explored Batu Caves, an Indian cultural site, and enjoyed authentic Indian cuisine from nearby food stalls.
Week 3: Penang Trip (3 Nights, 4 Days)
Took a bus (50 MYR ≈ 1,500 JPY one way). Bought tickets online via BusOnlineTicket.com.
Enjoyed famous Penang street food:
- Pasembur (Mixed street food platter)
- Wonton Noodles (Chinese-style noodles)
- Bamboo Biryani (Indian-style rice dish)
Explored street art and visited the famous Kek Lok Si Temple.
Week 4: Malacca Trip (1 Night, 2 Days)
15 MYR bus ride one way to this UNESCO heritage town. The European-style streets reflected its Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial history.
- Nyonya Laksa (A fusion of Chinese & Malaysian flavors)
- Egg Tarts (Portuguese-inspired dessert)
At night, the weekend night market was lively and fun!
Final Thoughts
On my last night, I enjoyed a drink alone at a rooftop bar, gazing at KL Tower, reflecting on my one-month stay in Malaysia.
Even traveling alone, I had no issues, and the city was full of Instagram-worthy spots.
- Great transportation
- Cheap & delicious food
- Perfect for digital nomads
Kuala Lumpur was a fantastic place to live and work remotely—I’d definitely love to come back! 🚀
