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In recent years, Bangkok has become a digital nomad capital species in Asia, and many have attributed its success to the low cost of living Nomad listliving there costs an average of $1,398 per month – and a vibrant social scene.
It’s really hard to beat Bangkok’s infamous Sukhumvit Soi 11 when it comes to nightlife, or to rival Silom’s backpacker scene, but it looks like there a new workcation hotspot looking east from a significant influx of remote workers lately.
While still nowhere near as popular as its Thai counterpart, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia is steadily climbing the digital nomad charts, and it’s not like we didn’t see it coming:
Is Kuala Lumpur Asia’s next nomadic haven?
The capital of Malaysia, with over 2,000,000 inhabitants, Kuala Lumpur is a modern cosmopolitan center best known for its towering skyscrapers, British colonial monuments, vast city parks, and thriving business districts.
Before we go to the factual good things, the things that matter most for digital nomads, one thing you should know about Kuala Lumpur is that it is one of the best developed conurbations in Asia, with relatively good infrastructure, functional transportation and higher living standards:
This is reported by the Economic Intelligence Unit Global livability indexIt ranks 70th worldwide, and second in Southeast Asia after Singapore, and by all accounts it is a perfectly habitable metropolis of the 21st century.
Now the most exciting part:
Modernism versus tradition
While there is room for discussion about whether Kuala Lumpur is indeed that one of the most vibrant cities in Asia there is no denying that it is an innovation hub:
For example, the skyline is dominated by a duo of identical towers called Petronas, crowned with Islamic motifs.
Although Dubai’s Burj Khalifa claims the title of tallest in the world, Kuala Lumpur’s duo is the tallest twins set.
Unlike other Southeast Asian capitals that have sacrificed their green spaces in their quest for development, Malaysia’s rising star has managed to integrate them into an urban ecosystem, as seen at centrally located Perdana:
A botanical garden, crisscrossed by walking paths and dotted with picturesque ponds, offers residents – and visiting nomads – the opportunityan escape from the oppressive Southeast Asian heat and hectic traffic while still having endless rows of skyscrapers as your backdrop.
If you’re a nomad moving from America or Europe to Asia, you’re probably looking for a higher quality of life and a healthier lifestyle, away from the hustle and bustle of your home city. Let’s be honest: Kuala Lumpur is not. picturesque village, but it does offer some delay.
Flourishing multiculturalism
Compared to the vast Bangkok, it is much smaller and therefore less busy.
Most importantly, motorcycles don’t rule the streets: yes, traffic can be gridlocked during rush hours, but a Grab (local Uber) isn’t the only way to get around.
There are plenty of them pedestrian-friendly zonesspacious sidewalks, and car-free walkways, as well as miles of cycle paths and extensive, effective public transport making it easier for guests to get from point A to B without any hassle.
Apart from the fascinating contrasts, that of Kuala Lumpur multiculturalism is just as big an attraction for long-term guests:
It is a place where tradition and modernism continually collide, including at the confluence of the Gombak and Klang rivers, where a historic Jamek Mosque stands, flanked on both sides by a series of steel and glass clad high-rises.
From British colonial buildings like Central Station to the monumental Masjid Negara, a mosque with a unique umbrella-shaped roof, to Thean Hou Temple, one of the most ornate Chinese shrines outside China, it almost feels like several different cities in a.
Why Nomads Love Kuala Lumpur
In addition to the cultural attractions, the Malaysian capital is full of laptop-friendly cafes, providing stable WiFi and a pleasant environment for the week.
Not to mention, it’s extremely safe by global standards, enjoy moderate to low crime levels.
On the cafe side, notable examples include the VCR Cafe, in the heart of the busy Bukit Bintang shopping district, Leaf & Co, a tried and tested nomadic haven specializing in cappuccino and bite-sized dishes, and our personal favourite, the three-storey Malaya Garden, with a covered roof.
In terms of the latter, Malaysia is one of the few destinations worldwideand the U.S. Department of State added it to its policy Level 1 Travel advice list, meaning it is equivalent to Iceland, Finland, Switzerland, and such.
Affordable accommodations
The affordable Airbnb listings are another big draw for potential future residents Monthly stays from $235 and an entire condo with access to a sky pool and gym that costs $681 to book for the entire month this fall.
General, Nomad list Estimates show that nomads spend money an average of $1,271 per month working remotely from Kuala Lumpur – due to its high affordability, abundance of coworking spaces and cheap rent, it is no surprise that the same platform ranked it as the destination of choice by nomads last December.
To support Nomad listFindings from Remote (a global Human Resources platform) show that Kuala Lumpur has risen from 84th to 22nd in the latest annual list of the top 100 remote working destinations, a total of 62 places in one year.
Last but certainly not least, Kuala Lumpur benefits from that of the mother country relaxed visa policy:
Unlike other destinations in Asia such as Vietnam or Bali, Malaysia does not require US citizens to apply for a visa, eVisa or other form or entry permit before flying; Moreover, Americans can stay visa-free for three months, while in other Asian countries they have to leave after 30 to 60 days.
You can read more about Kuala Lumpur – and Malaysia as a whole – by clicking here.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
