If you’re planning to move to Kuala Lumpur for work, no doubt you’ve come across one of the most highly recommended and popular addresses in KL called Mont Kiara. But what’s the big deal, really? KL boasts many other townships and developments that are decorated with amenities to suit even the most picky house buyers. However, owning a house or renting in Mont’ Kiara could very well be the perfect option for your move to Malaysia.
In this article, we’ll go through some pros and a few cons that you may find useful in your decision making process.
- Located close to KL City and other major townships
Mont’ Kiara is one of the most strategically located KL townships with excellent connectivity. There is easy access to major highways such as the NKVE, Sprint Highway, DUKE Highway, Kerinchi Link, and more. Not to mention, it’s less than 10km away from Kuala Lumpur City Centre, but we daresay you’d hardly find a trip up necessary – everything you need is already nearby. Mont Kiara is also surrounded by popular townships such as Petaling Jaya, Kota Damansara, Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, Bangsar, Kepong and Setapak (to name a few).
- Balance of Work and Pla……Oooo SHOPPING!
Due to the vast amount of office units and business centres, the area is highly developed with trendy shopping centres such as 1 Mont’ Kiara, Kiara 163, Plaza Mont Kiara, Publika, and The Verve – all eagerly waiting to appease your craving for retail therapy along with a diverse range of eateries. Supermarkets are also widely available for daily shopping excursions with household names such as Jaya Grocer, Cold Storage, Village Grocer and Ben’s Independent Grocer in the surrounding malls.
- International Schools
Families with schooling children don’t have to travel very far for the morning run, as famous international schools such as Mont Kiara International School (M’KIS) and Garden International School are located within the vicinity. After-school activities are also aplenty with an array of parks, gyms, training studios, music centres, and so on to keep the young ones active.
- Quite The Gastronomical Hub
Mont’ Kiara may not be the place that serves the absolute best local fare, but that’s no big issue seeing as the top-rated joints are merely a short drive away. But don’t get us wrong, the food outlets here have in fact carved strong individual reputations and are gaining more fans by the day – a phenomenon most evident by the lack of parking during meal times. You’ll find a generous selection of specialised Japanese, Thai, Italian, German, and other international cuisines on offer.
- A Haven For Gym & Fitness Junkies
Take a morning or evening drive through Mont’ Kiara and you’ll be quite astonished at the number of parents, kids, and young adults either enjoying a leisurely stroll, jogging in full regalia, or walking their dogs. This is thanks to the many accessible pedestrian pathways and parks that encourage residents to enjoy the outdoor greenery amongst the concrete edifices. The township has a respectable number of matured trees in the area, which is a huge plus point in our books
If you happen to see a few headband-clad joggers eagerly overtaking everyone else, they’re probably heading to any one of the many gymnasiums and fitness centres available throughout the township.
Apart from regular exercise, you could also engage in recreational sports activities at Bukit Kiara Equestrian & Country Resort, Bukit Kiara Sports Complex, Selangor Club, and Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (now known as TPC).
- Free shuttle buses to The Gardens/Mid Valley and Publika
If a bigger shopping experience beckons but you don’t feel like driving out, there is a steady stream of free shuttle bus services to take you to the larger malls such as Mid Valley Megamall and Nu Sentral.
Sound good so far? It sure does to us, but here are three not-so-attractive aspects you may want to consider before making a decision:
- Upper Market Prices
Mon’t Kiara is considered to be one of the most desired addresses in Kuala Lumpur and is widely known as the mecca for expatriate residents, which is why prices tend to be higher than the average food & shopping experience (not exclusively, but mostly so). Be prepared to fork out a generous sum each month on lifestyle expenditures if you are to be residing here.
- No Train Ways
Kuala Lumpur has a few railway lines that connect prominent housing areas with the city such as MRT, LRT and KTM. Unfortunately, these trains do not pass by Mont’ Kiara (which does mean that public transport is limited). However, it depends on how you look at it – less train lines means less construction and more greenery. Plus, buses and e-hailing services are easily available.
- Rush Hour
As with most of Kuala Lumpur, Mont Kiara is not exempted from the chaos of traffic during peak hours. One of the main roads called Jalan Kiara is slightly narrow and can cause systemic congestion before and after working hours. Also, the only way to Segambut Dalam from Mont’ Kiara is via Jalan Kiara 3, which is known to cause bottleneck traffic hold-ups. But then again, jams can be avoided by means of walking or adjusting travelling hours.
So, that is Mont’ Kiara in a nutshell. If you’re a local reading this, feel free to comment below with your views on which points you agree with and/or what we may have missed. Are there any specific attractions you’d like to shout about? Let us know!
If you are looking to stay in Mont’ Kiara, check out some of the tagged products or visit our website https://cozyhomes.my/ to choose from a host of designer-furnished, move-in-ready homes available for rent.
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