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Cheap And English Speaking: This Bustling Southeast Asian City Is Perfect For Digital Nomads

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Summer isn't just for the ‘9 to 5' worker ready to splurge on a vacation. No, summer attracts anyone with a sense of wanderlust ready to explore the world's best destinations.

If there's one type of traveler who is always on the prowl for the next best thing, it's undoubtedly digital nomads.

Who can blame them? With such a flexible lifestyle, why not take advantage of being able to immerse yourself in different parts of the world?

Female tourist swimming in pool overlooking Kuala Lumpur

It's clear the digital nomad craze is here to stay. The problem is that there are so many awesome places to make your base.

Southeast Asia is filled to the brim, if not overflowing, with some of the best cities in the world for remote workers.

Yet one is very cheap, and as an added bonus, most of the population speaks fluent English.

Here is why the bustling city of Kuala Lumpur is perfect for digital nomads:

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia's Eye-Popping Capital City

Asia is filled with wonder.

Not only are the continent's lush natural jungles fun to explore, but the maze of urban jungles as well.

Kuala Lumpur skyline at night

We are all familiar with iconic Asian cities, such as Tokyo and Bangkok, yet even with a population in the millions, places like Kuala Lumpur are too often overlooked.

For digital nomads, this city is well-equipped both physically and geographically, even offering intangible benefits other destinations simply don't have.

In fact, Kuala Lumpur ranked 3rd in the world in a recent study revealing the world's best cities for digital nomads.

Although Malaysia's lone metropolis is more than mesmerizing high-rises and trendy rooftop bars, it's packed with incredible sites blending fascinating history with modern flair.

Thean Hou Temple with red lanterns in Kuala Lumpur

Never A Dull Day In Kuala Lumpur

Like moths to a flame, digital nomads are drawn to the bright lights of Kuala Lumpur as their new playground.

The city is teeming with life with nonstop action and sites to see, from bustling local markets to serene temples and so much more.

While nomads pretend to pay attention in their Zoom meetings, what's really on their mind is all the fun to have outside work hours.

Colorful entrance to the Batu Caves

Here in Kuala Lumpur, there will never be a dull moment as you can venture around the city by metro, Uber, or trishaws (Malaysia's version of a tuk tuk).

One of the most popular sites are the famous Batu Caves a short distance from the city.

Visitors will find a cave system hundreds of millions years old consisting of astonishing Hindu temples and perfect photo-ops from the colorful stairs to the golden Arulmigu Murugan statue.

A Welcoming Community

How many places are coming out of the woodwork complaining of an invasion of digital nomads? Lots!

Digital nomad working in Kuala Lumpur

Here, that's not the case. Malaysians and Malays are generally welcoming to everyone, including those looking to stay a while.

Unlike some other Asian nations, there is quite a unique mix of cultures and backgrounds here. In other words, you won't stand out like a sore thumb as much as you might think.

Of course, it helps to be able to keep your phone in your pocket since you won't often need to whip out Google Translate.

An All-Around Cheap Destination

From cheap eats and cheap stays to a cheap digital nomad visa, Kuala Lumpur is the place to be.

Market entrance in Kuala Lumpur

Digital nomads can stay up to 12 months in the country, meaning you will need to secure a comfortable place to live.

This can often be the deciding factor for digital nomads on whether a particular destination meets the mark.

For Kuala Lumpur, it should pass with flying colors. According to Nomad List, cost of living is between $888 – $1218.

Factoring in just an approximate $200 visa application fee, what are you waiting for?

To sell the allure of Kuala Lumpur even more, the city's infrastructure is great and has reliable wifi at new co-working spaces and splendid cafes.

Young Female Tourist Seen From Behind As She Stares At The Chinatown Of Kuala Lampur In Malaysia, Southeast Asia

Staying put in Malaysia may be tough since Southeast Asia seems to be put on Earth to explore its endless thrills.

So, what better place to take advantage of the unlimited flight pass offered by Malaysia's own budget airline, Air Asia, for just $311?

It is one of the top-rated budget airlines in the world, after all.

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, 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 within the post.


Mariah Carey

Saturday 15th of June 2024

Thank you for raving about KL in such a fun way, although I thought it could cover more in details to enhance what this alpha city has to wow people who choose to live here.

I'm blessed & lucky to be calling this place home, and seeing how my city is gaining such soaring popularity in recent years, getting so much positive attention from citizens of the world, gaining its elusive well deserved admiration & appreciation from the world is exciting & comforting. It's a city of many wonders, the wonders that aren't superficial as it is not the type of city that you would call it fun like Bangkok or modern like Singapore, it simply is a city with humanity where human relations & interactions bring the best out of us to share with the world so the impression is life long where one can have many great amazing stories to share with friends & family.

Malaysia Airlines' slogan is MH, it means Malaysian Hospitality, which is applicable once you land in our soil where not just the warm sunny days put a smile on your friend, it's the warm friendliness of our people to make you smile from ear to ear.

Air Asia's slogan is Now Everyone Can Fly, indeed, not only everyone can fly into Malaysia so easily & freely where this 4th ranking in welcoming nation category offers up to 195 nationalities in the world visa-free entry up to 90 days from as short as 14-day period. I should say, Now Everyone Can Stay in Malaysia, Malaysia welcomes the world to share & be part of our stories to tell for tomorrows.

As Malaysian Tourism Board promoting the nation with such intriguing & hauntingly memorable slogan branding the nation as, Malaysia, Truly Asia! This is the wonder land where you may constantly be surprised & having to remind yourself that you ain't somewhere in South East Asia such as Indonesia or Thailand, you ain't in China nor India, you are in a very land where all these cultures & traditions blending together in a melting pot giving you all flavors & varieties to keep you excited all the time. The Malaysian culture is a people's culture, anyone & everyone has a part to play in creating the story, wait no more, the Malaysian Open House culture is not limited to the locals but doors are always open to welcome & meet anyone & everyone who is ready to drop by, let us show you a journey of your lifetime with us being part of yours.

Selamat Datang, as we say it to welcome our guests. See y'all soon in Malaysia!

I love this place, and I can assure you that you would too.