Living in Mont Kiara
If anyone tries to pinpoint the Beverly Hills of Kuala Lumpur, Mont’ Kiara would take the spot. In the past years, the district has matured into a residential enclave, attracting local and foreign families. Nearly 80% of the population at Mont’ Kiara are foreign expatriates.
As Kuala Lumpur’s tribeca of a work- play- live lifestyle, with a myriad of shops, restaurants, activities and international schools, the area is looked upon as its own exclusive township in the city.
Mont’ Kiara has seamless connections to the city center. Enveloped by 4 major expressways, North South Expressway, Duke, Kerinchi Link and Penchala Link, it is convenient to travel to other parts of the city, including KLCC and Damansara Heights. What’s more, pedestrian walkways are well maintained and lined with greenery, making traveling within the neighborhood safe and easy. Schools, residences, malls, and supermarkets are all within walking distance, whereby making daily travel on foot or on bike effortless.
Another important factor, is the presence of a vast international school network inside Mont’ Kiara. Expats thoroughly enjoy living in Mont’ Kiara where their children can easily attend schools next door with the same educational curriculums as their home country. Top schools include The Mont’ Kiara International School, Garden International School and Lycee Francois de Kuala Lumpur. Plenty of daycares are available for the working parents. While expats from US and UK, make up the majority of Mont’ Kiara’s foreign population, Korean, Japanese and Spanish expats also reside in the area. Not only are there top-notch educational programs for children, but adults can attend classes and events nearby in order to integrate into the culture and lifestyle of KL.
Additionally, Mont’ Kiara has a cluster of activities for children to participate in on the weekends. Plenty of playgrounds and playparks are available. While some, including the Pusat Sains Negara science center and the VR Lab are not only educational, yet great places to have fun. There are outdoor parks and hiking trails up Bukit Kiara, the hills adjacent to Mont’ Kiara. While the parents are busy getting a haircut or finishing work at a coffee shop, many of these places offer a play- space for the kids. Besides, families can head to activity centers where children can learn fencing or play the harp, among other hobbies.
With a mix of foreign expats from across the globe, Mont’ Kiara has turned into a melting pot of international eateries. There are famous coffee shops, brunch places, besides specialty restaurants that serve hot pot, Indian tacos, and Korean BBQ chicken. After a fulfilling lunch or dinner, residents will frequent the area’s shoplexes, where many do their daily shopping as others opt for a weekend spree. Some of these vibrant complexes include VERVE Shops, Shoplex Mont’ Kiara and the recently opened Kiara 163. There are also Japanese onsen, Korean spa centers and medical clinics.Mont’ Kiara is a convenient place to relax, shop, network and enjoy some night-life. The surroundings and activity space for young children is what has driven this area into an international residential enclave.
What makes the area favorable is also its mixture of homes that could cater to large households and their living styles. Much of the residences in Mont’ Kiara are developed by Malaysia’s highly reputable developers, like Alix Residences by TA Global Berhad. Many are mixed-use space, with retail on the ground floor. Having a coffee shop or a supermarket below the home, saves time and gas than having to drive into the city center. A number of SOHOs, small offices, and start-ups reside in the area. The shorter distance to work helps Mont’ Kiara’s residents create a good balance between work and live.
