The 3 Best Places to Live in Malaysia in 2025

The 3 Best Places to Live in Malaysia in 2025
From island charm to cosmopolitan comfort, Malaysia’s top destinations blend modern living with tropical ease.|©iStock/bloodua

Warm weather, modern comforts, and an easygoing pace of life... Malaysia remains one of Asia’s most livable and welcoming countries. English is widely spoken, healthcare is excellent, and infrastructure is first-rate. From island living to cosmopolitan city life, Malaysia offers something for every expat.

Here are three of the best places to call home in 2025.

1. Penang

Heritage meets modern life in Penang’s George Town, where island calm and city convenience coexist.
Heritage meets modern life in Penang’s George Town, where island calm and city convenience coexist.|©iStock/EyeEm Mobile GmbH

Penang has long been a favorite among expats, and it’s easy to see why. This island, located off Malaysia’s northwest coast, combines history, culture, and seaside living with a modern lifestyle that’s hard to beat.

The capital, George Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with pastel-hued shophouses, temples, and colonial architecture. But just beyond its narrow lanes and bustling hawker centers, you’ll find leafy suburbs, sleek condos, and beachside communities where daily life runs at a slower, more relaxed pace.

Penang offers a rare mix of old-world charm and modern convenience. Excellent hospitals, international schools, and a well-developed infrastructure make it as practical as it is beautiful. The food scene is legendary—Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Western flavors blend into what locals proudly call Malaysia’s culinary capital.

You can spend mornings walking along Gurney Drive or hiking in the nearby hills, afternoons exploring art galleries or café-hopping, and evenings dining outdoors with a sea breeze at your back. It’s a place where you can embrace island life without giving up the comforts of a small, sophisticated city.

For many expats, Penang hits the sweet spot: enough activity and culture to stay engaged, but still small enough to feel personal and manageable.

2. Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia’s capital pairs big-city sophistication with a surprisingly relaxed, green lifestyle.
Malaysia’s capital pairs big-city sophistication with a surprisingly relaxed, green lifestyle.|©iStock/nazar_ab

If Penang is all about relaxed island living, Kuala Lumpur—or simply KL—offers a taste of fast-paced modern Asia. Malaysia’s capital is a sleek, green metropolis that still manages to feel remarkably livable.

Kuala Lumpur has everything you’d expect from a major international city: gleaming skyscrapers, rooftop bars, luxury shopping, and an ever-evolving restaurant scene. But it’s also a city of parks, tree-lined neighborhoods, and a sense of calm that surprises newcomers.

The city’s multicultural character—Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Western influences—gives it a vibrancy that shows up everywhere from festivals to food courts. And while it’s a global business hub, everyday life is straightforward. Public transport is efficient, English is widely spoken, and daily errands rarely feel like a chore.

KL is also one of the region’s best-connected capitals. You can fly nonstop to nearly anywhere in Asia—and return home to an apartment that overlooks a skyline dotted with palm trees.

Healthcare in the capital is world-class, and modern conveniences abound. But perhaps KL’s greatest appeal is how easy it makes life feel: big-city energy with small-city friendliness.

For expats who like an urban rhythm, crave variety, and appreciate having every modern amenity within reach, Kuala Lumpur is an ideal base.

3. Johor Bahru

Just across the causeway from Singapore, Johor Bahru offers modern living at a gentler pace—and Malaysian prices.
Just across the causeway from Singapore, Johor Bahru offers modern living at a gentler pace—and Malaysian prices.|©iStock/Sanga Park

Across the causeway from Singapore lies Johor Bahru, a city that has transformed from a sleepy border town into one of Malaysia’s most dynamic hubs. Known simply as “JB,” it attracts expats and locals who want the benefits of modern living without the big-city costs.

Over the past decade, development in the Iskandar region has reshaped the city. New residential neighborhoods, shopping malls, international schools, and hospitals have made it a comfortable and contemporary place to live. Cafés, golf courses, and coastal parks give JB a fresh, upbeat atmosphere.

Its location is a major advantage. Singapore sits just minutes away, easily reached by car or shuttle. Many residents enjoy the best of both worlds—access to Singapore’s international amenities and entertainment, while living more affordably in Malaysia.

Johor Bahru offers a suburban lifestyle with an international flavor. It’s especially appealing for professionals, digital nomads, and retirees who want a relaxed pace, modern comforts, and a growing expat community.

And while JB’s skyline continues to rise, much of its appeal lies in the simple pleasures—weekend markets, local seafood restaurants, and a slower, friendlier rhythm of life.

Living the Good Life in Malaysia

Across Penang, Kuala Lumpur, and Johor Bahru, one thing is consistent: Malaysia makes daily life easy. Whether you’re drawn to Penang’s island charm, KL’s cosmopolitan vibe, or Johor’s proximity to Singapore, you’ll find a country that welcomes newcomers with open arms.

The pace of life is relaxed, the people are kind, and modern comforts—from high-speed internet to excellent medical care—are part of the fabric of everyday living.

Add in year-round warm weather, English-speaking locals, and a deep cultural diversity, and it’s no surprise that Malaysia remains one of International Living’s favorite destinations in Asia.

Whether you’re ready to retire, start a new chapter, or simply slow life down in a beautiful, affordable place, Malaysia’s doors are open, and the living is good.

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