Discuss the reasons people like to live in Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia. It is one of the fastest-developing cities of Asia and the biggest city in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur plays an important role as the cultural, economic and financial centre of Malaysia. Its appealing buildings and exotic tourist destinations make this bustling global city a must-see location for everybody. Thousands of travellers flock to visit Kuala Lumpur each year. According to a study carried out by InterNations in 2021, it was chosen by expatriates as the best city in the world to live and work in. This essay discusses the reasons that influence many foreigners to move to and start a new life in Kuala Lumpur.
First and foremost, the city is considered to be the gastronomic hub of the Asian continent. Kuala Lumpur offers a diverse and unique mix of Malay, Chinese as well as Indian cooking which reflects its multiculturalism. The city is well-known all over the world for eclectic cuisine like “assam laksa” (sweet and sour fish noodle soup), “bak kut teh” (pork ribs soup), “char kuey teow” (stir-fried rice noodles), “curry mee” (yellow curry noodle soup), “murtabak” (spicy omelette pancake cooked with vegetables), “nasi lemak” (rice cooked in coconut milk), “rojak” (salad served with sliced fruits and vegetables), “roti canai” (flatbread), “satay” (meat with spicy peanut sauce) plus “wantan mee” (noodles with dumplings and vegetables). All kinds of delicious dishes are easily accessible in Kuala Lumpur, ranging from cheap vegetarian Indian eatables, fancy South American edibles to modern European food. There are also restaurants that suit any budget and type for breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner or supper here. Enjoying a hearty meal in the city rarely burns a hole in someone’s pocket.
Secondly, Malaysians are famously regarded throughout the world as awesome, friendly and funny people. The hospitality or warmth of the Malaysian people is clearly exemplified by the concept of “open house”, which usually occurs during celebrations such as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Hari Raya Haji, Chinese New Year, Christmas, Deepavali as well as Thaipusam. “Open house” is defined as a person’s act of playing host and welcoming guests like family members, friends plus strangers from all walks of life notwithstanding race, religion and social status into his or her home to commemorate a special occasion together. During this event, the attendees can be found mingling joyfully with each other and eating to their heart’s content. The main advantage of the “open house” culture is that it helps to preserve or strengthen race relations, which in turn leads to a peaceful and stable environment in Malaysia.
Another popular reason for living in Kuala Lumpur among non-Malaysians is the high standards of living at a cost-effective rate. For example, expatriates can either buy or rent an apartment unit with ease in the most sophisticated sites of the city at almost half the price of a normal or smaller flat in most Western countries. In fact, a two-bedroom and two-bathroom apartment in Kuala Lumpur costs approximately RM3500.00 a month. Malaysian water rates are also reasonably priced and cost around RM20.00 per month. Due to the fact that there is a mass market for both gas and oil companies in Malaysia, the costs of diesel and petrol are cheaper here compared to its prices abroad. In addition, locally grown fruits and vegetables are aplenty at low rates.
To sum up, people prefer to live in Kuala Lumpur for their own individual reasons. The city represents a lifestyle choice for some of them, whereas others are deeply attracted to its culture diversity. With its excellent variety of food choices, easy-going inhabitants and affordable way of life, Kuala Lumpur will no doubt continue to be a favourable place to live in the future.