10 Richest Neighborhoods in Malaysia for Your Dream Home
Malaysia is not just a good vacation destination and a tourist attraction. It’s also famous for being a good country to live in, especially for expats.
There is a wide collection of residences and gated communities in Malaysia that will persuade anyone to move in.
Where do the rich live in Malaysia?
Aside from its affordability, Malaysia can also cater to a lavish lifestyle.
Malaysia’s elite residents live in the richest neighborhoods and gated communities in different parts of the country.
Most of the rich people live in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Ampang, and Bangsar. These areas are prominent for having luxurious neighborhoods with the most expensive houses in Malaysia.
Read on to find out where these luxurious neighborhoods are!
1. Kenny Hills Residence
Kenny Hills Residence is a very prominent community in Kuala Lumpur because it’s located in Bukit Tunku, an elite neighborhood dubbed as Malaysia’s Beverly Hills.
It’s a luxury condominium that provides a comfortable lifestyle to every resident. Each unit has designer kitchen cabinets and every room has built-in wardrobes and ensuite bathrooms.
Meanwhile, each duplex penthouse has a roof garden where residents can relax.
The spacious units also reflect the elegance of the residents in Kenny Hills Residence. This neighborhood is also known for having low-key wealthy residents.
Residents are also assured of top-notch security. It provides multi-tier security systems, 24-hour CCTVs, and round-the-clock security patrols.
It’s perfect for those who want to live in the city but also want a peaceful environment because of its low population density. Kenny Hills Residence is quite exclusive as it only has 63 units so residents could enjoy the privacy they need.
Likewise, it’s quite accessible to major roads because it’s located near the city center. This is why it’s also a good gateway to other amenities and facilities.
2. Taman Duta
Taman Datu is known for being an upper-class residence situated on hilly terrain. One can find here the rich and famous in Malaysia, most of them are business tycoons and politicians.
This is a secluded community full of luxury bungalows, semi-detached houses, and condominium units. Because of this, residents enjoy great privacy.
Despite being highly exclusive, it’s accessible to necessary amenities like medical facilities, schools, and restaurants of a variety of cuisines.
What’s unique about Taman Datu is that each mansion is designed according to the preference of the owner. This means that each home is unique and will live up to the owner’s expectations.
The houses here usually have seven-figure prices and they’re all very spacious because they’re mostly large bungalows or towering structures that look like castles. These also manifest the elegance and luxurious life of its residents.
The scenery is also breathtaking from here because Taman Datu is surrounded by nature.
It’s only five minutes away from Kuala Lumpur, so it’s near great amenities and attractions. Other nearby towns are Sungai Buloh and Segambut.
3. Desa Park City
Desa ParkCity is one of the most acclaimed developments in Malaysia. It has won several awards for its master plan, sustainability, and landscape planning, among others.
Desa ParkCity is one of the first few communities to offer the so-called park homes, which means that modified terraced homes are located in parks.
This means that it caters to an active outdoor lifestyle; however, it was mainly designed to accommodate families and cultivate neighborhood bonds.
It’s a self-sustaining community with good schools, hospitals, and even a wide array of restaurants.
Because of this community’s location, there are plenty of opportunities for residents to be one with nature and even do outdoor activities or exercises. There are also plenty of spaces here to hang out with your family and kids and to even go on picnics.
These are just some reasons why most of its residents are rich families with children.
While you might find houses that cost nearly a million Malaysian Ringgit, most of them roughly cost RM 2,000,000 and above.
4. Villa Mont’ Kiara
Villa Mont’ Kiara is another popular luxury neighborhood with high-rise condominiums, townhouses, and even bungalows.
This prestigious enclave typically attracts people who want to experience a suburban life in a less populated environment as there are only 45 units available here.
This is why it has expensive homes that only high-income earners could afford. As a result, it’s a 24/7 guarded facility and it has strict gated security.
Most of those who live here are expatriates and even with their families because this is surrounded by plenty of affluent international schools. Hospitals, shopping malls, and other amenities are also within a walking distance.
Moreover, the interior of the units available here is designed with marble flooring, hardwood timber staircases, and granite vanity tops. Meanwhile, there are private pools and koi ponds outside each home.
In addition, Villa Mont’ Kiara has a scenic environment that helps its residents relax during a morning jog or afternoon stroll.
Adding to the comfort and luxury lifestyle of its residents are the clubhouse, swimming pool, and wading pool within the neighborhood. It’s also a bonus that it’s a pet-friendly community.
5. Kuala Lumpur City Centre Residence
Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) is dubbed “The City Within A City”, especially since it’s located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. It has a strategic location so it’s no surprise that there are plenty of lavish residentials.
This means that everything is within arm’s length of the KLCC Residence. Whether you’re looking for scrumptious cuisine, healthcare facilities, or quick access to transportation, everything is easy to reach from here.
KLCC is a prominent tourist attraction and even the pinnacle of Malaysia’s shopping scene and it’s only within walking distance from major shopping centers in the city.
However, it’s also one of the most costly places to live in the country.
These high-rises are mostly composed of spacious condominiums and apartments, both with furnished and unfurnished options, and even serviced apartments. They’re also complemented by fitness centers, pools, and even playgrounds for the kids.
These are the projects by KLCC Residences where the rich could live:
- Anggun
- Aria
- Banyan Tree Signatures
- Face II Victory Suites
- Imperial Lexis
- Le Nouvel KL
- Oxley Towers
- Pavilion Ceylon
- Pavilion Residences
- Pavilion Suites
- Quill Residences
- Star Residence
- Stonor 3
- The Conlay
- The Core Residences
- The Landmark
- The Luxe and the Colony
- The RuMA
- YOO8 Conlay
6. Gurney Drive
Gurney Drive is a famous street in George Town. It’s known for being a prime location for investors and a tourist spot for street food.
However, some of the most elite people in Malaysia live in high-end condominiums along this road. Because of its vibrant business scene, it’s a good location to move into for business tycoons since there are plenty of business opportunities.
This famed road does not only have prime shopping malls and tourist attractions, but also luxurious residences. For example, the first luxury branded residence in Penang, Marriott Residence, could be found here.
Some of the remarkable condominiums where the rich live in Gurney Driver are:
- Gurney Condominium
- Gurney Paragon Residences
- Gurney Beach Resort Condominium
- Setia V Residences
- Silverton
- The Regency
Living in one of these high-rises not only means enjoying exceptional amenities that will make a resident’s life comfortable. It will also be a unique gastronomic experience because Gurney Drive has a strip of restaurants.
7. Seri Tanjung Pinang
Another popular and high-end community in George Town is where the rich live in Malaysia.
It quickly gained popularity as an exclusive neighborhood because of the semi-detached homes in gated communities and flats.
Because this is located at the tip of the island, it has seaside villas with private footpaths and homes with tropical architecture. These attract sea lovers who want to wake up every day with an amazing view of the coastline.
This upscale neighborhood also has high-rise properties situated among commercial developments so it’s a strategic place for businessmen to live in.
These are just some reasons why the cost of these properties consistently rises.
Additionally, accessibility is not a problem since there are amenities and major roads within the neighborhood. As of now, it lacks schools and medical facilities but these can still be accessed within minutes away from the neighborhood.
8. Pulau Tikus
Pulau Tikus is a residential area popular for fancy high-rise condominiums and bungalows. Vintage mansions and colonial buildings are also plenty here.
This neighborhood is home to the upper class who want to live on an island and be one with nature. It has a serene environment and it’s very adept to the privacy of its residents because of its high-profile and wealthy population.
Some of Pulau Tikus’ most prominent residents are governors, chief ministers, mayors, and even consuls from different Asian countries. It also has a diverse population because it’s home to Thai, Burmese, and Eurasian residents.
There are also schools, malls, and hospitals within the community so there’s no need for the residents to go far for these facilities. Since Pulau Tikus is also near George Town, it’s easy to access major roads and highways from here.
9. Sri Hartamas
Sri Hartamas is another upscale neighborhood in Malaysia where affluent people reside.
This charming neighborhood started attracting expatriates from different parts of the world in 1990. To this day, its population is mostly made of wealthy expatriates with families and even young professionals.
Most of the properties here are condominiums, high-end apartments, townhouses, and even semi-detached ones. They’re luxurious but cozy because of the rustic designs of these properties.
These are all quite exclusive and they ensure the privacy of the residents because they’re located in guarded and gated communities.
Since it’s close to the city center of Kuala Lumpur, it’s highly accessible to four major expressways. The Klang Valley parks and hiking trails are also nearby, so it’s also popular among nature lovers.
It’s a secluded neighborhood but it’s also quite convenient. There are shopping centers and cozy restaurants with cuisines from around the world here that complement the lifestyle of its residents.
The elite are also drawn to live in this place because of its proximity to entertainment centers and lifestyle clubs.
Sri Hartamas is located near the KL Golf and Country Club and Royal Selangor Club Kiara Sports Annexe. Residents can also go horseback riding at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian Club.
10. Damansara Heights
Because Damansara Heights is located on the hills, it has a peaceful environment and lush greenery. This high-end neighborhood is brimming with luxury bungalows, villas, and semi-detached houses.
Because this is a suburb, it means that there are limited commercial developments here. However, it remains to be accessible because it’s only a few minutes away from Kuala Lumpur city center.
The residences here are near international schools, restaurants, hospitals, and shopping malls, so it’s perfect for those who have kids. Plus, there are plenty of parks nearby where residents can relax and enjoy nature.
Many of those with high net worth and those who seek a luxury lifestyle in Malaysia often consider living in Damansara Heights. In fact, its residents are rich and famous people in the country.
Over the years, residing here has become a status symbol. This is especially for those who live in newer developments since these tend to be pricier than the rest.
Where is the most expensive place to live in Malaysia?
In Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur is the most expensive city to live in.
According to the Mercer Cost of Living Index, this city ranks 181 most expensive cities in the world, out of 227 cities in 2022.
However, this does not prevent people from moving here. Kuala Lumpur is still more affordable when compared to other cities in Asia like Hong Kong (#1), Singapore (#8), Tokyo (#9), Seoul (#14), or Manila (122).
The median home price in Kuala Lumpur (RM 498,000) is 12.9% higher than the average home price in Malaysia itself (RM 441,000). This means that it’s still more expensive to live in Kuala Lumpur than in other parts of the country.
What is the richest suburb in Malaysia?
The richest suburb in Malaysia is Bangsar. Some of the most sophisticated and richest people in the country live here, too, because it’s a sophisticated enclave of lavish houses and high-rises.
What income is considered rich in Malaysia?
The top 20% of Malaysia’s household has at least a monthly income of approximately RM 11,000. This class is often referred to as “T20” and is known to be the high-income earners in the country.
Next to this are the top middle 40% who earn below RM 11,000 every month and then the bottom 40% whose household incomes are below RM 4,900.
What are the disadvantages of living in Malaysia?
Malaysia is known for being a cheap tourist destination and an affordable place to live in. However, there are a few cons about living here, such as the following:
- High cost of imported goods because of the high import tax rates
- Monsoon season which may cause flooding
- Poor air quality in big cities
- Flipping a property is quite difficult because of tedious paperwork
Wrapping Up
Malaysia has some of the most secure and private neighborhoods and gated communities where rich people live. While these are also high-end and expensive, there are also plenty of more affordable housing options in the country.
We also created these guides and tips about living in moving in Malaysia that could help you if you’re deciding to own a home in this tropical paradise: