3 3 schools$1,600/mo avg rentLarge expat community
An upscale, leafy suburb between Bangsar and Mont Kiara, popular with senior expats and diplomatic families who prefer landed homes and quieter streets over condo living.
5/5
Safety
5/5
Family Friendly
5/5
Quality of Life
5/5
Expat Friendly
5/5
Healthcare
Large
Expat Community
24-33°C
Temp Range
High
English Level
☀️ Climate & Weather
Monthly temperatures, rainfall, and sea conditions
33°C
Hottest (Jul)
23°C
Coolest (Dec)
17
Sunny days/mo avg
2399mm
Annual rainfall
Avg highAvg lowSea tempRainfall
28°
🌊 Jan
28°
🌊 Feb
29°
🌊 Mar
30°
🌊 Apr
30°
🌊 May
29°
🌊 Jun
29°
🌊 Jul
29°
🌊 Aug
29°
🌊 Sep
29°
🌊 Oct
29°
🌊 Nov
28°
🌊 Dec
💰 Cost of Living
Monthly family budget estimates (USD)
At a Glance
$1,600
Avg. rent /mo
$4.00
Budget meal
$25
Mid-range dinner (2 ppl)
Dining & Drinks
Cappuccino$4.00
Domestic beer$5.50
Imported beer$8.00
Water (1.5L)$0.55
Groceries
Loaf of bread$1.60
Milk (1L)$2.30
Dozen eggs$1.80
Chicken (1 kg)$3.50
Transport
Taxi flag-drop$0.70
Taxi per km$0.35
Monthly transit pass$28
Gasoline (per liter)$0.52
Monthly Bills
Internet$28 /mo
Utilities (avg.)$90 /mo
Gym membership$65 /mo
Domestic help$520 /mo
Preschool / nursery$550 /mo
Comfortable
A condo or apartment in the periphery of Damansara Heights, modest international school, a car, and part-time domestic help.
$4,500/mo
Rent$1,600
Groceries$500
Lifestyle & leisure$250
Transport$300
Utilities$180
Dining out$350
Healthcare$170
School fees (per child)$800
Domestic help$350
Established
A semi-detached house in Damansara Heights, reputable international school, a family car, full-time helper, and regular dining at the neighborhood's upscale restaurants.
$9,000/mo
Rent$3,200
Groceries$700
Lifestyle & leisure$500
Transport$450
Utilities$250
Dining out$600
Healthcare$350
School fees (per child)$2,200
Domestic help$750
Premium
A renovated bungalow on a large lot, top-tier international school, driver, live-in help, country club membership at the Royal Selangor Golf Club, and frequent travel.
$17,000/mo
Rent$6,000
Groceries$1,100
Lifestyle & leisure$1,350
Transport$900
Utilities$400
Dining out$1,300
Healthcare$650
School fees (per child)$3,800
Domestic help$1,500
Damansara Heights is one of KL's most prestigious residential addresses. Housing costs are among the highest in the city, particularly for the large bungalows and semi-detached homes that characterize the neighborhood.
🌬️ Air Quality
Average monthly AQI (US EPA scale)
52Jan
56Feb
60Mar
55Apr
50May
62Jun
66Jul
88Aug
108Sep
82Oct
55Nov
50Dec
Good (0–50)Moderate (51–100)USG (101–150)Unhealthy (151+)
Yearly average AQI is 65. Best air quality Jan–Dec (best: Dec at 50). Sep–Sep air quality worsens due to heat, humidity, and dust (peak: Sep at 108). Families with children who have asthma or respiratory conditions should plan indoor activities during summer months.
👥 Demographics
30%
Expat Population
high
Income Level
~25,000
Population
Nationalities
Malay38%
Chinese30%
European10%
Indian7%
American4%
Australian/NZ3%
Other8%
Languages Spoken
🏘️ Community & Culture
KL's most prestigious old-money residential address since the 1960sDiscreet expat community of senior professionals and diplomatsPlaza Batai and Medan Damansara evolving into creative lifestyle hubsIntegration opportunity with Malaysia's business and political eliteGradual neighborhood evolution bringing new energy and younger families
Old Money Meets New Energy
Damansara Heights was developed in the 1960s as an upscale residential area, and many original bungalow lots have been in the same families for generations. This established character coexists with a newer wave of creative businesses, design studios, and tech startups that have moved into renovated commercial spaces along Medan Damansara and Plaza Batai.
🌳 Parks & Recreation
Bukit Kiara forest reserve with 10+ km of hiking and biking trailsKiara Park playground and green space connecting to forest trailsRoyal Selangor Golf Club with two championship courses and family facilitiesBukit Kiara Equestrian Resort offering children's riding lessonsHigh-end gyms and wellness centres around Medan Damansara
Bukit Kiara Forest Reserve
Damansara Heights borders the Bukit Kiara forest reserve, one of KL's most important remaining patches of secondary rainforest. The reserve offers over 10 km of trails used by joggers, mountain bikers, and nature walkers. Weekend mornings see a steady stream of families hiking the well-marked paths, with frequent sightings of long-tailed macaques, dusky leaf monkeys, and colourful birdlife.
🚗 Getting Around
Semantan MRT station on the Kajang line for rail connectionsSprint Expressway for fast highway access to PJ and city centerCentral location puts most international schools within 15-25 minutesQuiet, well-maintained residential streets with private parkingMultiple school bus services operate routes through the neighborhood
Strategic Location
Damansara Heights occupies a prime position between the KL city center and the Damansara-PJ suburbs to the west. The Sprint Expressway provides fast highway access, and the Semantan MRT station on the Kajang line is at the eastern edge of the neighborhood, connecting to the broader rail network.
🛒 Daily Life
Medan Damansara commercial hub with Village Grocer and dining optionsPlaza Batai — charming shophouse row of upscale cafes and restaurantsDamansara Specialist Hospital within the neighborhoodPremium professional services catering to affluent residentsPublika mall in adjacent Hartamas for shopping and weekend events
Grocery and Gourmet
Medan Damansara is the neighborhood's commercial heart, with a Village Grocer, numerous restaurants, and essential services. Plaza Batai, a charming row of shophouses, has become a dining destination with upscale cafes, wine bars, and specialty food shops. Ben's Independent Grocer at Publika (adjacent in Hartamas) and Jaya Grocer are nearby alternatives for comprehensive grocery shopping.
📝 Living with the Climate
Elevated ridge position provides slightly cooler evenings and more breezeDense mature tree cover creates natural shade pocketsHilly terrain provides excellent drainage — flash flooding is rareLarge lots support private gardens, pools, and outdoor living spacesMany homes retrofitted with air filtration for haze season
Hillside Advantage
Damansara Heights' elevated position, sitting on a ridge above the surrounding areas, provides a slight temperature advantage over low-lying parts of KL. Evening breezes are more noticeable here, and the dense tree cover around the bungalow lots creates pockets of natural shade that reduce the perceived heat by several degrees.
