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Charterhouse Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
BritishA-LevelsIGCSE
Ages 13–18
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KL's most famous expat hub with a distinctly international feel. Home to Garden International School, Mont'Kiara International School, and the French School of KL, offering the densest concentration of international school options in the city.
Monthly temperatures, rainfall, and sea conditions
Monthly family budget estimates (USD)
A 2-bedroom condo in an older Mont Kiara development, a mid-range international school or homeschooling, local food with some Western dining.
A 3-4 bedroom condo in a newer development like Seni or Verve, established international school such as Mont'Kiara International School or Garden International School, a car, full-time helper, and active social life.
A luxury penthouse or large landed property, premium international school fees for multiple children, driver, live-in helper, country club, and extensive dining and travel.
Mont Kiara is KL's most established expat neighborhood with pricing to match. The high concentration of international schools, Western-style condos, and imported goods creates a cost of living higher than the KL average but still affordable by global expat standards.
Average monthly AQI (US EPA scale)
Yearly average AQI is 68. Best air quality Jan–Dec (best: Dec at 52). Sep–Sep air quality worsens due to heat, humidity, and dust (peak: Sep at 112). Families with children who have asthma or respiratory conditions should plan indoor activities during summer months.
Mont Kiara is the first neighborhood that comes to mind when people think of expat living in KL. The concentration of international schools, Western-style condos, imported grocery stores, and English-speaking services makes it the easiest soft-landing destination for families new to Malaysia. The downside is that it's possible to live in a comfortable bubble without deeply engaging with Malaysian culture.
Mont Kiara sits at the foot of the Bukit Kiara forest reserve, giving residents direct access to one of KL's best trail networks. Multiple trailheads are accessible from the neighborhood, including entries from Kiara Park and behind the Mont Kiara Palma condo. Weekend trail running and mountain biking are popular with active expat families.
Mont Kiara occupies a strategic position between the KL city center and the northwestern suburbs. The Penchala Link and Sprint Expressway provide highway connections, and the Jalan Duta toll plaza gives access to the DUKE highway heading east. However, Mont Kiara's internal road network was not designed for the density it now accommodates, and traffic congestion during peak hours is the neighborhood's biggest complaint.
Mont Kiara has excellent grocery options catering to its international population. Village Grocer at 163 Retail Park and Jaya Grocer at 1 Mont Kiara stock extensive imported goods from Korean, Japanese, Western, and Indian pantries. Several Korean grocery stores along Jalan Solaris stock authentic Korean ingredients, snacks, and ready meals. For budget-friendly local shopping, the wet market near Segambut offers fresh produce at local prices.
Mont Kiara shares the same equatorial climate as the rest of KL — hot and humid year-round with temperatures between 23C and 33C. The dense condo development creates some urban heat island effects, with areas between tall buildings retaining heat more than lower-density neighborhoods.
