Kuala Lumpur Is Top Global City for Expats
Malaysian capital ranks high because of its cheaper housing costs and low taxes, according to new research.
The skyline of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photographer: Samsul Said
Bloomberg ByAlice Kantor
November 26, 2022 at 1:00 AM GMT+7
Kuala Lumpur is the best city for expats, according to research by US-based language learning app Preply.
People moving to the Malaysian capital can get by on the equivalent of about $1,091 a month, benefitting from low taxes and housing costs. Tbilisi in Georgia, Lisbon, Dubai and Bangkok are also at the top of the list, which focused on factors including affordability, internet connectivity, safety and how hard the local language is to learn.
After the pandemic shuttered offices around the world, more people took advantage of remote worker visas, which surged in popularity and are now offered by more than 30 countries.
Tbilisi ranks second as the best city for expats, according to Preply’s index. The Georgian city is safe, has a relatively low cost of living and offers many attractions. Lisbon, meanwhile, is attractive for its affordable lifestyle, with the Portuguese capital costing about $1,651 a month for expats.
Countries ranked 6-10:
6. Prague: $2254
7. Madrid: $2021
8. Barcelona: $2090
9. Alicante: $1320
10. Montreal: $2074