GARDEN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, MONT KIARA, KL
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Includes brief details on 4 popular international schools and a list of surrounding amenities Malaysian expats would love.

A warm, temperate climate, friendly locals and a vibrant culture make Malaysia a popular place to visit or live in. And we have the figures to attest to this claim – In a 2017 study examining expat experiences around the world by InterNations; Kuala Lumpur was ranked the fourth-best global expat city, thanks to its quality of urban living and little language barriers whereas Malaysia ranked fifth on the ‘Ease of Settling In’ Index, which covers various “soft” factors that can be vital to making a stay abroad a success.
READ: Guidelines for foreigners buying a house in Malaysia

In view of this amazing international support, we compiled a house hunt guide for our expat brothers and sisters, in particular for those who are planning to enroll their children in international schools. Of course, this cheat sheet is also suitable for locals who are researching quality residential options nearby these 4 popular international schools:
One of the most affluent townships in Kuala Lumpur, Mont Kiara used to be a thriving rubber estate. In the 1980s, ‘Condo King’ Datuk Alan Tong started developing the area upon seeing its huge potential.
*The median price PSF for condominiums in Mont Kiara: RM675 (Dec’16-Oct’17).
AMENITIES NEARBY:
- International restaurants – Porto Romano (Mediterranean cuisine), Enoshima Japanese Restaurant & Bar, Bangkok House (Thai cuisine), and Gangnam 88 (Korean cuisine).
- Shopping mall – Plaza Mont Kiara.
- Embassy – The High Commission of India.
- Furniture rentals – Expats Furniture Rental Sdn. Bhd.
1. Casa Kiara 1, Mont Kiara (Monthly Rental: From RM2,200)

Located 1 minute (150 m) away from Garden International School, Casa Kiara is a luxurious condominium developed by Sunway City and Dijaya Corporation. Facilities include:
- Tennis courts, Swimming pool, Playground, Jogging track & Gym
- Multi-purpose hall
- Café & Barbeque area
- Basement car park
2. Vista Kiara, Mont Kiara (Monthly Rental: From RM2,000)

Vista Kiara is a condominium by Asia Quest. The property is 2 minutes (450 m) away from Garden International School. Facilities include:
- Tennis, squash, basketball & badminton courts
- Swimming and wading pools, Playground, Jogging track, Sauna & Gym
- Multi-purpose hall & Barbeque area
- Covered car park & 24 hours security
- Salon, Nursery & Minimart
- Clubhouse & Recreation lake
3. Mont Kiara Pines, Mont Kiara (Monthly Rental: From RM2,300)

Located 9 minutes (2.6 km) away from Garden International School, Mont Kiara Pines is a condominium by UEM Sunrise Berhad. Facilities include:
- Tennis, squash & badminton courts
- Swimming pool, Playground, Jogging track, Sauna & Gym
- Multi-purpose hall, Barbeque area & Minimart
- Covered car park & 24 hours security
- Recreation lake & Lounge
MARLBOROUGH COLLEGE MALAYSIA, ISKANDAR PUTERI, JOHOR
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Iskandar Puteri is a city in Johor Bahru, a district located in the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia. It’s well known because of EduCity (where many international universities like the University of Reading are located) and tourist attractions like Legoland Malaysia.
*The median price PSF for terrace homes in Iskandar Puteri is RM391 while the PSF price for serviced residences is RM520 (Oct’16-Sept’17).
AMENITIES NEARBY:
- Transportation – Puteri Harbour connects people to many destinations in Indonesia. The Malaysia – Singapore Second Link is the nearest route to Singapore.
- International restaurants – New Zealand Unlimited (New Zealand cuisine) and Spice Grill (fusion and authentic Indian cuisine).
- Shopping malls/grocery – Medini Mall, Citrine Hub, and Jaya Grocer.
- Furniture rentals – Cort Global.
4. Setia Eco Village, Eco Garden, IP (Monthly Rental: From RM1,300)
Setia Eco Village is a green township featuring 2-storey terrace/link houses developed by SP Setia. The property is 15 minutes (14.3 km) away from Marlborough College Malaysia. Facilities include:
- Fitness corner, Jogging track, Badminton hall, Basketball court & Playground
- Adventure park & Barbeque area
- Covered car park & 24 hours security
- Nursery
MORE: I almost got scammed! Here’s 4 steps to spot a rental con
5. One Sentral Serviced Residence, Iskandar Puteri (Monthly Rental: From RM1,100)

Located 7 minutes (6.2 km) away from Marlborough College Malaysia, One Sentral is a serviced apartment by Country View Resources Sdn. Bhd. Facilities include:
- Wading and swimming pools, Pool deck, Gym & Sauna
- Sky Lounge & Landscaped garden
- Covered car park & 24 hours security
- Restaurant, Minimart & Laundrette
READ: 9 Damage-free ways to add a personal touch to a rental
FAIRVIEW INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, BAYAN LEPAS, PENANG
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A town in Penang, Bayan Lepas was once an agriculture area until its rapid development in the 1970s. It’s home to the assembly plants and factories of multinational firms such as Hewlett-Packard, Intel, Dell, Motorola and Bosch.
*The median price PSF for residential properties in Bayan Lepas: Semi-Detached Homes: RM495; Condominiums: RM500 (July’16-Oct’17) and Terrace Homes: RM558 (Dec’16-Oct’17).
AMENITIES NEARBY:
- Transportation –The Penang International Airport, the Second Penang Bridge and the Rapid Penang bus service.
- International restaurants –Azuma Japanese Restaurant, Daorae Korean BBQ Restaurant, and Victoria Station Bayan Baru (American cuisine).
- Shopping malls/grocery –Queensbay Mall, Sunshine Square, D’Piazza Mall, and Mayang Mall.
- Embassy: The Dutch Consulate.
- Furniture rentals –Elmod Furniture Rentals.
6. Skycube Residence (Monthly Rental: From RM1,000)
Skycube Residence is a mix of luxurious condominium and landed residence (3-storey semi-detached) by GSD Land. The property is 6 minutes (2.3 km) away from Fairview International School. Facilities include:
- Swimming pool and deck, Playground, Jogging track, Gym & Sauna
- Reflexology path & Barbeque area
- 24 hours security
7. Solaria Residences (Monthly Rental: RM1,600)
Located 12 minutes (6.9 km) away from Fairview International School, Solaria Residences is a serviced condominium by Ideal Property. Facilities include:
- Swimming pool, Playground, Gym & Basketball court
- Barbeque area, Multi-purpose hall & Function room
- Basement car park, 24 hours security & Perimeter fencing
8. Dua Villas (Monthly Rental: From RM1,500)
Dua Villas is a housing development featuring 2-storey terraces by Ideal Property. The property is 13 minutes (7.1 km) away from Fairview International School. Facilities include:
- Covered car park
- Park
- Shared swimming pool
SAYFOL INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, KOTA KINABALU, SABAH
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Formerly known as Jesselton, Kota Kinabalu is the capital city of Sabah in North Borneo. Once controlled by the British North Borneo Company, Jesselton was taken over by the British Crown after World War II in 1946.
*The median price PSF for condominiums and terrace houses in Kota Kinabalu are RM558 and RM427, respectively (Dec’16-Nov’17).
AMENITIES NEARBY:
- Transportation – The Sabah State Railway and North Kota Kinabalu Bus Terminal (for long-distance travel to the north and east of Sabah).
- International restaurants – Little Italy, Chilli Vanilla (Hungarian cuisine), Sakagura Japanese Restaurant, El Centro (Mexican cuisine), and Mai Yai Thai Orchid Restaurant.
- Shopping malls/grocery – Suria Sabah, IMAGO Shopping Mall, and Centre Point Sabah.
- Embassies –The Australian Consulate, Consular Office of Japan, Bruneian Consulate General, Consulate General of The People’s Republic of China, Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia, French Consulate, and Danish Consulate.
9. Alam Damai Condominium, Jalan Bukit Padang (Monthly Rental: From RM1,800)
Located 14 minutes (5.9 km) away from Sayfol International School, Alam Damai is a condominium by WMG Holdings Bhd. Facilities include:
- Swimming pool, Playground, Gym, Clubhouse & Multi-purpose hall
- 24 hours security & covered car park
10. Jesselton Condominium, Taman Kim Leng (Monthly Rental: From RM3,000)

Jesselton Residences is a high-end condominium developed by BinaPuri Properties. Located 12 minutes away (5.9km) from Sayfol International School, it is also the tallest waterfront building in the central business district of Kota Kinabalu. Facilities include:
- Gymnasium, Playground, Squash Court & Swimming Pool
- Covered Parking, & 24 hours security
*Note: The PSF data is obtained from brickz.my & the median PSF calculation is derived from all transactions of sub-sale residential properties (according to the specific types in each location) in the respective review periods mentioned.
*Written with Dayana Sobri