KL's Best Magazines for Expats

Right, here's a post I have been planning for a while - a quick summary of the main expat magazines in KL and what they have to offer.

To me, there are three to consider:

1) The Expat

The Expat is a great magazine, but to me has a pretty focused target group(s). If you are new to KL, I could not recommend it more - it talks a lot about the best schools, gives good insight into places to live and shop/eat, and about expat-required services. I found it very useful in the early days. However, once I had been in KL a while, I kind of got bored with it. Apart from what I already mentioned, it mainly looks at social life for older people, not so much my target group. The exception to this comment is if you live in Penang. I love Penang, and holidayed there as much as I could, but never once met an expat who lived there. However I believe there is quite a large group, and The Expat magazine really caters to them well by having numerous columns on happenings in Penang, and the social scene, which seems mainly to cater to retirees.

2) Expatriate Lifestyle

Expatriate Lifestyle is the second on the list. Unlike The Expat, it is not free, but frankly from the few times I read it, I can't say it offers a whole lot more to justify the expense. It is a fun and well-made magazine for sure, but covers a lot of the same ground, perhaps with a slightly more social-life focus, and thus would be a drawcard for some. It is certainly worth a read, but even though I was initially keen to subscribe, once I found out it actually cost money, I decided to stay with The Expat.

3) Timeout KL

Timeout KL to me is the winner by a country mile. As said previously, if you are new to KL, you really need The Expat as it is a fantastic source of info for new people in town. But if you are a seasoned expat, then for me, Timeout is the only way to go. It covers all aspects of getting out and about - shopping, things to do, eating at all ends of the budget spectrum, kids activities, and general chit chat about KL life. Plus it focuses on individual suburbs on a monthly basis, which is really great when you're looking for somewhere new to try.

My vote for best expatriate magazine in KL goes squarely to Timeout KL. I thoroughly recommend you pick up a copy and find some great new bars, restaurants, malls or places to visit for your weekends off!

Ah.... KL. How I miss you. I left in early June, after spending most of the previous 8 years there. I do miss the place. Have a Tiger for me...