Living in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia: Tips for Moving and Visiting 2024

If you've been wondering what it's like to live in or visit Kota Kinabalu, the Crowdsourced Explorer community can help. We asked five people living in Kota Kinabalu what someone who is considering moving to or visiting there should know. Here are their pros and cons, tips, and advice:

Recent advice...Amy on Tucson, United States: xHousing is affordable and each area has good infrastructure (grocery stores, dentists, doctors, restaurants). Be prepared to enjoy the heat in the summer! Read more ›

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Recent advice...K on Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei: xThere’s no opportunity for a long-term job. Read more ›

Recent advice...Amean on Shillong, India: xIf you go to Khasi hills, you should go and visit the many waterfalls and beautiful rivers. You will be able to connect with nature in a whole new level.… Read more ›

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Recent advice...Mel on Denver, United States: xIt’s expensive now but a great place to enjoy restaurants, culture, and nice weather close to the mountains. Read more ›

Recent advice...Austin on Melbourne, Australia: xIf you’re moving to Melbourne, check out all the museums and restaurants and markets but be careful when going to Frankston or Dandenong or the inner city at nighttime. Read more ›

Recent advice...Tosin on Ikorodu, Nigeria: xIf you are moving to Ikorodu, especially if it’s inside Ikorodu like Garage or Gberigbe, you have to be cautious and walk briskly. You don’t have to be smiling on… Read more ›

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Recent advice...Cynthia on Richland Center, United States: xThe birthplace of Frank Lloyd Wright and GTE phone company. A great community to live a quiet and peaceful life. Within easy driving distance to excitement found in Madison, LaCrosse… Read more ›

Recent advice...Kenneth on Kansas City, United States: xIf you’re moving to KC you’ll enjoy the worlds best BBQ, world class theater, Super Bowl Champs, and a city filled with night life. Easy to navigate with so many… Read more ›

Recent advice...Eileen on Rochester, United States: xFriendly folks: Rochester, NY is ranked 2nd friendliest city in U.S. and 9th most liveable city in U.S. (2023). Festivals: the world’s largest Lilac collection is celebrated for two weeks… Read more ›

Recent advice...Albert on Accra, Ghana: xMy city is one of the fast growing cities in Africa, the city has various people from various tribes across the country speaking various languages with Twi being the dominant… Read more ›

Recent advice...Kew on Bangalore, India: xBe careful about the areas you stay at, there is an added concern of water shortage during summer, so account for that. Pick a place close to work or visit… Read more ›

Recent advice...Jason on Balsam, United States: xVery peaceful, nature, waterfalls, and friendly people. Read more ›

Recent advice...innocentia on Johannesburg, South Africa: xJohannesburg is a city in South Africa. It is very beautiful and has a lot of places to visit, from museums to botanical gardens, zoos, and cultural food shops. The… Read more ›

Recent advice...Hector on San Carlos City, Philippines: xLiving in San Carlos City, Pangasinan, Philippines is great because it is generally peaceful but the cost of living now is a bit high due to expensive electricity and prices… Read more ›

Recent advice...Lizette on Kimberley, South Africa: xIf you move to Kimberley you should know that the city has water shortages, there is almost never running water for residential use and the roads are horrible. Read more ›

Recent advice...Adebimpe on Ikirun, Nigeria: xIkirun is a very peaceful town with relatively available basic amenities. It has a booming economy all thanks to civil servants and businessmen. Read more ›

Recent advice...Cynthia on Biloxi, United States: xGreat place if you want to live in the 1960’s without the fun hippie part. Lots of old people, casinos, fried food and proud Southerners. Strong sense of family. Read more ›

Recent advice...Dave on Cork, Ireland: xIt’s expensive. Nice people but bad weather. Read more ›

Recent advice...Seeley on Edmonton, Canada: xEdmonton is beautiful in the summer with plenty of parks, pathways and festivals. There are lots of restaurants and the summers are warm, dry and the days are very long… Read more ›

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Recent advice...Yamkela on Bizana, South Africa: xBeautiful nature. Corrupt municipality and no service delivery. Read more ›

Recent advice...Adewale on Port Harcourt, Nigeria: xIf you are moving to my city Port Harcourt, you need to consider power stability because the stability of power is poorly distributed in some areas. There are nice places… Read more ›

Recent advice...Kipmurkor on Nairobi, Kenya: xMoving to Nairobi means immersing yourself in a vibrant city with the unique advantage of having Nairobi National Park at its doorstep, offering incredible wildlife experiences just a short drive… Read more ›

Recent advice...GAUDENCIA on Nairobi, Kenya: xNairobi, the capital city of Kenya, is a vibrant metropolis pulsating with energy and culture. Its bustling streets are filled with a rich tapestry of people from diverse backgrounds, languages,… Read more ›

Recent advice...Jesus on Bongabon, Philippines: xExploring Bongabon, Nueva Ecija: A Journey into Nature’s Paradise As I embark on a new chapter of life, the lush landscapes and hidden gems of Bongabon, Nueva Ecija beckon with… Read more ›

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5 comments on “Kota Kinabalu”

It floods quite often nowadays. Fibre internet connectivity is available in many parts of the city, especially newer developments, and mobile reception is generally okay. Cost of eating out and housing rental often exceeds many areas in Kuala Lumpur.

HELPFUL REPORT

If you are one with great interest in beaches and small city, this place is right for you. Kota Kinabalu is surrounded by a protected marine park comprising of several islands with pristine waters. The diversity of the reefs are a major highlight for those who are enthusiastic about marine heavens. These islands are only 15-20 minutes boat-ride from the city. You can enjoy the wilderness without having to lose civilization.

Kota Kinabalu has a tropical climate. It is multiracial. Nearly everyone here is multilingual and most know some English. The culture is more conservative than a typical western city yet quite laid-back. Seafood here is cheap and there are many delicious dishes available. Kota Kinabalu was previously a British colony and English is more of a second-language than a foreign language.

The people Kota Kinabalu are friendly and helpful, it is also a tourism-friendly city in which it attracts many tourists from far and wide. There are varieties of food to enjoy and many beautiful beaches and attractions. The transportation system is very good and easy to find such as e-hailing, public buses, taxis, mini buses and so on.

For someone moving here, they should know the pro and cons of living in my city. For example, they should know the job market and business environment in your new area, the real estate market and available housing options, the cost of living in a new city, the climate and weather peculiarities in that part of the country and the social and cultural reality in the area.

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Living in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia: Tips for Moving and Visiting

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5 comments on “Kota Kinabalu”

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Living in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia:
Tips for Moving and Visiting