Bangkok vs Kuala Lumpur: Which City REALLY Deserves Your Money?

Bangkok vs Kuala Lumpur: Which City REALLY Deserves Your Money?

What’s going on, guys? Quad Lumpa or Bangkok? If you’re thinking of moving to Southeast Asia, then these are the two top cities that always pop up and most people think about and rightfully so. Both cities are amazing, absolutely amazing, but they offer somewhat different vibes. I spend time in both. I absolutely love both. So, I’ll be breaking this down with real life experiences. If you’re new to the channel, don’t forget to subscribe. And if you’re returning, appreciate you. But before you go, hit that like button. All right, let’s dive into it straight away. Um, cost of living. I’m going start with Bangkok. Like Bangkok can be pretty pricey, especially nowadays. It’s not the Bangkok of 10 years, 20 years ago. Um, just life and everything is just getting more expensive and especially for guys from Europe and America. Southeast Asia has always been great budget-wise and good price ranges, but things are getting expensive. and Bangkok and Thailand especially Bangkok has kind of like increased and jumped most other cities in Southeast Asia. So Bangkok slightly more expensive especially in tourist areas again too remember tourist tourists are huge target um there’s a huge target in tourist backs because if you’re a tourist they’re going to charge you more period so there’s going to be a local price and also going to be a tourist price so if you’re thinking of staying longterm not in hotels I’m talking about long periods of time rent can be pretty pricey um in hot spots and well-known spots like Sukenvik I personally if I was going to move to Bangkok I’m going to stay in Sukenvik anyway in the suck area. I absolutely love it. But there’s so many different um areas to stay in that’s going to be a lot more better off price-wise. So, you have to do a lot more research. But again, too, it’s going to be pricey somewhat in depending on location, especially the central location. But a great thing about Thailand, what always sticks out is food is delicious. Not only delicious, it’s cheap. Of course, you can go to highend restaurants in um high-end Michelin places, but generally food is cheap. And also Thailand has some of the best street food in the world which is very affordable as well. As far as KL Kala Loompa, Koala Lumpa is a lot cheaper when it comes to Bangkok rent-wise and also transportation wise. So both two is really really beneficial in Malaysia and um it’s a lot more I’m talking about KL to Bangkok which is just what hour 2our flight maybe less. Um let me know in the comments exactly. Um and you’re talking about quite significant lower rent in good locations. Like for instance in Ko u one of my friends lives literally in a central location and it’s it’s I would say about $400 cheaper than one of my friends that lives just a little bit outside of the Sucken area. And in KL food is affordable. Food is delicious. Um, it’s cheaper. Um, but it’s more of a eating out. Um, in KO, eating out is a lot more common than it is in Bangkok. Of course, you can eat out everywhere. I’m talking about more people in Bangkok, people eat out, cook, so on so forth. K, everyone’s going out to eat more more of a thing. So, you’re going to have to budget on eating out a lot. I mean, so basically, it just depends. Me, I would literally always recommend both. But if you want a a longer period and you want a little bit when it comes to longer period of renting somewhere for a longer period of time then KL you will find it cheaper in tail transport and getting around both cities. Um Bangkok you got the BTS sky train and the MTR uh which is great very affordable get you around but it doesn’t cover everywhere. So depending where you go you might not be able to get there. So, it’s not it’s great to where you can get to, but there’s some places that it doesn’t cover, but still very affordable. Traffic is absolutely brutal. Southeast Asia Asia period, but Bangkok is one of the most traffic densed and traffic high cities in the world. So, you’re always going to be traffic. I mean, don’t even bother going out in peak time in rush hour. You just going to be sitting on the car, sitting in a taxi, sitting on tuk talk. One thing that’s great about Bangkok, there’s different ways to get around and and you keep it somewhat fun when it’s not super hot like Tuk Talk. So, you can get on Tuk Talk and just maneuver through traffic or jump on a bike, someone on a scooter. There’s some scooter taxi where you just jump on a bike and it’s a little easier to get around, but you’re still going to be traffic period. Um, so these are a lot more affordable ways to get around um the city, which are cool, but touristy again. You know what I mean? in KL. KL just absolutely has a just a a better transportation system and just a lot modern the MRT, LRT, Montreal and you know it’s just a better structured wise as far as transportation and pretty much covers all of KL which is so getting around easily especially if you’re not going to if you’re going to live there for a long period of time obviously you don’t want to rent a car you just move around you you literally can get anywhere you want pretty easily in a sense um don’t think that you’re going to get rid away from traffic you know, there’s going to be loads of traffic, especially during the um peak times in uh rush hour. Loads of traffic as well, but it’s not as dense as much as in Bangkok. Still loads of traffic, but um the the public transportation is very a lot more connected than in Bangkok. So, you can pretty much get anywhere and it’s a lot easier, especially if you want to get to one side to the other. Just get on a train and you don’t have to jump. You don’t have to be sitting in traffic. You know what I mean? Grab works in both cities. Grab is an Asian thing, especially Southeast Asia. Is Grab. Grab is like your Bolt and U and and Uber. Um, some cities have Bolt. I think B Yeah, Bangkok has Bolt because I’ve used Bolt before and and Malaysia has Bolt as well. But I would recommend you just downloading Grab. Grab is super cheap. Well, depending where you’re going, but it’s generally cheap and it’s just easy to get around. Um, and um, I think Grab is a lot more ran better. No disrespect in Malaysia, especially in KO. So, I mean, just transportation, obviously, KO wins because it’s just a smoother system. It’s a lot easier to get around and easy to navigate. Um, Bangkok is you easy to navigate. I mean, once you just get used to it, it’s still both great cities, but if you a newbie or new to Southeast Asia, I always would lean to KO because KO is just easiest to navigate and a lot of people speak English, so you can always get around easier. Lifestyle and vibe. Yeah, Bangkok. I mean, what can I say about Bangkok’s absolutely when it comes to about light vibing vibes? That’s Bangkok. Bangkok’s got pretty much anything under the sun. Anything you can imagine, anything you could dream of, anything you can think of, you got it in Bangkok. Literally, if you your freaky style, your normal side, your adventurous side, your historical side, your cultural side, everything is in Bangkok. Gran’s a great city for everything. But beware, especially if you’re new to Southeast Asia, it can be very chaotic and overwhelming for for newbies. So, if you’ve been there before, like my first time in Bangkok, I was like, “God, whoa, what’s going on?” But once I settled in a couple of days into it, I was like, “Man, actually, I actually really like the city.” And honestly, I cannot make this up. Bangkok is one of my favorite cities in all of Asia. It’s just it just offers so much. And and what puts it over top for me, and I’m talking about my opinion, is is the food. Obviously the people are great. I mean like you know um the food obviously but the rooftops man the vibes and they have so many amazing rooftops. Not saying KO doesn’t KO has some rooftops as well but I I personally think Bangkok has the best rooftops bars rooftop restaurants just rooftops period in all of Asia. It’s absolutely fantastic. I haven’t been to China so maybe China. You guys from China you can dispute this. I don’t know. I haven’t been to China but I’m talk about everywhere else. Hey. So just vibes why it’s buzzing. It’s constantly buzzing late nights. If you love your partying, if you love just exploring, you just meeting up other foreigners, backpackers, Bangkok’s the place to be. But again, like I said, it can get overwhelming and uh chaotic at times. So if it’s your first time, probably need to, you know, look at somewhere else. So Bangkok will be more like your, you know, your boys or girls night out or goop, you know, having more fun, excitement. Um, again, this is your first time ever going to Asia, great place to start just to for excitement and, you know, party and a little bit of chaos. Um, KL is a lot more calmer um, and more controlled. It’s chilled. Um, of course, you can get your crazy as well. Don’t ever think your KO don’t has crazy crazy has crazy nights, crazy Whatever you think of, you can get in Malaysia as well in Ko, but it’s a lot more controls, a lot more tamed compared to uh, you know, Bangkok. And it’s a great place for um families. So let’s say if you go on family family vacation and you want to start off in fly into a city, I would say go to Kos. A lot more chiller, a lot more family um friendly. Um but also I mean it’s not like families will go to to Bangkok. Well, it’s just a lot more chaos, a lot more busier. So if you looking a more familyfriendly, it’s your first time, I would say KO. KO less chaos. Beautiful cafes, lots of shopping. If you’re into shopping, shopping is clothes. I’m talking about anything, especially clothes, sneakers, and all that stuff. KL a lot more cheaper than than um than Bangkok, hands down. So, if you want to buy I mean anything you want to buy whatever it may be, KL is a lot cheaper. Uh so, if you’re into your shopping, you want to get some stuff, definitely definitely definitely KO. Trust me. Also, amazing local markets. I mean, Bangkok has local markets as well, but um it it’s not as chaotic. Mind you, I’ve been to some amazing food markets in in Bangkok, and they actually be super dope as well. Um so, both have markets, but um a lot more chilled markets. So, um like I said, if you’re a shopping freak, shopping lover, then Kale for sure. Aim for Kale. So, basically depends on your lifestyle. If you want a bit of everything, but also love it, you’re into your party, into your late nights, and 100% Bangkok, you’re going to meet other foreigners, go to travelers, you’re going to just have a time of your life. If you want more chilled, more responsible, fun, then it’s kale. Food and culture. I mean, I’m always torn with this because Thai food is actually one of my favorite the my it’s Italian and Thai is the my two favorite foods in the world. Um, and it there’s there’s obviously a reason why Thai food is so famous worldwide. I’m talking about everywhere I’ve been, there’s always a Thai restaurant. There’s always some kind of Thai whatever. Street food is absolutely delicious, affordable. It’s literally food heaven. If you like, if you’re foodie, this is a great place. Um, from your your social media pictures to just trying different types of foods and different types of spices. It’s just different types of Thai food. I mean, not different types of food. You can still get other types of food obviously, but I’m talking about if you’re Thailand, obviously eat Thai food. Thai food is famous for a reason because it’s absolutely delicious and it’s so flavorable and spicy. But if you in if you’re not into spicy, then you might struggle in the sense, but again too, you can still find places and still eat try food uh Thai food and just tell them to bring down the spice. Also, they have amazing um food food markets, local markets, um whether shopping uh whatever it may be, jewelry, sneakers, all that stuff. But the favorite markets of mine is the food markets. Very affordable um very um diverse in the sense where they you can there’s all kinds of food. I’m talking about all kinds of food. You It would take you a while just to walk around and just figure out what you want to eat because you have so much choice. So, that’s one thing I love about Bangkok is the food market. It’s absolutely amazing and very affordable. So in KL less spicy, not as spicy as Thai food. Um it’s uh what what makes Malaysian food really stand out is because of the the blend. They got the Malay, Indian, and Chinese mesh and blend into the foods into the spices into into their flavors. So if you like you got sensitive taste buds or you want to try different types of taste and stand out taste tastes of foods, then Malaysian Ko is going to do it for you. Um, it’s a very se sit outside culture. So, they have a lot of places where you can sit outside and just eat. Um, there’s loads of food markets. There’s a loads of street food. And one thing I like about street food here in Kos, it’s like um it’s organized street food where Bangkok’s like just all over the place. This is more organized street food. So, it’s kind of like a restaurant, but they have a it’s like street food type thing where they’re cooking outside and you could just sit outside and eat. And one key point, one pro tip, guys, always walk around and look. Wherever you see places where it’s absolutely packed, it means the food is good. It’s just they’re not just sitting there for no reason. Um especially in Ko and Chinatown. Um sometimes you I don’t want it so busy. Go to that place. Trust me, the food is absolutely delicious. So Bangkok food always wins because Thai food always win in my opinion. It’s iconic, very wellnown, super flavor, super spicy. Uh Malaysian food is I if if Thai food is number one, Malaysian food could be is literally a two very close to in most people’s eyes. More chilled, more variety, and a lot more places to eat in Ko. So accommodation and housing. Um again, I always recommend getting apartment like um in a new build type thing, apartment building because apartment you’re going to have a 24-hour groceries, you’re going to have a pool hopefully, and could have a gym. So that would be you’re literally reducing a lot of your costs all in one where you don’t have to move around to go shopping. You have to go to get a gym membership or you have to if you like swimming, you don’t have to go get a pool membership type thing, right? You can have allin-one in the building. It might be a lot more pricier than just getting a like a shared um Bangkok’s very known for like shared apartments, right? A lot more cheaper. So again to depend on your budget, but if you can really just spend more, get a apartment where you have more amenities because it will save you money in the long run. But anywhere downtown like in Sucker areas is going to be a lot more expensive. Um, so you have to look at look at going out a little bit more. Or if you looking at Sucken Bay, then you have to be co cool co- living, you know, with you and your friend or you and someone else type things which will make it a lot cheaper. Thing about Bangkok, Bangkok has a lot of amazing condos, apartments, high-rise apartments, absolutely beautiful, but again to be pricey depending where you are and what location or area, right? Whereas KL has a high-end condos, nice brand new apartments could be a it’s a lot more cheaper than in Bangkok. So you can really find something really amazing that has a infinity pool upstairs. Um it has a gym, you know, and it has a grocery store chaos downstairs that’s 24 hours. You know what I mean? So again, I always recommend if you move into a country like that, um spend a little bit more and have something allin-one. I like going to the gym. I like swimming. So I rather have one in my whole building so I can just do that in my whole building. You know what I mean? I can work boom b and do that instead of having to get separate memberships again to depending most gyms in apartment buildings is not going to be great. So if you’re looking for a great gym, then you probably have to go outside. So if you really want like a really nice apartment, really nice condo. Like I said, my friend lived in a condo, two twof flooror condo for half the price of what I was looking at in Bangkok in staying in Sukenvic into a nice apartment. Half the price of that in KO. She was in the center. Had a twofloor condo with a private with a gym with a pool, amazing view for half the price. So, if you want a if you want a cheaper chip up cheaper budget stay and just a balling stay where you can stay somewhere amazing, KL will be your choice. But again, all depends on what you’re after, right? Weather, environment, and safety. So, in Bangkok, um it’s great, safe, um but it’s it’s hotter and dustier. So, especially prime time summer, um and those hot ass days, it can be very dusty and the air pollution is not very good. Um, sometimes you can even see, you can’t really see the sun or at night it gets very cloudy because pollution is pretty pretty high. Loads of bikes, loads of schools, loads of cars, loads of everything, you know. So, the pollution is very high. So, um, bear that in mind. So, air quality is pretty poor. Um, and there’s there’s petty crime. Well, everywhere you’re going to be, there’s going to be a little bit of petty crime. It’s not super dangerous. It’s actually a safe place, safe city. Um, but it’s petty crime in tourist area. And there’s there’s some scams that you have to be aware of. like your Tuk scam or your tourist scam. Um you know tourist activity scams as well. So just bear in mind there there’s going to be some petty crime especially in the high tourist areas. So always be on your P’s and Q’s. KO just as damn hot, just as damn humid, but less pollutions. It’s not as the air quality is not as bad. It’s not as much pollution. U so it’s pretty good for a Southeast Asian country. It’s a lot greener and um it’s a lot it’s a lot greener and it’s a definitely a lot cleaner. Just your streets period is cleaner. I’ll say a lot cleaner than Bangkok. Depends where you go. Bangkok can get dirty, especially the streets. Um whereas K is a lot cleaner. So really, really, really dope and really clean uh city actually. It’s very safe and it’s absolutely great for solo travelers. So, if you, like I said, if it’s your first time solo traveling, you want to go to Southeast Asia, one of your first stop, KO would be great for you because KO is is super safe. Um, everyone speaks English. It’s clean. So, I think it’ll be a good start. Again, if you I would say Bangkok as well because I love Bangkok, but Bangkok is not for everyone. It could be very overwhelming. So, it’s your first time going to Southeast Asia and you want to explore, it could get very chaotic and it could put you off Asia period. And I I that I don’t want for you. So I want because Asia is absolutely amazing and people are absolutely amazing. So you definitely have to explore Asia. So I don’t want you to be overwhelmed. So again, like I said, if you’re a newbie and you want to travel to somewhere Southeast Asia, I would say your first stop should be KL rather than Bangkok. Both are tropical, both are super warm, super hot, both are beautiful. KL is a lot just somewhat cleaner. Well, I’ll say a lot cleaner. um and a little bit more safer. Guys, in the comments, please let me know in the comments if you’ve lived in either. I’m not I’m not saying sorry guys. I’m not trying to uh alienate you guys or eliminate you guys. Not the guys that from there. I’m talking about the guys that have foreigners that have lived in either Malaysia or sorry. So, I’m talking about foreigners that have I’m talking about foreigners that either lived in Bangkok or KO. Please let me know in the comments um what you thought, what the pros and the cons were. Let us know, not only me, but let other people know in the comments, please. So, let me know in the comments what which one was your favorite. Um and why, please. So, my final thoughts, if you want to venture, chaos, and 24-hour high energy, then Bangkok is for you. Um it’s a beautiful city, but it’s a city that never sleeps. Honestly, it’s like the damn Vegas of Asia. something going on and there’s something always going on. Now, if you want more calm, chilled, more balance and affordability, then Kale will be for you. Especially if you want to go for a longer period of time. Like for instance, let’s say if you want to go in 4 months, I would say obviously do both, but just more affordability be more KL. So, I would say spend more longer in KL. So, I would say do one month in Bangkok and 3 months in KL type thing or go half half. Um, it’s better to experience both places anyway. But for know for sure, especially when it comes to accommodation and getting around, you’re going to spend more money in Bangkok, it’s going to cost more than in KL. So again, if you have a budget, a limited budget, then I would say yourself a KO. So guys, let me know in the comments, man. Are you team Bangkok or team KO? Let me know. I want to know. Me personally, okay, me personally, if I had one month, right, I 100% choose Bangkok. I just I just would choose Bangkok. Um, easy for me to easy to get around. Um, especially as a foreign to move to other and explore different places. Um, food is amazing. People, it’s amazing. I’ll choose Bangkok. But if I had longer period of time, if I had two to three months, um I 100% would choose KL because KL is just a it’s just it would be a cheaper stay, more affordable, and it’s just better balance. All right, you can high lows, high lows, high energy, low energy, chilled, and chaos. All of that would be KO a lot more affordable. So you can get someone really nice, stay there for a longer period of time, and still be able to explore Asia. So that’s how I would put it to you. You know, that’s my opinion. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed the video. Um, I try to do this video to give you some more recommendation tips. Um, so you can help navigate all these different places, especially for you newbies that’s going to these places for the first time. You get have a heads up so you’re not blindsided and you know what to expect going forward. So, if you like this video, don’t forget to hit hit that subscribe button, hit that like button. Um, yeah, before you go for show. Till next time. Peace.

Are you considering Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur as your next travel or living destination, but can’t decide which one is better? As a digital nomad, it’s essential to choose a city that fits your lifestyle, budget, and preferences. In this video, we’ll compare Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, discussing the cost of living, cultural experiences, and quality of life in both cities.

From the bustling streets of Bangkok to the modern skyscrapers of Kuala Lumpur, we’ll explore the pros and cons of each city to help you make an informed decision. Whether you’re a foodie, an adventurer, or a remote worker, this video will give you a comprehensive overview of what to expect from these two popular Southeast Asian cities. So, which one is better? Watch until the end to find out!

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