Moving to Kuala Lumpur with kids — advice on schools, condos, and commuting

TL;DR:

We’re relocating to KL with my husband and two kids: 12 (Year 7) & 6 (Year 2). Husband’s job will be in TTDI. Considering Sayfol International School and a 3BR condo in Jalan Ampang. No car for now — relying on train/Grab.

Looking for advice on:

- Commuting from Ampang to TTDI

- Suitability of Sayfol and other international or alternative school options

- Finding a family-friendly condo (and negotiating parking fees)

- Tips for expat families starting fresh in KL

Hi everyone!

We’re planning a family relocation to Kuala Lumpur this year, and I’d love to hear from other expats who’ve gone through this.

Our current thinking:

🏫 Schools: Our top choice is Sayfol International School, mainly for budget reasons. Any experiences with it? Thoughts on fees, quality, and environment?

🏠 Housing: Found a 3BR condo called The Atrium in Jalan Ampang that fits our budget.

🚆 Transport: No car for now. Husband will take public transport (train/LRT) to TTDI. We’ll rely on Grab/trains for errands and daily commuting.

Our main questions:

⏱ Commute: Is daily travel from Ampang to TTDI realistic? How long during rush hour?

📚 Schools: Is Sayfol a good fit for expat families? Are there alternative international or private options that are more affordable but still high quality?

🏢 Condo hunting: Tips for finding a family-friendly 3BR? Can you negotiate parking fees if not needed?

🌆 Neighbourhoods: Are there better areas near TTDI suitable for expat families with kids?

💡 General expat advice: Anything you wish you knew before relocating to KL with kids?

We’re starting from scratch and trying to plan realistically. Any advice, tips, or experiences would be hugely appreciated!

Thank you so much 💛