Need advice on finding safe and affordable accommodation (as an international student)
Hello everyone! I am a prospective student at UTM (KL campus) for a Master's program. I have been looking for accommodation for a while now on sites like PropertyGuru and iBilik. My initial plan was to secure an on-campus hostel room. However, I either didn't get any reply or was told that all rooms are currently booked. So, I started looking outside of campus.
My requirements are: a single room with a private bathroom, cooking facilities, and a well-lit, well-ventilated space. My max budget is RM800, inclusive of utility bills. Even though I've shortlisted a few properties, I'm hesitant to reach out and commit because:
- I'm not sure whether the owners/agents are credible.
- A lot of properties mention tenancy preferences that exclude my race. I don't want to judge people without knowing where they're coming from, but I felt bummed out.
- I am a women and that means I have to be extra cautious of safety and security of roommates, property, the neighbourhood.
- Commute distance is a big issue for me because of my tight-budget. I am trying to figure out which area will be well-connected location.
- I'm a quiet person and very protective of my privacy, but I really value communities and connections that are open-minded, kind, and respectful. I don't have any dietary restrictions. In fact, I travel solo whenever I get the chance to explore food, places, and culture. I steer clear of drama, and I'm an organized, level-headed person. I'm coming to Malaysia with the ambition of building a career in the Southeast Asian market, and I intend to work a remote job while studying.
If you've read this far, thank you so much for your attention. Now, I'd love to hear your advice on how to approach the accommodation search in Kuala Lumpur. I have one month before I arrive in KL.
P.S. If you see this post in Malaysia-focused subreddits, please don’t assume it’s spam because I am trying to get advice from as many people as possible to make a decision faster.
Posted Aug 13, 2026, 4:52 PM UTC