Indian expat DR TANUSHKA MELWANI is a conscious parenting coach, consultant and activist. She tells us about her life in Kuala Lumpur, from top coffee spots to entertainment. Find out about her KL condo in Mont Kiara too!
# An overview of your Mont Kiara neighbourhood
Which is your KL condo in Mont Kiara ?
I live at 11 Mont Kiara (“11MK”), located at Jalan Kiara 1.
Closest subway, MRT or LRT station?
None – I wish, though!
What’s a common myth or misconception about Mont Kiara?
That it’s a snobbish expat neighbourhood.
How long have you lived here? Why here?
Almost nine years and counting. When we moved initially, it was to be close to the kids’ school. Even though we moved schools, we love the neighbourhood and don’t want to leave it!
# Out and about in Mont Kiara, KL
When you walk out of your KL condo, what’s the first thing you see?
A gorgeous palm-lined green leafy street.
What’s the closest store to your condo in Mont Kiara?
There are a bunch of coffee shops and a Pilates/yoga studio.
If Jalan Kiara was chosen as a locaton for a film or show remake, which would it be?
Not just my street, but the one-to-two-kilometre radius around us would be a modern Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls.
We’re sure your neighbours are great, but is there anything you wouldn’t mind a little less of?
Traffic and cars!
What’s the unofficial uniform of your street?
Activewear.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever seen on your street?
People jogging in the middle of the street. (I think they forget it’s not a pedestrian street!)
# The best things about living in Mont Kiara
What are your three favourite places to eat or drink nearby?
I love Raft, our neighbourhood coffee and breakfast hang-out. It’s got some amazing bean-to-cup coffee, great outdoor seating with lots of greenery around, and the friendliest staff.
I also like Lisette’s – it’s great for anytime dining, with a mix of cuisine – really quaint and pretty. And Social, the bar and eatery chain which is the easiest pick for a nearby weekday/weekend hangout.
What are the best places to shop at in Mont Kiara?
The 163 Mall just down the street has you pretty much covered – from groceries to spas and salons, and some fun local brands. It’s nice to have a big H&M as well, when you need some trendy high-street wear or for impromptu teenage shopping sprees!
What are some fun or interesting things to do in your neighbourhood?
We now have a small cinema, an ice-skating rink if you’re looking for indoor fun and then the Bukit Kiara trail for the adventurous hikers. Lots of fitness options are available, too, from yoga and Pilates studios to a boxing rave cave.
What’s one thing you’d never change?
The vibe, the location and the view!
How about one thing you would change?
Fewer condo developments, please!
If the city gives you a million dollars to soup up Jalan Kiara, how would you use it?
I would use some of it to create more awareness to stop the cutting down of trees and surrounding forests and then the rest to find a spot to build a park.
# Exploring other parts of Kuala Lumpur
What are your favourite KL spots for taking out-of-town guests?
- I’m fascinated by the stunning Twin Towers; my favourite spot is the Wet Deck at W Hotel to take in the view of it.
- Going for a stroll in the Lake Gardens or a meal overlooking the golf course is always much appreciated.
- The afternoon tea at the Majestic Hotel Orchid Conservatory is always a hit with visitors.
- Changkat, with its street-lined bars and restaurants, makes for a fun night out.
- Shopping at KLCC and Pavillion and taking in the Times Square vibe at Bukit Bintang is also fun and touristy!
When you’re in need of a dose of culture, where do you go?
Chinatown is fast growing into an eclectic street of bars, speakeasys and restaurants. There are some fun walking tour trails for learning about the early days of Kuala Lumpur and the culture and the communities that make KL and Malaysia so vibrant.
If you’re missing home, what do you do?
KL has more than enough rain, which doesn’t make me that homesick, but getting in some Indian street food (dosas, idli, chaats and samosas) on a rainy day satisfies all the nostalgia from missing home.
# Your KL condo: a fact file
- Name: 11 Mont Kiara, popularly known as 11MK.
- Facilities: You name it, you got it. A 50-metre pool, a lap pool, hot jacuzzi, playground and playrooms, tennis, basketball, putt-putt golf, squash, dance studio, yoga studio, table tennis, games room (pool, fusbol and carrom), sauna.
- Size: My apartment is 3750 square feet.
- New or old: About 15 or so years.
- Walking distance to supermarket: Less than 5 minutes (1km).
- Community vibe: A mix of expats and locals, with a community that’s super diverse and represented globally.
If you also love your own KL condo and neighbourhood and would like to share the best of it with others, just email us at contribute@expatliving.net with “Street Talk” in the subject line. Include your name and street, and we’ll be in touch.
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