Here are Malaysia’s most popular residential neighbourhoods, ranked according to consumers’ search behaviour data compiled this year.
Most will say you only live once, but at some point, it’s time to go home and be with loved ones. There is no denying home is where the heart is (and where the wifi connects automatically). Now, the makings of a great home may be personal, from property type to size. However, location especially plays a huge factor among home buyers. After all, you’re not just purchasing a house, you’re buying your way into the neighbourhood as well.
This year, iProperty has compiled the top 10 areas which recorded the highest number of searches (site-wide) among home seekers who visited the site from January-November 2018. The search data is captured by iProperty’s big data solution, and for each area, the popularity weightage is displayed in terms of percentages (%).
These residential hotspots are brimming with unique history, great transportation infrastructure and more shopping malls than one would ever need. So, let the countdown begin!
#10 JOHOR BAHRU
Percentage of searches: 6.5%
Coming in the tenth spot is Johor Bahru. Did you know that the capital of Johor is named after jewels or “Jauhar”, it’s Arabic translation? Burgeoning with wealth, job opportunities and massive development projects, Johor Bahru has always been a favourite among property hunters.
Not to mention, the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) which is slated for completion in 2024, will bring forth many impactful changes with positive multiplier effects. This rail line will help to reduce traffic congestion along the Johor Causeway by up to 15%.
#9 MONT KIARA
Percentage of searches: 7.15%
You can’t get more atas than this posh neighbourhood and you can’t find a place more centralised either. With a location to die for, Mont Kiara is surrounded by numerous major highways including DUKE, NKVE, Penchala Link and Kerinchi Link. Its residents love the convenience of having everything within easy reach in just one area.
#8 AMPANG
Percentage of searches: 8%
Ampang was historically a tin mining town. Today it boasts some of the most glorious views of Kuala Lumpur. Also, it is a mecca for food. It doesn’t matter if you want to splurge a bit or save money – RM1 doughnut from Donut Gebu Al Jabbar, anybody? Or how about Roti John from Big Eat Kitchen? Sorry, we lost our train of thought for a moment there. Be right back, gonna head to Ampang for a snack. (Sigh, if only we lived there!)
#7 KUALA LUMPUR CITY CENTRE
Percentage of searches: 8.2%
Kuala Lumpur’s city centre (not to be confused with KLCC) is also known as the Golden Triangle which roughly covers the area north of Jalan Pudu, south of Jalan Ampang and west of Jalan Imbi and Jalan Tun Razak. It also includes Bukit Bintang, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan P. Ramlee and the entire KLCC area.
Sure, the traffic jams here are a killer but according to our data, quite a large number of people feel that the benefits of living in the city centre far outweigh the less than desirable commuting experience. For business or leisure, the city centre has everything one needs – from thriving nightlife spots to cheap and tasty hawker food. KL city centre is a place we love to hate and hate to love but there’s no denying that we’d move there if we could, no questions asked.
#6 DAMANSARA
Percentage of searches: 9.6%
Damansara may be a suburb located within Petaling Jaya, but it is a city in its own right. Known as one of the most densely populated areas in Malaysia, it has numerous townships within, including Damansara Perdana, Damansara Heights, Kota Damansara, Ara Damansara and Bandar Utama.
This hot suburb has a lot going for it, with parks, gardens and perfect little cafes – there’s no shortage of places to hang out in. Meanwhile, Uptown Damansara is a thriving commercial hub which houses numerous MNC companies. Shopping is easy-peasy too with so many malls within driving distance such as The Curve, One Utama and The Starling Mall.
#5 SUBANG JAYA
Percentage of searches: 10.28%
Densely populated, Subang Jaya has everything prepared for a home-seeker especially if you’ve got young ones or you’re starting a family. It is especially known for its bounty of schools and well-known higher education institutions. Pretty much everything can be within walking distance in Subang’s most popular areas; malls, food, entertainment – you name it, you got it.
Subang Jaya started out with a cluster of houses built between Federal Highway and Shah Alam Expressway (KESAS) in the late 1970s. This area which now consists of SS 12 to SS 19, is spread across central Subang Jaya. Today, it covers a larger area of the original SJ township, UEP Subang Jaya (USJ) and Putra Heights.
#4 SHAH ALAM
Percentage of searches: 10.56%
People are seeking a home in Shah Alam, and here’s why; this beautiful city is Selangor’s state capital and it’s got a life of its own including family-friendly attractions and shopping hotspots. Shah Alam is also known as the City of Digital Lights thanks to iCity, a 72-acre expanse decked with lights, ice sculptures and activities galore.
The fun doesn’t stop there, residents have access to exciting activities such as rock climbing, paintball, cultural events and book communities. And yes, you can cafe hop in Shah Alam.
#3 PETALING JAYA
Percentage of searches: 12.29%
Did you know Petaling Jaya was only dubbed as a city in 2006? It’s hard to imagine because this place is home to Sunway Lagoon! Almost everyone has been there at least once and we keep going back, no matter how old we are! Okay, so home seekers probably didn’t have Sunway Lagoon on their minds when searching for their dream home, it is probably because of other pull factors such as attractive property prices, numerous amenities and lots of makan place offering tasty, local fare.
#2 PUCHONG
Percentage of searches: 12.35%
A few years ago, Puchong being the #2 most searched place in Malaysia would have come as a surprise. But not today. With vast improvements in its transportation infrastructure coupled with new townships being introduced by various developers, Puchong is now much more attractive to home seekers.
#1 CHERAS
Percentage of searches: 15.07%
Visitors would be amazed as to how many ‘tamans’ there are in Cheras. At every turn, you are bound to bump into a signboard displaying a dozen Taman names. It’s official, people are crazy about Cheras! There’s definitely something special here; could it be IKEA? Or maybe it’s their famous Pasar Malam at Taman Connaught? Maybe it’s all those tamans! We might have an idea why almost everyone wants to be right there to be in the middle of it all.