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Aminuddin and Nurliza bought an apartment in the outskirts northeast of Kuala Lumpur. Because it was a little further away (out in the boondocks actually), the price was super attractive. “Time will always build the neighbourhood,” they thought and besides, the nearest amenities were just a short drive out.
Not a problem, they had said to each other. “We liked the masterplan for what would eventually be a bustling township,” says Aminuddin; but it was the decent-sized unit with three bedrooms at bargain price that got them – about “20% below market price”; plus, they loved the facilities like the swimming pool, gym and sauna too.
Aminuddin and Nurliza who were expecting their first of four children both had a career and were unfazed by the mortgage when they were moving in.
“Our plan was to stay here for a maximum of two or three years, then rent the unit out while we upgraded to a landed property nearer to where my husband was working. We really didn’t expect to still be here by the time Aini turned eight,” explains Nurliza who is now a stay-at-home wife. “Looking at government schools and schooling amenities didn’t seem necessary at the time,” she adds.
But plans changed as they often do in life and the upgrade to a landed property did not happen. Aminuddin now runs his family business at a commercial area closer to home while two of their four children are now schooling.
The couple live with additional unexpected costs on transport to and from the nearest school located 20km away. There are no government schools in the area yet as the population has not reached the number required to build one.
The township did not grow as fast as expected and travelling outside of her neighbourhood for decent groceries, baby items or banking services have begun to get tedious. Furthermore, the sometimes-morning, sometimes-afternoon school hours plus Agama School and tuition were proving to be a headache.
The school bus was not always available to send and pick up the children so Nurliza has to do the job instead. With a preschooler to please and a new baby to care for at the same time, driving out for school and errand runs have turned into a daily grind.
The couple suggests that people spend time in the area they are considering moving to. “Really look at all aspects — the available childcare system, schools, retail, food and beverage, banks, etc,” they say. “Visit the grocery stores, see what services are available, where the clinics are, where mechanics are, check out the public transport system, even the parks,” she adds. “Watch people and their children; watch people go about their daily lives in the neighbourhood and really ‘feel out’ the area.”
Stake Out Your Neighbourhood First. Why? Because you’ll never know when you’ll need to rush out to the clinic only to find that there isn’t one available for miles around.
Never decide on making a purchase without visiting the area first. Masterplans set out as beautiful architectural scale models complete with lighting and scenery elements can look very enticing but they are really only an “indication” of what the future could look like (provided all other elements fall into place) and not the guaranteed reality. Townships, especially new ones, take time to grow.
So, before you ask to put a sticker on your chosen unit – Stop.
Ask yourself these all important questions:
- Have you had a look at the place itself?
- Where are the places to eat?
- How long will it take you to get to the nearest banks?
- What is the public transport and school bus system like?
- Where are the nearest schools? Where is the nearest nursery and childcare services? Can you plan a feasible route map for the family’s transport should you be unable to secure public transport/school bus services?
- How far is the post office, petrol station, clinics, mechanics etc?
To ease your search for your dream home, PropertyGuru – New Launches provides a pre ‘look-see’ to readers before an actual location visit.
http://www.propertyguru.com.my/new-property-launch has some of the most engaging reviews on the latest homes in the market. Best of all, these reviews come accompanied by plenty of visuals of the neighbourhood, road connections, maps and amenities distance lists and tables. From the photographs alone, you will be able to gauge if you will be buying into a matured neighbourhood or a new one and how that will work out for your lifestyle.
Do you have a story to share with us on how you choose your first home? Share it with us and stand a chance to win RM10,000!
