I wonder what's the most "strategic" place to rent a condo when I start work in Shah Alam near Hicom? I'm single, male, late twenties, have my own furniture, and have a budget of RM800 - RM1000.

I was told USJ 1 would be good, but there are no condos there and the place looks dead. Someone else said SS2, but again, no nice condos as far as the eyes can see! My neighbour says to try Bandar Puteri in Puchong, and I did drive around there last night, but I did not like what I see. The best option I've found is a studio apartment for RM900 (unfurnished) in Ridzuan Condo in Sunway, but the place must be super high density because of all the students (6 of them in a unit) no?

What would you suggest? Something no further than 20 mins from my workplace at peak hour yet lively with lots of hip young people; quiet and secluded are nice extras. I know it's asking a lot.

Thanks for the suggestions. This is near the proton factory in shah alam.

I went down to look at Ridzuan Condo at Sunway just now. zzztreme is right: It's a big mess over there.

I also tried locating Ara Damansara Condo, but somehow it eluded me. I used a GPS, but still couldn't find it.

Wow, I looked at iproperty listings, and condos in the damansara/tropicana/subang ss15-16 are are all well above the 1k mark. Very expensive.

I spent a few hours yesterday looking at some of the locations suggested in this thread. I went to Seri Hijauan, and it looks like a very sad place. There are some really nice bungalows deeper inside, but the condo itself looks to be in need of upkeep. Also, the area is pretty dead and ugly.

I went to Subang Andaman Condos, except it isn't there yet. Due for completion in 2012. There were a few condos near it, and they all look much better than Seri Hijauan, but nothing really grabbed me.

Thereafter I went to The Lakes Condominiums next to the lake at Bukit Rimau. Beautiful. It is an older condo, but obviously lovingly kept. Unlike other condos, I was able to just walk in, and spent some time inside. I like the place very, very much. I like the fact that it is low-rise, that the surroundings at Bukit Rimau is easy on the eyes, that there is a very nice township with good shops very near by, and how the units seem very well kept. Unfortunately it is a touch expensive at about 1.2K for a 900 sf condo. There doesn't seem to be anything smaller. No studios.

So here's a change of plans: I think I want to rent a whole house at Kota Kemuning. I found one at RM850/month for 4 BRs situated 8 km from my future workplace. 2000 sf.

DS link houses seem to go for 700-1000 in Kota Kemuning. Seems like the most cost-effective option right now, though living in a whole house all by myself sounds strange.