Dear all,
I am planning to move to KL with my wife in a couple of years. I can afford RM 1.5M for getting a property. What projects would you guys recommend for:

1. Investment: good rental return + capital gain

or

2. Living: 2 persons without kids; semi-retired life

New to KL. Your suggestions and info would be much appreciated.

This post has been edited by beleebala: Jul 31 2018, 04:08 PM

Fastest investment - Go genting (big 1 round)

Double your investment in 1 min time.

how old are u?
1.5 M with semi retired?
1.5M is nothing in kl

Depends on whether your RM 1.5m is expendable or not.

Top up another $500k, I stret away sell u something good. No bull.

Expendable. It is meant to be long term investment or a long term living place. Thanks.

Buy the Eco World Semenyih property.

Assuming that if you were to purchase said real estate and that it wouldn't constitute a big portion of your portfolio (less than 20%), I would just look for a landed property (new development projects) for investment.

And for staying I would ask myself if I like gardening or the urban lifestyle first.

For landed properties, do you mean houses? For investment, are they better than condos?

No gardening... hate gardening... LOL

U bot...?

Nothing good below 1.5M? Trying to limit the risk of my first investment in Malaysia.

Based on TS requirement, semi retired life.

I cannot live in Semenyih yet as my work is at the heart of KL. Travelling is hassle. Waiting for the 2 highways to complete

My personal opinion would be, spend 3 quarters of it for your long term home, put the rest into FD or other higher returns investments and take annual trips with the returns.
If I was semi-retired, I would be spending my remaining time travelling the world before I get too old and crumpled to enjoy them.

Hi jAsOs, good ideas. 1.5M is budgeted for the property. I have set aside some money for other expenses and other investments.

I also read some people saying that term deposit could be a better option as the rate could be as high as 4%.

If 1.5M is solely for a property purchase, I would highly recommend getting one for your own stay with half the sum and renovating it with the rest of the money.
And if there is a surplus, then more to spend later.
Either way, it's still adding value to your current portfolio.

Term Deposit and Fixed Deposit are the same product and yes the returns ranges from 4.0% to 4.5% for 12 months deposits.
You may refer to this thread for more information.

IIRC, there is a minimum RM 2mil entry for expats looking to purchase a property here.

This post has been edited by jAsOs: Jul 31 2018, 03:54 PM

So how much do we need in order to survive in Kl if 1.5m is nothing in Kl?

TS not malaysian?

Thanks for the link!

No. I am planning to move to KL from Hong Kong.

can throw into investments with monthly fixed return...
then get a moderate condo... you are fixed for life... occasion do some side business.. no problem even to raise kids...

Important is the 1.5M capital...

It's RM1 mil.



https://loanstreet.com.my/learning-centre/b...-as-a-foreigner

Thanks for the additional info.

Then you check here first:
http://www.mm2h.gov.my/index.php/en/

But he no likey gardening wor...

Assume u're pure hongki chinese descendent, aim landed property. Something you would never be and ever to get in HK. U can stay at Kajang/Cheras/Sunway/USJ for higher concentration of chinese area.

Btw what makes u think of retiring in Msia if i may ask?

1.5 million can get u a big n nice semi D south of KL, not too congested and could enjoy semi retired life

buy a penthouse, enjoy life, enjoy the sky view the skyscrapers

no commitment?
1.5mil for living fee only?
there is a reason i asked about your age
do you have insurance?
do you have prop?
do you have car?
if 1.5M to cover all above and your living fee..and you are semi retired..is a joke man...

This post has been edited by sunami: Jul 31 2018, 05:49 PM

Sorry, my original post was not well written and misleading. I have set aside money for living, insurance, car, traveling, etc.

1.5M is purely for buying a property for investment or living. As I am not sure when exactly I will move here, I am open to places for investment or living.

This is an interesting topic. It really depends on how one live their life. If you live like Rosmah, then sure 1.5m is not enough for a month but 1.5m can be comfortable if one have no liabilities.

Comparing with HK, Malaysia is a very good place for retirement to HK people:
1. cheaper living cost and housng
2. Cantonese or English speaking
3. Easy MM2H requirements
4. Close to HK
5. British systems
6. Warm weather

Of course, there are disadvantages. However, there are disadvantages in all places. The key disadvantages to HK people are:
1. Crime
2. Race-biased government policy

Cantonese is more common in KL & surrounding areas. Other states mandarin is a safer bet. Then again, majority of the other ethnic groups would not understand you. Leaving the urban area, English might not be usable as well, but otherwise you should be good.

Advisable to go for gated & guarded units or high rise, it is not uncommon for robberies/snatch thief to happen right in front of your house.

i don't understand.

say assuming if they utilise 500k to purchase an accomodation, leaving RM1mil capital.

what are the investments with monthly fixed return option available that's fixed for life?
say 4% of RM1mil is approx RM40k p.a.
enough for 2 for life not taking inflation into account?

ok..if i were you..depends on which area you wanna live...
i will say 1.5M i will buy 2 props, one for staying and another rent out

for 2. mont kiara.

new branded landed house with all the fancy landscaping but 40km from KL??. NO! get a condo in prime KL.

seriously don't listen to some of the pipu here. 1.5M is a decent amount.

This post has been edited by corleone74: Jul 31 2018, 08:41 PM

If can go get landed around kv area. Max distance is jadehills kajang North/ as know as Cheras south.

Or manyak new Cheras landed come with gated and guarded too. Seri kembangan, serdang area. All this near Bukit jalil.

Landed got many type. Some type don’t even have land for you to do gardening. The car posh area Enough park 1 or 2 cars. No extra land for gardening.

Buy condo for future appreciation? If in kl and kv. Better buy landed. Unless you got not enough $ then buy condo in kl.

If you bought landed kl or kv after 10 years sure happy. Of coz not so far till semenyih.

If Condo you may cry after 10 years

You are asking a blank here.

Suggest you either spend a month or two here or best, rent a place for 6mths or so, slowly getting use tthe area, talk to people b4 cheong.

I dunno yr financial status and i am not sure of 1.5mil is just a small investment or yr lifetime saving.

Race based gov policy doesnt really affect foreigners especially if you are not citizen.

Yes crime is a concern compared to hk. People here still not reached the maturity of a developed nations. Thats why things are cheaper here.

hong kong move to malaysia ?

stay in Ipoh if you want to continue to fell like you are in HK.
Almost 60-70% is cantonise in Ipoh and our cantonise almost all learned from TVB, so you can hear something similar like "很痛饿，渴Q死我，你条扑街啊"

stay in penang if you want to fell like you are in Taiwan.
majority are speaking hokkian.

let me try to put myself in your shoes:
if i from Hk and going to retire in KL with 1.5m budget, i would:
1) Get a condo at mont kiara, feel like i am in meongdong as alot korea shop and ppl there. send my kid to study in international school to kao korea mui.

2) Get a new landed property at sepang salak tinggi (serenai city,sunsuria city,warison puteri city, greenland) near to airport, so everymonth i can back HK visit relative.

3) Get a landed property at setia alam, abit outskirt but have everything you need inside that town.

I can recommend some investment firm for u if u interested...
yes, split out ur investment... dun invest all in 1.. .put some in bank's FD which is the slowest income.. but 1mil yield quite alot income if u spend modestly...

Cheers...

1.5M? Buy 6 low cost apartment and rent it..you'll get almost fix monthly income every month. let time pass by and one day the property value will be double..

Thanks guys for your advice.

Unfortunately, as a foreigner, I cannot buy any properties less than RM 1M (2M for Selangor). So, the good idea of splitting the 1.5M into two or more properties is not an option to me.

The message "it is a buyer's market" is everywhere on the internet. However, at my recent visit to KL, I did not see big discounts in new off plan developments. Maybe I was looking at the wrong places (MK, Bukit Bintang, Desa Parkcity). You guys are right that I should spend more time looking and studying the market in KL before diving in. I have mixed feeling about Mont Kiara. It is modern and nice. However, the area and roads there are as crowded as in Hong Kong.

Regarding whether the "race-biased" government policy, you might be surprised that this often is the most discouraging factor when HK people consider moving to Malaysia. We have this negative impression about Malaysia for decades and while it does not really affect foreigners, HK people generally have very negative feeling about this, especially after all the anti-government movement in HK making them more sensitive to politics. Many also do not want their children (I don't have any) to grow under such policy.

This post has been edited by beleebala: Aug 1 2018, 09:52 AM

you expect hongkie goes to low cost housing areas to collect rent every month, 6 households?
sure kena bullied kau kau.

there is NO ONE perfect haven in this world. you give some and gain some. Not in Malaysia, not Singapore, not Australia and definitely not in NZL.
I believe Hong Kong has another 23 years (or 33 years??) left before the one country two systems will reverse back to ONE CHINA policy.


The race based policy is more towards protecting the malay race and its religion then anti Chinese. As the local Chinese population is dwelling in the future, expect local Chinese losses more strong grip on politic and economics.

but having said so, nobody is born equally. having lived in such diverse country, you will appreciate there is much more than 'race biased' policy. your children likely to be trilinqual (as Chinese), more tolerance of other faiths and races and will be able to adapt different places better. it will do more good than harm to one child. Also remember, we are now living in a global village.

am very glad that I was born here, and needless to say, also very glad that there is race biased policy. It made me work harder towards my goal, think outside the box and outside the country. I wouldn't change this for the world.

This post has been edited by BEANCOUNTER: Aug 1 2018, 10:06 AM

Those are really prime areas, the prices may be stagnant but it would be hard for price drops unless shit hits the fan.
In fact, all those areas are quite crowded, if you're looking for serenity, expat hotspots may not be what you want.


we just had a change in government, hope it's all for the better. Over the years the sentiment for non race-based policies are getting stronger, but the voice for protectionism is still pretty loud. We can only see how things goes

Get someone to manage leh..if no one can help, i oso can help to manage..6unit x 1k..6k every month..gimme 1k to manage oso no probrem.. 😉

Hi BEACOUNTER, please don't get me wrong. The government policy is Malaysia's own choice / business. As foreigners coming to Malaysia, we should accept the status quo. Otherwise, we should not come. I was basically saying if you don't have such policy in Malaysia, HK people will be rushing in crazy!

Close one eye buy any freehold, fully gated and guarded (beware: real ones...not those boom gates type) in Klang Vallley lah..won't go wrong...no need come to see also....

What are the good areas for gated and guarded? Any project names? Thanks.

if i may.

first and foremost you need to decide whether you prefer highrise or landed.

general perception, highrise better security.

but if you were living in highrise all your life, you may want to try something different?

and again, investment vs own stay does not mix well.

if you are keen to dump all for own stay, rm1.5mil can get you something very decent especially for only a couple living a semi-retired life.

for instance, you may get a landed single storey in ttdi.
or a large built up condo within same vicinity of ttdi like sinaran or ss2 five stone.
these areas are less crowded yet mature giving you the semi retired lifestyle that you may wish to pursue.

cheers!

I think its better if you can get a few agents and tell them the criteria

-freehold
-gated and guarded (with proper perimeter fencing, CCTV, guard patrol etc)
-within 20km to 25km to KLCC
- your budget
-Preferably strata title (because management can enforce the rules under Strata Title Act)

Desa Parkcity is well known for gated and guarded freehold landed. But beware not all are strata titles. Some are individual titles. There are a couple more other developments with lower prices but fit the criteria. Best to get few agents feedback...compare location, designs, 2 or 3 storeys, prices, built-ups, facilities, occupancy etc.

Note: Do not go for those townhouse type where 2 floors share the ground floor. Tell the agents you want proper terrace/link house.

I think Hong Kongers should diversify to other countries. A typical condo in good area in Hong Kong will cost how much? Easily HKD30mil? Thats crazy! And the leases will expire in 30 to 40 years right? Plus the impending 2047....

Great advice! let me check what TTDI is.

A 30 years old 900 sft DSL house in a remote area in HK now probably starts at RM 6M.

Most of the land lease in HK expired in 1997. We have been paying land rents to the government since then. You still own the land, just need to pay land rent.

This post has been edited by beleebala: Aug 1 2018, 01:39 PM

TTDI = Taman tun Dr ismail

1 of the vely nice community with rich uncles aunties

Well preserved in value for props here. U won't regret with the nice park there.

Btw it's much beta than mk. Unless u onli wan tall tall building.

No hard feel. Just tried to explain to you.

IF there is no race based policy there are many things wont be like what is malaysia today. Hongkies may not come also

All nations hav their own fair share of BS

But in malai I trust................. At least now with the new gomen til the day I decide to ahemmm

Interesting, my situation is abit similar. But there are personal circumstances that holding me back to purchase a property in malaysia. Hence i have decided to rent like one of the forummer suggested to get a feel about the area. As in your case, there is no need to rush to buy a property at this moment (personal opinion, as i believe with current property market conditions in a rising interest rate environment will exarcebate the already soft market).

Further more, if you are converting hkd to myr, you are getting a better interest rate return but the direction of exchange rate is anyone's guess.

If you got a few days of free time read through as much threads in the property talk section and you will slowly getting the picture ( i knew i did but i spent almost a year as a silent reader). But some of the short hands they use will really annoy you.

kudos to you for asking in lowyat forum, i believe you will get many valuable info and input here.

David 2017


David, ur tongheung... maybe u could enlighten him a little lol

This post has been edited by tky1993: Aug 1 2018, 03:43 PM

don't yam him...
those low cost walk up apartment in puchong having a hard time to rent out...
for example my downstair neighbour house has been vacant for almost a year still unable to rent out/ get buyer.

collect rent in Malaysia also is a problem if rent to a bad tenant.

With a RM1.5 mil budget - You can get most >1,600 sf double storey terrace house in Kuala Lumpur (RM1 mil threshold) with RM1,000,000, and spend RM500,000 into renovation and make it your castle.

However if you really mind about security, you can get a 1,300 sf condo in One Central Park @ Desa ParkCity with RM1.5 mil, overlooking the beautiful lake.

Thanks for your advice. Is there a crash course for the short hands?


I also like the Desa Parkcity. They will have two new projects right next to the lake next year.

Dcp ok to look for especially if you like pets.

But buy condo at mk area can almost sure burn hand. I knew few foreigner already burn hand liao. Plenty Supply keep pumping in this area. Think twice.

If you like condo living and less dense surrounding, Better look for bangsar or damansara height area. Demand is there. + lrt and mrt is connect to here

If want landed with the budget you have. Better go 6c6c at Cheras, seri kemabgan and serdang area. Next boom boom area.

This post has been edited by HELLO HELLO: Aug 1 2018, 05:31 PM

Listen to your heart as Ang Mo says
At least u won’t regret buying it

People who have at least 2mil above net worth know what they wan,
just pening too many choices .
Relax a bit.... buy Wilayah area lah bro...... KL always d best... city is the best always
foreigner can buy for 1mil, when u see H.K. , Taiwan , property that near to city is the best

This post has been edited by propertymart: Aug 1 2018, 09:40 PM

Search for higher market demand. At Subang got lot of demand especially those near Subang airport. Can easily got tenant meh😃

You can target air stewardess n people work at airport only because surrounding is more industry and housing area, target those property that nearby KL city would be more reasonable and accessible to both foreigners (expat MM2H) , local and cooperate people’s

TS,

I like to read his post always, there is some meaningful article I found
Hope it will helps u on understanding malaysia property
(PS , I m not his friend or whatsoever , just a 好心aunty person willing share some info) hehehe , because I love reading honest review articles, not those blow until ceiling upside down , sorry for my bad English


https://m.facebook.com/drvictorgan/

You may google , the edge property too, it’s a more cooperate property column

https://www.edgeprop.my

This post has been edited by propertymart: Aug 1 2018, 09:27 PM

Hi beleebala,

If you enjoy golfing, maybe can consider Bukit Jalil or TTDI. There is a golf course in Bukit Jalil itself.
Nearest golf course to TTDI would be KLGCC (forgot new name) Tropicana golf course. Both about 15mins drive maybe.

Other area in my mind would be Taman Desa or Seputeh. It’s not too distant from Bangsar actually. Driving to Mid Valley takes about 5mins.

For city living, klcc area. I find the price of bukit bintang development absurd, make klcc secondary market a bargain. Many hk expat live around Hampshire (5 mins walk to klcc). For new development - Aria@KLCC which is next to Singapore embassy.

Desa Parkcity. Slow pace and many green. You can check some unsold unit for Westside 3 at developer sales office.

For dpc with 1.5m budget I would suggest landed lo

Nego gao gao for pool front Adora maybe can get 1.5m

Gd luck dide

Very good and detailed info sharing!

Good ideas. I have already visited the sales office for Westside. They are currently selling South Brook and some remaining units at the Westside 3.

What do you guys think about Bangsar South?

if you chose a good project... well connected and very convenient up and coming city center at the south... more and more MNC going in... but its a concrete jungle la... definitely not those semi-retired scene there... alot more expats around there as well... but malls and good eateries are within reach....

DPC is abit secluded located at the edge of north kl area. Kiaptong area. Within DPC itself is nice township. Not outside.

Bangsar south more center of whole klang valley area. Especially kl area. Near to mature and weathy township bangsar, seputeh Midvalley and PJ. Lrt train connected.
Almost no toll road. And easy access to highway. The area Just may become concentrate jungle. Another jialat MK

If got budget better go for bangsar (real bangsar). But not bangsar south. Bangsar south is just a bangsar wanna be.

This post has been edited by HELLO HELLO: Aug 2 2018, 03:31 PM

TS is from hong kong.

Born with living in concrete jungle lah....

Perhaps TS should let us know

1. What environment you are looking for.
2. How you would like to drive for groceries food and etc
3. How important is public transporr system
4. How you like to live within the city, kuala lumpur
5. Is walking distance to chinese eateries a must or non important

Bangsar South is a ict hub. I feel it’s not a nice place for retirement. But rental is much easy as there are plenty working class expat here from IT field. For own stay my choice of condo is Centrio (ytl) or Andalucia.

The rest of the UOA condos are badly executed with all sharing similarities in terms of design and cheap material used - can consider invest if low entry but don’t expect executive level in your tenant profile. I think at majority are working class expats.

This post has been edited by sosobear: Aug 3 2018, 12:21 AM

I like your condo suggestions. Centrio is really nice with their Duplex and triplex concepts but for retirement personally I would avoid stairs... Andalucia would be my preference as it is low density and has large built up sizes.

IJM also has some new offerings TS can consider which is Inwood & Secoya at Pantai Sentral Park just 5 minutes away from Bangsar South. It's more peaceful with fresh air from the forest on that side. Better for retirement than the offices part which is forever congested.

Yes you’re right. Havent thought of stairs 😅

What do you guys think about Kenny Hills? I note that it is very low density, good location but the price per square feet is rather low comparing with all the other hot locations. Why is it not hot?

Good questions. I am asking myself these questions as well.

1. Close to city but not as crowded as MK.
2. Driving no problem
3. This one I don't know as I don't know KL well enough. Can you live with just public transportation in KL? We can (have to) do that in HK.
4. I am ok with city but again, just not as dense as in MK.
5. Driving is OK

I am looking into semi-retirement, but I am still in my 40's so I still want to do a lot of activities.

Thanks guys for your advice.

one thing for sure, city to city comparision, no area in kul will be as densed as HKG.....
at worst, maybe part of KUL will be like SG.

If MK is out, and you don't mind living in highrise, I can say try to look at the following areas

1. KLCC vicinity - roomy environment, poshy area (as far as Malaysia is concerned, walkable distance to train station.
2. Bukit Bintang - a bit of old charm, access to local Chinese food (imbi, pudu), walkable distance to train station.
3. desa park city - well received by expatriates, mixed of landed and highrises. BUT no train station within walking distance.
4. Damansara heights City- newly built area for highrises. walkable to train station. Posh area. landed there are for VIPs and mostly landed.

5. Bangsar - mixed of landed, new and old highrises. Unless you choose one that close to train station, otherwise still need to drive.


I wont list down building or project names here, There are just too many. you need to look at the map, and go there do your due diligents or call up agents and ask them to take you there.


seriously i wont consider any other areas beside the above. the rest of areas are more local escentric. Petaling Jaya and Subang also good for ownstay but this is because i can associate with these areas, but i am not sure about foreigner.


happy hunting

p/s - just a side note - personally one cant live with just train services in KUL or Klang Valley. Malaysia is a wider place and many interesting places you still need to drive or more pleasant if you drive. But live next to train station can take some of the edges off your daily routine. You stiill need car for weekend or occassionally weekdays runabout.

Mont Kiara is a good area. You want to have a flexible unit which you can use for own stay, and would be able to sell when required. So MK is crowded as you said is actually good. I did not see MK as a crowded area, but a good area which is still undervalued. Good project is still available there anyways.

This post has been edited by Syahrim Naim: Sep 2 2018, 08:40 PM

I've a similar background to the OP having lived previously in HK before coming to KL under MM2H and then buying property. My advice would be to land in KL first and try and rent a short term lease for 6 months to really get to know the different areas first.

As the property market is pretty depressed currently its a good time to buy but there's no huge rush as it'll take time before it picks up with the oversupply despite oil prices rising. Key things to note is the currency exchange as assume the OP is converting from HKD, the cap gains tax in the first 5 years and other local laws with purchasing property (as well as the fact that it can often take 6 mths to complete in Malaysia).

Personally, I like the KLCC area as it's close to the centre of everything and coming from living in much more densely populated cities I don't feel overcrowded. As I don't work traffic is not a problem as I'm usually going against the flow.