Ok, let's say an apartment is U shape.

-------------- Block A
|
| Block B Sea
|
-------------- Block C

Ok, let's say

Block A
a) facing outside - will look at seaview with morning sun with low cost flat view at left
b) facing poolview - will look at Block C with seaview at the left (afternoon sun)
Block B facing pool + direct sea view (side view of Block A and B)
Block C
a) facing outside - afternoon sun with low cost flat view at right, seaview left, and direct is some terrace house
b) facing poolview - will look at Block A with seaview at the right (morning sun)

Which one is the best?

I pick Block A option a)

but in reality, I see people avoid that. It actually have a river running in front of it. They afraid
the river got smell (the river is very poluted). Will you choose again?

This description is like one of the projects I worked on.
Unless there are local conditions not described here,

Block B fronting sea will be the best units with premium built into price.

Reasons ( very obvious)
-Will not kena morning sun or afternoon sun.
-Units facing south, the favoured direction of those feng shui freaks
-View of pool and sea, minus view of low cost flat...high risk of unkempt conditions.

Yes, block B command higher pricing. But it is not 180% view of sea at balcony.
The unit command the highest price is corner unit facing the sea of Block A and C.

By the way, the Block B is facing South East. Not south. Do you think higher level
of Block A facing outside (level 20 for example) will be a better view?

I personally bought a unit at Block C facing pool with morning sun. I think I'm able
to see the sea if I look at right side at the balcony. But I assume its quite a boring
view because I'll see the Block A first in the living room.

It's kind of difficult to assess views from whatever brief description given here.

Generally, things to consider in choosing your unit:

-Look at developments( existing and planned) around/outside of the condo/apt..Are they going to block your view? Ask for platform level of your blk. Add + - 10ft per floor.
-How far( clearance in terms of ft/m) is Block A from Block C ?
-Clearance between end of Blk B to Blk A/C...units at end of Blk A/C adjacent to ends of Blk B may be too close for comfort.
-How far is the boundary of project from Bldg Blks?..Blk B being in Middle of scheme should be safer...probably better surrounding landscape .

How near/far is sea from the project?. Your current unit with pool view + sea view at an angle shld be better than Blk A outside unit with sea view only,esp if the sea is quite a distance away. But have to check your clearance between Blk A and C.

My own preference in respect of views of pool and sea. All other things being equal, pool view is better at lower units ( vis-a-vis) upper floor units.
The reverse applies for units with sea view.

Anyway, What is important is to see what is the preference of occupants of the units in respect to features in the unit. What is good for 1 person may not be so for another person.

This is a waterfront project. This is the map --> Click here



I would say mid floor is good for pool view. But lower unit is quite noisy. I got myself a higher unit.
It might be a mistake. But I hope to get a better view of the sea at higher floor.

---

Added on March 28, 2009, 11:33 pmTHe reason is, after the sea is land with building lights. I hope to see the sea and the building at the land after the sea.

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Added on March 28, 2009, 11:38 pmBy the way, a unit next to lift, will it be noisy? Should noisy lift be a concern?

This post has been edited by gogo2: Mar 28 2009, 11:38 PM

I can't find the plot size from IJM's web site.From the plans, the project site looks quite tight. There's some mention of building commercial plots in front of the promenade where end of Blk A & C are. Can I assume the commercial plots & the promenade are accessible to public?
Check proposed traffic flow...are u going to have heavy traffic flow right at the road below your unit?

Are you a light sleeper who will be affected if those lots are occupied by entertainment outlets with their super powerful loudspeakers?

It appears that Blk A and C are aligned directly in front of each other. You are right that you may be looking straight into unit at opposite blk. From pespective drawing, the blocks look quite close. If u hate feeling claustrophobic, yes corner unit in BLk A looking towards east may be a better choice.

The sea here looks like some kind of bay. Notice a river flowing (somewhere due north) into the bay. Is the bay like real waterfront...or just some polluted stream that carries garbage into the sea?

U mentioned something like level 20 & above..that means the upper most level. I would avoid roof top level due to potential inconvenience from roof
leaks and birds nesting...unless they have 2 level roofing which is unlikely due to cost factor


Also top floor level that's where the lift motor room is...and also other mechanism like the water tank....
If you are hyper sensitive to noise , avoid units near lift shafts.

Check garbage collection system...if it is central disposal centre at every floor, chances are it is near the lift lobby...additional reason to avoid these spots.

Wrong if u assume higher floors will be quieter. Noise travels upwards. units facing pool will be quieter..the noise from kids at pools only at certain hours..Also in most schemes, after the initial period of moving in, the pool is quite deserted

The corner unit of Block A/C price is >RM400k which I think is not worth for a condo (someone might have
differ opinion because this is Penang Island).

This is not a Bay. This is Penang Island facing Butterworth (mainland). The river at the north is considered
one of the most polluted river in Malaysia.

20th Floor is the uppermost Floor. I've booked 18th Floor next to lift shaft. I asked the IJM staff and they
said the wall between the lift and the living room is quite thick (should I believe him?)

I think for 18th Floor, it'll be quieter right?

I am kiasu when it comes to property purchase. My advice to friends when asked to help choose a unit for them.
If I am not familiar with the locality, my advice is "When in doubt, and all things being equal; Buy the unit that has premium built into the price".
This does not apply if the property is in a price sensitive market segment.
I've bought a commercial property that has RM 50 k premium built into the price.


Ok...u should be ok with level 18 facing a stretch of water that separates the island from mainland.


Yes, lift walls are generally thicker. However , some ppl who are ultra sensitive to noise still find the working lift mechanism disturbing.
However, most ppl are ok staying in units next to the lift shaft. If the developer looks into details like these, they will usually have other services built next to the shafts or align areas like toilets/kitchen/yard nearer to the lift lobby area.
I've read of one project where they built a double wall between the lift shaft and the adjoining unit to cut down on the transfer of noise through the concrete walls.

Actually my unit is Block C facing Block A. I'm not sure which stretch of water you refer to. Is it at the north one? I didn't
buy the Block A facing the river. Instead I bought the unit facing the Block A. Looking to the right is Sea that separate Penang
Island and Mainland. All the swimming pool facing unit have premium build into the price. As for corner unit, the premium is RM100k.
So I don't know if I should buy a property with RM100k premium but with 40% more space (1400sqft instead of 1000sqft).

Unfortunately, the area that near the lift shaft is living room near the door. From the door to the balcony stretch is the living room.
So the lift is at the left side (nearer to the door than the balcony). I can put sofa nearer to balcony to avoid the lift shaft. I might put
dining table near the lift shaft. Hopefully I don't hear anything though.