BY NURUL ASMUI MD AZMI
asmui@ocision.com
Residents were interviewed on why they have chosen to live there and how the area has impacted their lives.
PROPERTY developments in KL East are on the rise due to its strategic location and the bountiful amenities available. KL East, which encompasses Wangsa Maju, Gombak, Ulu Klang, Ampang, Rampai, Setiawangsa and Setapak, is one of the latest regions of Kuala Lumpur is seeing more developments coming up.
Although each area has its own uniqueness, it still has its upsides and downsides, so what do the residents and tenants living in KL East have to say about their neighbourhood? Here are some of their feedback.
“I moved to Platinum Victory in 2008, but I have been living in Taman Melati since 2000. Living here for almost 15 years, I have witnessed how Taman Melati has transformed from a backwater area into a developing township. What used to be a quiet neighbourhood is now bustling with people and numerous new developments.
“I somehow miss the old peaceful environment. It is too chaotic now, especially with so many cars moving in and out of Taman Melati. Nonetheless, I believe that there is potential for capital appreciation here because of the countless amenities and convenient connectivity. I just wish that the road planning can be improved to ease the traffic.”
“Studying at UniKL British Malaysian Institute, Gombak has brought me to Putra Villa Condo. As an international student in the country, I did a thorough research on the areas near my university and found that this condo gave me the best connectivity to public transportation. It is only five minutes’ walk to the Gombak LRT station, and I can get to other major areas of KL East in less than 20 minutes, or even KLCC in 35 minutes.
“I have no plan of moving to another area since it is already very convenient here. Even the security at my condo is superb. The condo is secured by the guards, and the entrance gate is equipped with card access system.”
3. Catherine Ei Hwee Teng (Section 10, Wangsa Maju)
“I chose to rent an apartment in Section 10 because it is within an affordable price range for an undergraduate like me. Also, since I do freelance job as an actor, emcee and youth motivational speaker, it is really useful to have easy access to public transportation to go places.
“Life here has been satisfactory, especially with a myriad of facilities available near my apartment, but I hope to see proper management for the cleanliness and security surrounding my neighbourhood. With all the newer developments coming to Wangsa Maju, it’ll be great to see some improvements made for a more exclusive living.”
4. Dr Suraya Mohammad (PV12, Setapak)
“I bought a unit at PV12 in 2010 due to the fact that Setapak is very convenient for me and my family. My workplace is only 20 minutes’ drive away, and there are many amenities nearby. There are a lot of options for eateries and in less than 10 minutes’ drive, I’ll reach the KL Festival City Mall.
“My only concern about Setapak is crime, especially in less frequented areas. Security and surveillance should be increased throughout the suburb so the crime rate can be reduced. Nevertheless, the security system at my condo has been well implemented, and there are also several other property developments in Setapak that ensure a safe living environment with multi-tiered security.”
5. Luke Rayan (Taman Setapak Indah, Setapak)
“After four years of renting in Taman Setapak Indah, I cannot deny that it is situated in a very strategic location. I can reach Kuala Lumpur within 15 minutes’ drive with no traffic and Taman Melati LRT station is within walking distance from my house. There are an abundance of outlets for groceries and foods so I don’t have to worry about getting the essentials.
“However, come night time, from Wednesday to Sunday every week, there is an uptown night market that will cause a major traffic disruption due to erratic parking by the visitors. I really hope that the night market can be relocated to a more appropriate area so the traffic won’t get worse when the new developments around are completed.”
6. Dr Ibrahim Mohamad Ali (Gaia Apartment, Taman Melawati)
“I am quite new to the area, but I chose to rent in Taman Melawati because it has the type of property that I was looking for. The studio that I am living in now is really suitable for me, and I enjoy the environment that Gaia Apartment has to offer.
“So far, I am very satisfied living here, but just like most of the residents in Taman Melawati, the congested traffic can really be a nuisance, especially when travelling to work in the morning. I hope something will be done to ease the traffic flow. Even so, I still find that Taman Melawati is an ideal location for me as it situated near to the city centre and my workplace.”
7. Surendran Arumugan (Taman Baru Muda, Gombak)
“I have lived in Taman Baru Muda for 17 years. The neighbourhood is really peaceful, and I must say that public transportation is highly accessible. The community is great here as the neighbours are friendly, and we look out for each other to make sure that everyone is living harmoniously.
“The security is also great. Guards are available 24/7 and CCTVs are installed in vital areas. However, I would really love to see more exclusive condos being built in my area, and maybe a grand shopping complex as well.”
8. Jessie Loh (PV16, Setapak)
“The main reason I am staying at PV16 is because it is near to my college, Tunku Abdul Rahman University College. I can either use the free shuttle bus service provided by the college, or take the RapidKL bus.
“I also find it convenient because there are many food outlets available just opposite PV16. It is also situated just next to PV128, where well known restaurants and cafes like M.A.D, Chatime,
Six Inch and many more are located. Apart from that, Columbia Asia Hospital is only about five minutes’ walk so seeking medical attention is not a problem.”
