Our Home Sweet Home: Distance, Duration and Traffic Congestion

Our Home Sweet Home: Distance, Duration and Traffic Congestion

Distance: We should buy property somewhere closer to places we like to go

This is true yeah. Imagine buying a home sweet home very far away and having to travel an hour just to reach the office versus 10-15 minutes away from office. This hourly travel is daily, for 5 days in a week and easily 250 days in a year. Now, stop thinking that traveling an hour to go to work happens JUST in Malaysia. (We do not even want to talk about Bangkok… Jakarta… or Manila. Let’s skip them for now. Yes, I have been to all three numerous occasions, so very qualified to say that KL is definitely in a better shape for traffic)

Let’s compare to the advanced property markets. Do proceed to check out how long it will take for someone to take the public transport from their home in the suburb to reach CBD in Melbourne… or Singapore… or Hong Kong. No need to be surprised despite all these being more advanced property markets than Malaysia. If the property we like exists within 15 minutes from office, that’s the best! Buy it and enjoy it and in the future, sell for a good capital appreciation because everyone would prefer to stay 15 minutes away versus an hour away.

Duration: We could buy a property further but still acceptable duration of travel

By the way, Desa Parkcity is within Kepong yeah and the distance is actually NOT 15 minutes away from city centre too. (no matter how fast you drive unless you happened to be very lucky that day)

Here’s that google map for reference. If we leave home at 7am, what is the typical duration? It’s 18km away and duration ranges from 22-40 minutes. The reason why this is acceptable? People staying there could be those who has more flexibility with their travel time. If they travel after peak hours, surely they can reach city centre in just 22 minutes or less. When we compare 40 minutes to 15 minutes, the difference is 25 mins. Thus, it’s a consideration of a home sweet home (the property we really love) versus traveling up to an extra 7-25 minutes.

Actually, the ‘FAR’ feeling is only if we are traveling for the first time. That’s why driving to a new place always seem further versus the drive back… Humans are funny and we are definitely irrational too.

Buy the property you love with an acceptable duration, NOT the distance.

This is why my personal advice is always buy the property you prefer and look at the duration which is acceptable to you. Do not look at the distance and then having to skip the properties whom you may like more. For example, a bigger unit, a newer township or even one where it’s still more affordable too. If you ask me, driving an extra 25 minutes but coming home to a 24 x 65 double storey (with car park space for 4 cars easily) with a 12 ft ceiling is better than a condominium of 1,000 sq ft and 10.5 ft ceiling. (maximum 2 car park space, maybe). Of course, this is just me and I am not a super successful entrepreneur who can afford to stay anywhere he / she likes.

By the way extra 25 minutes meant you can buy 10-15km away. This opens up a lot more choices too. Sometimes, it’s good to think rationally too because money is always a concern. Haha.

Just need to be aware that sometimes, the duration could be higher than extra 25 minutes

Sometimes, the below happens. Let’s hope ALL the developers in that area / neighborhood can sit down and work together for their own benefit. Unless of course some developers in that area has already full sold their properties, then maybe it’s not their main concern anymore. When the whole area does not belong to one developer, then relying on just one developer to solve the congestion issue is likely to be a tough nut to crack.

Nope, I am not staying in City of Elmina. It’s not “North” enough for me. I prefer a township even closer to Ipoh instead. Haha. I am loving my current home; Gamuda Gardens. Yes… it’s extra duration of between 17 to 35 minutes if compared to Desa Parkcity to KL City Centre on a typical working day. You are not me. Do decide and enjoy your home sweet home!

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