Top Condo Picks for People who Frequent Malaysia (It’s Not Just Woodlands)
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Ryan J
- July 4, 2020
- 6 min read
6 min read
Whether you work in Singapore but live in Malaysia, or vice versa, accommodations are an issue. Private property in Singapore is an especially difficult choice, as there are few condos near Tuas Link. Even so, there are options for those who need quick access to Malaysia – whether your goal is buying or renting properties in Singapore. Here are some of the main ones to explore:
- Woodhaven (via Woodlands checkpoint)
- Casablanca (via Woodlands Checkpoint
- The Floravale (via Tuas checkpoint)
- Westwood Residences (via Tuas checkpoint)
- City Gate (via Golden Mile Complex bus service)
1. Woodhaven (via Woodlands checkpoint)
Woodhaven is one of the closest condo developments to the Woodlands checkpoint. It was completed just in 2015, so it’s relatively new and facilities are up to date.
Woodhaven is about 12 minutes’ drive to the Woodlands checkpoint, if you’re going to drive directly into Malaysia. Alternatively, you can use a bus from the temporary interchange near Woodlands MRT.
The Woodlands MRT station is about 1.5 km away from Woodhaven, so you may want to cab over. There’s a temporary bus interchange near the MRT; from there, get on bus 950, which will take you to the Woodlands checkpoint.
There are no big malls in the immediate area (unless you drive to Causeway Point), but the nearby Woodlands Civic Centre has an NTUC FairPrice for groceries.
At present, units at Woodhaven average just $981 psf, with average prices being in the range of $800,000. For tenants, rental rates are around $2.90 psf, with the average unit going at $2,391 per month.
Transaction prices have been trending down even though it is relatively new. Most of the loss making transactions have been those who purchased a new launch unit at $1,000+ psf.
Info sheet:
Address: Woodgrove Avenue (District 25)
Developer: Far East Organization
Site Area: Approx. 225,571 sq.ft.
Tenure: 99-years
TOP: 2015
Units: 337
2. Casablanca
Casablanca practically neighbours Woodhaven (it’s about 300 metres away), but is much older; it was completed in 2006. The distance to the Woodlands checkpoint / Woodlands MRT is more or less similar to what you’d get with Woodhave (see point 1).
Casablanca is closer to a coffee shop and food court across the street, compared to Woodhaven; but you’re still likely to count on the Woodlands Civic Centre, or take the train to Causeway Point, for most of your needs.
Due to its age, this can be a much more cost-effective option than Woodhaven; average prices are only around $700 psf, with an average quantum of about $835,000. In terms of rental, the average price is just around $2.19 psf, or about $2,291 per month.
If you don’t mind the fact that the facilities are a bit older, this can be a solid alternative to Woodgrove.
As you can see, price appreciation for those who bought Casablanca during the early years have been pretty fantastic. Admittedly, it has been a good 18 years since launch – but it is still quite shocking to see the $psf prices in 2002 – the lowest was at $359 psf!
Info sheet:
Address: Rosewood Drive (District 25)
Developer: Far East Organization
Site Area: Approx. 276,266 sq.ft.
Tenure: 99-years
TOP: 2006
Units: 478
3. The Floravale (via Tuas checkpoint)
The Floravale is an older Executive Condominium (it was completed in 2000 and is privatised by now). It’s one of the closest private developments to Tuas Link MRT and the Tuas checkpoint, of which there are very few. The Tuas checkpoint is about a 12 to 14-minute drive away, via the PIE and then the AYE.
The Floravale averages just $651 psf, with sizeable 1,300+ sq.ft. units going for around $850,000. For tenants, rental rates are under $2 psf, averaging just $2,600 per month for three-bedroom units; it’s hard to get that much space at that price.
Besides providing a quick route to Tuas checkpoint, The Floravale has benefitted from recent developments in Jurong. For example, malls like Jem and Westgate are also only a 15-minute drive away; so you’ll be quite close to Singapore’s “second CBD”. Otherwise, the closest mall is Gek Poh Shopping Centre.
The main concern with The Floravale is its relatively poor access to transport nodes. The Pioneer MRT station is 2.5 km away; so this development is really for drivers, or heavy PHV users.
Just like Casablanca, those who purchased The Floravale in the earlier years have all profited well from it. Prices during the launch in 1999 were at only $300 plus psf, so with sizes of 1,200 to 1,300 square feet – the quantum was less than $500,000.
Info sheet:
Address: Westwood Avenue (District 22)
Developer: CapitaLand Residential, Pidemco Land
Site Area: Approx. 185,667 sq.ft.
Tenure: 99-years
TOP: 2000
Units: 754
4. Westwood Residences (via Tuas checkpoint)
Westwood Residences is a newer counterpart to The Floravale, located just 300 metres away. Like The Floravale, this is also an EC; but Westwood Residences was only completed in 2017 (this means it’s not yet fully privatised, and still within the five-year Minimum Occupancy Period at the time of writing).
Westwood Residences is just 300 metres away from the Floravale, so has broadly similar advantages in terms of location (it’s also about a 12 to 14-minute drive to Tuas checkpoint).
Interestingly, Westwood Residence is a bicycle themed development, and the only one so far in Singapore. It has facilities specifically for cyclists, such as a velodrome (a track racing arena for cyclists).
Prices are higher, as you’d expect from this much newer EC – the last transactions in 2018 averaged about $818 psf, with average prices being around $979,417. As it’s still within the MOP, rental transaction data is too limited to be helpful right now. Keep an eye on this development though, as it won’t be long before units go on resale or can be rented.
Info sheet:
Address: Westwood Avenue (District 22)
Developer: Heeton Homes & Koh Brothers
Site Area: Approx. 186,054 sq.ft.
Tenure: 99-years
TOP: 2017
Units: 480
5. City Gate (via Golden Mile Complex bus service)
If you use a bus service to get across the causeway, one of the popular places to get on is Golden Mile Complex. While it’s not an official bus depot, several bus services to Kuala Lumpur; like Transtar, Five Star Tours, and Grassland Express, all have ticketing counters on the ground floor of Golden Mile.
Golden Mile itself has residential units, but we’re going to suggest the nearby City Gate instead. This is because Golden Mile is quite old (it was completed in 1974), whereas City Gate was just completed in 2018.
It’s just a short walk across the road to Golden Mile, where you can catch the bus service, or get your Mookata fix (another thing Golden Mile is famous for). Location wise, City Gate is along Beach Road, which is a prime area – an 11-minute stroll from this condo will take you into the heart of the Bugis shopping district.
In terms of accessibility, the Nicoll Highway MRT station is only a five-minute walk away; and the nearby Arab Street provides some laid-back drinking spots and restaurants.
For home buyers, units here average $1,790 psf, with average prices being in the range of $1.44 million. Renting here will cost you about $4.13 psf, or an average of about $2,700 per month. Not the cheapest on this list by far, but you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to retail and dining.
As with most of the newer District 7 developments, they have been doing pretty well for those buyers who had foresight into the rejuvenation of the area. Of the 9 resale/sub-sale transactions so far, every single one of them has been a profitable one.
Info sheet:
Address: Beach Road (District 7)
Developer: Bayfront Ventures Pte Ltd
Site Area: Approx. 71,925 sq.ft.
Tenure: 99-years
TOP: 2018
Units: 311
Still can’t find a place to rent or buy that makes your Malaysia trips easier? It can get tricky, as there are few private developments near the Tuas or Woodlands checkpoints. You can contact us for more direct help on Facebook. In the meantime, you can also check out more condo reviews here, as well as for any updates on the latest property offerings.
quite strange to recommend condos in singapore for people who frequent malaysia. why not recommend condos in JB instead?
Hey Eric! Thanks for your recommendation. At this stage, Stacked is able to cover Singapore properties more in-depth compared to those in JB, though that’s something we’re open too as well. Thanks!