Page 402 - Westport Guide To Malaysia

394 USEFUL INFORMATION
Leisure Farm Iskandar is the first Green Building Index development in Johor’s Iskandar Malaysia economic corridor, offering luxury and tranquility in a world-class gated community.
the office, with striking white sand beaches and tropical islands in abundance.
In the far north, the legendary island of Langkawi in Kedah is also experiencing a minor property boom, with several developments targeting foreign buyers who like the idea of living beside the Andaman Sea.
Across the South China Sea, Sabah is becoming
an increasingly popular investment destination,
with dozens of new developments that offer spectacular sea and mountain views, mainly located within easy reach of Kota Kinabalu. However, the best tip for the adventurous buyer may well be Sarawak, Malaysia's largest state. A late arrival to the overseas buyer market, the state is starting to catch up, with attractive sea-front developments in Damai and Miri and a good selection of affordable condominiums in Kuching, one of the most livable
cities in Southeast Asia.
Malaysia’s long coastline makes it a paradise for sailors. Many costal and riverine locations offer waterside living in apartments or houses, with a place for one’s own boat right outside the front door.
Greater Kuala Lumpur remains the top choice
for real estate locations amongst foreign buyers. New mega projects are emerging, such as the
TRX and KL Metropolis, supported by infrastructure improvements in the city, such as the Mass Rapid Transit, river rehabilitation projects, and increased pedestrianisation of business and shopping districts.
Further south, the Iskandar Malaysia growth corridor
in Johor (see page 370)
is strategically located to benefit from spillover from land-challenged Singapore. Iskandar Malaysia is three times the size of Singapore, twice the size of Hong Kong and has been identified
as one of the catalyst developments to spur the growth of the Malaysian economy. Iskandar's Nusajaya offers bungalows and high-end condominiums with golf courses built
by world-renowned architects and beachfront villas and condominiums with yachting & sailing
amenities. These are priced well within the means of middle-class Singaporeans and thus make excellent long-term investments.
Northern Penang offers
a wide selection of high- end condominiums and landed properties and has long been a favourite of foreign buyers because of its historical setting and the proximity of world-famous beaches. It is particularly popular with "Malaysia my Second Home" (MM2H) buyers (see page 395) as
its resort location enable properties to be easily let for short periods when the owners are not in residence. There are genuine bargains to be had in some of the less promoted locations. Melaka also offers heritage and spectacular coastal scenery, as does Negeri Sembilan, particularly around Port Dickson. The East Coast may be a few hours drive from Malaysia's main urban centres, but it makes a beautiful retirement destination for people who don't need to commute to