Whether you’re moving to Kepong or looking for insiders’ tips, save the time and headache as we’ve got the 4 things you should not miss about this township.
Kepong is tucked away at the borders of KL and Selangor. Its history stretches back to the 1860s when its economy was once powered by the tin mining industry. During the British Malaya era, this northern part of KL was one of the tin mines in Malaya and it was also one of the biggest new villages formed during the Malayan Emergency.
The tin mining activities also have led to the swelling up of the Chinese immigrant population who came to work at the mining sites. While many people still think Kepong is an out-dated part of Klang Valley, it has seen so much progress and transformation with modern and contemporary development taking place over the years.
We have narrowed down the long list about Kepong. Here are the 4 things you should not miss out about this suburb.
1. Kepong is one of KL’s earliest townships
Kepong has its fair share of greenery and modern developments. This dense residential neighbourhood is an older and more matured part of KL. Many old shops, streets, and surroundings are preserved and evoke nostalgia among the older generations. This township is suitable for families and individuals who enjoy a healthy lifestyle as Kepong is also known for its greenery. Parks like Metropolitan Park and Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) are among the famous places for morning walks, jogging, cycling and even flying kites! Where else in KL can you fly kites?
There is much more to know about Kepong other than its recreational activities and green spaces. Huge developments have emerged in this area in recent years even though Kepong is often labelled as old fashion. Property investors, savvy property buyers and new home buyers are flocking to Kepong, especially in Kepong Old Town (Bandar Menjalara, Jinjang Utara, Jinjang Selatan, Taman Bukit Maluri and Taman Bukit Desa). The new developments in Kepong offer a vast number of residential units. There are many newer apartments, condominiums and high-rise developments in this suburb such as:
- Unio
- Lemanja
- Enesta
- Mizumi
- Fortune Sentral
- 99 Residence (coming soon)
Not just that, the properties in this area also offer more affordable and attractive prices compared to properties in other parts of Klang Valley. It does not only attract the existing residents but also other buyers who are looking for properties at a reasonable price range with many plus points such as improved connectivity and amenities.
Fun fact: FRIM Selangor Forest Park is the oldest and largest re-created rain forest in the world. It is the only former mining site in the world that has been successfully converted into the high forest after it was destroyed by tin-mining activities and deforestation.
2. Kepong has a close-knit community
Until today, Kepong remains as a township with a predominantly Chinese community. According to the 2010 census by the Department of Statistics Malaysia, there were about 64, 000 people in Kepong and the population was estimated at more than 71, 000 people in 2017.
The Chinese community believes that nothing is more important than owning the roofs over their heads. Many residents have lived in Kepong for three generations. As they are made up of extended families, most of them are keen to buy residential units nearby for their next generations. This could be one of the reasons why the property market in Kepong has always been healthy.
According to the pioneer of realtor industry, Yit Seng Realty, the price of a single-storey terrace house in Kepong Baru in the 1970s was only RM 8, 000 for 1, 430 sf. Today, it would cost you RM 700, 000 for a single storey house of the same size in the same area!
Yit Seng Realty has been in Kepong for more than 30 years and throughout the years, its residential projects in Kepong have incorporated modern lifestyle concept with complete facilities.
This is to attract the younger generations who have different lifestyle preferences. Many of them want to stay close to their parents but prefer houses with chic and fancy concepts. Besides affordable rent, the strong demand for both new modern high-rise developments and sub-sales residential units with full facilities explains the strong take-up and rapid growth of new projects in Kepong.
For example, Mizumi Residences. The units are not only at an affordable price range but also a walking distance to amenities. Yit Seng Realty heightened the potential of Kepong as a new township for the younger generations as many of them are the emerging generation of homebuyers.
3. Kepong has awesome accessibility and infrastructure
Better infrastructure and improved accessibility are the pull factors of Kepong’s growth. Located at the northern fringe of KL, Kepong is about 12km away from KL downtown whereas Petaling Jaya is 10 km away. Most people think that it is a bit of a stretch to travel to Kepong as traffic congestion has always been a major issue.
Previously, Jalan Ipoh and Jalan Kuching were the main roads to get into town. Today, this suburb is served by a network of expressways and roads. Main roads and highways like the MRR2 and Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP) connect Kepong to other townships like Subang Jaya, Cheras, and Ampang. On the other hand, DUKE 2 is good news for Kepongites as it improves the traffic flow in that township. The new highway further eases the traffic volume, especially during peak hours.
In terms of public transportation, Kepong is served by the KTM komuter line. The line serves the Rawang-Seremban route and is also one of the stops for KL intercity rail service. The upcoming MRT 2 Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya (SSP) will make Kepong more accessible. Upon its completion, four stations will pass through Kepong:
- Kepong Sentral;
- Metro Prima;
- Kepong Baru;
- and Jinjang.
This will not only alleviate and cut down travel time to KL city centre but also other parts of Klang Valley. Furthermore, the improved connectivity will be a game-changer. It suits the current lifestyle where people are attracted to properties that are closer to a mainline train station as well as other amenities like schools and hospitals. Not just that, the new MRT 2 will enhance the livability in Kepong while it will also boost value to the properties’ capital growth due to the demand from property buyers.
On top of that, Ipoh white coffee enthusiasts can satisfy their cravings in its birthplace as travelling to Ipoh is a breeze! If you take the ETS Platinum service, it takes less than two hours to get to Ipoh as it only stops at major stations along the route. The high-speed train provides regular daily services from Kepong Sentral KTM station to Ipoh and within one day, you can explore the best of Ipoh!
4. Kepong has transformed into a hot new address
Kepong is adjacent to KL and Selangor’s high-end neighbourhoods like Mont Kiara, Sierramas, Country Heights Damansara, Sri Damansara, and Bandar Utama. Besides that, its master-planned community, Desa Park City has become a thriving area in this suburb. It breathes a new life to Kepong as it enhances the township’s image and branded the area as a high-end locality. As the new affluent neighbourhood, Desa ParkCity is an enclaved area that focuses on tranquillity and ideal goods. Did you know the Desa ParkCity site was a barren quarry?
Mont Kiara is also close to Desa ParkCity, thus making Kepong the next hot spot for property developers, buyers, and investors. ParkCity TownCenter will be a boom area as amenities are only within an arm’s reach. It comprises of restaurants, offices, condos, SOHOs, a hotel, an international school, a private hospital as well as a medical and wellness complex.
Moreover, you will never go hungry if you live in Kepong. Kepong’s residents are spoilt with a wide selection of food and restaurants. From street food to modern cuisine, you have unlimited choices of delicacies to choose from. You can get your usual local fix from the local hawker stalls or you can go to Plaza Arkadia for a range of western delicacies.