It’s that time of the year again when we round up our annual top 10 most searched areas by Malaysian homebuyers in 2019. These areas are ranked according to consumers’ search behaviour data compiled this year.

Buying a home requires just as much care as any other significant investment. If being a first-time homebuyer is part of your Malaysian dream, it’s important to choose a home that fits your budget based on your savings and also meets your other lifestyle needs. First-time homebuyers might find the home buying process especially daunting. Of course, location is a crucial factor.
This year, we unveiled the top 10 areas which recorded the highest number of searches (site-wide) among home seekers who visited iProperty.com.my from January-November 2019. The search data is captured by iProperty.com.my’s big data solution, iPropertyiQ.com. The properties are ranked in ascending order and the popularity is displayed in terms of percentages (%).
To help you get a better sense of where to start looking, let’s have a look at the top 10 most searched areas by Malaysian homebuyers in 2019. Keep calm and let the countdown begin!
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Note: The percentages (%) are calculated based on the total search result (site-wide) for the top 10 areas.
10. Puchong
Search percentage: 4.79%

Surprise, surprise! Second in last year’s list, Puchong has now landed in tenth place in the most-searched areas for homebuyers. A good reason why Puchong is the preferred choice is its strategic location between Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur. It is easily connected via several major highways such as the Shah Alam Expressway (KESAS) and Damansara Puchong Highway (LDP). There is also a myriad of amenities such as shopping malls, F&B outlets, eateries, supermarkets, entertainment hubs and many more.
What is it like living in Puchong? Here’s your neighbourhood guide. As one of the most established locations in the Klang Valley, Puchong is also considered by many due to its easy connectivity. The Bandar Kinrara, IOI Mall, Bandar Puteri, and Pusat Bandar Puchong are the main LRT stations that have secured Puchong’s promise of easy accessibility.
READ: Top 10 most searched areas by Malaysian homebuyers in 2018
9. Johor Bahru
Search percentage: 5.16%

Johor Bahru, or JB as it’s lovingly called, has levelled up from the 10th spot last year to 9th in 2019! And it’s not surprising why. The most southern capital in Malaysia, JB has the best that everything KL has to offer. Need a quick getaway? Singapore is a mere four-hour drive to KL.
One of the driving factors of JB’s increasing popularity among homebuyers these days has been the city’s ever-evolving connectivity. The Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) which is slated for completion in 2024 will bring forth many impactful changes with positive multiplier effects. This rail line will help to reduce traffic congestion along the Johor Causeway by up to 15%. If JB has always been on your radar, why don’t you check out the top 5 best-selling residential projects in Johor?
Find out how much should your household income be to afford a home in Johor here.
8. Subang Jaya
Search percentage: 5.19%

A booming and well-connected area, Subang Jaya is a popular area for homebuyers because of its constantly growing development. Easily connected to KL through major highways and ample residential, commercial, and recreational facilities make Subang Jaya the perfect choice for those who want a work-life balance but with the benefits of a major urban centre.
Also, Subang Jaya housed many top tertiary education institutions such as:
- INTI International College Subang
- SEGi College Subang
- Taylor’s University
- and Monash University.
Not just that, this all-in township also offers several properties nearby the Kelana Jaya Line LRT stations. If you are looking for auction properties, you can check out the 5 auction properties in Subang Jaya below RM 800,000. It is estimated that the number of residents here will rise to over 1.5 million by 2035. The population growth means ongoing investments in infrastructure is a key part of Subang Jaya’s future.
7. Rawang
Search percentage: 5.50%

Rawang may not have been on the top of the list in the eyes of purchasers and developers’ years ago, but oh how times have changed. Rawang has now become a “hot place” with new projects seen all over and selling at good prices. It started as a township offering a place to work and live. Rawang now offers more job opportunities with entertainment elements, transforming itself into a self-sustained township. This had led to buyers becoming less hesitant to the idea of moving to Rawang. It also has the potential to attract local and foreign families who wish to own a landed property in Rawang as there are options for vernacular, national and international schools like Straits International School and Templer Park International School.
Though the only integrated railway system available in the area is the KTM, it is now easier for people to commute to KL. Simply stop at the Sungai Buloh station and switch to MRT for easy access to KL. Other than that, the KL-Kuala Selangor Expressway (LATAR Expressway) links Kuala Lumpur at Templer’s Park with the township of Ijok, creating an alternative link road. The expressway has successfully shortened the travel distance between KL, Rawang, and Ijok, making it more feasible for Rawang residents to work elsewhere, and vice versa. It cuts the journey from Rawang to KL City Centre down from two hours to just 30 minutes during peak hours!
Here are the 7 interesting things you need to know about Rawang.
6. Petaling Jaya
Percentage of searches: 7.91%

Petaling Jaya, commonly known as PJ to locals, is the satellite town of Kuala Lumpur. Covering 97.2 square kilometres and known as a self-sustainable city, Petaling Jaya was granted city status on 20 June 2006. The reason PJ makes it into the list year after year is because of its proximity to KL and the endless amenities readily available in the area. This year, PJ topped the chart for the most searched areas to rent in Klang Valley.
PJ residents tend to resist going to KL unless they have to because as far as shopping is concerned, there are plenty of malls to visit. Besides the ever-popular 1 Utama, there are smaller neighbourhood malls such as Paradigm Mall, Atria Shopping Gallery and Starling Mall in Damansara Uptown. If you are looking for a new home in PJ, you may check out the 5 most searched properties for rent here.
Major highways such as the LDP, Federal Highway, Sprint and DUKE all offer easy access to Kuala Lumpur and other parts of Selangor. You could also just park your car at a RAPID KL LRT station or MRT and take the integrated railways to the city centre, Bangsar or even to Subang Jaya or Shah Alam.
Not just that, the LRT 3 will further alleviate the public transportation service in PJ as it allows seamless commute to Bandar Utama, Shah Alam, and Klang. There will be five LRT 3 stations within Petaling Jaya:
- One Utama (MRT 1 Sungai-Buloh Kajang Line interchange)
- Kayu Ara
- BU11
- Dataran Prima
- Kelana Indah
5. Semenyih
Search percentage: 11.96%

Just 30 minutes away from major townships in the Klang Valley, it’s a no-brainer that Semenyih is fast becoming the choice for former city-dwellers seeking a more laid-back area to set up a home. Semenyih is an upcoming township that will be the next hot spot for property development growth in the southern corridor of Klang Valley.
Currently, Semenyih is known as a hotspot for eco-tourism as it is surrounded by numerous scenic waterfalls such as the Sungai Gabai Waterfalls, Semenyih Water Reservoir, Congkak River Forest Recreational Centre and Broga Hills.
As for connectivity, the LEKAS Highway has very much benefited the township. The SILK Highway and Pintasan Kajang-Semenyih Bypass connect the township to all major roads heading towards Kajang, Cheras, Seri Kembangan, Bangi and Putrajaya.
While currently there are no train stations located within the township, the nearest train service available is the KTM train station located in Kajang. There are several MRT stations in Kajang that are available for residents from Semenyih to access train services travelling to any part of Klang Valley.
4. Bandar Utama
Percentage of searches: 12.22%

Bandar Utama Damansara is a popular residential township located within the Damansara subdivision of the Petaling District, Selangor. Formerly a palm tree estate, it has now become a thriving residential area that is home to many shopping malls and attractions such as 1Utama, The Curve, IKEA and Ikano Power Centre (IPC).
The township is easily accessible via highways and expressways such as the Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP), SPRINT Highway, Penchala Link and New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE). There are also the MRT, buses and shuttle services connecting Bandar Utama to other major areas such as TTDI, KL, Subang Jaya and Putrajaya.
3. Cheras
Search percentage: 13.15%

A sprawling and densely populated area, Cheras has everything: an abundance of malls, shops, nightlife and local amenities for residents to enjoy. The large geographical footprint of the suburb means property in Cheras can be found at widely different ends of the price spectrum. The area boasts a range of house types and immediate neighbourhood amenities to ensure opportunities and choices for a diverse demographic of homebuyers.
The large population means ongoing development of infrastructure, as evident from the MRT stations linked conveniently to shopping malls such as MyTown, IKEA Cheras and Sunway Velocity. Out of the entire 31 stations of MRT Sungai Buloh-Kajang Line. there are 11 MRT stations within Cheras area. Don’t miss out the residential properties near MRT stations. If you are looking to maximise your properties’ potential, be sure to check out the top 10 most popular condominiums in Cheras.
Find out more about Cheras here.
2. Ara Damansara
Search percentage: 16.98%
First developed in 1999, Ara Damansara is fast becoming a favourite neighbourhood in Petaling Jaya. This is mainly due to its strategic location right in the middle of several prime locations such as Bandar Utama, Tropicana, Sunway, Glenmarie and Kota Damansara.
There are also two new LRT stations along the Kelana Jaya LRT Extension that started operating in Ara Damansara, which provided further accessibility and convenience for the community. Accessibility into the township is also via the six-lane dual carriageway Subang Airport Highway and Subang Kelana-Link interchange. The second access is through the NKVE tunnel via Crimson Condominium to Damansara-Puchong Expressway (LDP). The eastern portion of Ara Damansara is linked to Persiaran Tropicana by a new access road that passes through Damansara Idaman.
In terms of amenities, Ara Damansara is very much a self-sustained neighbourhood. There are amenities such as Tesco, Jaya Grocer, Village Grocer, Mediviron Clinics, MBO Cinema, Sime Darby Medical Centre, Evolve Concept Mall, Citta Mall, branded kindergartens, international schools, popular restaurants and many more.
1. MOST SEARCHED AREA: Shah Alam
Search percentage: 17.14%

Shah Alam’s suburbs have now become a favoured place for people who want to live in a greener, quieter surroundings and yet still have easy access to amenities. Apart from the Federal Highway, Shah Alam is accessible via the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE), North-South Expressway Central Link (ELITE), Guthrie Corridor Expressway (GCE) and Shah Alam Expressway (KESAS).
Shah Alam is also an international and local education hub with several prominent public and private schools, and colleges such as:
- UiTM (Main campus and Puncak Alam campus)
- UNISEL
- MAZ International School
- Greenview Islamic International School
- Tenby Schools Setia Eco Park
- and Dwi Emas International School.
With countless public parks, shopping malls, attractions and things to do in Shah Alam, it is the natural choice for homebuyers. The newly-opened Central i-City mall near the famous i-City is a welcome addition to the city, as well as AEON Shah Alam and Setia City Mall. Not just that, the LRT 3 Line (that is expected to be completed in 2024) connecting Bandar Utama to Johan Setia in Klang will boost the capital growth of properties in Shah Alam especially those projects nearby the train stations. Here are the six stations:
- Glenmarie (LRT Kelana Jaya Line interchange)
- Persiaran Kerjaya
- Stadium (near Melawati Stadium)
- Persiaran Dato Menteri
- UiTM Shah Alam
- Section 7
ALSO READ: 5 auction properties in Shah Alam below RM 800, 000
Note: Analytics is based on the data available at the date of publication and may be subject to revision as and when more data becomes available.
Edited by Rebecca Hani Romeli