It’s easy to see why anyone would want to move to Petaling Jaya: it offers the coziness of the suburbs while offering easy access to the city. Before you become a PJ resident, there are a few things you might want to know to help yourself get properly settled in.
1. PJ roads are confusing
Don’t expect roads to make sense in Petaling Jaya. The good news is they’re mostly numbers; the bad news is the numbers sometimes don’t make any sense. For instance, why is SS2 and SS25 in Petaling Jaya, but SS15 is in Subang Jaya?
Don’t get hung up on it; just remember the street name and don’t be too shy to ask for directions. Live in PJ long enough you’ll learn the PJ naming conventions – the various sections as well as well-known housing developments. These will make navigating easier.
2. Public transport options are better in some places than others
The good news is that the RAPID KL LRT line goes through Petaling Jaya, with feeder buses that ferry you to the stations. The bad news is that feeder buses have a limited range and unless you’re living near the train stations, your only option is driving as buses are also a little unreliable.
Taxis are an option, but they can get expensive but mobile booking apps at least makes hailing taxis easier. Still, now there’s Uber and Grab, getting around PJ is much less of a hassle than it used to be.
3. Getting to the city isn’t too hard
If you drive, 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 and take the train instead to the city centre, Bangsar or even to Subang Jaya or Shah Alam.
While getting to TTDI and Damansara Heights is possible with the MRT, some areas such as Mont Kiara and Desa Sri Hartamas don’t have public transport options so you will need to get there by car – either hired or your own. But you’ll have an easier time getting to those places in PJ than if you lived in Subang Jaya or Shah Alam.
4. There’s plenty of shopping
PJ residents tend to resist going to KL unless they really 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 neighborhood malls such as Paradigm Mall, Atria Shopping Gallery and the newly opened Starling Mall in Damansara Uptown.
5. The nightlife isn’t bad
The clubbing scene isn’t as frenetic as Changkat on a Friday night, but Petaling Jaya does offer options whether you’re just looking for a quiet drink with friends or a fun time dancing the night away. Best bit is, you’ll avoid the crazy traffic in Kuala Lumpur. Try Play at The Roof for great DJs and stunning views or have a relaxing evening at Oasis Square.
6. Petaling Jaya is a great place to indulge your inner foodie
While food prices in PJ aren’t generally cheap, hawker centres near housing areas offer budget-friendly alternatives. If you’re looking for variety, you will find plenty of it in Petaling Jaya. If you love new, hip cafes then Damansara Uptown has a selection that rivals Bangsar’s Telawi. Fancy good banana leaf rice? Sri Paandi and Kaana are two local favourites among a huge assortment. Looking for more upmarket fare? Visit Bistro a Table or drop by Signature by the Hill. You’ll rarely need to leave Petaling Jaya, whatever your craving.
7. You might need to travel further out for government-related errands
Need to replace your IC or passport? That’s the only time PJ might feel inconvenient. PJ folks usually renew their passports at the Kelana Jaya immigration department and their ICs at the Registration Department on Jalan Sultan. But you might be better off going to the Home Ministry office in Sri Hartamas instead, which houses both departments or skip the visit altogether by renewing your passport online.
8. Take time to consider your location when renting/buying
When it comes to buying property, PJ’s prime location means it won’t be cheap but if you’re willing to bargain hunt, you might find a deal or two. Older property or fixer-uppers are an option as well as newer condos located in the areas further from the city.
The good thing about older developments is they tend to be well-established with better proximity to amenities so they might be a better choice for people who’d like to not have to drive too far to get what they need. Newer developments that are less central might be cheaper but bear in mind the extra distance you might have to travel to go grocery shopping for instance.
Whichever you choose, consider the tradeoffs and what matters most to you. Does it have easy access to public transport? Proximity to work or highways? Safety? Figure out your dealbreakers early as you don’t want to end up breaking a lease early and paying a hefty fine.
9. Now is the time to negotiate
With the slowdown in demand, it’s a renter’s market so you likely won’t have much of a problem finding a place whether a room, condo or house. It’s just a matter of figuring out just how much you’re willing to pay.
Get a feel of what real estate costs in a particular area before making an offer. Even within PJ itself, you might be surprised how prices can vary a lot as location is not the only factor to consider. For instance, the closer a place is to a highway or public transport, the more you might have to pay. In essence, PJ’s central location offers both easy access to amenities and yet still retains that feeling of living in the suburbs. The only real fear about moving to PJ is you might just decide never to leave.
When you have decided on moving to Petaling Jaya, book a mover today!
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