For many Malaysians, buying a home is no longer just about the number of rooms or square feet.
Sometimes, people are also paying for the “feel” of a place, the neighbourhood, the density, the facilities, and whether they can actually see themselves living there long term.
Recently, a Threads user sparked a debate after sharing that her friend and the husband have a combined income of around RM8,000 a month but are considering buying a RM600,000 home.
RM600K home with RM3K monthly payment
According to the post, the house is around 900 sq. ft, with the monthly repayment said to be around RM3,000.
The OP said she initially questioned why her friend would buy a house at that price when the size was not very big.
She also asked why they did not consider a Federal Territory Affordable Housing (RUMAWIP) unit in KL instead.
However, her friend reportedly explained that the price was not just for the square footage, but also for the overall environment and the type of neighbourhood she wanted to live in.
The OP said she could understand the reasoning and felt it might be a good long term investment, but at the same time, she was worried whether the couple could afford it comfortably.
‘I’m paying for peace of mind too’
In the replies, the OP added that she is currently renting a RUMAWIP unit and finds the high density living quite stressful.
She claimed that even taking the lift and getting to the parking area could take around 15 to 20 minutes.
Because of that experience, she said she would be willing to pay more if it meant having a better living environment.
She also clarified that the RM3,000 monthly cost already includes maintenance fees.
Despite that, she admitted that the remaining balance after paying for the house would be tight for living in KL.
At the same time, she felt the home could still be worth it for long term value and peace of mind.
Netizens divided
The post quickly drew mixed reactions, with some agreeing that the environment of a home matters a lot.
Some also said everyone has different priorities, and that choosing a home should depend on what brings value to that person or family.
However, not everyone agreed.
Some felt that RM600,000 for a 900sqft home was too expensive, with one netizen saying that for that price, buyers should be able to get at least 1,200sqft.
Another suggested buying two RM300,000 homes instead, with one for own stay and the other for rental income.
Others questioned the ‘educated neighbours’ argument
The phrase “educated neighbour” also drew criticism from several users.
Some pointed out that RUMAWIP and PR1MA buyers are also educated, with many being working professionals, government officers, executives, and M40 earners.
One netizen said the issue should not be framed around whether neighbours are “educated”, but rather whether the area, density, management, and overall environment suit the buyer’s lifestyle.
Others also reminded buyers that owning a strata property comes with extra costs beyond the loan repayment.
This includes maintenance fees, utilities, assessment tax, Indah Water, and other household expenses, which could push the monthly cost even higher.
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