Sungai Ara

Infobox City |official_name = Sungai Ara


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pushpin_label_position = right
pushpin_map_caption =
pushpin_mapsize =360
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name = Malaysia
subdivision_name1 = Penang
established_title = Constructed
established_date = 1978
area_maqnitude = 1 E8
area_total_sq_mi = 57.50
area_total_km2 = estimated 135
population_as_of = Jan 2008
population_total = 156,000(35th)
population_note = (metro pop is a 2000 est)
population_metro = 1225501
population_density_sq_mi = 3748
population_density_km2 = est 2000
timezone = MST
utc_offset = +8
timezone_DST = Not observed
elevation_m = 4
elevation_ft = 13.1
latd = 5
latm = 25
lats = 00
latNS = N
longd = 100
longm = 19
longs = 00
longEW = E
footnotes = Sungai Ara is a big township located in Penang, Malaysia. It is located near the Penang International Airport. Property prices outside of George Town are still on the rise. Sungai Ara township has the most professionals and young families investing in that area. Queensbay Mall was opened about 3 km away about six months ago. What's been happening is in the areas where there was the most strong fundamentals and city development activity, where the highly geared people looking for new area to raise a family, enjoying a new lifestyle and in many cases Sungai Ara was chosen because of its most ideal location before Bayan Lepas, banks, cinemas, commercial outlets, multi national factories and a great variety of food courts. A good link to Air Itam via Paya Terubong road and surely a scenic drive to Balik Pulau too (durians from May to July).

Sungai Ara is also famed for its triple storey houses and houses on the hill with private backyards (Changkat Sungai Ara), and it is also known for its double storey terrace houses(Tingkat Sungai Ara 2,3,4 and Jalan Sungai Ara 1). The climate around Changkat Sungai Ara area is cooling especially during raining season. There are lots of birds living in the area and the residents here enjoy the bird singings especially in the morning. There is a hill which is now being developed as luxury bungalow residential area, accessible from Changkat Sungai Ara 2. The hill has a fantastic view of the whole Bayan Lepas area and is visited by lots of health lovers for jogging and walking. The peak rate of growth was a few years ago, but it's still going up but probably ecelerating, prices of landed properties going up strongly and surely. A triple storey landed property on the hill in Sungai Ara was RM550K in 2005 will fetch a good RM800K to RM900K within the next five years.

Sungai Ara has many good schools, near to many major shopping complexes, wet market and safe neighborhood. Sungai Ara has the lowest crime rate in Penang and the best air quality. However, land in Sungai Ara is limited and the state government may only approve for low density development and quality living. Sungai Ara is also located 'in between' the Penang Bridge and the second link in Batu Maung. Travelling from Sungai Ara to Komtar merely takes about 30 minutes via Queensbay Mall and the toll free Jelutong Express highway. It's a pretty sight in the evening with the Penang Bridge on the right side.

Macroeconomic signals are generally positive for Sungai Ara property markets with a stable Malaysian economy, low unemployment and interest rates that are relatively low. Sungai Ara basically have the positive points as the best town in Penang to invest in view that the economy is still strong, but there is increasing signs of slowing in the cyclic sensitive areas such as retail, wholesale and manufacturing. Development in Sungai Ara also see a considerable pressure on lack of land and vacancy rates are continuing to decline from Bayan Baru to Batu Maung. Sungai Ara has limited new construction occurring (bungalows was the latest in 2006) and fewer investors placing properties into the rental market, it is likely that rentals will increase substantially over the next two years in 2008 and 2009. Sungai Ara will see a great influx of investor from the mainland once the second link opens.