For years, the Malaysian dream home meant a terrace house with a patch of green, or for the fortunate few, a detached property that symbolised both space and success. But a quiet revolution is taking place in the property market, and it’s being led by Gen Z.
A new report by Juwai IQI, analysing over 127,000 property transactions since 2018, reveals that 84% of Gen Z buyers (aged 15–29) choose condominiums or apartments over landed homes. This is a sharp contrast to older generations, who still lean towards terraces, semi-Ds, or detached houses.
As Juwai IQI’s co-founder and group CEO Kashif Ansari puts it: “Gen Z are buying into the skyline, while Millennials and Gen X keep their feet on the ground.”
Why Gen Z Is Choosing Vertical Living
For today’s young buyers, condominiums offer a powerful mix of affordability, convenience, and lifestyle perks that landed homes struggle to match. Cost is often the most decisive factor. On average, monthly expenses for high-rise living are about RM200 lower than a terrace house and nearly RM1,200 lower than a detached property. In an era of stagnant wages and rising living costs, these savings make a significant difference for first-time buyers trying to manage tight budgets.
Location is another big draw. Condos are usually situated closer to workplaces, public transport, shopping centres, and entertainment districts, the very places where Gen Z wants to live, work, and play. The ability to cut down on commuting time while staying connected to the heart of city life makes high-rise living especially attractive.
Then there are the facilities. For younger Malaysians, features such as built-in gyms, swimming pools, and round-the-clock security are no longer seen as luxuries but as part of the expected standard. These amenities add both value and convenience, shaping the condo lifestyle into something that feels modern, secure, and well-suited to their needs.
For Gen Z, who are nearly nine million strong in Malaysia, high-rise living isn’t just a phase; it’s a deliberate lifestyle choice.
How Other Generations Compare
The study reveals a fascinating generational divide in housing preferences. Millennials (aged 30–44) are still more inclined towards landed properties when starting families, with about 25% of their purchases involving terraces, semi-Ds or detached houses. Privacy, space, and room to grow remain important factors for this group, even as many continue to buy high-rise units.
For Gen X (aged 45–59), the pattern looks similar. Around 75% of their purchases are in units, while 25% are landed homes. By this stage of life, many already own property, and their choices often reflect upgrading, relocating, or investing.
Among the Boomer generation (aged 60–80), the trend shifts towards practicality. A significant 77% of their purchases are high-rise units, reflecting the appeal of downsizing for easier maintenance and convenience.
At the oldest end of the spectrum, the Builders (80 years and above) overwhelmingly prefer vertical living, with 93% of transactions involving condos or apartments. For them, simplicity, accessibility, and manageable upkeep are top priorities.
This generational breakdown shows that life stage matters. Families in their 30s to 50s continue to prioritise space through landed homes, while retirees favour the simplicity of condos. Gen Z’s tilt towards units, however, is shaping the future demand curve more strongly than any other group.
The Bigger Picture
Despite Gen Z’s condo boom, Malaysia’s overall housing supply still favours landed homes. According to National Property Information Centre (NAPIC) data, in 2024, 69% of homes were landed, while only 31% were high-rise units.
Transactions also reflect this imbalance. Landed homes made up about 79% of all sales last year, showing that while younger buyers prefer condos, the market remains weighted toward traditional properties.
For property developers, the data signals both urgency and opportunity. As Gen Z moves through the next 20 years of their buying cycle, they will eventually upgrade to larger units or even landed homes. But for now, they want compact, affordable, and well-located condos.
Cities, too, will evolve to match these choices. Expect denser skylines, more transit-linked developments, and suburban hubs that mix vertical living with lifestyle convenience. At the same time, landed properties will remain aspirational for households seeking more space as their families grow.
“Every generation has its preferences. By recognising and responding to them, Malaysia can ensure its housing market remains inclusive, sustainable and well-matched to the evolving needs of its people,” Kashif Ansari shares.
The Future Belongs to Gen Z
Malaysia’s housing market is standing at a generational crossroads. On one side is tradition: landed homes that symbolise space, family, and stability. On the other side is transformation: vertical living that reflects affordability, convenience, and a new urban lifestyle.
For now, Gen Z is buying into the skyline, and their choices will decide how Malaysia’s suburbs grow, how cities are built, and how developers shape the property market for decades to come.
The dream home of tomorrow? It may no longer be a terrace with a garden, but a condo with a view.
Source: 1| 2
Related articles:
How the Malaysian Housing Crisis is Shaping a New Era of Property Deals
Johor Property Market 2025: Opportunities, Risks, and Where to Buy
Discussion about this post