For many home seekers and property investors, the first thing that comes to mind when one mentions Penang is the state’s thriving island. The capital city of George Town has long established itself as one of the country’s most loved cities. However, due to scarcity of land and escalated property prices, many developers have shifted their focus to Penang mainland (Seberang Perai), which has huge potential due to cheaper land price and abundance of undeveloped land.

Instead of developing pocket-sized land in the matured township like Bukit Mertajam and Butterworth, major developers with huge landbank and strong financial are focusing on integrated townships that offer world-class amenities and facilities at the consumers’ doorstep. Batu Kawan is no doubt one of the most talkabout satellite township in Penang mainland since the completion of Second Bridge. However, many home seekers and investors have often overlooked the growing potential of the Northern Seberang Perai, which is the third most populated district of Penang state.

World-class township development

Bertam was once a sleepy township, is now one of the fast growing township in Northern Seberang Perai with spur of developments by reputable developers in the recent years. SP Setia entry into region with 1,675 acres of freehold land for an eco-themed township development – Setia Fontaines, is set to bring yet another world-class township that offers moderns life-style choices for Penangites and investors.

Setia Fontaines is located within the Butterworth-Sungai Petani growth corridor, next to Bertam Perdana. With good accessibility from the North-South Highway via the Bertam Interchange, it is only 15 minutes away from Butterworth and about 25 minutes away from Penang Bridge.

Abundance of amenities are on the doorstep, including popular F&B outlets, government offices, medical institution, several university campuses (USM, UiTM, ILP, MRSM, & Nursing College) and a golf course. Most of the popular banks are just a stone’s throw away, such as Public bank, CIMB, Maybank, Hong Leong bank to name a few. For shopping and groceries, it is only minutes drive to Tesco, MyDin and Sunshine Hypermarket.

Accessibility and connectivity

Being centrally located within several major townships in Seberang Perai and Kedah, Bertam also enjoys the advantage of multiple access through federal roads from neighboring towns, namely Bukit Mertajam, Butterworth, Sungai Petani and Kulim. Most of these townships are within 30 minutes drive. Not to mentioned it is only a short 5 km to Tasek Gelugor KTM electrified double track railway station, which will considerably ease the travel to the south of Penang state.

Besides, the proposed 7.2km undersea tunnel connects George Town’s Pangkor Road and Bagan Ajam in Butterworth will serve as the catalyst to spur economic growth in Northern Seberang Perai. It is also expected to reduce travelling time from Gurney Drive to Bertam to only 25 minutes, compared to current travel time which takes between 45 minutes to one hour.

Distance is just a perception, and these perceptions are often distorted by the growing traffic congestion in the Penang island. Today with good accessibility and connectivity, people are more willing to stay further away from their workplace for a better lifestyle living. If one only need to spend an extra 15 minutes commuting to work in exchange for a bigger and better living space at less than half of the property price in the island, why not?

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