Since the boys are moving to a new school next year, we've been searching for a home closer to the school. We've found this more difficult than we expected.

We thought we could just check on google map, then find somewhere within, say, a 10km radius. But one needs to  see: if the suitable type of house and security is available; proximity to shopping, train stations and the highway(s) to Seremban and KL. And all within a tight budget. Anyway, even when we use google map, often the developments are so new they're off the map.

Of course we enlisted the help of locals: real estate agents, friends, relatives  and contacts through STM and church. But, ultimately, we have to live in the area and the house, so we need to check out the area--if we'd be comfortable living there, if it feels safe. And anyway, we need to give our helpers a general idea of what we're looking for and in which suburbs.

Two people have kindly offered their lovely places for rent, at reduced rental. Although there are obvious financial benefits, in the long-term, we'd envisage that the stress of fighting through heavy KL traffic would reduce our longevity here, as well as increase the risk of car accidents.

So this afternoon we spent another long three-and-a-half hours scouring suburbs east of The Australian International School. Some of the developments we're looking at are new, often at the edge of established suburbs. Often they are near industrial areas. But when we saw these locals (pictured) near one potential place to rent, we thought the area was a little too undeveloped.