Different Stages of Development — Focus on Needs Before Choosing
Benefiting from the Southern Taiwan Technology S-Corridor development plan, northern Kaohsiung areas including Nanzi, Qiaotou, and Zuoying have in recent years attracted many tech workers. A Kaohsiung-based tech industry netizen recently looking at homes is considering the NUK area for its development and future childcare plans, while elder family members suggest looking in urban areas such as the Zuoying HSR district. Sinyi Realty Kaohsiung District 1 Associate Manager Zhou Qingyuan said both areas are popular options but suit different groups, recommending those with long-term commuting needs to look near the Zuoying HSR station, while those planning to start a family who do not yet have children may consider the NUK Special District.
NUK Special District Affordable and New, Public Facilities Gradually Completed
The NUK Special District is located in Nanzi and is a relatively emerging rezoning district in its later stage, with relatively affordable prices and new properties, and functions gradually developing. Zhou Qingyuan believes moving in now allows residents to enjoy the development process, along with clearly foreseeable future appreciation and outlook. Sinyi Realty Zuoying HSR Branch Manager Wu Zongde explained that the NUK Special District originally relied on the student population of the National University of Kaohsiung, with fairly complete living functions, and has benefited from the arrival of major tech manufacturers such as TSMC, greatly increasing the settled population, while public facilities are gradually being implemented, including Lantian Elementary School and the sports center.
NUK Buildings Aged 5 to 10 Years, Total Prices From 9 Million
Buildings in the rezoning district average about 5 to 10 years in age. Units around 10 years old are larger, mainly 3-bedroom units, priced at about 250,000 to 300,000 per ping, with registered areas of about 30 to 45 ping, and total prices including parking of about 9 million to 12 million. Units around 5 years old are mostly 2- to 3-bedroom compact units, with registered areas of about 30 or 40 ping, as well as 4-bedroom products of about 50 ping or more, with overall total prices including parking of about 9 million to 15 million. The relatively affordable prices have attracted many local young buyers with rigid demand, as well as workers employed in Gangshan, the Qiaotou Science Park, and Nanzi to buy nearby.
Zuoying HSR Area Offers Mature Functions, Distinct Buyer Segments
Compared with the developing NUK Special District, the Zuoying HSR area is a fully mature commercial district. Wu Zongde said the old Fushan Borough where the HSR station is located is not only the most populous borough in Kaohsiung but also home to Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, with over 30 years of development, a complete school district from elementary to high school, and the HSR station, making food, clothing, housing, and transportation fully complete. Currently, 25- to 30-year-old resale buildings with mainly 3- to 4-bedroom units, registered areas of about 35 to 45 ping, unit prices of about 250,000 to 280,000, and total prices including parking of about 9 million to 12 million are the mainstream and most popular type in the district. Starting about 10 years ago, driven by HSR benefits, developers mainly launched large luxury units with registered areas of 50 ping or even 70 ping, with total prices including parking of about 23 million to 27 million, attracting high-asset groups such as traditional industry owners and doctors in northern Kaohsiung. Units within 5 years old, affected by scarce land and high land costs, are mainly compact units, 2- to 3-bedroom units with registered areas of 23 to 30 ping, averaging about 400,000 to 500,000 per ping, with total prices including parking of about 11 million to 15 million. Current buyers are mainly rigid-demand groups using the New Youth Housing Loan, as well as TSMC and supply-chain-related workers, mostly high-income managers. Younger buyers prefer to live close to work, while managerial-level buyers tend to settle in Zuoying, mainly due to HSR commuting needs or being 2 MRT stops from downtown on holidays. Zhou Qingyuan reminded that before buying, in addition to budget, buyers should consider actual needs and future plans, and may consult real estate agents for professional analysis and evaluation from a third party before deciding.