Choosing an Auspicious Floor Level
In a high-rise city like Johor Bahru, which floor to buy is a real question — part feng shui, part numbers, part plain livability. Here is how to think about it.
“Which floor should I buy?” is one of the most common questions I get, especially for condos in Johor Bahru and KL. There is a feng shui answer, a numbers answer and a practical answer, and the honest truth is that for most buyers the practical one matters most. Here is how all three fit together.
The feng shui view of floors
In feng shui, each floor level can be associated with one of the five elements in a repeating cycle, and a floor is considered favourable when its element supports the occupant’s own. Because it depends on personal details, there is no universally lucky floor — a floor that suits one person may be neutral for another. This is why a practitioner asks about you before commenting on a level.
The numbers people love and avoid
| Number | Common association |
|---|---|
| 8 | Sounds like 发 (prosper) — widely favoured |
| 9 | Long-lasting — generally liked |
| 6 | Smooth, everything flows — liked |
| 4 | Sounds like 死 (death) — often avoided |
These are cultural preferences more than rules. They also affect resale, since the next buyer may feel the same way — a practical reason to weigh them.
The practical factors that matter more
- View and light: higher floors usually get more light and privacy, lower ones more shade and convenience.
- Noise: very low floors near roads, carparks or facilities can be noisier.
- Lift reliance: high floors mean you depend on lifts — think about rush hour and the day they break down.
- Price and demand: favoured floors and numbers can cost more and resell faster.
How to decide
Start with how you will actually live — do you want light and views, or easy access and lower cost? Then layer in the number preference if it matters to you or to future buyers. If a floor ticks your practical boxes but carries a number you dislike, that is a personal call; if it works on every front, the number is a bonus. Buy the home first, the number second.
Trying to pick the right floor in a project?
Tell me the tower and your priorities and I will talk you through the trade-offs floor by floor. I am Louis Koh, over a decade in Johor Bahru property.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a lucky floor for everyone?
No. Feng shui reads floor levels through elements and personal compatibility, so a floor that suits one person may be neutral for another. General number preferences like 8 and 4 are cultural, not universal rules.
Should I avoid the 4th floor or units with 4?
Many buyers prefer to, because 4 sounds like the word for death. It is a personal choice, but worth noting for resale since the next buyer may feel the same, which can affect demand and price.
Are higher floors better?
Not always. Higher floors often mean better views, light and privacy, but more lift reliance and usually higher prices. Lower floors offer convenience and shade. Choose by how you actually live.
Want to see actual projects?
From Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur, I keep a documented list of what is selling now — take a look and see what fits.