Located on the southern tip of Malaysia is one of the country’s most prosperous states, Johor – neighbouring the equally as prosperous country Singapore. Situated just beside each other, Johor and Singapore are a powerful combination of economic prowess and development. Recognising the potential in each other, Johor and Singapore now have a symbiotic relationship.
Conveniently connected within just 10 minutes under clear traffic conditions, Singapore and Johor are connected via 2 different bridges – the Johor-Singapore Causeway and the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link. The former connects the city of Johor Bahru to Woodlands in Singapore, and the latter which is also known in Singapore as the Tuas Second Link connects Kampong Ladang at Tanjung Kupang in Johor to Tuas in Singapore.
Living in the Best of Both Worlds
In the year 2017, it has become the norm for Singaporeans and Malaysians to work in Singapore, but live in Johor. The biggest advantages touted are:
Lower cost of living
Due to the big difference in Singapore and Johor currency exchange, earning in Singapore and living in Johor translates to an extremely low cost of living. As a result, even Singaporeans who do not work in Malaysia often come over to Johor during the weekends for some weekend shopping.
Easier car ownership
Compared to Singapore, it is much easier owning a car in Malaysia. Obtaining car license in Malaysia is also more easy, as it is purchasing a car. Add to that Malaysia’s much lower petrol prices as compared to Singapore, it is understandable why any Singaporeans prefer living across the border.
Lower property prices
Also compared to Singapore, land in Johor is plentiful. An affordable HDB flat in Singapore can cost SGD400,000 – which translates to approximately RM1.24 million as of 1st July 2017 – in Malaysia. For the same amount of money, Singaporeans are able to purchase a landed property in Malaysia with large gardens and huge land areas.
Diversity of living
While Singapore is also a multiracial country, the diversity is much more pronounced over the border in Malaysia. As a result, the culture is tangibly different and there is also a wider variety of food.
Better retirement savings
Combining the lower cost of living, more affordable properties and more spacious living environment, those who are earning in Singapore yet living in Malaysia also have the chance for higher retirement savings.
Great education in Iskandar Puteri Malaysia
For families with school going children, they will have the added boon of having some of the best education institutions at their doorstep in Iskandar Puteri Malaysia. The Marlborough College that was attended by the Duchess of Cambridge Catherine is in Iskandar Puteri, as is the University of Reading, Raffles American School, Raffles University Iskandar, Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia, the Management Development Institute of Singapore and Netherlands Maritime Institute of Technology.
Rapid development in Johor
Development in Johor has been catching up with times, in terms of real estate and public transportation. Currently still in the works as of July 2017 is the High Speed Rail that will connect Kuala Lumpur to Singapore in approximately 99 minutes. The rail will have 7 stops, including 3 in Johor – in Muar, Batu Pahat and Iskandar Puteri.
Also in negotiations is the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System, under the Singapore MRT system. This rail system is envisioned to be a 2-station line with the Singapore side having their interchange at Woodlands North MRT Station and the upcoming Thomson-East Coast MRT Line. If this plan goes through, the traffic congestion between the two countries during peak hours will be greatly eased.
Property-wise, there are rumours abound that the property market in Johor is saturated. This does not however not taking into account the catalysts in Johor – the entertainment, education and commercial sector. Attracting tourists to Malaysia is the first Hello Kitty Land outside of Japan, and the first Legoland in Asia. Educity attracts international and local students, and prime commercial centres such as Pinewood Malaysia Studios are prime magnets for foreigners.
Holistic Living in Johor
Johor is indeed an attractive place for Singaporeans to live in, and Singapore an attractive place for Johoreans to work in. It is a symbiotic relationship, so much so that in 2015 the Sultan of Johor brought up the issue of seceding from Malaysia and joining Singapore in becoming the Greater Singapore. While the decision was non-conclusive, it is an interesting idea especially with with the lack of land and affordable housing in Singapore and the abundance of land and affordable properties in Johor. Combining the upcoming public transportation between Singapore and Johor, living in either country has also become a very viable idea.
If a home located between the two worlds is what you are searching for, check out GRID @ Sunway Iskandar
