Unique dynamics of Malaysian property

[byfaith]

I like to share my own personal experience here.
I'm evaluating the option of buying a property in JB likely iskandar and rent out my HDB flat.

There are many things i need to consider :
1) safety
2) my kids education
3) transportation - public since i do not drive
4) costs savings - short term vs long term

I met a few agents who sadly were just interested in selling me the property they are now marketing but not listening to my story.

I went to a few so called "iskander property talk" only to hear them selling the developments they bring in. Most of the things they said can be found online (power of goggle)

if there is anyone who had successfully made their way to Iskandar and work here in SG , I like to learn more about their challenges and how they overcome it.

Any views are most welcome.

Thanks

[2V.]

I presumed you wanted a bigger space for your family, investment return will not be the key consideration.

1. Safety - Be prepared for robbery, you need to pay more security equipments and gears for self-defence and family protection. You may need to worry your kids more often if they are late back home.

2. Kids education - You mentioned kids and I assume they are below 16 years. They need to wake up 1 hr earlier daily and takes an extra hour transport journey to reach home . If you consider to switch over to Iskandar school, I suspect the cost of education (International School) definitely will be higher . In the long run, how are your kids going to do networking with classmates? CCAs, sport activities, night activities?

3. Transport - It is a key advantage to drive because of petrol subsidy, do you notice so many cars go to JB everyday? What will be your family activities without car in JB?

4. Cost saving - In my view, there are probably cost saving if you are in the sixties, lower medical expenses via future Medical Hub.

My discussions with the JB residents -They will not even consider buying at all. 1. New projects are hype to attract Singapore buyers only, there will be no secondary market because of lots of future supply. Dont expect to sell your property for a profit in the future.

2. I shall never stay in JB because of the security. Expect to pay the police to work for you if you need them.

You need to consider carefully to compromise bigger Space for Security and Capital preservation.

I like to share my own personal experience here.
I'm evaluating the option of buying a property in JB likely iskandar and rent out my HDB flat.

There are many things i need to consider :
1) safety
2) my kids education
3) transportation - public since i do not drive
4) costs savings - short term vs long term

I met a few agents who sadly were just interested in selling me the property they are now marketing but not listening to my story.

I went to a few so called "iskander property talk" only to hear them selling the developments they bring in. Most of the things they said can be found online (power of goggle)

if there is anyone who had successfully made their way to Iskandar and work here in SG , I like to learn more about their challenges and how they overcome it.

Any views are most welcome.

Thanks

[mulyc]

Bro 2V is almost spot on.

I've alot of friends with property in Msia even before Iskandar took off. I have relatives living in Ipoh and KL. The bottomline is: know what you are getting into.

1. Safety - don't expect security to be anywhere near Singapore standard even though we are neighbours. Break-ins and snatch thefts happen everyday in broad daylight, so much so that people don't bother about reporting small issues (unless someone gets hurt). The police isnt going to be very helpful either especially if you're (a) singaporean - rich fellow come to their land yaya papaya (b) chinese - always hoarding the cash and work opportunities. Dont expect your complaints to go very far without abit of 'extras' on the side. Always be alert for suspicious characters monitoring your daily routines.

2. Kids Edu - depends on your expectations. But a Malaysian education is nowhere near good enough even in Malaysia these days. Commute to Singapore will be a headache espec when you cannot get your child into your desired school and they end up in a school in Redhill (eg), then you have to travel from Johor to Redhill EVERYDAY. Cheap petrol also no use.

3. Public Transport - out of the question at the moment. Of course in the future maybe you will have an Malaysian LRT station near you which may connect you to SG MRT then to Woodlands etc etc. But now without a car, you are digging a very big hole for yourself. If an emergency happens at home, the nearest clinic/hospital is a far longer drive than a SG hospital.

4. This one is the key decision maker for alot of people. if your family nucleus and dependents are negligible (are you single?) then you are likelier to be free from all the misc costs that add up when you have dependents in tow. As long as you have kids under 12, the decision isnt a very sound one, unless you have difficulty affording housing in singapore.

End of the day, people can say all the good things about Johor/Iskandar till the cows come home. But you have to live there for a while to understand what you're getting into. IF you're not prepared for a life worse than what you are used to in singapore (and trust me you wont realise it until you lose it - things like convenience, walkable distances, efficient services etc). In Malaysia, Malaysia boleh. Every runs on Malaysian timing. So chill and relak one corner and wait for awhile for things to get done.

Of course there will be people who will disagree with the above assessment, but I have lived on the other side before, so this is only advice from my POV. Thats why Singapore is my home

Hope it helps.