Living in JB

[wuqi256]

Hey iampseudoneem,

Sure, we are all here to share. :)

Nothing to envy or jealous about though, its just different developments meeting different needs and wants. Each has its own purpose and market.
The design for the terrace houses in NI are nothing to complain about. Full windows and built in balcony for some of the precints.

I am sure NI is still much better than compared to Ledang H, so much crime reported from the prospective tenants (caucasians) who came by HH today.

[autoroam]

Any Bro know wher this is located? Is it in Dangi Bay

Residences @ Waterfront
The most affordable alternative to Sentosa Cove, come to Johor Bahru where this Waterfront development will include new residential neighbourhoods surrounded by parks, cycle and walking tracks in a secure and gated community. With a foreshore hosting an international-standard Yacht Club and restaurants, residents will experience a truly sophisticated lifestyle. Waterfront homes will have boat access to the marina and the Straits of Johor.

Within beautiful tropical landscaping, secured neighbourhoods will deliver an idyllic “gardens and waterways” style of living for families and their guests. In this gated community, residents enjoy peaceful lives, confident that unobtrusive security is protecting their investments and their privacy around the clock.

Located in Iskandar Economic Zone in Johor Bahru, this area is poised for rapid development and property prices rise.

Semi-detached, Cluster houses also available. TOP mid-2012.

[eatshitndie]

danga bay.

[iamapseudoneem]

Seems like more and more developments are coming up aimed at the mid to high priced market (especially with the minimum RM500K set for foreigners recently). Most, if not all, banking on the Iskandar/Nusajaya name and location to drive up the value. They're like mushrooms sprouting up after a downpour!
I wonder if there is a steadily growing oversupply of property and worry what will happen if/when the demand starts to slow down (if it hasn't started already). Just thinking aloud :)

[Charlie258]

Seems like more and more developments are coming up aimed at the mid to high priced market (especially with the minimum RM500K set for foreigners recently). Most, if not all, banking on the Iskandar/Nusajaya name and location to drive up the value. They're like mushrooms sprouting up after a downpour!
I wonder if there is a steadily growing oversupply of property and worry what will happen if/when the demand starts to slow down (if it hasn't started already). Just thinking aloud :)


If bubble, so what? If crash, so what? You are not buying to speculate, nor to make a fast buck. If you want to speculate for a fast buck, go Sinkiepoor or Hong Kong. Malaysia property is for the purpose of getting a nice place to stay in, away from the Rat Race.

[wuqi256]

Its at Danga Bay, quite near to the 1st link, its not too far from the 2nd link too. Its ok, pretty crowded in the area in the evenings as well as the weekend. There is a marina there with a few nice boats.

It reminds me of the old Marina South before it was ruined by over planning and high rent.

[toyohon]

charlie258, totally agree. I always tell people that I treat property purchase in Msia like buying/changing cars in sg - only much better that it is a freehold landed property that you can pass on to generations, unlike the 10 years depreciating piece of machinery:D.

[wuqi256]

Not to worry bro, iamapseudoneem.

Most of us are buying it to stay, at least 1-2 units are for own stay. Some of us who has more than 2 units here use the rest for rental.

This is not the best place to flip, flipping is good for other countries if you want fast and high returns.

Land are aplenty in JB, properties aplenty too but those with good location, accessibility and amenities will always have value. Its only starting to be expensive and the bubble is only forming now, even those who are getting in now or just got in, they won't be too affected as prices have not gone so high up yet as its just starting to reach KL standards. With the money to buy a 3 room flat in SG, you can still get a very decent place in JB.

[wuqi256]

Yes bro Toyohon, very true. My ex boss came to visit yesterday, now he is thinking of becoming my neighbour. :)

[toyohon]

Bro Wuqi, during my time, it was comparable to the purchase of a say, Honda Accord but since the raising of the threshold to RM500k, its now comparable to a 3-room HDB flat .... This site provides quite good current info on Johor properties ..http://www.thissit.com/Default.aspx

[Dicktamby]

talking about cars, i inquired about car loans from the banks here. Was told that I need to have a work permit and a local guarantor. But M**B*** say they can 'bend' the rules if i take the mortgage loan with them. Anyone got any experience with car loans in MY ?

[danteakc]

Oh sure iamapseudoneem, no problem, thanks for sharing anyway. (Note to you and note to myself as well, never challenge in a forum to ask folks to google, for they will)

Oh yes, in HH there are still some (mainly those 2.5 storey clusters) that are not yet full. I see a lot of renovation very recently though and every day a new family or renovation is taking place. My row and the rows besides me are mostly full these days(current as of August).

I know this as i stay here most of the time and its not just a impression during a couple of visits. In most developments, not only NI or HH, people take time to move in, whether its rented, living there on weekdays and weekends. There may be weeks and even months before your neighbour move in and even then there is no guarantee that they will help you. You need to make an effort to know them and establish some kind of trust.

I have more than 3 neighours who hand me their keys when they are out or overseas. I will gladly handover my keys too as i have in the past. I still try not to hand over my main door one (unless i warn them in advance first) or for the rooms though as i normally leave something very interesting for intruders that i don't want anyone innocent to encounter.

Some of my closer neighbours here also know where to run to in case of emergency such as riots or attacks by zombies. :P

As i said before, i have never discounted NI fully but security wise normally we won't know for sure until we have started staying there.
As i said, i am sure the situation over there has improved like you said with card access, etc. They are clearly now doing things the right way.

No place is 100% crime proof, i am sure not even HH. Those of us who are here to contribute and share are helping their fellow countrymen by sharing their experience and opinion so there is no right or wrong as its just feedback for folks to consider.

Hi,
MIA so long, good news. Got loan approve from UOB, Alliance and HSBC however now the worrisome thing is State Consent.
State consent. At what possibility that after I had paid for it that they will disapprove me?
Also do you know where can I buy nusery for plants and tall trees?
Went to Jalan Taman Molek. Very high end furniture. Comparable to Lorenzo and Harvey Norman. However lighting still quite far in terms of quality like Strauss and Egyptian crystal. Know where to find?
Alot of auto workshop there. Finally found michellin tyres workshop now trying to get quote.

Overall experience was heart pounding and everything open/close door had to look around alot of times.
Found Ceramic World but quite far fetch from Soon Bee Huat. Found the wet market.

"Some of my closer neighbours here also know where to run to in case of emergency such as riots or attacks by zombies. :P"
Care to msg me the place so that family know what to do?

Cheers
ps can discuss trading soon? Long term or day trading?

[wuqi256]

Bro Wuqi, during my time, it was comparable to the purchase of a say, Honda Accord but since the raising of the threshold to RM500k, its now comparable to a 3-room HDB flat .... This site provides quite good current info on Johor properties ..http://www.thissit.com/Default.aspx

True, i agree. The 500k is mainly to curb foreigners from buying out the cheaper properties and to prevent the locals from not being able to buy or get priced out of more affordable properties.

[wuqi256]

talking about cars, i inquired about car loans from the banks here. Was told that I need to have a work permit and a local guarantor. But M**B*** say they can 'bend' the rules if i take the mortgage loan with them. Anyone got any experience with car loans in MY ?

No need,my friends and my car got financed at 70%(car loan for foreigners at 70%) without needing all the BS.

No guarantor too. Just have a mortgage loan with any bank and use that, your income documents to prove that you are in good standing. :)

I just realised one thing, locals use the housing loan amount you get as a yardstick to see your standing with the banks. If you get an 80% loan , you are the normal group, if you get 85% to the legendary 90%, you are the "doing really ok" group.

If you tell them you bought a million dollar property using cold hard cash, they would think you belong to the "bullshitters" group.

[wuqi256]

Hi,
MIA so long, good news. Got loan approve from UOB, Alliance and HSBC however now the worrisome thing is State Consent.
State consent. At what possibility that after I had paid for it that they will disapprove me?
Also do you know where can I buy nusery for plants and tall trees?
Went to Jalan Taman Molek. Very high end furniture. Comparable to Lorenzo and Harvey Norman. However lighting still quite far in terms of quality like Strauss and Egyptian crystal. Know where to find?
Alot of auto workshop there. Finally found michellin tyres workshop now trying to get quote.

Overall experience was heart pounding and everything open/close door had to look around alot of times.
Found Ceramic World but quite far fetch from Soon Bee Huat. Found the wet market.

"Some of my closer neighbours here also know where to run to in case of emergency such as riots or attacks by zombies. :P"
Care to msg me the place so that family know what to do?

Cheers
ps can discuss trading soon? Long term or day trading?

Ok, thats good to hear. Normally state consent is a formality, sometimes it takes very long in rare cases but normally a few months is all it takes.

Yes, there are two, side by side, near to the Sutera Mall, on the way from Nusa Bestari, its on the right side. There are some past recommendations on lighting(cheaper type) in this thread. Avalon is mid end but i haven't had such a good experience with them. A lot of my friends use Trendy Lighting, opposite Eurorich hotel, blue signboard.

Autoshops are aplenty, i use the "Honda" shop near Sutera Mall as they are very reliable and can bargain. I tested them in the past with both SG and MY registered cars, same price.

The maintenance free battery i replaced recently, i got at 220 MYR without needing to bargain.

[congo9]

Maintenace free battery (BIG ONE) is around $120 in Singapore. The guy will ride the motorcycle right to your door step and to install the battery for you.

220MYR is around $100 singkie dollar. I got mine fix at workshop in singkie at $70 bucks.Not much cost saving in Malaysia !

[wuqi256]

Maintenace free battery (BIG ONE) is around $120 in Singapore. The guy will ride the motorcycle right to your door step and to install the battery for you.

220MYR is around $100 singkie dollar. I got mine fix at workshop in singkie at $70 bucks.Not much cost saving in Malaysia !


Oh thanks for the information, i was just saying 220 MYR is the list price for reference. Its cheap Yokohama brand, there are other brands which are cheaper. I kept my old battery, it would be another 20 off if i traded it in.

[Analytical Professor]

Quite nicely written. What i really liked about your write up was the pain you took to describe the place and gave in so many details.

As rightly pointed out by wuqi "To Each his own" and there is no write or wrong here.

We express what we feel (Hopefully in the process no body hurts anyone). Honestly i liked the way you took time and effort to write your piece. So please feel free to contribute..

Share more of your experiences with us especially your experiences in JB


We bought a place at Nusa Idaman Phase 8A recently so here's my 2 cents on why :) We chose it after we did some research online and went up to look at HH and Bukit Indah's offerings (end June). HH and BI had websites so we could browse the available properties etc. before driving up. However NI didn't have a website which made us wonder if it was worth considering. We still kept NI in mind though since the plan was to look around in the nearby areas. We made it a point to steer clear of developments close to downtown JB due to the heavy traffic and security issues. And high price developments like East Ledang and Leisure Farm were way beyond our prince range. We loved the build quality and layout of HH (we were very impressed with HH actually) but felt it was slightly beyond our means and the price was on the high side for the particular property type. Besides we don't play golf and don't foresee using the clubhouse much. SP Setia (BI property dev) didn't have the property type we wanted available when we visited the sales office. We then drove to NI just because it was nearby.

Coincidentally we visited the sales office the day before the official launch of Phase 8A so the office wasn't crowded, we had a good selection of units to choose from and a head start from other possible buyers. The sales guy was friendly, non-pushy and helpful. They let us view the showhouse and also brought us around to the other existing precincts to give a good idea of the neighbourhood. We liked the precincts concept, it being gated and guarded, and the location is very ideal (almost exactly mid-way between Causeway and 2nd Link so we have a choice of which way to come and go). It has it's own exit from the highway and you can enter NI either via said highway or the road from BI (and soon via the coastal highway). It's close proximity to Jusco, Tesco and Giant, Columbia Asia Hospital (5 min away), Educity etc. was a major plus point too. Also Precint 8 is the premier precinct of NI, with its own lakes and some decent amenities planned around.

Of course the build is not as impressive as HH but we felt the price was right and NI has a good overall vibe for us. NI is from the same developer as HH (UEM Land) so we felt pretty secure on the developer's reliability. I've been doing some searching online since and notice that there are not many houses in NI being put up for sale or rental to date. What this indicates to me is that it's a development that people purchase to live in and are happy to do so (compared to HH which has a lot of listings on a few property sites). We plan to move there permanently and not just treat our place as a weekend home. Another advantage for us is that my friend bought the house opposite ours (we went to the sales office together) so we can keep an eye out for each other and look into sharing expenses (e.g. carpooling). So far the service experience has been decent.

And that's why we decided to go with NI in a nutshell :)

I have not heard of much crimes happening in NI (and I did some web searching but did not come up with anything), but if you have maybe you can enlighten?

And if you decide to go with NI, then welcome, neighbour! :)

[Analytical Professor]

Wuqi would you mind moderating the thread along the lines of actually living in JB? Just a request...

This will help all of us....

1) Eg what do you do if you are involved in a crash with a malaysian vehicle?
2) What if your vehicle breaks down in the middle of the night what do you do?
3) Which hospitals are reliable?

I think information like this will help us fellow Singaporeans. If the discussion is too HH centric then it may not interest the many readers who are not buying into HH.

Making it more broadbased will invite more fan following. Hope this is in line with the thinking of every person who supports this thread and genuinely want to see it successful

[wuqi256]

This will help all of us....

1) Eg what do you do if you are involved in a crash with a malaysian vehicle?
2) What if your vehicle breaks down in the middle of the night what do you do?
3) Which hospitals are reliable?

Definitely, i don't mind, this thread was never only about HH but living in JB, otherwise the title would have been, Living in HH now wouldn't it? :)

Ok so no issues with crashing with Malaysian vehicle if you are:
1. Driving a MY registered car
2. Knows a workshop to go to for repairs
3. Aware that it was a genuine accident and not an attempt to extort and
in remote area(rob)
4. Fake an accident to extort or rob


So if you are in a SG car, depending on how severe it is and who is at fault, its best to report it to the police and to have a record even if the guy admits he is at fault. Unless he pays you something(if he is at fault) and then you have something in writing, otherwise he can always retract his statement the same way they do in Singapore.

If its #3, then its ok, just get his number and report to insurance but best is to settle and have something in writing. If its your fault, then go to a workshop you are familiar with and get it fixed.

Get an itemized list of what to expect. Aside from coffeeshops, there are also a lot of mud guard and body works/car repair shops opposite Tesco. You should be pretty safe down there given that they are pretty competitive.

If its #4 and you find something weird or dodgy or if you see 3-4 burly guys advancing to you after driving into your boot or deliberately braking suddenly after cutting in. One thing to do,drive fast and run like hell to the nearest police station and make your report.

Chances are high that if they wanted to extort or rob, they won't make a report.

Pricing are about:
$500 RM - For fixing a dented front driver door with dented driver side passenger door
$200-240 RM - For battery replacement
$5 RM - Charging Flat battery
$5 RM - To fix a puncture

There are lots of tow truck services that cover most of the highway, it ranges but is about $100 RM. Its best to go to your own workshop even if the tow truck guy introduces you one.

The new Colombia Asia one as the main one in JB that our government has mentioned accepting medi-save (Regency Specialist Hospital)

[iamapseudoneem]

I've gotten lots of useful information from this thread and so am more than happy to do my part to contribute. Also it's a way of tracing our own personal experience :)

OK. Here's the sequence of monetary expenses we've had to fork out so far:
1. RM1000 as initial booking deposit to developer paid via SGD cheque on 1st visit.
2. 10% of property price (- RM1000) to developer for 1st payment via SGD cheque within 1 month of signing.
3. RM11000 (i.e. RM10500 levy + RM500 associated lawyer fees) via telex 2 weeks after that.
4. RM6+K for MLTA to insurance company via credit card same week as telex transfer (payment for 1st year, subsequent payments split to twice per year).
5. RM1000 (i.e. RM500 set up fee + RM500 initial deposit) to open savings account at Malaysian bank for depositing housing loan installments. Personally go down to bank to open account 2 weeks after loan approval.

Everything's pretty straightforward and no hidden costs at all so far.
Next expected outlay will be the 2nd payment of 10% to developer, maybe within 2 weeks from now? Also the monthly loan installments to confirm with bank when to start putting in. Will update soon :)

[danteakc]

dirt cheap for MRTA. I think something is wrong wif my purchase. I needed to pay $23k for it via UOB. what Fk.
My lawyer fee beside state levy amounts to $36k.

[iamapseudoneem]

Ours is MLTA not MRTA. We have to pay that amount annually.
A possible plan with MLTA is to pay until just after break even point, cash in the insurance and use the guaranteed cash back to pay off the rest of the housing loan.
The lawyer fee is for processing of the levy only. Our housing package comes with free legal fees so no other lawyer fees incurred if I understand correctly.

[euphony]

heya everyone, here's my story and I hope for some advice as well!

I am another 'convert' (sounds like AA meeting haha). Like many, I used to think that living in JB is a big no no because of a variety of reasons already hashed out earlier by all of you. I am a Johorean but have been fully educated in SG and overseas and have all my friends, monies and career in SG. But a recent change in events brought me closer to home. I was waiting to buy myself a property in SG to stay in but was always chasing after ever more expensive ones that I could not afford and was renting all these while. HDBs were out of reach for me as a single SPR.

So fast forward to today, I commute to SG daily and rent a studio @ prima regency (molek). Rental is like almost half of what I pay in SG and can be considered an 'upgrade' and the place is pretty secure, decent and pleasant I must say. The commute's not too shabby since I travel in and out at odd hours. My parents live nearby and the quality of life's definitely up there!

Still I consider the current arrangement temporary and like all of you am looking for a place to call my own in JB (although some of you already's got yourself a nice roof you own I read). Unlike most of you, I do not want a big place. I am staying on my own and happily so and prefer a smaller place so that I don't have to work my ass off cleaning up. Yet I don't want to live in the 'pits' so as to speak (somehow I gather small means cannot drop in quality etc). The choice to me is pretty straight forward really, a condominium of some sort all the better if its a studio with facilities and sheltered parking for my wifey (my car that is).

I was wondering if you all have any advice for me? I looked at prima itself which is fantastic but its getting a bit old with people asking in excess of 120-40k from the launch price of 90k. Then there's the palazio which was launched recently and setia's sky residences TOPing in 2 yrs? and lagenda tasek which is just TOPed. And then there's Bayu puteri which is leasehold and KSL.

1. Should I get an apartment in the subsale market or direct from developer?
2. Should I be bothered about leasehold freehold?
3. Which of the above developments/developers are considered good?
4. Is now a good time to think about purchasing or should I hold my horses? (since I am not limited by the 500K rule) I see appreciation of property prices in general recently.

[Charlie258]

Not to be a party pooper or a fun spoiler, but with so many cities and states in Malaysia, why must you buy in J.B.?

Let me tell you a story: my girlfriend works for a big multi-national company with offices in Singapore. They employ many Malaysians. Many of these Malaysians used to commute in from J.B. every morning.

One by one, all of these J.B. Malaysians sold their J.B. houses and bought houses in Singapore. Now, in her company, all the Malaysians live in Singapore.

The Singaporeans in my g/f's company asked their Malaysian colleagues: why did you all sell your big Malaysian house to buy a small Singapore rat-hole for such exorbitant price? Answer: After experiencing a few burglaries and one or two roadside robberies, we did not feel safe in J.B. anymore.

If you want to buy to invest, there are many other much better cities and states in M'sia. If you want a place to stay, it is better to rent and not buy in J.B.

[congo9]

I think their colleague is not elite enough. How much did they pay for the place RM$300K or below ? Of course no security !

500k RM minimum is for the rich and i think can get a damn good bunglow with all the necessary security.

If you want to buy to invest, there are many other much better cities and states in M'sia. If you want a place to stay, it is better to rent and not buy in J.B.[/QUOTE]

[toyohon]

Generally Malaysians (other than those in the main cities like KL/Penang) owning low to medium range properties are not keen to pay monthly maintenance for their homes. Some convert their Tamans into half-baked type of fenced up oil-drum type of security which is neither here nor there and this is where the crooks thrive.

[wuqi256]

Quote: I was wondering if you all have any advice for me? I looked at prima itself which is fantastic but its getting a bit old with people asking in excess of 120-40k from the launch price of 90k. Then there's the palazio which was launched recently and setia's sky residences TOPing in 2 yrs? and lagenda tasek which is just TOPed. And then there's Bayu puteri which is leasehold and KSL.

1. Should I get an apartment in the subsale market or direct from developer?
2. Should I be bothered about leasehold freehold?
3. Which of the above developments/developers are considered good?
4. Is now a good time to think about purchasing or should I hold my horses? (since I am not limited by the 500K rule) I see appreciation of property prices in general recently.[/QUOTE]


Ok i hope i can be of some help. If you are not bounded by the 500k price difference then you can actually go for lots of choices.

I still think going with developer is good but most importantly it must be a reputable one.

Buying subsale is safer in some ways as you can guage it for what it is after its in the hands of the residents and also that the place is at least tangible now and not just something fancy on paper.

I would think earlier would have been better, its still not too late to enter the market.

[wuqi256]

Not to be a party pooper or a fun spoiler, but with so many cities and states in Malaysia, why must you buy in J.B.?

Let me tell you a story: my girlfriend works for a big multi-national company with offices in Singapore. They employ many Malaysians. Many of these Malaysians used to commute in from J.B. every morning.

One by one, all of these J.B. Malaysians sold their J.B. houses and bought houses in Singapore. Now, in her company, all the Malaysians live in Singapore.

The Singaporeans in my g/f's company asked their Malaysian colleagues: why did you all sell your big Malaysian house to buy a small Singapore rat-hole for such exorbitant price? Answer: After experiencing a few burglaries and one or two roadside robberies, we did not feel safe in J.B. anymore.

If you want to buy to invest, there are many other much better cities and states in M'sia. If you want a place to stay, it is better to rent and not buy in J.B.

Yes, there are many states in Malaysia and land are plentiful but the thread is for below who still has ties or work in Singapore. KL would make sense for some of us who are working in KL. Malacca may also make sense for some retirees who do not need/wish to come back to SG daily/weekly.

Land may be cheaper at some states but it won't make sense if they have to travel 3-4 hours to get there. Out of curiosity, can you help us check with your gf colleagues whether are they giving up their MY citizenship and if not, can they please list the reason why despite having houses in Singapore?

I have been here slightly more a year, my learned doctor friend from Malacca has been here for more than 10 years, so far so good. It depends on the area you buy and how seriously they view security. The physical location matters a lot as well.

Your account of their story with the crime reminds me of a friend who was telling us not to buy in JB as they will revise interests rates to more than 6 percent(after discount) any how/any time. He said his sister was affected.

I checked with all the banks and even SG friends who bought here, turns out to be another cooked up smoke screen with embarrasing reasons for the cause.

Yes, they will raise interest rates suddenly,only IF YOU DO NOT PAY your monthly installments for more than a reasonable period of time. I am sure most banks do that in SG as well.

One of my friends went to him and asked, is it because your sister never paid up? He clammed up and never said anything on this again after that.

[wuqi256]

Agree, its also good to have the location on a hill or located at a place where physically hard to access other than through the main gates.

There are lots of people telling us JB is bad, but you have to see where they are staying first in JB. Most of them will not admit/tell you they are living in a place right out a gears of war game.

[wuqi256]

Hi Danteakc, my ex boss just got a semi-d unit with stamp duty and levy paid for from the developer. The developer told him its because he knows me blah blah blah(i don't believe, i think coz last 2 units here) so he got a nice discount with perks on top.

Your loan seems to be wrong though, can you change the bank or is it too late now?

[aangsc]

Hi Wuqi ,

have you been asked by lawyer to submit receipt for quit rent. I was asked recently but have not receive any request to pay quit rent. Some told me I have to go down Larkin to pay and they don't send reminder letter. Lawyer said this is yearly affair ; 'perfecting the transfer'. :confused:
I was thinking 'why also 'perfecting' transfer ? when will it be officially transfer ?. :D

[Analytical Professor]

Freaking Hell.... that much....

Mine was about Rm 15k just cover my wife only though.

But it gets better. My friend who is 40 years old paid only Rm 7k.

He told me MRTA is supposed to get cheaper when you go in for longer duration or longer period of loan tenure....

Corrections expected please..... if i am wrong....


dirt cheap for MRTA. I think something is wrong wif my purchase. I needed to pay $23k for it via UOB. what Fk.
My lawyer fee beside state levy amounts to $36k.

[Analytical Professor]

Yes you have to go to larkin. There is an office there that does it.

no reminder letter or no letters in fact.

just go there, give your address and pay. Ofcourse as always in msia always keep your receipts for posterity.


Hi Wuqi ,

have you been asked by lawyer to submit receipt for quit rent. I was asked recently but have not receive any request to pay quit rent. Some told me I have to go down Larkin to pay and they don't send reminder letter. Lawyer said this is yearly affair ; 'perfecting the transfer'. :confused:
I was thinking 'why also 'perfecting' transfer ? when will it be officially transfer ?. :D

[wuqi256]

Ok guys, quit rent = no need to go to Larkin. I paid here:
http://onlinepayment.johor.gov.my/

English version:
http://onlinepayment.johor.gov.my/index.php

Yes its an yearly affair, they usually won't do anything to you if you are late but lets respect their law. :)

Contrary to what folks will tell you, you can pay by your SG credit card. At least i have used 2 to pay for the quit rent here. :)

[wuqi256]

Also, the property tax is about 400-500 RM a year. :)
You can go to Skudai or you can also go to Perling to pay.

There is one in the Perling wet market that can collect
the payment. Its a small one storey govt house that is besides
the market in the car park.

Contributed by a learned retired neighbour of mine, bless him.

[toyohon]

Bro Wuqi, property tax (cukai harta or cukai pintu) can be paid at any post office (pos malaysia) besides the places you've mentioned. Sometimes they will even park a mobile bus to do the collection if there is demand, whereas cukai tanah (quit rent) can be paid at the main office opposite Larkin bus station. For every year's delay, you will be penalised 20% of the amount payable. Yeah, they won't do anything to you until you decide to transfer/sell your property.

[wuqi256]

Thanks bro Toyohon, yes it can be but i was told i couldn't at the Perling side so off i went. :)

As for quit rent, it can be easily done online if you are not able or inclined to travel to Larkin.
The rule for me, is just pay and keep receipt. :)

[Analytical Professor]

Wuqi fantastic man. This and such other tips then is really the essence, spirit and soul of living in jb.

Without ur timely tip id be none the wiser.

Kudos and thanks.



Ok guys, quit rent = no need to go to Larkin. I paid here:
http://onlinepayment.johor.gov.my/

English version:
http://onlinepayment.johor.gov.my/index.php

Yes its an yearly affair, they usually won't do anything to you if you are late but lets respect their law. :)

Contrary to what folks will tell you, you can pay by your SG credit card. At least i have used 2 to pay for the quit rent here. :)

[danteakc]

Hi Danteakc, my ex boss just got a semi-d unit with stamp duty and levy paid for from the developer. The developer told him its because he knows me blah blah blah(i don't believe, i think coz last 2 units here) so he got a nice discount with perks on top.

Your loan seems to be wrong though, can you change the bank or is it too late now?

We have no qualms with paying a premium for the semi-ds that we had selected as it is a semi d facing the golf course and our backing is behind the hill. Honestly the others that are left cost 1.1mil and the 3 storey semi d cost only $745k but previous reasons which I had mention and it has a lamp post directly facing the door way. Though the backing is good but I only see the neighbour. Spend much on the balcony to see road and neighbour I think it is not for me.

I had just signed the pre post SPA aka option to purchase with 2% down for duration period of 2 months are ok. Had sign LO with UOB with 80% at -2.2%, 30 loan tenor, MRTA 23k for only 600k. WTF!!! Now waiting for Standard Chartered claimed banker who can gives me same rate but with 85% but MRTA 31k!!!

Ok first thing first. Is it true that SPA must signed before state consent will be process by lawyer to submit to state for approval. Is it true that state consent might get 3months to process/approve and only after state consent gets approve then lawyer will submit it to bank only then the bank will process the necessary paper works to release the fund. And that will take another 3 months. All in all I have to wait for the bank to release the rest of the 80% to vendor?

What is the flowchart after we sign the SPA? To who and from who for then the bank to release the funds?

Quite frustrating with all the non transparency state fees and stamp duty. I guess I have to bear with the cost but without proper understanding quite FK up!

Don't know who to believe.
ps If I had signed with UOB and Standard Chartered produce a better LO can I changed? I had yet signed the SPA.

[wuqi256]

Ok, S&P agreement must normally be signed first,then state approval, and it takes a while sometimes. Don't be frustrated, buying a house is like that as we are foreigners.

You are not alone man, i had to really struggle by myself as there was no one to give guidance on banks and i started out here with just the stuff in my car and grim determination.

I have been through this path as well. Don't be discouraged. Ask the developer/agent to explain it to you. Don't be worried, they have more patience than most folks in SG when explaining things. (Their driving is the complete opposite though)

Sounds like though the banks you are going with are crappy. As a general guideline, don't be afraid to use other banks that are local here, they are more afraid of you running away than you should be of them. I asked a learned friend of mine who insisted on using a bank in SG, imagine you are in US or NZ and you insist on OCBC? (Not that OCBC is bad of course) So because you can't use your favourite bank, you don't buy a house?

I am sorry, i don't have a very good impression of UOB folks in JB. I like them better in SG as i have friends in UOB SG.
The folks in UOB here strike me as pretty arrogant.

I think bros here has always advised shopping around unless you are really tied up for time. If you have not signed the SPA and other documents with the bank, then if anything,worse come to worse you only stand to lose a portion or the deposit/legal fees. Take your time, get at least 3-4 banks quote, sit down and do your math.

Check to see what makes the most sense, MRTA is not compulsory and with a bit of push, you can get it taken out. Most banks only push MRTA if they find shaky creditworthiness or if the purchaser wants a higher % of the loan.

Having any penalty is still not likely as you can always choose your own bank. Did you get from developer or agent? No matter which, its still a buyers market.
Don't be put off by them, tell them i want to choose my own bank. Have you tried Allianz or EON bank yet?

[wuqi256]

Hey, glad to help. :)

[KNNBCCB]

Heard from friends as well, U*B bank s**ks. :rolleyes:
M**bank & A*bank give you big headache. :rolleyes:
Have you tried Public Bank ? Best chinese bank in MY. Very good Service. ;)

[danteakc]

Ok, S&P agreement must normally be signed first,then state approval, and it takes a while sometimes. Don't be frustrated, buying a house is like that as we are foreigners.

You are not alone man, i had to really struggle by myself as there was no one to give guidance on banks and i started out here with just the stuff in my car and grim determination.

I have been through this path as well. Don't be discouraged. Ask the developer/agent to explain it to you. Don't be worried, they have more patience than most folks in SG when explaining things. (Their driving is the complete opposite though)

Sounds like though the banks you are going with are crappy. As a general guideline, don't be afraid to use other banks that are local here, they are more afraid of you running away than you should be of them. I asked a learned friend of mine who insisted on using a bank in SG, imagine you are in US or NZ and you insist on OCBC? (Not that OCBC is bad of course) So because you can't use your favourite bank, you don't buy a house?

I am sorry, i don't have a very good impression of UOB folks in JB. I like them better in SG as i have friends in UOB SG.
The folks in UOB here strike me as pretty arrogant.

I think bros here has always advised shopping around unless you are really tied up for time. If you have not signed the SPA and other documents with the bank, then if anything,worse come to worse you only stand to lose a portion or the deposit/legal fees. Take your time, get at least 3-4 banks quote, sit down and do your math.

Check to see what makes the most sense, MRTA is not compulsory and with a bit of push, you can get it taken out. Most banks only push MRTA if they find shaky creditworthiness or if the purchaser wants a higher % of the loan.

Having any penalty is still not likely as you can always choose your own bank. Did you get from developer or agent? No matter which, its still a buyers market.
Don't be put off by them, tell them i want to choose my own bank. Have you tried Allianz or EON bank yet?

Allianz bank also 80% but 2.15% and 25 years tenure. EON waiting. I think abit too late as I had sign certain docu with UOB but nm if SC can gifs 85% I'll go all out.

Below is details from PB
Hi Mr D****,


Good morning, So for the loan amount i help you apply is RM790 500 which is 85%(80%- loan+5%insurance) and your monthly installment will be RM3959. The interest rates i will try my best to help you get the lowest. I just want to confirm with your that the loan tenure and the insurance you want to purchase how many yrs?Below are the calculation for insurance premium i've help you to calculate:


loan amount: RM744k (80%)

insurance: 30 yrs ( 5%)

Insurance premium : RM 28286 (financed into loan)
: RM 27252 (non-financed)



insurance: 25 yrs

Insurance premium : RM 20422 (financed into loan)
: RM 19880 (non-financed)

Not so fancy...sigh. Now I need to worry abt transport and security. BTW Wuqi do you know where can I find french window? I felt I could save quite a few or rod iron grilles and llumar security filmhttp://www.buzzwindows.co.uk/picture/upload/Image/door2.jpg.

[wuqi256]

Ok, just wait for EON and SC first. Of course, if you have already signed something legally binding then unless you are willing to forgo the deposit, etc.

If worse come to worse, you can always use the agent/developer to intercede to UOB in case you wish to cancel. Ok, transport and security to where? There is CW3 to the Jusco side at Bukit Indah?

For French windows i am not so sure, you could check in with the local contractor. Just show them the design and they will check for you.

[aangsc]

Also, the property tax is about 400-500 RM a year. :)
You can go to Skudai or you can also go to Perling to pay.

There is one in the Perling wet market that can collect
the payment. Its a small one storey govt house that is besides
the market in the car park.

Contributed by a learned retired neighbour of mine, bless him.

Thanks for the tips , I make a wasted trip to Skudai only to realised it is not due and I could not pay for the ppty tax yet. Having no knowledge of Malay can be a hinder in matland.At least I know where e place now.:)
Still couldn't understand the rule there about quit rent. no statement or bill yet required you to pay.

[Watchman]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__kTU8wcgn4Y/SpobG1OVZWI/AAAAAAAAAt4/iZur7CHf_6I/s320/Violent_crime.png

Recently, the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) said that developers, builders, planners and architects will be roped in to help implement the concept of crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED). The MCPF vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the basic concept behind CPTED was the effective use of the physical environment to reduce crime.

The concept has proven to be very effective in reducing crime rate all over the world. By implementing the concept, all buildings, houses, parks, pedestrian bridges, roads and back lanes are designed in such a way to create fewer opportunities for criminals. For further information on the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation refer to Developers and builders to help cut crime by design.

http://blog.malaysiacrime.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/four_fingers.jpg

http://samsulsaid.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/m0p1873.jpg

[Watchman]

Malaysia Crime iPhone App #1

http://blog.malaysiacrime.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/iphonetop.jpg

by Kegan Gan

What to know where are the crimes in Malaysia? There’s an app for that!

Introducing Malaysia Crime iPhone App. This iPhone application taps into Malaysia Crime GeoRSS feeds to bring you the following:

* Read latest news reports of crimes
* See the reports closest to you
* Browse news reports on a map
* Auto-update gets you the latest reports

Thanks to Jason Khong from Apptivity Lab for developing the Malaysia Crime iPhone App.

[Watchman]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QfVWU-2pVL4/S0swRRA0VhI/AAAAAAAALJw/knz22FUN1Cs/s1600/Malaysian%2BPrime%2BMinister%2BNajib%2BRazak%2B(C) %2Bleaves%2Bafter%2Bvisiting%2Bthe%2Btorched%2BMet ro%2BTabernacle%2Bchurch%2Bin%2BDesa%2BMelawati%2B in%2BKuala%2BLumpur,%2BJanuary%2B9,%2B2010..jpg

[Watchman]

http://undhimmi.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/malaysian-women-caned-for-sex-outside-marriage.jpg

http://www.nkkhoo.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/malaysian-politicians-like-to-have-fun-too-wwwgutteruncensoredcom-43.jpg

http://samsulsaid.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/5.jpg?w=497&h=329

[Analytical Professor]

Man if you find some information on NI share it with us.

Apart from Setia and HH not many other players have information listed on the net.

Eg hard to find information on Nongchik heights. There is a blog on it and the website is in Melayu (possibly dun cater to Non malays??)
But location is very good close to Causeway.





Yeah just some sharing since not much recent NI stuff is posted online anyways. I'm still jealous of those staying at HH though! And I gotta admit those "The Hills" residence designs look so appealing! :)

[Analytical Professor]

1) JB has perrennially been a market where perpetual oversupply exists. Yet the market does not seem to correct down south much. Atleast has not happened in the last 5 years. In fact when i purchased mine last year in June i had gotten a fantastic deal. Apart from the property price i paid nothing else not even the state levy. That was for Setia Tropika. But then ppl say ST is overpriced by 20% compared to Berinda developers. But then again if ST was overpriced last year it is way overpriced now.

2) I just found out that they are selling the pent houses in ST called SKY GARDENS at RM 1,000,000. Over priced then?.... Way over priced now

3) My wife and I had similar doubts as you have raised if the oversupply will cause a serious correction in the market as was seen in the past couple of years in the US market.

4) But then again property never remains down south for ever unless the fundamentals of the market are seriously wrong. But the Msian govt has taken sufficient measures to ensure that it does not happen.

5) however if the party does not last long and a correction does occur in the next 2-3 years then i believe the ones who will be most affected are those who have soaked their hands in several properties. Now if they do not have the holding power when the market is at its worst they may suffer.

5) But if you have bought it for own stay or as a retirement home dun worry.... you will gain...





I wonder if there is a steadily growing oversupply of property and worry what will happen if/when the demand starts to slow down (if it hasn't started already). Just thinking aloud :)

[Equalisation]

To all knowlageable Johore experts,

Can tell where in JB got adult fun there. Thanks.:)

[Analytical Professor]

I feel we cant compare JB with KL.

KL is the capital of Msia and in many ways its a self supporting economy. In the sense you have jobs there as a result of which people are able to buy high end homes. So even if prices sky rocket in KL obviously the fundamentals exist for KL and hence very unlikely that there will be a crash in KL prices. In fact i see KL prices going further up even if there is a temp stop in appreciation.

The biggest problem with MAlaysia is they focussed on solely developing KL at the expense of other cities (Unlike China and India where you have tier 2 and tier 3 cities and where the growth rate is in exponential terms in the tier 2 and tier 3 cities ----- recent study)

As a result JB for the moment does not have strong fundamentals to be a self sustaining economy. It may get to this stage in the next 15-20 years not for now. As a result JB relies on the spillover effect from Spore essentially (for now). That does not mean there are no Johoreans who wanna live in JB or that JB people are not rich or that there are no jobs in JB. Its just that the JB economy now relies on spill over from Spore. Ofcourse the govt of Msia is now building the fundamentals for a strong future for JB. This actually should have been done 20 years ago.



Land are aplenty in JB, properties aplenty too but those with good location, accessibility and amenities will always have value. Its only starting to be expensive and the bubble is only forming now, even those who are getting in now or just got in, they won't be too affected as prices have not gone so high up yet as its just starting to reach KL standards. With the money to buy a 3 room flat in SG, you can still get a very decent place in JB.

[Analytical Professor]

how come 10% of property price is only RM 1000


I've gotten lots of useful information from this thread and so am more than happy to do my part to contribute. Also it's a way of tracing our own personal experience :)

OK. Here's the sequence of monetary expenses we've had to fork out so far:
1. RM1000 as initial booking deposit to developer paid via SGD cheque on 1st visit.
2. 10% of property price (- RM1000) to developer for 1st payment via SGD cheque within 1 month of signing.
3. RM11000 (i.e. RM10500 levy + RM500 associated lawyer fees) via telex 2 weeks after that.
4. RM6+K for MLTA to insurance company via credit card same week as telex transfer (payment for 1st year, subsequent payments split to twice per year).
5. RM1000 (i.e. RM500 set up fee + RM500 initial deposit) to open savings account at Malaysian bank for depositing housing loan installments. Personally go down to bank to open account 2 weeks after loan approval.

Everything's pretty straightforward and no hidden costs at all so far.
Next expected outlay will be the 2nd payment of 10% to developer, maybe within 2 weeks from now? Also the monthly loan installments to confirm with bank when to start putting in. Will update soon :)

[wuqi256]

Hi Prof, agree on some points, especially for KL but they are not leaving JB out this time it seems.

Newer
http://www.iskandarmalaysia.com.my/pdf/brochures/Investing_in_Iskandar.pdf
http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/IIB28/Article/

Older - 2008 - 2009
http://www.worldreport-ind.com/pdfs/malaysia1.pdf
http://www.irda.com.my/IRDA_Annual_Report_2008.pdf
http://www.midf.com.my/project/midf/media/2009/08/24/090924-264.pdf
http://www.midf.com.my/project/midf/media/2009/07/29/160006-529.pdf
http://www.uemland.com/about/UEML-Information-Pack.pdf

[wuqi256]

Ok, fun? I am sorry, i don't know of any though i have heard of Taman Sentosa area(pretty dodgy area)

There are also some pubs in the Sutera area near Kingston hotel.

[Equalisation]

Ok, fun? I am sorry, i don't know of any though i have heard of Taman Sentosa area(pretty dodgy area)

There are also some pubs in the Sutera area near Kingston hotel.

Thanks for info.:)

Are the so-called pubs actually call chicken places with rooms on top ??

[iamapseudoneem]

how come 10% of property price is only RM 1000

Maybe the way I phrased it isn't ideal. It's actually 10% minus the RM1000 we placed as deposit :)

[wuqi256]

Thanks for info.:)

Are the so-called pubs actually call chicken places with rooms on top ??

I am not sure but we saw there are lots of ladies there.

I heard there are also some special massage areas but this is being a wholesome thread, i think it will be easier if you check through Sam's other website.

[Analytical Professor]

Thanks... Could you give us more information such as did you buy intermediate or terrace. Whats the price like?



Maybe the way I phrased it isn't ideal. It's actually 10% minus the RM1000 we placed as deposit :)

[Analytical Professor]

Ur right wuqi!!

These issues are best avoided in this thread. And you have rightly advised to check Sams other website.


I am not sure but we saw there are lots of ladies there.

I heard there are also some special massage areas but this is being a wholesome thread, i think it will be easier if you check through Sam's other website.

[Analytical Professor]

Yes Wuqi agree with you that they are leaving no stone unturned this time as far as JB is concerned. They have finally realised that Malaysia is not KL and KL is not Malaysia....


Its good Wuqi cause we all stand to benefit from any upswing in the real estate in JB


Hi Prof, agree on some points, especially for KL but they are not leaving JB out this time it seems.

Newer
http://www.iskandarmalaysia.com.my/pdf/brochures/Investing_in_Iskandar.pdf
http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/IIB28/Article/

Older - 2008 - 2009
http://www.worldreport-ind.com/pdfs/malaysia1.pdf
http://www.irda.com.my/IRDA_Annual_Report_2008.pdf
http://www.midf.com.my/project/midf/media/2009/08/24/090924-264.pdf
http://www.midf.com.my/project/midf/media/2009/07/29/160006-529.pdf
http://www.uemland.com/about/UEML-Information-Pack.pdf

[iamapseudoneem]

Thanks... Could you give us more information such as did you buy intermediate or terrace. Whats the price like?

I purchased the corner lot. Our row has around 10 link house units, with 6 to 7 units from corner/end lot to another end lot. The price ranges around RM480-520K for corner lots. End lots can fetch around RM430+K and intermediate lots were priced at around RM390+K. From what I gather most if not all the corner lots have been sold.

We were told that sales is pretty slow at the moment due to the hungry ghost month and Ramadhan (and soon Hari Raya).
Btw they've already started building the next set of show houses (semi-D and units from Phase 8B) when we visited the sales office recently, but they couldn't tell us when the launch for those units will take place though.

[wuqi256]

Yes Wuqi agree with you that they are leaving no stone unturned this time as far as JB is concerned. They have finally realised that Malaysia is not KL and KL is not Malaysia....


Its good Wuqi cause we all stand to benefit from any upswing in the real estate in JB

Sure, yes. Its looking to be different now.

For some, its no real difference as they have one unit just for own stay.
For me though no real difference for reselling as the properties i have here are meant for my kids.

The only good thing for us is probably the rental market.

[autoroam]

Am checkin these 2 waterfront development
1. Danga Bay - http://www.dangabay.com/
is located in Flagship A: Johor Bahru City
2. Puteri Harbour - http://www.uemland.com/projects/puteriharbour.htm
whereas, is located Flagship B: Nusajaya

Both projects seems good but which is a better waterfront project.
Any bro can shine some light......

Checked out
Danga Bay - Danga Bay is an integrated waterfront development within Iskandar Malaysia covering approximately 450 acres. Set to dominate the financial, commercial, residential, educational, tourism and leisure sectors, this "Vision City of the South" has all the makings of a luxury lifestyle centre - that include an international financial and commercial centre, a multi-model terminal and other iconic developments. As an oasis along the coast of Johor Bahru, Danga Bay is one of the must-visit sites in the south of Peninsular Malaysia. The name Danga Bay is synonymous with luxury, high standards and exclusivity. This prime waterfront city offers an integrated and sophisticated lifestyle for all ages with a wide range of attraction. Every year, many interesting events which incorporates fireworks are held there especially during festive seasons. A vision city in the making, the development comprises of five precincts. Each precincts has its own distinct planning mixture to reflect the development intent. These parcels will be constructed in phases.

Puteri Harbour - Puteri Harbour is the jewel of Nusajaya. This waterfront precinct, is an integrated waterfront and marina development that spans 688 acres offering a panoramic view of the Straits of Johor. Puteri Harbour redefines luxury living and offers boundless real estate benefits to the astute investor. Located adjacent to Kota Iskandar (Johor state new administrative centre), Puteri Harbour will be a unique luxurious lifestyle community, offering the experience of exceptional waterfront living, dining, entertainment, the arts and culture in a safe and picture postcard natural setting.

It is an ideal location for global or regional commerce and events, with state-of-the-art facilities and a business-friendly environment that will create world-class personal or business investment opportunities.

Puteri Harbour’s development components comprise waterfront residential (prime waterfront properties), commercial development (offices and retail shops), FAME ( Food & beverage outlets, Arts, Music and Entertainment), transportation hub (water transport terminal for water taxis and ferry, bus terminal, tram and LRT station), a marina (berthing, chandlery and accommodation facilities for boaters, yachters, boat/yacht charter owners/operators and water sports owners/operators) and a Cultural Park initiated and owned by the Johor State Government.

[toyohon]

autoroam, there's another up coming one - http://www.senibongcove.my/en/

Australian Developer:

Welcome to your
Malaysian East Coast Sanctuary

Senibong Cove is a master-planned integrated residential, tourism and marina estate created on 200 acres of land that stretches from the new East Coast Highway to the Straits of Johor. The phased development will include new residential neighbourhoods surrounded by parks, cycle and walking tracks in a secure and gated community. With a foreshore hosting an international-standard Yacht Club and restaurants, residents will experience a truly sophisticated lifestyle. Waterfront homes will have boat access to the marina, Lunchoo River and the Straits of Johor. Register your interest now and take advantage of this unique opportunity.

Within beautiful tropical landscaping, secured neighbourhoods will deliver an idyllic “gardens and waterways” style of living for families and their guests. In this gated community at Senibong Cove residents enjoy peaceful lives, confident that unobtrusive security is protecting their investments and their privacy around the clock

[wuqi256]

Personally i would go for this one, my learned neighbour is also keen for this:

Puteri Harbour - Puteri Harbour is the jewel of Nusajaya.Government.

[Analytical Professor]

Thanks for your quick and prompt reply.

Atleast from your feedback i now know that Corner lots are in the price range of Rm 480-520k

I just wish you could point me out to some information on the internet where you have pictures of NI or their showhouses or basically any information.

Its good that this thread has contributors willing to bare all and share all...

I think this thread will serve as a Reference Point for those wanting to start out on JB a mini encyclopedia of sorts right?

Thanks dude.... Wish you happiness in your new home. Congratulations for being bold and courageous to make the shift just like us.


I purchased the corner lot. Our row has around 10 link house units, with 6 to 7 units from corner/end lot to another end lot. The price ranges around RM480-520K for corner lots. End lots can fetch around RM430+K and intermediate lots were priced at around RM390+K. From what I gather most if not all the corner lots have been sold.

We were told that sales is pretty slow at the moment due to the hungry ghost month and Ramadhan (and soon Hari Raya).
Btw they've already started building the next set of show houses (semi-D and units from Phase 8B) when we visited the sales office recently, but they couldn't tell us when the launch for those units will take place though.

[autoroam]

Tks to Bro toyohon & Wuqi256 for your feedback...

Understand Danga Bay is by Australia Developer, which is plus point
where Puretri Harbour by UEMLand a local developer but their development is a bigger 1

I know that Danga Bay houses will be ready by 2012 as agent claim
but no news from Puretri Harbour has just the Marina and stop

Bro Wuqi, do you have any info from learned neighour of yours on this
and also the prices as Dangi Bay is abt RM500k

[Analytical Professor]

The East West Line goes to tuas by 2015.

[Analytical Professor]

US new home sales plunge to lowest levels since 1963
(AFP) – 2 days ago

Another recession looming?

How will this impact the JB market? Will the market dampen and will there be more goodies for wood be buyers?

[iamapseudoneem]

Thanks for your quick and prompt reply.

Atleast from your feedback i now know that Corner lots are in the price range of Rm 480-520k

I just wish you could point me out to some information on the internet where you have pictures of NI or their showhouses or basically any information.

Its good that this thread has contributors willing to bare all and share all...

I think this thread will serve as a Reference Point for those wanting to start out on JB a mini encyclopedia of sorts right?

Thanks dude.... Wish you happiness in your new home. Congratulations for being bold and courageous to make the shift just like us.

That's why like I mentioned before, it's really unfortunate that NI doesn't have its own website and information on it is sparse especially when I was looking a few months back. I did stumble across a couple of blogs (via Google) of people who bought and are staying at the older precincts (e.g. 5 and 6).

This one is the most detailed blog of someone who bought a house in Precinct 5 - http://idamanjr.blogspot.com/

This is the forum for people who bought Precint 6 - http://nusaidamanphase6.lefora.com/2010/04/12/introduction-of-nusa-idaman-phase-6/

As for Precinct 8 (or Phase 8A as it is now), there's no dedicated site for it yet. And I don't think I'll be uploading any pictures of our excursions there.

I did come across this website recently that has a good overview of the entire Taman Nusa Idaman (with maps and links to the various precincts) - http://www.thissit.com/Projects-Taman-Nusa-Idaman-Project-39.aspx

Hope those links help give people a better idea of NI :)

[iamapseudoneem]

The East West Line goes to tuas by 2015.

Are you referring to the Coastal Highway extending out from Danga Bay area to Nusajaya? That stretch will be ready by end 2011 according to this site: http://www.iskandarwaterfront.com/projects/projects_costal_highway.html

Does this mean that the highway will then be extended to connect with the highway to Tuas by 2015?

[autoroam]

got this from 1 of the site

Malaysian developers Dijaya Corp Bhd and Iskandar Water Front Sdn Bhd will jointly build a RM3.8 million (US$1.2 billion) mixed-use project on two pieces of prime waterfront land in Danga Bay, Johor Baru, the Malaysian Business Times has reported.

Goldhill Quest Sdn Bhd, a joint-venture between Nagasari Cerdas Sdn Bhd (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dijaya Corp) and Global Corporate Development Bhd (which is wholly-owned by Iskandar Waterfront Sdn Bhd), purchased the land yesterday from Danga Bay Sdn Bhd for RM308 million (US$97.3 million) or RM190 (US$60) per square foot.

The two parcels of land total 14.8 hectares – one of the biggest private land deals since the inception of the Iskandar Malaysia special economic zone.

Dijaya, which is known for its Tropicana Golf and Country Resort in Petaling Jaya, plans to develop the parcels into prime commercial, residential, and leisure properties.

Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, the grand minister of Johor state where Iskandar is located, said that the sale was a sign that Malaysian companies were starting to play a major part in the area’s development. “It’s an interesting investment trend as we at Iskandar Malaysia had started with those from the Middle East and Europe and countries such as South Korea. Now there seems to be a flurry of investment enquiries among the local companies. We are now looking at a potentially good mix of foreign and local investments in Iskandar Malaysia.”

[Analytical Professor]

Wuqi but even if a person has just one unit for own stay its still great cause atleast they know their property has appreciated. (Remember the naysayers always insisted that JB was and will be a lose lose proposition)


And even if you intend to hand over the assets to your kids its still a win win proposition cause your kids get an asset which has appreciated in value.

Right?

My 2c worth

And i think quite a few of us have brought not to flip but to escape from the soaring cost of living in Spore (especially when retirement dawns)


Sure, yes. Its looking to be different now.

For some, its no real difference as they have one unit just for own stay.
For me though no real difference for reselling as the properties i have here are meant for my kids.

The only good thing for us is probably the rental market.

[Analytical Professor]

No bro i was referring to the East West Line....Pasir Ris to Joo Koon will be extended to reach the 2nd Link (Tuas Checkpoint) by 2015


Are you referring to the Coastal Highway extending out from Danga Bay area to Nusajaya? That stretch will be ready by end 2011 according to this site: http://www.iskandarwaterfront.com/projects/projects_costal_highway.html

Does this mean that the highway will then be extended to connect with the highway to Tuas by 2015?

[wuqi256]

Oh Prof, of course. No one wants their property to appreciate. Its just that i am not so bothered by it.

[wuqi256]

Hi Prof, probably not, different market, the ripple effect is no longer as great as it was in the past. Their government also did a lot to curb speculation.

[wuqi256]

Hi Autoroam, what i heard was its going to be very expensive for the Puteri Harbour and my neighbour is only keen on this one and nothing else even though he has been to their showrooms, etc.

[wuqi256]

Hi Iamapseudoneem

I think the Prof was referring to the MRT line and not the highway.

[Analytical Professor]

Singapore Tightens Loan Limits to Cool Housing Market

Singapore increased down payments for second mortgages and imposed a stamp duty on property held for less than three years to curb speculation after home prices surged 38 percent in the second quarter.

Buyers who hold more than one mortgage can only borrow up to 70 percent of a property’s value, versus 80 percent previously, and must pay 10 percent in cash, up from 5 percent, the government said in a statement today. A seller’s stamp duty will apply to all residential units and land sold within three years of purchase, from one year. The changes take effect today.

Singapore joins Hong Kong and China in introducing measures this year to cool their property markets amid concerns that asset bubbles are forming as home prices surge. Hong Kong said this month it will tighten mortgage lending rules and increase the supply of land, while China’s restrictions include higher down payments and mortgage rates for multiple-home buyers.

“The government is taking a preemptive approach to make sure prices don’t get out of hand,” said Donald Han, a Singapore-based managing director at real estate adviser Cushman & Wakefield Inc. “Most of the measures are really targeting repeat buyers and speculators who buy and sell over the short term, which is now defined as within three years.”

Stocks, Bonds

CapitaLand Ltd., Southeast Asia’s biggest developer, dropped 1 percent to S$3.96 as of 1:15 p.m. in Singapore trading, while the benchmark Straits Times Index rose 0.6 percent. City Developments Ltd., the island’s second-largest developer by market value, fell 3.2 percent to S$11.58, headed for its biggest decline since February.

CapitaLand’s S$250 million ($185 million) in 4.35 percent notes due 2019 fell to 101.88 cents on the dollar from 102.48 cents on Aug. 27, the lowest in about two weeks, according to Standard Chartered Plc prices. City Developments’ S$90 million in 2.92 percent notes due 2014 fell to 101.68 cents, the lowest since Aug. 10, according to DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

Property prices have surged as Singapore’s $182 billion economy rebounded from last year’s global slump to expand at a record 17.9 percent pace in the six months through June.

The city-state has been attempting to rein in home prices since last year when the government barred interest-only loans for some housing projects and stopped allowing developers to absorb interest payments for apartments still being built.

Previous Measures

The government in February said it will levy a seller’s stamp duty on all residential properties and land that are sold within one year from the date of purchase. The city-state then also lowered the loan-to-value limit to 80 percent from 90 percent for all housing loans provided by financial institutions regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

The island nation’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday said previous measures failed to keep prices in check.

“We twice attempted to cool the property market, once last year and once in February this year, but the prices are still rising,” Lee said in a televised speech. “Our purpose is to make sure in the long term, Singaporeans can own their homes and afford it and it will be a gradually appreciating asset which will grow as Singapore grows.”

Singapore’s property market would form a bubble if the current momentum continued, Mah Bow Tan, Minister of National Development, said today after the measures.

Prices Surge

“The property market is currently very buoyant,” the government said in the latest statement. “The government’s objective is to ensure a stable and sustainable property market where prices move in line with economic fundamentals.”

Singapore private residential prices rose 38 percent in the second quarter from a year earlier, according to the Urban Redevelopment Authority.

The island led 36 markets around the world in property- value changes last quarter, gaining 34 percent from a year earlier, according to the Global Property Guide in its survey of house prices.

Price levels have exceeded the historical peak in the second quarter of 1996, the government said today.

The government expects gross domestic product to grow 13 percent to 15 percent this year after the nation in 2009 exited its worst recession since independence 45 years ago.

‘Severe Implications’

“Should economic growth falter and the market corrects, property buyers could face capital losses, with implications on their own finances and the economy as a whole,” the government said. “Moreover, the current low global interest rate environment will not continue indefinitely, and higher interest rates could have severe implications for buyers who have overextended themselves.”

Malaysia’s central bank has written to financial institutions to get their feedback on the possibility of capping the loan-to-value ratio for mortgages at 80 percent, the Edge weekly reported Aug. 28, citing unidentified people familiar with the matter.

[Analytical Professor]

In brief:

* Buyers of 2nd homes can borrow up to 70 pct, from 80 pct

* Stamp duty on sellers who buy and sell within 3 years

* Aimed at speculators, won't hurt home buyers - analyst

* Singapore property stocks fall on new measures

[Analytical Professor]

Malaysia plans to act too based on the above posts to cap mortgages at 80%.

So could there be a flush of capital into Malaysia to invest now that the rules are yet to be applied?

Who knows!!!

When the economy overheats (with no strong fundamentals) as i have always mentioned before it is time for governments to act.

Any rise in value has to be in proportion to the strengthening of the fundamentals of the economy

[Analytical Professor]

Wuqi btw i need your help on finding contacts of someone who can sell me conifers (pine) trees?

I wan a Chrismassy feel around my home. I have always loved pine trees since i was a child...

The contact that someone gave me earlier regarding the guy at Plentong is only for grass and soil (i found out)

[aangsc]

Wuqi btw i need your help on finding contacts of someone who can sell me conifers (pine) trees?

I wan a Chrismassy feel around my home. I have always loved pine trees since i was a child...

The contact that someone gave me earlier regarding the guy at Plentong is only for grass and soil (i found out)


I guess your contact was from Cowgrass' chap ! The two nusery from Bukit Indah to Sutera mall both have pine tree. First one near a chinese temple on the left, second one after Bestmart on the right (many time you see fruit stall by its side).

[Analytical Professor]

Ha ha cowgrass chap!!!

I know Bukit Indah... Now trying to figure out which road goes from bukit indah to sutera mall.....

Not 100% familiar with the area

Care to give me some more directions or some contact nos should you have?

Really sorry to bother you


I guess your contact was from Cowgrass' chap ! The two nusery from Bukit Indah to Sutera mall both have pine tree. First one near a chinese temple on the left, second one after Bestmart on the right (many time you see fruit stall by its side).

[wuqi256]

Oh Prof, of course. No one wants their property to appreciate. Its just that i am not so bothered by it.

Correction on the earlier typo:
One would of course want their property to appreciate. Its just that i am not so bothered by it.

[wuqi256]

Its the road to Nusa Bestari. Turn left when you see Allianz bank at the intersection. If you turn left correctly, you will be passing Tesco on your left and Giant on your right (opposite)

Just drive straight ahead, all the way, you can't miss it. :)

[Lian9]

Bros, looking at some properties to buy for investment, holding period to be at least next 3 yrs..

I have a malaysian company, so probably will buy them in company name. Am looking at rental yields to cover monthly mortgage installments and hopefully capital gains when i dispose them off in 3 years time.

Am looking at KL condo units, what your call on them?

Other than KL, i am also exploring Aussie ppties. Any experts here, sorry if i defray from the main topic of JB ppty.

Cheers

[Lian9]

Btw bros, my malaysian company is only 6 months old and i dun reckon bank will grant a housing loan base on the fact that its only a 6 mnths old company.

Any idea for e,g if we put down more cash as downpayment, the loan will sure be approved? For example a 500k rm , we put says 100k rm as downpayment and loan the rest, u tink bank will sure approve?

Sorry for all the questions, hope someone here can provide guidance..

[danteakc]

Hi,

Today just went back to my desired home for quotation and measurement by the contractor and was approach by a guy name Alex I think. Whom claim to be from Horizon Hill Town Committee. When asked that I was trying to get my own contractor to do up my home he mention that I need to pay RM$1k for deposit or something. Also need to update him with my contractor name n contact (this I know for security sake) the so call extra cash. Can I chk with u is this true?

[Charlie258]

Hi,

Today just went back to my desired home for quotation and measurement by the contractor and was approach by a guy name Alex I think. Whom claim to be from Horizon Hill Town Committee. When asked that I was trying to get my own contractor to do up my home he mention that I need to pay RM$1k for deposit or something. Also need to update him with my contractor name n contact (this I know for security sake) the so call extra cash. Can I chk with u is this true?


I do not know the procedure for HH or other Johor State condominiums, but our Selangor condo, when we did our renovation with our own contractor, I had to put down a cheque for S$600+, and also had to write down for the condo management boys all my contractor's particulars. The latter is for security reasons. So, you case: it is probably a legitimate request.:D

[wuqi256]

Hi Danteakc,

Its true but you don't need to update him at all, you just need to update the township and the 1k is refundable after the renovation is complete. This is for security reasons as well as to ensure that the owner takes reasonable care when doing his renovation so as not to adversely impact the other owners.

The way he put it doesn't sound nice though but probably he is just pissed that you may use one which he will not get commission for.

[wuqi256]

Hi Lian9,

They may approve but it will be challenging given the circumstances described. Other than having an FD with them, you may need some kind of reference or testimonial letter from another company or also information on large deals, etc that you have worked or are working on. Likely they won't use it but D&B reports are still used in some countries to check on credit worthiness of companies/individuals.

No issues of talking about KL, KL is pretty ok in fact, just go for a trusted developer, check on the strata title and get something that is built or soon to be completed. All the best!

[euphony]

I bit the bullet and booked a studio at KSL city with the 8%GRR. It is on the pricey side of things ~356k having considered the big picture though I would really look forward to a shorter commute in time to come and the convenience of the shopping center downstairs. Next: the bank loan... I've checked Public Bank and they are selling me a home loan with interest of 4.1%. I hearsay HSBC gives a good deal too. Big bros here, any other attractive options as of this month?

[Lian9]

Hi, i just read that for properties purchased in Malaysia, and if they are sold within a 5 yrs period, there is a 5% gain tax...

[wuqi256]

Lian9, there is the tax if you sell within 5 years. There may also be some penalty from the banks if you sell within a certain period. The main thing though is if you are buying for own stay or the properties you have are for family, then its ok.

The 5% will normally be reduced as you also need to take out the expenses, renovation of the house, etc. It shouldn't be an issue unless you are looking at flipping properties(don't do it in JB, do it in SG) or unless you plan to sell below 5% gain.

[wuqi256]

Hi Euphony, heard a lot of good deals from banks this month, shop around, you never know. :)

[wuqi256]

By the way,during hari raya here, there are really good deals to be had, furniture etc goes for cheap.

Genuine sales (only during this period), very different from the fake sales they have normally like the ones we have in SG.

[danteakc]

Wuqi I am having problem right now. UOB I had sign the LO then comes SC with 85% then later comes HSBC with -2.3%. I decided to go for SC has it has higher loan then the 2 banks. However now SG properties being implemented cooling measures. Had a previous buyers withdrawn his offer.

Now lame have to take in lower COV to sell away home. I am stuck. Shucks!!!

[euphony]

thnks wuqi!

Actually, the KSL didn't materialize becos of admin cock-up apparently the unit I eyed was booked by agent in SG and bank loan processed. So I ended up with my 2nd choice Palazio which I could buy 2 almost same pricing point as 1. One is confirmed, now I am seriously thinking whether I should commit to a 2nd studio for rental income...

Oh, I should scout around then since I do need some more furniture. Thanks for the tips!!!

Here's my contribution to the thread: those using going into SG be very wary of the traffic light entering into CIQ (NOT 2nd link), its 'hungry ghost festival' now sometimes when I can I'll skip that one and use the U-turn from Stulang instead, there are some especially blood thirsty 'mosquitoes' infesting that area now... Stop when its amber, signal your intention and don't change lanes around the lights area.

[iamapseudoneem]

Here's my contribution to the thread: those using going into SG be very wary of the traffic light entering into CIQ (NOT 2nd link), its 'hungry ghost festival' now sometimes when I can I'll skip that one and use the U-turn from Stulang instead, there are some especially blood thirsty 'mosquitoes' infesting that area now... Stop when its amber, signal your intention and don't change lanes around the lights area.

I'm not sure what you meant by that paragraph, sorry. Are you talking about ghost sightings or criminals waiting at that traffic light area? Do enlighten thanks!

[KNNBCCB]

I'm not sure what you meant by that paragraph, sorry. Are you talking about ghost sightings or criminals waiting at that traffic light area? Do enlighten thanks!

he meant, drive carefully, donch simply cut here and there. Got poodles (matakia) waiting for your kopi money hor... my fren kena hor... bloody poodles... :p

[wuqi256]

Bro iamapseudoneem, he was referring to their "poodles" who are waiting there as they want to catch errant motorists.

[wuqi256]

Wuqi I am having problem right now. UOB I had sign the LO then comes SC with 85% then later comes HSBC with -2.3%. I decided to go for SC has it has higher loan then the 2 banks. However now SG properties being implemented cooling measures. Had a previous buyers withdrawn his offer.

Now lame have to take in lower COV to sell away home. I am stuck. Shucks!!!


I am so sorry to hear that, did you at least have some sort of penalty for the previous buyer that you can pursue? For the banks, do you mean you are able to switch to SC or stuck with UOB? I hope its the former.

[wuqi256]

Hi euphony, i would suggesting getting another unit to rent out. Every weekend, it has been getting busier and busier and there are loads of folks coming in.

Something seemed to be pushing them as more and more are coming in. One of my esteemed neighbours rented out his semi-d for $5,500 RM and his neighbour rented it out for $7,000 RM. Both are 2 year leases.

One of my SG friends renting out his houses here also told me, his unit got rented out at $2,500 RM and some are keen to rent his other unit at $3500-$4000 RM. He even has a number of colleagues here as well as new friends who are in banking industry from Singapore. One of his senior ex colleagues/ex boss also bought besides him.

He told me he went with some neighbours to East Ledang during the weekend and encountered some folks from SG as well.

Not sure how true but seems some have already purchased it on the day they came in.

By the way, there is a new 24 hour MacDonalds opening very shortly, its opposite Jusco shopping centre and less than 20 steps away from the CW3 terminal/stop.

Also, always forgot to update this, there is actually a 24 hour manned police post at the terminal/stop. Quite a few banks here have guards sitting inside(some dozing of course), the banks nearby here that i noticed have guards are OCBC, EON to name a few.

[iamapseudoneem]

Dropped by NI show house on Sunday and was told by the sales guy that visitor numbers (both Singaporeans and Malaysians) have picked up suddenly. We did notice that when we went to the show house there were a number of people checking it out (when last week there wasn't any) and the sales guy was in a rush to meet up with more customers while we were loitering :)
As he was leaving he did mention something about the new SG policy on housing ownership as possibly a factor, but I wasn't paying too much attention. Hearing him say that those who bought units earlier benefited more did make me smile though.

[iamapseudoneem]

Wow it's gotten pretty quiet for awhile. So here's something for discussion:
How does the new Sg housing measures affect you or someone you know when it comes to purchasing property now or in the future? Are they affecting you/them right now?

Here is a breakdown of the new HDB measures:
For applications received by HDB from 30 Aug 2010 onwards for purchase of non-subsidised flat (i.e. a resale flat bought without CPF housing grant):
a) Flat buyers need to meet a minimum occupation period (MOP) of 5 years, before they can sell the non-subsidised flat in the open market or sublet the whole flat.
b) Flat buyers are not allowed to concurrently own the non-subsidised flat and private residential property during the MOP of the flat. Ownership of private properties by HDB lessees will be allowed after the MOP.

Flat buyers who have already bought a flat or whose application to buy a flat is received by HDB before 30 Aug 2010 will not be subject to the new measures.

[Funds Transfer]

I think the Singapore Government may have reached its objective of curbing the rise of the HDB resale prices after seeing it sky rocketing for more than a year now. But in the process, it has affected some groups of people but for others, it is the basically good news or unchanged.

Newly Weds
For those who can qualify for subsidised housing and are punished by HDB's inefficiencies and failure to cater to demand for new housing, they could now opt for a resale flat since prices are expected to moderate.
Those who cannot qualify for subsidised housing find that the bar has been raised a little (from a limit of $8K of household income to $10K). This would delight some and there is still the option of going for a resale unit.


Family with Growing Wealth and Needs
Well, this would be the group that are greatly impacted if you ask me. For those who have owned a HDB flat for a while now may be considering to:
1) Upgrade to a bigger HDB
2) Upgrade to a condo
3) Buy a condo while owning a HDB flat
4) Buy a HDB flat while owning a condo

For 1), the policy helps as prices may stabilise but that would mean a lower selling price for their existing unit.
For 2), they may be disappointed by the HDB prices moderating and a private condo may continue to rise.
For 3), those that meet the MOP will be OK but those not meeting the MOP will need to wait and may not be able to afford the prices if condo prices continues its rise. There may be a potential for them to gravitate towards substitutes; ie. Malaysian and other overseas properties.
For 4), game over.

PRs and Future Citizens
I believe the policy was meant to address some of the issues related to this group as well. In a way, if prices continues its upward climb, there would be considerations on the part of PRs to come this way or setting themselves to be a citizen of Singapore. Already, some quarters have remarked about Singapore being an increasingly expensive place to be. But how would they be impacted?

1) PRs/Future Citizens who are uprooting and have no other properties in their luggage. They may be attracted by the fact that prices for affordable housing (HDB?) is in sight. Almost like the newly weds who are Singaporeans, they should enjoy this.
2) PRs/Future Citizens who have properties.
There could be a substantial number of such people around. But if they have properties strewn all over Asia, Australia, America, then they would not be eyeing a HDB resale flat.
But if they have a small property tucked away in a village near Mumbai, Malacca, Manchuria, then what is the likelihood of the Singapore Government finding out? Near to zero. They may not be able to afford condos in Singapore but could just take the risk and buy a HDB resale flat.
3) Rich PRs/Future Citizens coming to Singapore to invest in more private properties. Enough said, they would not be bothered by this ruling.

[danteakc]

Wow it's gotten pretty quiet for awhile. So here's something for discussion:
How does the new Sg housing measures affect you or someone you know when it comes to purchasing property now or in the future? Are they affecting you/them right now?

Here is a breakdown of the new HDB measures:
For applications received by HDB from 30 Aug 2010 onwards for purchase of non-subsidised flat (i.e. a resale flat bought without CPF housing grant):
a) Flat buyers need to meet a minimum occupation period (MOP) of 5 years, before they can sell the non-subsidised flat in the open market or sublet the whole flat.
b) Flat buyers are not allowed to concurrently own the non-subsidised flat and private residential property during the MOP of the flat. Ownership of private properties by HDB lessees will be allowed after the MOP.

Flat buyers who have already bought a flat or whose application to buy a flat is received by HDB before 30 Aug 2010 will not be subject to the new measures.

Currently waiting for SC to gif me 85% loan. Now I push HSBC for a 90% loan which instead he suggest me to get 10% personal loan at 12% per annum. WTF!!!. Got a frendster here at thread got 90% loan from UOB becos he has a stable income. No offence Daniel as currently my sale of current HDB got lower offer. Not intending to sell if don't match.

Currently raking in huge debts + $$ to churn out the 15% for the downpayment. The measures is too late too soon.

I haven moved in the house already in moutains of debt. But fengshui teacher claim it is good house. I hope it does not kick me out!

ps the above measure implement by HDB might force me to do drastic measure if after we sold the HDB and I can't own a HDB becos we had a pp in JB. I might sign the divorce paper to buy a 3rm HDB for single? Stupid right? I believe all this is meant for GE 2012. After PAP gets elected current measures would be topple and residential property would skyrocket again. Then I am really in deep shit. (why keen in getting a HDB in Singapore, errh just in case currently JB MP got topple and foreign investor gets the boot. Or worst moB!!!)

[Analytical Professor]

Yeah talking about sales in Spore... U r right Wuqi...

I never believe any of the sales in Sg.

There are many times when in Sg i can find shops that sell goods at a far cheaper price than those having sales.



By the way,during hari raya here, there are really good deals to be had, furniture etc goes for cheap.

Genuine sales (only during this period), very different from the fake sales they have normally like the ones we have in SG.

[Analytical Professor]

About 2 weeks before the Hari Raya festivities, my wife was asked by the cops to pull over...

The reason given was she was speeding at 150kmph.

On that particular occassion she was well within the speed limits driving at about 100kmph on the highway.

You wont believe it. She stood her ground and asked them to produce the data.

After a while they waved her off and said it was the wrong car that they had stopped. (This was on the 2nd link) after JB immigration.


Bro iamapseudoneem, he was referring to their "poodles" who are waiting there as they want to catch errant motorists.

[Analytical Professor]

Perfect man.... Thanks to you guys this thread especially has not just become attractive, it also remains relevant cause new information is always flowing freely donated generously by bros like you.

Yes i managed to hook up with the Nursery near the Chinese Temple...

Nice place lots of plants.... to choose from.... Maybe he chop me a bit after he saw my Sg license plate. Well you cant win both ways all the time can you?

For anyone looking to get plants the nursery is reasonably well stocked , varieties of plants. He also sells all gardening equipment, fertilisers etc...

I think the guy is Boon Ping
Tel: 019 77 88 666




I guess your contact was from Cowgrass' chap ! The two nusery from Bukit Indah to Sutera mall both have pine tree. First one near a chinese temple on the left, second one after Bestmart on the right (many time you see fruit stall by its side).

[Analytical Professor]

Thank you Wuqi for your instructions it helped me.

Just that when i was driving along the road I forgot if Tesco was to be on the right or the left and vice versa. I then told my wife .... "anyway this is the road lets drive slowly if we cant locate it then it must be on the other side of the road"

And bingo we found it...

Thanks again..


Its the road to Nusa Bestari. Turn left when you see Allianz bank at the intersection. If you turn left correctly, you will be passing Tesco on your left and Giant on your right (opposite)

Just drive straight ahead, all the way, you can't miss it. :)

[aangsc]

About 2 weeks before the Hari Raya festivities, my wife was asked by the cops to pull over...

The reason given was she was speeding at 150kmph.

On that particular occassion she was well within the speed limits driving at about 100kmph on the highway.

You wont believe it. She stood her ground and asked them to produce the data.

After a while they waved her off and said it was the wrong car that they had stopped. (This was on the 2nd link) after JB immigration.

They have been stationing over there for a while, I guess very good $$$. Was caught once for speeding - only 128 km at 110 km stretch, but I paid up on the spot .

[Analytical Professor]

U offered kopi money or you paid the fine on the spot?

Are we allowed to pay fines on the spot? Do they issue a receipt or something?

What was your fine like?


They have been stationing over there for a while, I guess very good $$$. Was caught once for speeding - only 128 km at 110 km stretch, but I paid up on the spot .

[Analytical Professor]

Hi Wuqi gotta disagree on this one.

In brief the Johor economy does not have sound fundamentals on an international yardstick. I am not comparing Johor with cities such as Singapore, HK, Beijing, SHanghai or Mumbai as that would be an apple to grape comparison.

I am looking at second tier cities in large countries. Even here the state of Johor lags way behind in terms of fundamentals, foresight and strategic planning. This is essentially due to Malaysias then obsession with equating KL to Malaysia.

Things finally began to change when Abdullah Badawi or his advisers realised for the fruits of development to spread wide and far there has to be other economic regions in the country too... And thats how a few economic zones were identified and Johor happens to be one such zone. Obviously proximity to Sg was one of the prime factors.

When you compare Johor Bahru (not the state of Johor) with tier 2 cities in other countries you realise that the government has hardly done much or rather anything to build the foundations for a strong robust and resilient economy.

It is a well known fact that "Growth trickles down from Well developed regions" as can be evinced from the HK-Shenzhen example. There are several other such well documented success stories where a neighbouring economy has benefitted greatly due to the neighbours greatness.

Like it or leave it, it would be hard to visualise a thriving Johor Bahru without Spore. Look at what is happening now... The Sg govt enforces property cooling measures in Sg and there is a flush of capital flowing into JB. Now i do not have the statistics to assert if this has resulted in real investment in JB but one cant deny the fact that there have been investors looking elsewhere.

So the ripple effect or the trickle down effect would exist. It would be hard to prove economists wrong.


Hi Prof, probably not, different market, the ripple effect is no longer as great as it was in the past. Their government also did a lot to curb speculation.

[wuqi256]

Hi Prof,

The trickle effect from SG is definitely there but i was referring to influences from the international market. JB is affected more by SG as JB is only starting to be developed and part of the plans is to make it a self sustaining economy, i understand that SG will have a hand in that.

From what i understand, amongst those buying properties or renting, quite a few are from KL. Seems many are seconded here to either work on PTP or to expand in JB.

[euphony]

haha the love hate relationship between SG/JB. JB can't do without SG although grudgingly so especially upon SG$$. SG can't do without JB either with the latter supporting some of the republic's most impt endeavors like water resources and providing visitor mass for the IR. I guess the best bit for us the common folks is to enjoy the best bits of both worlds. Having shifted into JB for a month now, I find myself getting a higher quality of life all round. But then again, the things I could do is limited here in JB career wise and still requires me cross over at this point in time but I am not complaining in fact am very contended with the current arrangement. :cool:

[Funds Transfer]

haha the love hate relationship between SG/JB. JB can't do without SG although grudgingly so especially upon SG$$. SG can't do without JB either with the latter supporting some of the republic's most impt endeavors like water resources and providing visitor mass for the IR. I guess the best bit for us the common folks is to enjoy the best bits of both worlds. Having shifted into JB for a month now, I find myself getting a higher quality of life all round. But then again, the things I could do is limited here in JB career wise and still requires me cross over at this point in time but I am not complaining in fact am very contended with the current arrangement. :cool:


It is inevitable but the path towards the 'suburbanization' of Johor motivated by Singaporeans hungry for space is surfacing very quickly. Let's face it, Singapore is a convenient place to live in though already very expensive for the average Joe. Notice that I did not use 'nice' as that implies a high quality of living which I don't think is present.

In fact, living in Singapore is no different from staying in a 5-star hotel. It would have all the trappings of first class luxury but I cannot call it home. Most of us still want more space, a garden to plant some nice flowers and a place to walk the dog.

At a price of less than a 3-room flat in Singapore (for some places), I believe that Johor presents an attractive alternative.

Of course, security and employment opportunities there would dissuade some from residing there 100%. But a weekend home it is for me and if the Malaysian and Johor government can get their act together, living in Johor can be quite a welcome proposition in the next 10 years. If they fail, I would just lay out my hammock. My two coconut trees should be quite sturdy by then. :p:p:p

[wuqi256]

Both are still interdependant in many ways even though SG has many ways and plans of self sustaining itself, for the common folk, its something quite inevitable.

I have some friends who are so thrifty in Singapore even though they are considered middle class. When they are here, they told me somehow its so peaceful and they can really feel relaxed.

One year plus on, i can see that there is starting to be a really thriving foreign community here. No regrets so far. One of my closer friends recently managed to rent out his terrace for around $2500 RM a month, though the agent told him to charge higher, he told me he already promised them.

Still he is pretty happy with his tenant, also from Singapore. Another close friend of mine, recently rented out his semi-d place at $5500 RM and his neighbour rented his unit out at $7000 RM.

Life here is really pretty ok. Folks here are having a mid autumn festival celebration tomorrow. The other day friends came over during Hari Raya and we entertained them with some fireworks. Lots of our fellow SG Malay folks came over here during Hari Raya to partake in breaking fast and fireworks.

Its really a good place to retire to and being used to the pace of life here now, its really something my friends and i hold dear.

Oh by the way, other than the 24 hour MacDonalds right opposite Jusco (15 seconds away from the CW3 bus terminal), they are opening up a 24 hour polyclinic nearby, right outside the "81 coffeeshop".

One of my new found friends, also from SG told me, when he woke up every day and hear the sound of the birds and the scenic view from his bedroom, its doing wonders for his blood pressure.

I told him, looking at the monthly utilities bills as compared to Singapore, its helping mine too.

Wishing all who moved here as well as those NS bros still in SG, happinessl, peace to everyone.

[wuqi256]

By the way, just for indication, for satay lovers, there are lots of satay choices here.

Indicative pricing - (In MYR, your mileage may vary)
Chicken - $0.50
Pork - $0.60 (Non-halal stores)
Rice - $1

I took friends out to lunch recently, we had a good feast of tim sum plus red dates tea with ginseng, etc.

He had a shock when he saw the bill. It was a grand total of $43 RM for a total of 8 dishes with shredded chicken porridge.

By the way, the car repair shops outside Bukit Indah are pretty good, prices are competitive as well.

I am not an expert on car repair though so please let me know if the pricing is bad compared to Singapore. (Pricing in RM)

Yokohama DIN55 battery - Doesn't exceed $220-$240 at most stores
(As pointed out by a bro here, he said this is cheaper in SG so probably disregard this)

Tyre - Michellin/Bridgestone - 185 type - About $275 RM per tyre

Brake pad - Toyota ViOS type - $150 RM for front pair

Oil change, Castrol + (GM brand)AT oil change = $300 RM + free tyre swap from back to front

Solar film for car size such as a MYVI, its $540 RM

For EU cars such as BMW or Benz, you might be better buying the parts from the parts dealer near like Eng Soon Auto and bring them in here to be changed out.

Parts here for imported cars are normally higher than in SG so for certain cars, you are better off with buying the part in SG unless you are looking for 2nd hand parts, then JB may be better.

[rw6akr]

Life here is really pretty ok. Folks here are having a mid autumn festival celebration tomorrow. The other day friends came over during Hari Raya and we entertained them with some fireworks. Lots of our fellow SG Malay folks came over here during Hari Raya to partake in breaking fast and fireworks.
Btw, where to purchase fireworks in Johor Bahru? I've tried internet but couldn't find any relevant links. It would be nice to have some for New Year celebration with my friends...

[Dicktamby]

There's a new way to travel to JB. Transtar Travel has just started a bus service from Changi Aiport to Kotaraya, with stops at Punggol/Sengkang,Jln Kayu,woodlands civic centre,Marsiling MRT. Details are here : http://jomnaikbas.wordpress.com/2010/09/01/transtar-cross-border/

[danteakc]

By the way, just for indication, for satay lovers, there are lots of satay choices here.

Indicative pricing - (In MYR, your mileage may vary)
Chicken - $0.50
Pork - $0.60 (Non-halal stores)
Rice - $1

I took friends out to lunch recently, we had a good feast of tim sum plus red dates tea with ginseng, etc.

He had a shock when he saw the bill. It was a grand total of $43 RM for a total of 8 dishes with shredded chicken porridge.

By the way, the car repair shops outside Bukit Indah are pretty good, prices are competitive as well.

I am not an expert on car repair though so please let me know if the pricing is bad compared to Singapore. (Pricing in RM)

Yokohama DIN55 battery - Doesn't exceed $220-$240 at most stores
(As pointed out by a bro here, he said this is cheaper in SG so probably disregard this)

Tyre - Michellin/Bridgestone - 185 type - About $275 RM per tyre

Brake pad - Toyota ViOS type - $150 RM for front pair

Oil change, Castrol + (GM brand)AT oil change = $300 RM + free tyre swap from back to front

Solar film for car size such as a MYVI, its $540 RM

For EU cars such as BMW or Benz, you might be better buying the parts from the parts dealer near like Eng Soon Auto and bring them in here to be changed out.

Parts here for imported cars are normally higher than in SG so for certain cars, you are better off with buying the part in SG unless you are looking for 2nd hand parts, then JB may be better.

U forgot to mention also beauty products? SKII and Shisedo are better off buying in Singapore as they are 10-20% more in JB then other places.

Wuqi still crossing my fingers for a good buyer to buy my home. Counting 23 days to sign SAP.

[cathylmg]

U forgot to mention also beauty products? SKII and Shisedo are better off buying in Singapore as they are 10-20% more in JB then other places.

Wuqi still crossing my fingers for a good buyer to buy my home. Counting 23 days to sign SAP.


Have not come across SKII yet. Been looking for it in JＢ．

[wuqi256]

For fireworks, try the nearby pasar malam on the Wednesdays. :)

[wuqi256]

Danteakc says SKII is cheaper in SG?

[wuqi256]

Danteakc, thanks for the addition for beauty care products. Not really an expert on that so thanks for your contribution.

[wuqi256]

Thanks Dicktamby!

[Funds Transfer]

Both are still interdependant in many ways even though SG has many ways and plans of self sustaining itself, for the common folk, its something quite inevitable.

I have some friends who are so thrifty in Singapore even though they are considered middle class. When they are here, they told me somehow its so peaceful and they can really feel relaxed.

One year plus on, i can see that there is starting to be a really thriving foreign community here. No regrets so far. One of my closer friends recently managed to rent out his terrace for around $2500 RM a month, though the agent told him to charge higher, he told me he already promised them.

Still he is pretty happy with his tenant, also from Singapore. Another close friend of mine, recently rented out his semi-d place at $5500 RM and his neighbour rented his unit out at $7000 RM.

Life here is really pretty ok. Folks here are having a mid autumn festival celebration tomorrow. The other day friends came over during Hari Raya and we entertained them with some fireworks. Lots of our fellow SG Malay folks came over here during Hari Raya to partake in breaking fast and fireworks.

Its really a good place to retire to and being used to the pace of life here now, its really something my friends and i hold dear.

Oh by the way, other than the 24 hour MacDonalds right opposite Jusco (15 seconds away from the CW3 bus terminal), they are opening up a 24 hour polyclinic nearby, right outside the "81 coffeeshop".

One of my new found friends, also from SG told me, when he woke up every day and hear the sound of the birds and the scenic view from his bedroom, its doing wonders for his blood pressure.

I told him, looking at the monthly utilities bills as compared to Singapore, its helping mine too.

Wishing all who moved here as well as those NS bros still in SG, happinessl, peace to everyone.

Maybe living in MY is not so unsafe after all?

Quote:
omy news
日期: 23/09/2010
新闻来源: 新明日报
记者: 黄建业 郭秀芳
摄影: 陈思源、曾宪隆
乔装环境局人员　6巴冷刀匪绑屋主劫10万

6名男子乔装灭虫人员，持刀抢劫一栋洋房，将女主人、女主人的女儿和女佣五花大绑，抢走10万元 巨款。

昨天下午1时左右，在武吉巴督一带的百比林坡，一间半独立式洋房发生一起持刀抢劫案。

洋房女主人王女士（40多岁）受访时说，当时，她开车接9岁的大女儿放学，回家时，看到家门口有一个男子在 进行防蚊喷雾工作。

据知，女主人的老公去中国公干，她的7岁小女儿当时则在学校里，屋内只有一名女佣。那名正在做防蚊喷雾的男 子走向王女士，说有邻居投诉她家里有伊蚊滋生，他们是环境局派来的，必须检查她的家。女屋主略略看了他的证 件后，就打开门。接着，另5个穿着喷雾工人装的男子，也跟着进门。

进到屋内，男子问王女士她家里有多少人，王女士开始紧张，谎称丈夫在楼上睡觉。怎料，其中两个男子却坚持要 跟她上楼叫醒她丈夫。到了3楼，男子看到屋内没有别人，其中一人就亮出一把20公分长的巴冷刀，逼她走进一 间电脑房，将她五花大绑。

劫匪告诉女主人，他们赌输钱才需要抢劫。完整报道，请翻阅23.09.2010《新明日报》


Quote:
omy news
日期: 23/09/2010
新闻来源: 联合晚报
记者: 管倩莹 陈诗雨 溫伟中
摄影: 饶进礼
带孩子到组屋楼下提灯笼　红衣少妇身中多刀惨死！

中秋节谋杀案，红衣少妇与丈夫和8岁儿，一家三口在兀兰组屋楼下提灯笼庆中秋，之后她带外甥先回附近的住家 ，岂料倒回来时却被发现身中多刀，惨死在篮球场附近。

这起骇人谋杀案发生在昨天晚上10时许，地点是兀兰50通道第895C座旁的篮球场旁的小路。

死者证实是32岁的何红琳（译音），是一名女书记，来自马六甲，目前已经是本地永久居民。她与同样来自马六 甲的41岁丈夫，育有8岁的儿子和6岁的女儿。

案发后，有人目睹一神秘黑衣男子逃离现场，少妇的丈夫与儿子就在10米外，全浑然不知她已遇害 。

全文，请看23.09.2010《联合晚报》。

[congo9]

By the way, just for indication, for satay lovers, there are lots of satay choices here.

Indicative pricing - (In MYR, your mileage may vary)
Chicken - $0.50
Pork - $0.60 (Non-halal stores)
Rice - $1

I took friends out to lunch recently, we had a good feast of tim sum plus red dates tea with ginseng, etc.

He had a shock when he saw the bill. It was a grand total of $43 RM for a total of 8 dishes with shredded chicken porridge.

By the way, the car repair shops outside Bukit Indah are pretty good, prices are competitive as well.

I am not an expert on car repair though so please let me know if the pricing is bad compared to Singapore. (Pricing in RM)

Yokohama DIN55 battery - Doesn't exceed $220-$240 at most stores
(As pointed out by a bro here, he said this is cheaper in SG so probably disregard this)

Tyre - Michellin/Bridgestone - 185 type - About $275 RM per tyre

Brake pad - Toyota ViOS type - $150 RM for front pair

Oil change, Castrol + (GM brand)AT oil change = $300 RM + free tyre swap from back to front

Solar film for car size such as a MYVI, its $540 RM

For EU cars such as BMW or Benz, you might be better buying the parts from the parts dealer near like Eng Soon Auto and bring them in here to be changed out.

Parts here for imported cars are normally higher than in SG so for certain cars, you are better off with buying the part in SG unless you are looking for 2nd hand parts, then JB may be better.


The repair for the cars are very expensive. Better drive your car to singapore to servicing.

Brake PAD - I can get one OEM which is just as good at S$25
Oil change + Tyre swap - 5000km kind oil change , i can get it at $60 + may be add another $30+ for Tyre swap.

As for your tyres, i think we can get it cheaper in Singapore. I can tell you that the car repair shop is making tons of money from servicing Singapore cars alone

[congo9]

Can we hire a few Gurkhas guard just to guard my house in Malaysia ?

[Funds Transfer]

Can we hire a few Gurkhas guard just to guard my house in Malaysia ?

Bro, if you have LKY mindset and want live like him (with the guards), better stay in SG. Still 'very safe' if you refer to the news clips that I posted. :D:D:D

[wuqi256]

Hi Congo9, can you mind telling me where we can get original brakepads for ViOS for $25 SGD in Singapore? My sister will be very keen.

I should have been more descriptive, the oil change i did is for 7000km so putting this down for better reference where we can compare apples to apples.

I tried to check on tyre pricing with friends but they told me its almost always cheaper in JB? Seems like you know the best lobang in SG. Much obliged if you can list the workshops you use in SG so that bros here can also pay them a visit to save on costs.

[congo9]

Best thing is that you buy your own spare parts from the distributor here in Singapore. Ask your workshop to change for you here in Singapore. But you got to have some very basic knowledge of your car. For example,let say when you turn your steering wheel left and right , you can hear TUCK TUCK TUCK TUCK sound coming from it , this shows your car's drive shaft is having some problem. You need to get a change.

Because once you ask your workshop to repair , they will charge you labour cost + parts cost. Usually , they will also mark up on the cost of the parts. Then you will find it very expensive when they mark up here and there.It is the same throughout ... Malaysia or Singapore. Like a few months ago, there is a freak flood here in Singapore. The cars are all being brought to the authorise car repair shop to repair. What happen is that , these authorised car repair shop outsource the job to other workshop. Charge you a bomb. you can go down to Little india ... verasamay road to hunt for cheaper spare parts. 1st hand of course.

Usually for change of engine oil. It cost around $60 (5000KM)to $98 (10000KM). They will also change the oil filter for you which is inside the package. So more then that , ask them to fuck spider. Tyre swap is just bull shit... They already charge you 300RM for oil change. It just to make the deal less bitter for you. Check with your workshop if your engine oil is good for 5000km or 10 000km. If they charge you RM300 for oil change for (5000km), i guess it time to change. Usually for new cars, it is good that you can just service your car when it hit 10000km each time. you can also ask your repair workshop to clean the air filter.

As for your car battery, a OEM battery will do la... S$70 for small one and may be S$100 for bigger one. What i have said is parts + labour cost. The battery will last you for 2 yrs. I

Think the car workshop there is enjoying good business. I can consider a joint venture there. The rental and wage cost is so low and yet they charge you a bomb. Definitely making tons of money from Singaporean.

[congo9]

Hi Congo9, can you mind telling me where we can get original brakepads for ViOS for $25 SGD in Singapore? My sister will be very keen.
================================================== ================

Brake pads , you can go for OEM ones. Don need original ones. Waste of time. The labour cost to change should be around $25 bucks.

[Lian9]

bros...dun play play with brakes and brake pads...and tyres too...esp for those who like to speed....

[wuqi256]

Thanks for the pointers.

Oh the 300 RM for oil change is also including the auto Auto gear(AT) oil change

Oil change, Castrol + (GM brand)AT oil change = $300 RM + free tyre swap from back to front

The normal 5000 KM one costs about $106 RM here.

[wuqi256]

Thanks Congo9 on the comments brakepads, i understand the labour is $25, how much do they cost then? I will need to compare apples to apples, original versus original pricing and not oem versus original. So far, its $150 RM all in for the original brake pads plus the installation.

The price to beat should be $65 SG or cheaper bearing in mind we have a slight disavantage of GST in SG.

[wuqi256]

Bro Funds Transfer, seems someone posted the English version:

http://www.sammyboy.com/showthread.php?t=75578

[Funds Transfer]

Thanks Congo9 on the comments brakepads, i understand the labour is $25, how much do they cost then? I will need to compare apples to apples, original versus original pricing and not oem versus original. So far, its $150 RM all in for the original brake pads plus the installation.

The price to beat should be $65 SG or cheaper bearing in mind we have a slight disavantage of GST in SG.


A set of Michelin tyres already cost me S$510 ten years ago! (I was rich enough then to afford it) So I reckoned that prices would have moved upwards easily in SG.

As for brake pads, it is best to go for original. I have a Toyota Altis and the brake pads come up more than $65 + labour but not sure if it is compatible with Vios.

Servicing-wise, many of my bros find that MY's price wins hands down but always troublesome to go in specially if you don't live there or not going for makan/golf.

[congo9]

Thanks for the pointers.

Oh the 300 RM for oil change is also including the auto Auto gear(AT) oil change

Oil change, Castrol + (GM brand)AT oil change = $300 RM + free tyre swap from back to front

The normal 5000 KM one costs about $106 RM here.

The oil for gear box do not be change frequently, not like your engine oil. Anyway, i don travel to JB often so i don know the service centre there. But i do go in there to TOP up my petrol very often.

[wuqi256]

Hi Congo9,

We are comparing prices, not whether auto oil needs to change as frequently as engine oil.

Mine needed to be changed so i was just sharing that the RM 300 i paid for covered both the engine oil (Castro) and auto gear oil (GM).

[wuqi256]

Agree, using the original is the best if pricing is not a big difference. Those that are non critical components, i will still consider OEM but those critical ones, i will stick to the originals.

[wuqi256]

Hi Congo9,

I am a little confused here, earlier on, you were mentioning the brake pads (OEM) at $25 SGD and then it later turned out to be just the labour cost which is $25 SGD? Or is it $25 SGD for brake pads + $25 SGD for labour, making a total of $50 SGD?

You were also going on about using OEM brake pads when i was talking about original ones. You were also comparing prices on just engine oil (5000km) when i was referring to engine oil + auto gear oil.

Whether or not auto gear oil gets changed as frequently or not is a moot point as i was sharing a particular example(my personal one). We are comparing pricing here and as much as possible, can we keep it apples to apples?

For the interest of clarity, let me elaborate on the details further:

The engine oil, Castrol (7000km) + GM auto gear oil and tyre rotation costs RM $300.
(This is of course including the oil filter.) My auto gear oil change costs about half of the $300, prices vary though, some shops i have went to quoted me higher for auto gear oil change.

The brake pads for VIOS including labour costs RM $150. This was done at another shop as my sis likes to shop around.

Bear in mind that the average price we saw for oil change (5000 KM) one is about RM $106.
You can also get normal 12V car batteries for about RM $125 at the Tesco shops here, price varies according to brand, type etc.

If you have a workshop in SG to recommend which, like you said can do much better than prices in JB, please help everyone by recommending to the bros here.

[chonburi]

Congrats on your move. From your post, you are working in S'pore? At least JB is close enough. My plan to relocate is BKK where I already got a place. However, distance-wise, can't do something like you.. so it has to be a retirement plan. Spend the rest of my life on probably half the cost it requires to retire in S'pore, and probably a more luxurious lifestyle as well :rolleyes:

Hi Pia, moving to BKK is a good move indeed. I have been in the LOS since 2006 and I only return to SG once or twice a year, usually CNY time.

Are you going to be in LOS on a Work Permit or Retirement VISA?

I am here on Work Permit (Non-O VISA) which allows me to work, apply for driving license, but not own landed properties.

It is good to know SG people are moving to LOS.

[danteakc]

updated post on cosmetic

Official Distributor (http://www.sk-ii.com.my/store_locator.php)
SK II - Malaysia Branch (JB)
Jusco Tebrau City
Jusco Tebrau City,
No. 1, Jalan Desa Tebrau,
81100, Johor Bharu, Johor
Tel: 07-3542591

Metrojaya Plaza Pelangi
Plaza Pelangi,
# 2, Jalan Kuning,
Taman Pelangi,
80250, Johor Bharu
Tel: 07-3345608

Parkson Holiday Plaza
Ground Floor Holiday Plaza,
Jalan Dato Sulaiman,
Century Garden,
80250, Johor Bharu
Tel: 07-3352184

Parallal Importer
http://www.ywaste.net/
http://my.bestbuy-world.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=54

[Equalisation]

Hello,

Are there any happenings at Bukit Indah ....for example food, massages etc etc ....

Thanks.

[Analytical Professor]

The critical ones would be brake pads, brake lining, tires. Any other?

Is it really possible to trust the JB guys to provide us with origingal parts?

I had a pretty bad experience somewhere near KL about 5 years ago. have not yet recovered from that catastrophe.




Agree, using the original is the best if pricing is not a big difference. Those that are non critical components, i will still consider OEM but those critical ones, i will stick to the originals.

[Analytical Professor]

Also Wuqi any idea about this?

Say i buy a TV in Sg (its cheaper here right) and i bring it into Malaysia any idea about the tax?

I can open up the box to make it look like used... But whats the tax like?

[wuqi256]

You have to insist on looking at the parts they are fixing on. Should be ok for JB, so far we have went to 5 and all 5 are ok.

Yes, generally tv cheaper in SG but you risk the tax if they check and found you having a tv in your car. You may be charged anything from 200-500 RM.

[Analytical Professor]

Bro wuqi i meant if i buy a tv in sg and then legally declare it at malaysia customs any idea what the legal tax is like?

[Analytical Professor]

Yes there is loads of food in bukit indah, nusa bestari etc.

Lots of massages too. IF you are looking for happening i am not sure... I did not try. :D:D


Hello,

Are there any happenings at Bukit Indah ....for example food, massages etc etc ....

Thanks.

[KNNBCCB]

Also Wuqi any idea about this?

Say i buy a TV in Sg (its cheaper here right) and i bring it into Malaysia any idea about the tax?

I can open up the box to make it look like used... But whats the tax like?

Bro, you frequent in out SG-JB, so i am sure you know which time the officer there dun bother to check your car booth. Or lucky still, no officer.
Good time is during their big holiday like Raya, go in night time.
Or maybe sunday afternoon where there is less car going in.

just act slumber. My fren bought a TV too from PC fair and got away with it :p
not worth to pay them tax. they will keep in pocket. :D

jus my sharing bro...:D
Depend on your luck and which lane you choose as well. :D

[wuqi256]

Thanks for sharing KNNBCCB, its a matter of luck. Sometimes they still randomly check so just be steady, smile, wave and hopefully just drive through.

The one i encountered was at the first link, to be fair, the guy was squeaky "clean" though, i thought the money he was asking was for himself when he asked me if i would like a lower tax.

He took me to the counter and had a clerk give me the printed offical receipt and when i gave him the money, he refused to accept it and instead i saw the clerk put it into the cash box and recorded this and passed me the together with this the receipt.

[sillysinky]

hi friends, does anyone know about the double storey cluster houses in austin heights? i have been scouting around for a unit there. looks like the askng price is above RM 500k for a 32x70 build up 2188 sqft.
is it worth it to buy a unit there? anybody got any experiencestaying here before and what was the experience ?
i heard developer price was only RM310k a few years back.
thanks in advance for your opinion.

[Papsmearer]

By the way, just for indication, for satay lovers, there are lots of satay choices here.

Indicative pricing - (In MYR, your mileage may vary)
Chicken - $0.50
Pork - $0.60 (Non-halal stores)
Rice - $1

I took friends out to lunch recently, we had a good feast of tim sum plus red dates tea with ginseng, etc.

He had a shock when he saw the bill. It was a grand total of $43 RM for a total of 8 dishes with shredded chicken porridge.

By the way, the car repair shops outside Bukit Indah are pretty good, prices are competitive as well.

I am not an expert on car repair though so please let me know if the pricing is bad compared to Singapore. (Pricing in RM)

Yokohama DIN55 battery - Doesn't exceed $220-$240 at most stores
(As pointed out by a bro here, he said this is cheaper in SG so probably disregard this)

Tyre - Michellin/Bridgestone - 185 type - About $275 RM per tyre

Brake pad - Toyota ViOS type - $150 RM for front pair

Oil change, Castrol + (GM brand)AT oil change = $300 RM + free tyre swap from back to front

Solar film for car size such as a MYVI, its $540 RM

For EU cars such as BMW or Benz, you might be better buying the parts from the parts dealer near like Eng Soon Auto and bring them in here to be changed out.

Parts here for imported cars are normally higher than in SG so for certain cars, you are better off with buying the part in SG unless you are looking for 2nd hand parts, then JB may be better.

Bro, u never mentioned the real pricing that we men are interested in. i.e. chionging prices, OKT prices, massage prices etc. :D Locations of the aforementioned is welcomed too:D

But seriously, I was really dissappointed about the malaysian govt. requirement for foreigners to buy at least RM$500K property, up from RM$250K. Is there any talk of rescinding this new rule? I don't want to spend that much money. Just looking a vacation type property. Could be condo or something.

P.S. Last month, I crossed into Johore from the Tuas crossing. No traffic at all, just breeze thru customs. I don't know why people insist on using the Causeway. One Malaysian chap told me he can go from JB to Shenton Way in 30 mins via Tuas on a off peak period. Not sure whether thru or not.

[xyhan]

Bro, u never mentioned the real pricing that we men are interested in. i.e. chionging prices, OKT prices, massage prices etc. :D Locations of the aforementioned is welcomed too:D

But seriously, I was really dissappointed about the malaysian govt. requirement for foreigners to buy at least RM$500K property, up from RM$250K. Is there any talk of rescinding this new rule? I don't want to spend that much money. Just looking a vacation type property. Could be condo or something.

P.S. Last month, I crossed into Johore from the Tuas crossing. No traffic at all, just breeze thru customs. I don't know why people insist on using the Causeway. One Malaysian chap told me he can go from JB to Shenton Way in 30 mins via Tuas on a off peak period. Not sure whether thru or not.

Good Morning Brother,

You want to know the prices....I think that you already know it but just in case you are not updated...

Cheong = RM 170 Average
Massage = RM55 to RM75 per hour ( Normal Oil )
RM 65 to RM 95 per hour ( Aromatherapy Oil )
KTV Beer = RM 50 to RM 75 Per Bucket..

The rest , you have to find out directly..


Cheers and have a Good Weekend

[KNNBCCB]

hi friends, does anyone know about the double storey cluster houses in austin heights? i have been scouting around for a unit there. looks like the askng price is above RM 500k for a 32x70 build up 2188 sqft.
is it worth it to buy a unit there? anybody got any experiencestaying here before and what was the experience ?
i heard developer price was only RM310k a few years back.
thanks in advance for your opinion.

bro, i dun think for a 32 x 70 cost that cheap of RM310k in JB. ( maybe 5-10 years ago ?)
Above RM500k i think is reasonable price. ;)
heard cluster house is no good feng shui. :confused:

[KNNBCCB]

Bro, u never mentioned the real pricing that we men are interested in. i.e. chionging prices, OKT prices, massage prices etc. :D Locations of the aforementioned is welcomed too:D

But seriously, I was really dissappointed about the malaysian govt. requirement for foreigners to buy at least RM$500K property, up from RM$250K. Is there any talk of rescinding this new rule? I don't want to spend that much money. Just looking a vacation type property. Could be condo or something.

P.S. Last month, I crossed into Johore from the Tuas crossing. No traffic at all, just breeze thru customs. I don't know why people insist on using the Causeway. One Malaysian chap told me he can go from JB to Shenton Way in 30 mins via Tuas on a off peak period. Not sure whether thru or not.

Bro, if you want to know about chionging prices or OKT, i believe you are in the WRONG sammyboy forum. Please do make this thread a clean one since our Big Bro Wuqi are so kind hearted to help all the bros here.

Tuas checkpoint you need to pay about SGD15 ? (if i am not wrong to-flo include Msia Tol) that why people use causeway.:) A lot for a petrol price in JB if you use the causeway. Causeway of course nearer to JB also.

Yes that chap is right ! From JB-Tuas checkpoint all the way to they city via AYE. very fast can reach . ;)

[danteakc]

Bro Funds Transfer, seems someone posted the English version:

http://www.sammyboy.com/showthread.php?t=75578


I was at Taman Molek to do legal transfer and was summon 30RM for not placing parking coupon where do I pay? Can I pay online via internet or I have to go to POS? Where to pay summon?

Will it affect my state consent?

don't bother to register this online site. Very very slowhttp://www.mykakis.com/malaysia-life/driving/check-malaysia-jpj-and-pdrm-traffic-summons

[KNNBCCB]

I was at Taman Molek to do legal transfer and was summon 30RM for not placing parking coupon where do I pay? Can I pay online via internet or I have to go to POS? Where to pay summon?

Will it affect my state consent?

don't bother to register this online site. Very very slowhttp://www.mykakis.com/malaysia-life/driving/check-malaysia-jpj-and-pdrm-traffic-summons

Must be summoned by the bloody Town Council.
Either just throw away the bloody ticket and act blur, :D
or if you kiasi, then go to MPJBT. (Town Council)
If summon by Polis Traffic, then better pay. :D

Next time just place the parking coupon lo... RM0.50 cent only rite ? :D:D:D

[General Veers]

Sunday October 10, 2010

Home, elusive home

BY JOSEPH LOH
sunday@thestar.com.my

Of late, there has been a hue and cry about problems of buying affordable housing. Certain factors are being identified as the cause of these problems but are things as clearcut as they seem?

FOR all intents and purposes, K. Anand looks like a young professional who has the world at his feet. He has a steady job as a bank executive, owns a locally-made car, and will be getting married next year. Now aged 30, he has all the ingredients necessary for a blissful married life, except for one – a house to call his own. “Since I got engaged a year ago, I have been looking for a house, but I haven’t found one I can afford yet.”

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2010/10/10/nation/n_24property.jpg

Anand has a budget of about RM300,000 – a sum which appears substantial – but as he found out, it is not enough to buy the house that fits his criteria. He wants to own a house, not an apartment, and preferably in the vicinity of Petaling Jaya, Selangor. “There is nothing decent below RM400,000 and I do not have that kind of money. I may have to continue renting or look for locations that are much further away,” he says.

Anand’s situation is one which many young professionals are finding themselves in these days. Prices of residential properties have gone up, notably so in the past 12 months (see graphic). This has essentially priced out the young professionals from buying a piece of landed property in popular areas like Petaling Jaya. This leaves him with two choices – either buy a smaller apartment unit or buy a house away from the city.

It is understandable for property prices to rise. However, what the National House Buyers Association of Malaysia (HBA) is concerned about is the drastic escalation of prices over the past few years, says its honorary vice-president Brig-Gen (ret) Datuk Goh Seng Toh. “Prices of houses, like everything else, will go up at reasonable inflationary trends, but it should not be at the rate we are experiencing now.”

HBA honorary secretary-general Chang Kim Loong gives some examples of property around the Klang Valley. He describes that in Kajang, a double-storey house was launched in 2004 for RM238,900, but in 2010, the same type of properly was launched at RM327,600, an increase of RM88,700 or 37%.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2010/10/10/nation/n_24chang.jpg

Chang: ‘If they can implement price controls for essential food items, why not for housing?

In Kota Damansara, a house averaged RM330,000 five years ago but today, the asking price is RM600,000, up RM270,000 or 80%. A double-storey house in Puchong cost RM400,000 five years ago, but has now increased to RM600,000, up 50%. Chan Ai Cheng, general manager with S.K. Brothers Realty (M) SB, has witnessed the increase in prices but attributes other factors to the rise.

“In established areas, prices of landed homes have doubled in less than 10 years, but this is a sweeping statement. Rising cost of materials, labour, land costs, scarcity of land in established locations, better designs and finishes, are the reasons for the increase,” she says. There are properties in prime areas that are still affordable, but the question is what one gets for the money.

“You can buy property in Puchong, Kepong or Kota Damansara from RM200,000 to RM400,000, but what you get is a 750 sq ft apartment which is just a pigeon hole,” says Goh. Chang says the problem is not limited to the Klang Valley alone. “It is a problem in bigger cities and towns, and on Penang island, for example, it is worse. Even those earning RM4,000 monthly cannot afford a place on the island. They have to go over to the mainland in the Prai area.”

Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association Malaysia (Rehda) president Datuk Michael Yam says it could be possible for the young professional to afford a house, but not on a single income. “If he earns RM3,000 a month and you look at the absolute price of landed property, then it is beyond his reach. However, if it is a double-income family, they could still afford something, but it will be difficult,” he says.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2010/10/10/nation/n_24yam.jpg

Yam: ‘Costs have gone up by more than 50%’
The burning question is: What is driving up prices?

Chang says it cannot be denied that cost of raw materials has gone up, but that is not the main reason. “The biggest reason is unsustainable demand, driven by easy credit availability and speculation.” Goh is more scathing with his remarks. “Greed and the market are driving up the prices. For every piece of land, developers want to maximise profits, and there is no social responsibility.”

To an extent, Goh understands that developers are businesses driven by the bottom line. “In the Klang Valley, there are no developers who are building affordable single-storey houses. Why build one when you can build a double-storey unit and sell it for twice the price?” Chang goes to the extent of stating that there is an artificial inflation of prices.

“There is an unholy alliance between developers, certain financial institutions trying to maximise profits and reach targets, and even valuers who collaborate,” he claims. He gives an example of a project which when launched three years ago was RM400,000 per unit, but units in a current phase there now cost RM1.8mil. “How is this possible? There has to be some reason for the trumped-up valuation and the banks extending the loan period to 35 years.

These loans will spill over to the next generation,” Chang argues. Goh also discounts the fact that increasing construction costs translate directly to the current spiralling prices. “We call it the ‘teh tarik syndrome’, when the price of sugar goes up by 10 sen, the price of a cup (of teh tarik) goes up by 10 sen as well.” He explains that construction costs account for about 30% of the ultimate cost, so the drastic increase cannot be justified.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2010/10/10/nation/n_24goh.jpg

"Property is speculative income, and they are taking money from our future generation to spend today" BRIG-GEN (RET) DATUK GOH SENG TOH

On his part, Yam counters that the rise in construction costs is an important factor in the price of property. “Costs have gone up by more than 50% for everything from raw materials to labour rates,” he says, adding that the cost of land has to be factored in as well, but not the cost of the land the property is built on. What should be looked at is the cost of the next plot of land that the developer buys to build on, and because of the scarcity of good, serviceable land, this is entirely at the whim of the seller (of the land), he explains.

“For example, he may have bought the land for RM35 per sq ft but today it will cost RM200. If they (developers) sell the property cheap, they will not have money to buy the next piece of land. “The record is now RM7,000 per sq ft in the central KL area. Yes, it may have been an aberration, but the bar has been set.” Developers have also been encumbered with extra, hidden costs, according to the HBA.

“Developers are not charitable organisations so extra costs (including cost of building infrastructure for basic utilities) are passed on to the buyer,” says Chang. He says that developers shoulder the responsibility of building roads and providing infrastructure for utilities, even though some of these providers have been privatised. “In the past, these were under the central government.

These are now corporatised, listed companies but they still enjoy the same deal. Why are housebuyers still paying for their infrastructure?” Yam says developers are not unaware of the problem. They are aware that there is a big demand for affordable units and the take-up rate will be good, yet are not motivated to build them, he says. “There is an imperfection in the planning law. There should be some enabling legislation to encourage developers to build smaller, affordable units.”

Yam explains that typically, planning laws allow only 60 units to be built per acre on residential title land, which is based on a population density principle. “As a developer, you want to maximise the net saleable area, so you build as big as you can. It makes no difference if you build 60 units of 1,000 sq ft units, or 60 units of 3,000 sq ft units.” “The only ones who are building smaller sized units are the commercial-title apartments, which is based on a plot ratio.

So you can chop it (built-up floor space) up into any unit size. “The problem is that people who buy them end up paying higher property taxes and commercial rates for utilities.” Yam says the solution could almost be as simple as raising the cap on the number or units per acre. “The planning laws needs to be reviewed so the developers are encouraged to build smaller units for the market.

For example, they should not restrict the number of units per acre, or if they are building small units, more should be allowed.” The HBA also believes that the Government can do much to curb the unrestrained spiralling prices of property. “If they can implement price controls for essential food items, why not for housing? Both are items of necessity, so why can’t they do that based on the same philosophy?” Chang queries.

A special government task force should be set up, he suggests. “Let us be serious about it and get parties such as NGOs, financiers, industry players and academics to sit down and talk about it.” He says Bank Negara, for example, can play a significant role. “They are the controlling authority for all financial institutions. They cannot control property prices but can control the bank and the environment where the housing market operates.

“They can do this by controlling interest rates, the period of repayment and loan-to-value ratio, among other measures.” Goh adds that the current one-size-fits-all housing policies cannot continue. “We cannot have a policy that is the same for a first-time houseowner or speculator. Singapore, for example, has implemented some sensible measures.

“They have things like a minimum occupancy period, and you have to stay in a place for five years before you can sell it.” People should not be making too much money from property, Goh reasons. “It is not like the palm oil industry, for example, which is material substantive income. “Property is speculative income, and they are taking money from our future generation to spend today.”

[Coolsaint77]

hi friends, does anyone know about the double storey cluster houses in austin heights? i have been scouting around for a unit there. looks like the askng price is above RM 500k for a 32x70 build up 2188 sqft.
is it worth it to buy a unit there? anybody got any experiencestaying here before and what was the experience ?
i heard developer price was only RM310k a few years back.
thanks in advance for your opinion.

Hi,

Whatever you do please buy direct from developer and not from resale market. The property pricing of developer varies depending on construction quality.. and it really varies my fren.

The best developer, in my opinion, is Berinda. It is part of Kuok group and the build quality somewhat reminds me of the Allgreen properties in SG.. ok lah not as great but it should be the best in Johor. A double storey terrace house built-up about 2500 sft in Taman Molek (near Molek Pine) costs 488k MYR, and that's not even corner unit. They are still selling some properties near Skudai called Impian Heights... leading to a golf course. Houses are nice and big but location sucks.

UEM's East Ledang is top notch... but they are more into properties about MYR1m... you get land area 90 x 45 ft and house built up ranges from 3300 sft to 4000 sft. It is the best choice if you think it is not crazy to throw this amount of money in bolehland. However i advise against this because very few Singaporeans will invest MYR1m in Johor. You'll probably end up having Arabs and Sri Lankans as your neighbours.

As for Horizon Hills, it is a nice concept. Unfortunately the company actually developing the properties is not UEM, but the engineering company Gamuda. The are listed and have built some properties, but i am afraid i have to say the houses could be much better built. The materials used, the layout... reminds me of commercial buildings. It does not give you a homely feeling. But that can be overcome by doing up the house nicely. I think the pricing is in the region of 500k for a cluster house?

FORGET ABOUT THE OLD JOHOR ie Mount Austin, Pelangi, etc.. areas near to JB city. JB city is like Gotham city you dont want to live near there. If you are interested only in this locality then go for Taman Molek, Taman Ponderosa or Taman Redang. The shops and facilities around Taman Molek are the most "upmarket" compared to the rest of Johor. Even the Ajisen Ramen there are more authentic than the shitty ramen you get at Ajisen at Carrefour Sutera Mall.

As you might have heard, the Johor government admin centre is being moved to Kota Iskandar. This is the new Johor where all the East Ledangs, etc are. Kota Iskandar is a copycat of Putrajaya to a smaller scale. The generic term used to describe this area is Nusajaya. Unfortunately the place will take probably another 10 years before fully developed and "habitable" but this is just my opinion.

Hence the best bet at reasonable price is the locality around Bukit Indah which encompasses Horizon Hills, Nusa Idaman, Nusa Duta, and tons of Setia Indah properties. They are all accessible via exit 307 ie go from Tuas, travel for 10 minutes, turn into JB-Pasir Gudang highway, then exit 308 to Bukit Indah.

Horizon Hills is kinda large and deep and the most expensive of the lot, but it is nestled among golf course hence the best in terms of lifestyle... but mind you everything in JB is notorius for inability to keep up to the originally intended standard, i don't know 10 years down if the place will still look nice.

SP Setia seems to have properties all over Bukit Indah - they are the builder of budget homes. Well they do have more expensive ones but my opinion is, it is better they stick to what they are good at.. ie build small houses for the local Malays. They have lots of selections of double storey terraces with 4 rooms, but only 1600 - 2000 sft! The salespeople treat you as if you are buying a HDB flat, i hate them. I think they are too used to cheapo customers.

Nusa Idaman is the best bet. This is by UEM. When they started phase 2A about 3 years ago, a corner unit built-up 1895 sft (land about 2800 sft) costs just 300k. Almost ALL of them were bought by savvy Singaporeans.
I think the current phases would costs about 400k plus for something similar, but i dont like them because the car porch is very short. Still... i think you can find something decent at a reasonable price. I mean this is Johor, dont spend too much. The access to Nusa Idaman have become a lot easier with the opening of the new highway exit (the one just before Bukit Indah). I recall someone mentioned about the dark road leading up to the access point. No, dont worry at all. The road is call Jalan Ceria, it is now leading up to the entry and exit point to Pasir Gudang highway. In fact just travel a little more you will reach a big coffee shop - the food sucks but there are scantily clad singers bouncing around at night. There is also a mosque next to this coffee shop. But who cares!

If you want something more convenient then go for the property by IJM Land called Nusa Duta. It is right behind the new Giant supermarket, walkable. Cross the road and you are at Tesco. Walk a little further (haha just drive lah) you are at Jusco Bukit Indah.

That is why i recommend New Johor around this area. Quite a coup to have Jusco, Tesco and Giant within a small township.

You could even avoid getting into the ever irritating traffic along Nusa Bestari. Too many vehicles for roads with only 2 lanes each way.

Hope the info is helpful.

[edm23]

Great information guys! Went through the thread and found lotsa useful tips :) Keep up the information sharing spirit!

[congo9]

http://www.pjdprop.com.my/montcallista/default.asp

I have taken brochure from Sun tec city today. They are selling the Mont Callista ! Is this launch good ? It say 792 000* RM

[congo9]

Just like to find out , if you guys bought over the property like Monte Castilla type. Do we need to pay Conservancy charges ? Will they maintain the property like the building exterior ?

[Coolsaint77]

Just like to find out , if you guys bought over the property like Monte Castilla type. Do we need to pay Conservancy charges ? Will they maintain the property like the building exterior ?

I've not seen this yet, looks nice.

But Pulai Springs area - location is a problem. On the map it seems quite close to Singapore. But if you are coming from second link, you actually need to pass through the Perling toll and the horrendous Jalan Skudai to reach this place.

The areas i mentioned in my post are far more accessible from Singapore.

Most landed houses with gated security does not have an MCST like Singapore. The areas outside your house are considered public area and is under the town council's maintenance, it could mean you need to endure the long weeds for half a month every month. There is no maintenence or sinking fund. Most of these gated areas simply form their own committee and collect MYR50 a month for security fees.

[congo9]

They make us pay RM700K and they don maintain ? Any information from brother wuqi ?

[allanlee]

http://www.pjdprop.com.my/montcallista/default.asp

I have taken brochure from Sun tec city today. They are selling the Mont Callista ! Is this launch good ? It say 792 000* RM

RM$792K? Singkies have a reputation for being carrotheads....... this same property was marketed 2 months ago at JB's City Square and was priced at only RM$6OOK. :mad:

[Coolsaint77]

RM$792K? Singkies have a reputation for being carrotheads....... this same property was marketed 2 months ago at JB's City Square and was priced at only RM$6OOK. :mad:

There are different sizes and designs. Also if you are looking at bumiputra prices it is 15% discount off the list price.

[markhida22]

Hi, First of all, thanks so much to bros here for sharing so much about living in JB in this thread.

I am also interested in buying property and living in the Nusajaya residential area. I do have some questions and hope someone can enlighten me.

Q1. Is it feasible for family with school going child/teenage to live in JB? For example, is it very crowded for cars at the 2nd link sg/my checkpoints at around 6.30am in the morning? What are other concerns? Any bros here who is currently staying in JB with school going children?

Q2. I've recently looked at the 2.5 storey semi-D in phase 4C of Nusa Idaman. They are in precinct 4, and is just against the hill. They are priced from $688, 000. Has any bros here booked a unit there? Anyone knows of any concerns about this development?

[congo9]

I think they have school bus picking up the school kids from Johor via woodlands causeway. One thing is that , kids must wake up damn early ! Not very practical.

Or your child already old enough, and he knows how to drive from Johore to Singapore.



================================================== =======

Hi, First of all, thanks so much to bros here for sharing so much about living in JB in this thread.

I am also interested in buying property and living in the Nusajaya residential area. I do have some questions and hope someone can enlighten me.

Q1. Is it feasible for family with school going child/teenage to live in JB? For example, is it very crowded for cars at the 2nd link sg/my checkpoints at around 6.30am in the morning? What are other concerns? Any bros here who is currently staying in JB with school going children?

Q2. I've recently looked at the 2.5 storey semi-D in phase 4C of Nusa Idaman. They are in precinct 4, and is just against the hill. They are priced from $688, 000. Has any bros here booked a unit there? Anyone knows of any concerns about this development?

[wuqi256]

Ok Mont Calista there are several types, in fact, we just went there on Saturday to visit a friend who has purchased there. Yes you will still need to pay a conservancy fee but the price seems to have risen already from the last time. Quite a lot of renovation has already started and people has already moved in there. Mont Calista was mentioned very much earlier in this thread, its not bad, with Giant and Jusco so nearby but the surrounding area is not so good. The main saving grace is the security as well as the design,.

[wuqi256]

Hi, First of all, thanks so much to bros here for sharing so much about living in JB in this thread.

I am also interested in buying property and living in the Nusajaya residential area. I do have some questions and hope someone can enlighten me.

Q1. Is it feasible for family with school going child/teenage to live in JB? For example, is it very crowded for cars at the 2nd link sg/my checkpoints at around 6.30am in the morning? What are other concerns? Any bros here who is currently staying in JB with school going children?

Q2. I've recently looked at the 2.5 storey semi-D in phase 4C of Nusa Idaman. They are in precinct 4, and is just against the hill. They are priced from $688, 000. Has any bros here booked a unit there? Anyone knows of any concerns about this development?

Hi Markhida, it is but you have to get up early, 6.30am still no jam and pretty clear on 2nd link(on weekdays).

You should also apply for MACS if you have property there to speed things up as well as to save your passport from having to be stamped every time. You can go to Danga bay, they are catering to only property owners. The 4 x travel in a month type will need to go to the CIQ to apply for MACS as there are two types, one for property owners, one for frequent travellers.

No other concerns, just get up earlier, have a local tow truck number in case things goes wrong with the car. If you are concerned about a flat, then just get a cheap tyre repair kit and air pump(powered by 12v cigarette port in the car) and you can just quickly repair any punctures and carry on mission. You can get both for under $40 RM and it gives you peace of mind.

[Coolsaint77]

Hi, First of all, thanks so much to bros here for sharing so much about living in JB in this thread.

I am also interested in buying property and living in the Nusajaya residential area. I do have some questions and hope someone can enlighten me.

Q1. Is it feasible for family with school going child/teenage to live in JB? For example, is it very crowded for cars at the 2nd link sg/my checkpoints at around 6.30am in the morning? What are other concerns? Any bros here who is currently staying in JB with school going children?

Q2. I've recently looked at the 2.5 storey semi-D in phase 4C of Nusa Idaman. They are in precinct 4, and is just against the hill. They are priced from $688, 000. Has any bros here booked a unit there? Anyone knows of any concerns about this development?

I think i know which property you are referring to... is it the one at the back of phase 2B which is already being occupied, and it's quite near to the long park? Sorry i always have criticism, why don't you go for something with 2-storey? It somewhat feels a little scary to stay in a house more than 2 storey in Malaysia. The 1/2 storey which is the basement+carpark is away from your living room on upper floor. There might be a safety concern. In Malaysia you always want to be aware of your surroundings. Even gated development has thief break-ins. The development right beside this one had a break-in few months back.

I'm really not sure about school-going kids, but i suspect this will be too much for them. I commute daily but i have no kids. I normally leave home between 8-9am so the traffic is ok, but i remember the traffic is not as good if earlier.

If you drive, please price in the tolls you have to pay daily. $6.40 ($3.20 x 2) and MYR 15 (7.50 x 2) each day, that's about S$13 daily.

It is always advisable to spend a smaller amount, if you decide it is too tiring then you can dispose off the property more easily. Why not consider a corner terrace that costs like MYR 400k or less? Do minimise loan, the exit price is very high in M'sia, so is the interest.

I started off with a plan of staying in JB and commuting daily to SG. I have been doing this for 1.5 years. Initially i was very keen to buy a semi-D like you, but in the end, after understanding JB better, i decided not to buy any property in Malaysia.

[aangsc]

what is the address for Danga bay MACS application. I call up to inquire and was told about the minimum 4times stamps per month for last 3 months requirement. Was about to give up till I read your post. Is tat the one open 24 hrs ?



You should also apply for MACS if you have property there to speed things up as well as to save your passport from having to be stamped every time. You can go to Danga bay, they are catering to only property owners. The 4 x travel in a month type will need to go to the CIQ to apply for MACS as there are two types, one for property owners, one for frequent travellers.

.

[toyohon]

http://www.irda.com.my/

[markhida22]

Hi Markhida, it is but you have to get up early, 6.30am still no jam and pretty clear on 2nd link(on weekdays).

You should also apply for MACS if you have property there to speed things up...

No other concerns, just get up earlier, have a local tow truck number in case things goes wrong with the car. If you are concerned about a flat, then just get a cheap tyre repair kit and air pump(powered by 12v cigarette port in the car) and you can just quickly repair any punctures and carry on mission. You can get both for under $40 RM and it gives you peace of mind.

Thanks Wuqi, these are very practical suggestions. I guess I probably also need something like siren lights in case the vehicle breaks down on the highway at night or before dawn.

Where in Bukit Indah area do you suggest I could get the tyre repair kit and batter operated pump ?

[markhida22]

I think i know which property you are referring to... is it the one at the back of phase 2B which is already being occupied, and it's quite near to the long park? Sorry i always have criticism, why don't you go for something with 2-storey? It somewhat feels a little scary to stay in a house more than 2 storey in Malaysia. The 1/2 storey which is the basement+carpark is away from your living room on upper floor. There might be a safety concern. In Malaysia you always want to be aware of your surroundings. Even gated development has thief break-ins. The development right beside this one had a break-in few months back.


Thanks Coolsaint for sharing your concerns. It is at the back of 4B, not 2B (2B is the precinct across the road, and phase 3 is its immediate neighbour). I am not sure which long park you are referring to, but if it is the hill top park then yes, the semi-D i referred to is right at the foot of the hill.

There are 3 types of designs. The one I am looking at has carpark at the main (ground) floor, and the basement is at the back opening to the backyard. Yes, it is not secure as those cluster house or terrace, as robbers can break in from the front as well as from the back lane (where the basement is facing). But I have been thinking, what if we beef up the securiy by installing security cameras around the compound?




I'm really not sure about school-going kids, but i suspect this will be too much for them. I commute daily but i have no kids. I normally leave home between 8-9am so the traffic is ok, but i remember the traffic is not as good if earlier.


I am prepared to send my child to and fro school everyday if I managed to find an ideal living environment in JB. I figured that it is just different arrangements. I've told my child that she would have to comb her hair and take her breakfast in the car, as we would have to leave the house 6.15am the latest. :)




If you drive, please price in the tolls you have to pay daily. $6.40 ($3.20 x 2) and MYR 15 (7.50 x 2) each day, that's about S$13 daily.


Right, and this is the amount after the 30% toll charge reduction in August. But I figured that the lower cost of living (petrol, maintenance, etc) will compensate for that.



It is always advisable to spend a smaller amount, if you decide it is too tiring then you can dispose off the property more easily. Why not consider a corner terrace that costs like MYR 400k or less? Do minimise loan, the exit price is very high in M'sia, so is the interest.


Can we Singaporean still buy property below 500K? I heard from the sales person that the 500K rule already implemented.
Terrace house from developer would be below 500K so not available to Singaporean.
A Resale terrace above 500K seems not worth it.
I have seen a resale cluster at Golf in Horizon Hills that is already asking for 630K (still need to pay legal fees etc., another about 30+K), and hence I figured that the semi-D at nusa idaman from the developer at 688K onwards may be worth considering.

Bros who are familiar in the area, do you have any recommendation for me to consider? What about Sutera Utama, I have not look at it yet. Perhaps going down tomorrow to take a look.

Oh, you mention about high exit price, are you referring to having to sell the unit within the bank loan lock-in period?



I started off with a plan of staying in JB and commuting daily to SG. I have been doing this for 1.5 years. Initially i was very keen to buy a semi-D like you, but in the end, after understanding JB better, i decided not to buy any property in Malaysia.

What causes you to change your mind? I am naturally interested to listen. :)

[Dicktamby]

Q1. Is it feasible for family with school going child/teenage to live in JB? For example, is it very crowded for cars at the 2nd link sg/my checkpoints at around 6.30am in the morning? What are other concerns? Any bros here who is currently staying in JB with school going children?



Hi

I have 4 school going kids..they are all still in primary schools. I talked to a school bus driver who ferries school children from JB to SG daily (they called themselves 'the superman bus' coz they have the 'S' on the windscreen). He said he starts his rounds in JB as early as 4.45am. He needs to cross SG by 6.15am. He stops the school children in Woddlands where the kids will be transfered to other school buses. These buses would then transport the kids to schools all over SG. Fees start from SGD 200 per child per month for schools located around Woodlands, Sembawang, Yishun,etc. For schools located in Tampines and Pasir Ris ( where my kids are schooling), fees is SGD 400 !

Best solution is to drive your kids to school yourself. Via Tuas at 6.30am looks OK. For my case, since I'm working long term in JB, I cant do this. I intend to buy a van and employ a driver to ferry my kids( and my wife too) to and from school. Did managed to talk to a few pakciks and uncles. Their asking pay is between MYR 1200-1500 per month which is still better then the private school buses charge you.

Will probably relocate my family hopefully by early 2012. Still got plenty of time to shop for a van and a personal driver. So anyone with school going kids staying around HH can hop in my own private school van...in 2012..:)

[wuqi256]

Thanks Wuqi, these are very practical suggestions. I guess I probably also need something like siren lights in case the vehicle breaks down on the highway at night or before dawn.

Where in Bukit Indah area do you suggest I could get the tyre repair kit and batter operated pump ?

Sure, yes you can. You can get them cheaply anywhere at either Tesco or Jusco. Giant and Carrefour should have too but the best one i got was from Tesco.

There was one morning in my porch, a nice Sunday morning, i stretched and went downstairs. My dad was flying his layang (kite) in the backyard and my mum and my wife was having breakfast. I carried my still sleeping son and sat on the swing. It was really bliss as birds were chirping nearby and there was a nice breeze, i looked at my car in front of me, it was then that i noticed a large nail in one of my tires.

My sister who was watering the plants nearby saw it as well and exclaimed oh no, we have to use the spare tire now or get it towed. She was pretty unhappy and went to the other house to water the plants. By the time she was back though, the tire was already fixed and the air pumped back up.

All was fine, it was another good Sunday morning.

[wuqi256]

Can we Singaporean still buy property below 500K? I heard from the sales person that the 500K rule already implemented.
Terrace house from developer would be below 500K so not available to Singaporean.
A Resale terrace above 500K seems not worth it.
I have seen a resale cluster at Golf in Horizon Hills that is already asking for 630K (still need to pay legal fees etc., another about 30+K), and hence I figured that the semi-D at nusa idaman from the developer at 688K onwards may be worth considering.

Bros who are familiar in the area, do you have any recommendation for me to consider? What about Sutera Utama, I have not look at it yet. Perhaps going down tomorrow to take a look.

Oh, you mention about high exit price, are you referring to having to sell the unit within the bank loan lock-in period?


You can't anymore unless you have relatives or your wife is Malaysian, else just check to see if you can get a rebate when you buy at $500k. Sutera Utama is good but the way in is a bit tedious as you have to go past busy Nusa Bestari. Its also noisy as it by the roadside unless you get units deeper in. Go for something within your budget and you should be fine. An esteemed neighbour of mine who is local but has Singaporean wife and kids once told me, its always location location location, once you are past that, then go for the biggest unit you can COMFORTABLY afford and go for it.

I would be too, normally you can safely exit once you are past the lock in period and of course, provided your property has appreciated. Property appreciation is not a given, only for certain areas would it be good so research research research before you go into it.

There are lots of threads on JB, some good, some bad. Do your own due dilligence, so far it has worked out well for my friends and me. 3 folks who at first bought to rent out are now telling me they are now intending to use it for a weekend home or their 2nd home. In early December, i will have 2 house warming and likely another one in Jan/Feb.

[wuqi256]

By the way, a lot of car repairs, mud guard, respray ($800-$1000) at the Bukit Indah area. Can haggle, tyre punctures is $5 RM, crankshaft clip replacement $18, korean or local car engine mounting (set of 4) 200 - 700 RM

Food at Station One cafe(not bad the chicken chop) - Typically less than 70 RM for 2 persons for a sumptious meal.

You can get their version of hi card easily, also remember for those staying near Bukit Indah, some of the coffeeshops do take outs for seafood as well as western food. Delivery charge is 1 RM and normally covers until 1am.

There is also a very very nice Indian food joint that is open 24 hours near the Alliance bank. Their nasi brani and nasi lemak not bad, their prata too. There is also a new Korean restaurant nearby there that is a bit pricey but pretty authentic. :)

[Coolsaint77]

By the way, a lot of car repairs, mud guard, respray ($800-$1000) at the Bukit Indah area. Can haggle, tyre punctures is $5 RM, crankshaft clip replacement $18, korean or local car engine mounting (set of 4) 200 - 700 RM

Food at Station One cafe(not bad the chicken chop) - Typically less than 70 RM for 2 persons for a sumptious meal.

You can get their version of hi card easily, also remember for those staying near Bukit Indah, some of the coffeeshops do take outs for seafood as well as western food. Delivery charge is 1 RM and normally covers until 1am.

There is also a very very nice Indian food joint that is open 24 hours near the Alliance bank. Their nasi brani and nasi lemak not bad, their prata too. There is also a new Korean restaurant nearby there that is a bit pricey but pretty authentic. :)

Hello wuqi

Sounds like you are very happy living in JB! I have a related question another bro asked - how is the maintenance of the common area at Horizon Hills? eg. The gateway. is the grass cutting and garbage disposal carried out by the town council? This is the case for Nusa Idaman and i endure the long weeds quite a lot. Garbage disposal is alternate days, and when they come they leave long trails of garbage liquid... stinks for quite a while..

[Coolsaint77]

I am prepared to send my child to and fro school everyday if I managed to find an ideal living environment in JB. I figured that it is just different arrangements. I've told my child that she would have to comb her hair and take her breakfast in the car, as we would have to leave the house 6.15am the latest. :):)

Other bros have advised the traffic at 6+ am is ok, then i guess you can drive your kids to school! I usually leave Nusa Idaman at 8+ to 9am and it takes me 1 hour to reach my workplace at Chai Chee, i leave SG to return home at about 7+ to 8pm. For me smooth traffic is priority and fortunately my company is flexible about this.


Right, and this is the amount after the 30% toll charge reduction in August. But I figured that the lower cost of living (petrol, maintenance, etc) will compensate for that.

Yeah, SG plate cars can pump unlimited amount of RON97 at Myr2.15 per litre


Can we Singaporean still buy property below 500K? I heard from the sales person that the 500K rule already implemented.
Terrace house from developer would be below 500K so not available to Singaporean. A Resale terrace above 500K seems not worth it.
I have seen a resale cluster at Golf in Horizon Hills that is already asking for 630K (still need to pay legal fees etc., another about 30+K), and hence I figured that the semi-D at nusa idaman from the developer at 688K onwards may be worth considering.

Bros who are familiar in the area, do you have any recommendation for me to consider? What about Sutera Utama, I have not look at it yet. Perhaps going down tomorrow to take a look.

Oh, you mention about high exit price, are you referring to having to sell the unit within the bank loan lock-in period?

Sorry i forgot cos' my own citizenship is still MY. You can also check out Nusa Duta. Sutera Utama's location is not so good. If you take loan i think lock-in period is about 5 years.


What causes you to change your mind? I am naturally interested to listen. :)

I made a mistake because too keen on a car. Bought an expensive car in SG and now worry day and night over the car. Parked car outside Carrefour Sutera Mall and forgetfully left a bag at the back seat, within 30 mins while i was in the mall car window got smashed

[wuqi256]

Hello wuqi

Sounds like you are very happy living in JB! I have a related question another bro asked - how is the maintenance of the common area at Horizon Hills? eg. The gateway. is the grass cutting and garbage disposal carried out by the town council? This is the case for Nusa Idaman and i endure the long weeds quite a lot. Garbage disposal is alternate days, and when they come they leave long trails of garbage liquid... stinks for quite a while..

Pretty good so far. Its pretty efficient although the garbage guys tend to sometimes come twice a week, sometimes more. It helps that our area tends to rain so its nice. Wifey complains every time we have to go to SG on weekdays for work and so happy whenever we are there.

[wuqi256]

Best not to drive flashy cars for fear of getting targetted. Crime knows no borders but people are tempted to more easy pickings. Expensive foreign car parked in secluded area with expensive items inside is just shouting out to would be criminals. Good to invest in an approved dark solar film(cannot be too dark though) so that it makes it harder for would be criminals to see inside.

For us, getting a cheap local car was paramount, one of my friends bought another one recently so that his wife can zip along. He now has 2 MY cars over there. His tenant or friend also bought one, by the way, he shared with him something which i need to share here asap, seems that foreigners need to get a license conversion for driving MY registered cars. Its cheap though but for bros who are into driving MY cars, good to know. I will try to get the link he was given and post it here.

[aangsc]

Will probably be keen to find out from you when it comes nearer .
Still think it is practical to group a few like-minded people to share a transport service from HH to MRTs in sg. I have 2 sch going kids tat why still stuck in SG on normal days.


Hi

Will probably relocate my family hopefully by early 2012. Still got plenty of time to shop for a van and a personal driver. So anyone with school going kids staying around HH can hop in my own private school van...in 2012..:)

[sillysinky]

hi bro,thanks for your long posting, very informative indeed. you have done a lot of homework. i salute u :)
i have not logged in for awhile so my apology for the late reply. initially i was looking at molek area too. but no ready units available. even resale is very limited.
anyway i have already purchased in austin heights, pretty decent place and met a few singaporeans staying there too during the weekend we went there to finalise the deal.

reason i bought there : 2 layer security guards. a lot of rich business-owners staying there so the neighbourhood is very decent and "cultured".

next the new highway linking austin to the malaysian customs/causeway due for completion in 2012.

indeed we also went to bukit indah area but the place is very congested with so many new commercial developments coming up so we think in time to come, it will be very congested. excellent example is the traffic along nusa bestari now with all the shophouses fully tenanted. nusa duta was nice but has to pass thru shophouses on the way to main road so this is a let-down.
horizon hils - not sure why but we dont really like the feng shui there :)
so in the end, ended up with austin heights
cheers


Hi,

Whatever you do please buy direct from developer and not from resale market. The property pricing of developer varies depending on construction quality.. and it really varies my fren.

The best developer, in my opinion, is Berinda. It is part of Kuok group and the build quality somewhat reminds me of the Allgreen properties in SG.. ok lah not as great but it should be the best in Johor. A double storey terrace house built-up about 2500 sft in Taman Molek (near Molek Pine) costs 488k MYR, and that's not even corner unit. They are still selling some properties near Skudai called Impian Heights... leading to a golf course. Houses are nice and big but location sucks.

UEM's East Ledang is top notch... but they are more into properties about MYR1m... you get land area 90 x 45 ft and house built up ranges from 3300 sft to 4000 sft. It is the best choice if you think it is not crazy to throw this amount of money in bolehland. However i advise against this because very few Singaporeans will invest MYR1m in Johor. You'll probably end up having Arabs and Sri Lankans as your neighbours.

As for Horizon Hills, it is a nice concept. Unfortunately the company actually developing the properties is not UEM, but the engineering company Gamuda. The are listed and have built some properties, but i am afraid i have to say the houses could be much better built. The materials used, the layout... reminds me of commercial buildings. It does not give you a homely feeling. But that can be overcome by doing up the house nicely. I think the pricing is in the region of 500k for a cluster house?

FORGET ABOUT THE OLD JOHOR ie Mount Austin, Pelangi, etc.. areas near to JB city. JB city is like Gotham city you dont want to live near there. If you are interested only in this locality then go for Taman Molek, Taman Ponderosa or Taman Redang. The shops and facilities around Taman Molek are the most "upmarket" compared to the rest of Johor. Even the Ajisen Ramen there are more authentic than the shitty ramen you get at Ajisen at Carrefour Sutera Mall.

As you might have heard, the Johor government admin centre is being moved to Kota Iskandar. This is the new Johor where all the East Ledangs, etc are. Kota Iskandar is a copycat of Putrajaya to a smaller scale. The generic term used to describe this area is Nusajaya. Unfortunately the place will take probably another 10 years before fully developed and "habitable" but this is just my opinion.

Hence the best bet at reasonable price is the locality around Bukit Indah which encompasses Horizon Hills, Nusa Idaman, Nusa Duta, and tons of Setia Indah properties. They are all accessible via exit 307 ie go from Tuas, travel for 10 minutes, turn into JB-Pasir Gudang highway, then exit 308 to Bukit Indah.

Horizon Hills is kinda large and deep and the most expensive of the lot, but it is nestled among golf course hence the best in terms of lifestyle... but mind you everything in JB is notorius for inability to keep up to the originally intended standard, i don't know 10 years down if the place will still look nice.

SP Setia seems to have properties all over Bukit Indah - they are the builder of budget homes. Well they do have more expensive ones but my opinion is, it is better they stick to what they are good at.. ie build small houses for the local Malays. They have lots of selections of double storey terraces with 4 rooms, but only 1600 - 2000 sft! The salespeople treat you as if you are buying a HDB flat, i hate them. I think they are too used to cheapo customers.

Nusa Idaman is the best bet. This is by UEM. When they started phase 2A about 3 years ago, a corner unit built-up 1895 sft (land about 2800 sft) costs just 300k. Almost ALL of them were bought by savvy Singaporeans.
I think the current phases would costs about 400k plus for something similar, but i dont like them because the car porch is very short. Still... i think you can find something decent at a reasonable price. I mean this is Johor, dont spend too much. The access to Nusa Idaman have become a lot easier with the opening of the new highway exit (the one just before Bukit Indah). I recall someone mentioned about the dark road leading up to the access point. No, dont worry at all. The road is call Jalan Ceria, it is now leading up to the entry and exit point to Pasir Gudang highway. In fact just travel a little more you will reach a big coffee shop - the food sucks but there are scantily clad singers bouncing around at night. There is also a mosque next to this coffee shop. But who cares!

If you want something more convenient then go for the property by IJM Land called Nusa Duta. It is right behind the new Giant supermarket, walkable. Cross the road and you are at Tesco. Walk a little further (haha just drive lah) you are at Jusco Bukit Indah.

That is why i recommend New Johor around this area. Quite a coup to have Jusco, Tesco and Giant within a small township.

You could even avoid getting into the ever irritating traffic along Nusa Bestari. Too many vehicles for roads with only 2 lanes each way.

Hope the info is helpful.

[Coolsaint77]

hi bro,thanks for your long posting, very informative indeed. you have done a lot of homework. i salute u :)
i have not logged in for awhile so my apology for the late reply. initially i was looking at molek area too. but no ready units available. even resale is very limited.
anyway i have already purchased in austin heights, pretty decent place and met a few singaporeans staying there too during the weekend we went there to finalise the deal.

reason i bought there : 2 layer security guards. a lot of rich business-owners staying there so the neighbourhood is very decent and "cultured".

next the new highway linking austin to the malaysian customs/causeway due for completion in 2012.

indeed we also went to bukit indah area but the place is very congested with so many new commercial developments coming up so we think in time to come, it will be very congested. excellent example is the traffic along nusa bestari now with all the shophouses fully tenanted. nusa duta was nice but has to pass thru shophouses on the way to main road so this is a let-down.
horizon hils - not sure why but we dont really like the feng shui there :)
so in the end, ended up with austin heights
cheers

Congrats for finding the house you like. I realised my advice is totally opposite to yours, but this is where 2 persons with opposing views can both be right depending on what you want. PAP should learn :-p

I guess if you don't commute daily but only plan to use it as a getaway then it is not too bad, i must also admit i dismissed Mt Austin too easily without taking a good look at the area.

Few months ago i was looking at some houses by Berinda opposite Molek Pine condo. A normal terrace cost 488k, but the size, layout and quality of the house looks a lot better than a typical house in JB. But you are right, the corner units are probably all sold out, if not it would be with large land area making the whole house costs like 900k.

The Jalan Nusa Bestari is indeed too congested. It existed during a time when Bukit Indah housing just started, and there was no Horizon Hills, Nusa Idaman, etc. I hate the roads around these areas. The only point to highlight is, you can actually live comfortably around the few developments i stated without going into Jalan Nusa Bestari very much, maybe just passing by the fringe.

Ok time to organise a samster GTG in JB

[dapbest]

Finally i am looking to buy and invest in up to 5 house sin johor at one go. Places I am looking at is : Horizon Hills, east ledang etc, where i can rent to expats working in Singapore for just S$3500 a month for a 3-storey semi-d which includes maintence and electricity bills.

I have been staying with my wife somewhere near Tun aminah for about 7-10 years and have been observing the different development for many years. I have seen the major transformation of JB from a cow-boy town to a relatively safer place.

Gentleman, its time to buy now. Mark my words. You buy now and come 2015 when Legoland, the major universities, the new Coastal highways are all completed, you will be surprised at the rise in your house prices

[dapbest]

Thanks Wuqi, these are very practical suggestions. I guess I probably also need something like siren lights in case the vehicle breaks down on the highway at night or before dawn.

Where in Bukit Indah area do you suggest I could get the tyre repair kit and batter operated pump ?

Hi, i see that you are looking into the semi detach of nusa idaman. i had a good look at this developement for several years. Many servants from kota iskandar stay there. Be prepared for those local malays who are staying there, esp the kids. LAst weekend i was there, local malay kids were skate-boarding and playing guitar along the road at hot 12pm... its really like Singapore 3-room flats area.

[sillysinky]

Finally i am looking to buy and invest in up to 5 house sin johor at one go. Places I am looking at is : Horizon Hills, east ledang etc, where i can rent to expats working in Singapore for just S$3500 a month for a 3-storey semi-d which includes maintence and electricity bills.

I have been staying with my wife somewhere near Tun aminah for about 7-10 years and have been observing the different development for many years. I have seen the major transformation of JB from a cow-boy town to a relatively safer place.

Gentleman, its time to buy now. Mark my words. You buy now and come 2015 when Legoland, the major universities, the new Coastal highways are all completed, you will be surprised at the rise in your house prices

hi dapbest, wow you are very bullish about JB property until you are willing to buy 5 at one go. I salute you :)
not to pour cold water, but what if legoland and the universities are cancelled off later. I can see that there are very busy building highways now, which should be completed sooner or later.

also in my course of work that deals with FT staffs from multinational companies based in Singapore. They come from India, China and so on. Indeed some of them have contemplated staying in JB but still hesitating due to the time needed to cross border and long distance involved in travelling.
so buying 5 at one go is too optimistic I think. anyway just my 2 cents worht of sharing with bros here.
dont want anyone to get caught with a downturn or change of policy in JB.
cheers

[dapbest]

[QUOTE=sillysinky;606976]hi dapbest, wow you are very bullish about JB property until you are willing to buy 5 at one go. I salute you :)
not to pour cold water, but what if legoland and the universities are cancelled off later. I can see that there are very busy building highways now, which should be completed sooner or later.

hi, NEW JOHOR is no longer the same. Most of the area in Nusajaya are developed by UEM. UEM is something like our Capitaland. Bankrupt? Impossible. What makes me buy into East Ledang and surrounding? Well, Newcastle university professors are moving into East Ledang in a few months time. Have u been to the place yet? you should have a look at the whole development. They will give up one or two but they cant give up ALL, because the investments are already there. At the rate that they are progressing, frankly, I feel afraid that Singapore is gota be overtaken. You see the Qs from Malaysian custom to Singapore 2nd link custom during the first day of long weekends and u will be scared.. singaporeans are flocking to malaysia as usual!

[sillysinky]

[QUOTE=sillysinky;606976]hi dapbest, wow you are very bullish about JB property until you are willing to buy 5 at one go. I salute you :)
not to pour cold water, but what if legoland and the universities are cancelled off later. I can see that there are very busy building highways now, which should be completed sooner or later.

hi, NEW JOHOR is no longer the same. Most of the area in Nusajaya are developed by UEM. UEM is something like our Capitaland. Bankrupt? Impossible. What makes me buy into East Ledang and surrounding? Well, Newcastle university professors are moving into East Ledang in a few months time. Have u been to the place yet? you should have a look at the whole development. They will give up one or two but they cant give up ALL, because the investments are already there. At the rate that they are progressing, frankly, I feel afraid that Singapore is gota be overtaken. You see the Qs from Malaysian custom to Singapore 2nd link custom during the first day of long weekends and u will be scared.. singaporeans are flocking to malaysia as usual!

HI,maybe I will go and have a look at east ledang one of these days :)
by the way, you stayed in Tun aminah for so many years, which I have to assume that you either you or your wife is a malaysian. As far as i know and from fellow sinkies info, Tun aminah is quite a "notorious" area, no ?

actually plenty of developments in so called New Johor - one of the main reason being property prices are at all time high and every developers want to cash in now.

Like coolsaints mentioned, HH and Nusa Duta are 2 other developments worth looking at. I myself prefer austin heights as I am afraid this nusajaya/bukit indah area will become very congested in time to come.

anyway, i doubt nusajaya can overtake singapore anytime soon. Singaporeans braving the weekend traffic jam to come over to malaysia as they want some "breathing space". singapore is getting so crowded that there is no feeling of personal space left wherever you go.

[ginfreely]

Hi would like to consult wuqi and others who moved to JB, do you change your IC address to your JB address? if not, how to handle the mails that come from banks and government agencies? thanks.

[Coolsaint77]

Hi Dapbest

You have a lot of faith in the Malaysian government. You even believe JB will overtake Singapore. Why do you still think DAP is the best then? Just kidding, maybe you don't mean that.

I'm not sure how many people actually believe Nusajaya will become a great place. It should be "pretty ok", but not great to the extent that your property price will quadraple in a few years. Johor has so much land. After East Ledang, UEM can easily build West Ledang, South Ledang or North Ledang cos' there are so much land. I dint even bite when they offered me phase I at about 900k MYR. I think phase II is about 1.1m.

I seriously have no clue where is this Nusajaya thing heading. I saw this Columbia hospital and it looked like a morgue. I drove around some new roads and saw this "Malbourough College" and i wonder if it is a college for smokers. Lots of constructions going on. But i suspect this is another of those Malaysian vision that starts with a bang and ends with a whimper... meow

Good luck to your investment in 5 houses :)

[wuqi256]

Ok guys, property buying has always been not without risks, nothing ventured nothing gained. Back when my relative was filthy filthy rich with literally bucket loads of money in the late 60s and 70s, no one wanted to buy houses in Singapore as its supposed to be a big risk with low returns. Back then, people in JB come to Singapore to buy things as things in Woodlands were even cheaper in JB.

Times has changed. Things do change here, albeit at a much slower pace than what we are used to in SG, i have met some learned friends who are working in SG companies that have invested heavily here.

I am not sure about the future, i am not here to tell you what to do, a lot still depends on how things will take off. Buy properties with a long term view, 5 properties in JB is not unheard of. There are many guys with 5-9 so Dapbest is not really wrong as he is thinking of spreading out his investments.

This is my personal observations, by and large, local JB bros here are pretty jaded and think that properties will never rise. They may well be right but lets face it, when things are at its peak, they decline, when things are at the bottom, the only way is either a new low or up.

I still remember a visit by a lawyer friend who was visiting some neighbours here. He was at that time, very shocked to hear about the prices of HH, etc but when he recently visited, he nodded sagely and told me, he is going to buy property in JB because the KL folks are coming out here.

Well, i would still say buyers beware (caveat emptor) but it wasn't that long ago that people told me that due to the large number of land in JB, properties are a depreciating asset. She and her husband just bought a unit at the Golf recently and i only got to know when a mutual friend told me about it.

Make no mistake, there are lots of land but do most of the areas make sense to people who wants to be near SG? Maybe, maybe not. It all depends on location, just like some places in Singapore, though land scarce will find it hard to go up simply because of lack of amenities or proximity to "undesirable" a.k.a red light districts.

[wuqi256]

I seriously have no clue where is this Nusajaya thing heading. I saw this Columbia hospital and it looked like a morgue. I drove around some new roads and saw this "Malbourough College" and i wonder if it is a college for smokers. Lots of constructions going on. But i suspect this is another of those Malaysian vision that starts with a bang and ends with a whimper... meow

Good luck to your investment in 5 houses :)[/QUOTE]

The grass is always greener on the other side i guess.

In life, there is always a risk to everything, i would rather try and fail then never try at all. At least i have the courage to stand up for what i believed in and if i fail, at least i have done my best, not condemned to keep wondering about what could have been.

When my relative's friend asked him to buy some landed property near Emerald hill and at sixth avenue(always flooding then) in the 60s, my learned relative also baded him good luck.

Things do change, its the only inevitable thing in life other than death and taxes. Look at it this way, someone just brought this up recently and reminded me of how things change. Look, corruption is rampart here right? It was not so long ago that both locals and people in SG were saying just bribe your way through any traffic incident. Some guys recently found out the hard way when they were charged with bribery when they pushed money in the TP's face.

[Coolsaint77]

I am cynical about the Malaysian government but i do hope things will change for the better :) Afterall, SG is so expensive, it is quite nice if we can have a nice abode an hour away costing barely a quarter of what it costs in SG. On the days i wake up at the right side of my bed, i actually tell my partner similar things like what you mentioned.

There is no doubt there is huge potential here given its proximity to SG. The people from Malaysia in charge of Nusajaya makes marketing visits to the SG government every now and then. Now... if Temasek decides to take a stake it can be quite a boost. An example of projects supported by SG is the properties near Sutera Mall... i think its under Taman Sutera or something... the old Kepland had a stake.

For the benefit of those who do not know, property prices in Nusa Idaman did indeed shoot up quite a lot if you compare the Phase 2A (the very first residential project here) to the current pricing... thanks to the support of you guys from SG :p

The earlier properties were indeed underpriced to attract buyers to a relatively new location. When phase 2A was launched 3 years back, there were no JUSCO, no TESCO, no GIANT... there was only the Nusa Bestari township

[Coolsaint77]

BUT... if you are expecting Nusajaya to undergo the transformation and consequential capital appreciation in properties like what happened in SG from the sixties till today... i would like to point out there are quite a few differences.

#1: SG is land scarce, JB is not. You will not find huge appreciation in property prices unless the locality becomes highly desirable or commerce in the area can support it. Eg. in Australia, the inner city properties are expensive, but the suburbs are not... well Australia does experience across the board property boom but then for those who live there, you will know the living environment is very much better than what you see in JB.

#2: MY does not practice meritocracy and experiences constant brain drain - i am one of the example... ahem. There are endless examples which is not the topic here, but an obvious example would be the 15% discount bumiputras enjoy in buying the same property as you, and the quota set aside for them in every property launched. Able people are not keen to remain in Malaysia, this is quite a problem here. The development of the country is executed by... 2nd rated talents.

A tip to property buyers in JB: you might find your choices limited becauses of a large portion set aside for bumiputras. Now, if these "bumiputra reserved properties" are not sold when the project reaches something like 50% or 75% completion, it becomes open to all. In practice, developer like Berinda does take booking for those properties ahead of open release.. i think their experience has been these properties usually do not get taken-up by bumiputras in the end... so they just "pre-sell" to you but if bumiputras decide to buy them they will refund you.

#3: Corruption is deeprooted. I am not saying SG is not corrupted, but Malaysian kind of corruption is more like Indonesian... rather 3rd world. Even today i can see JB immigration officers receiving money and putting into their pocket - in full public view. The reported case of the Singaporean being charged for bribery - i would say he is not smart. Try driving down to KL and get stopped by TP along the way, see if they ask you for money. My personal experience tells me nothing much has changed.

#4: Project execution is poor. There are tons of projects launched as a result of some politician's brainchild... but it never materialised in the way it is meant to be. If you go to Danga Bay, you can still see a huge signboard showing the intial Masterplan of Danga Bay. It was suppose to be a nice resort and entertainment area. But it is far from that. Will Nusajaya become a white elephant? I hope not. Is Putrajaya a huge success? I'm not sure.

#5: Crime rate is high. If you have ever been a victim and visited the police station, or the investigation department, you can understand why the crime rate cannot come down in JB. The officers are really.. really LEPAK... it is in the blood of these people to enjoy life and take everything easy. Very few police here is interested to fight crime. They are more interested in the very lucrative activity called Sertting Up Road Block.

Hence please do consider these factors before you make your foray into JB

[sillysinky]

thanks coolsaints, wuqi n dapbest for sharing their valued opinions.
I guess i may sum it up simply that the singaporeans are pretty bullish about JB properties but the malaysians themselves are not so convinced.
as far as investing in properties, i guess Malaysians (read johoreans) lose out in terms of experience to the singaporeans, who have seen the boom since the 70s.
hate to admit it but we do have the eye for good investments :P as well as the curency advantage. for every property we buy in singapore we can easily buy 2-3 properties in Malaysia.
although i will invest in selected JB areas but I will do it in a very controlled manner and not get caught in the euphoria .
cheers bros

[Charlie258]

Ok guys, property buying has always been not without risks, nothing ventured nothing gained. Back when my relative was filthy filthy rich with literally bucket loads of money in the late 60s and 70s, no one wanted to buy houses in Singapore as its supposed to be a big risk with low returns. Back then, people in JB come to Singapore to buy things as things in Woodlands were even cheaper in JB.

Times has changed. Things do change here, albeit at a much slower pace than what we are used to in SG, i have met some learned friends who are working in SG companies that have invested heavily here.

I am not sure about the future, i am not here to tell you what to do, a lot still depends on how things will take off. Buy properties with a long term view, 5 properties in JB is not unheard of. There are many guys with 5-9 so Dapbest is not really wrong as he is thinking of spreading out his investments.

This is my personal observations, by and large, local JB bros here are pretty jaded and think that properties will never rise. They may well be right but lets face it, when things are at its peak, they decline, when things are at the bottom, the only way is either a new low or up.

I still remember a visit by a lawyer friend who was visiting some neighbours here. He was at that time, very shocked to hear about the prices of HH, etc but when he recently visited, he nodded sagely and told me, he is going to buy property in JB because the KL folks are coming out here.

Well, i would still say buyers beware (caveat emptor) but it wasn't that long ago that people told me that due to the large number of land in JB, properties are a depreciating asset. She and her husband just bought a unit at the Golf recently and i only got to know when a mutual friend told me about it.

Make no mistake, there are lots of land but do most of the areas make sense to people who wants to be near SG? Maybe, maybe not. It all depends on location, just like some places in Singapore, though land scarce will find it hard to go up simply because of lack of amenities or proximity to "undesirable" a.k.a red light districts.


Brothers, I learned a lot from your Posts. J.B properties is not a new fad in Sammyboy forum. It has been in discussion for more than a Decade. Older brothers in SBF may correct me: they may say 2-3 decades. Singapore is too small and is running out of breathing space.

I also buy M'sia properties. But I have 1 "Golden Rule" of property investment: (1)What I buy must go Up(in price). So, I do not buy in J.B.

Generally, it has long been accepted rule that you only invest a small amount in Malaysia. Only what you can afford to write off should things "go bad." The brother who bought 5, I would not be surprised if he as 15-50 properties in Singapore. So, he is loaded and can afford to "write off" his 5 properties without even a glance back at them. Remember Taman Permata?

Like you say, "caveat emptor!"

Good luck in your investments brothers, wishing you all the best. (same goes for me, too!!!!!)

[toyohon]

Charlie258
I think most of the discussions here are centred on relocating, buying for own stay, living in JB, not so much on pure investment, although it would be a plus if JB properties do go up and in some instances currently, it did.

[wuqi256]

BUT... if you are expecting Nusajaya to undergo the transformation and consequential capital appreciation in properties like what happened in SG from the sixties till today... i would like to point out there are quite a few differences.

#1: SG is land scarce, JB is not. You will not find huge appreciation in property prices unless the locality becomes highly desirable or commerce in the area can support it. Eg. in Australia, the inner city properties are expensive, but the suburbs are not... well Australia does experience across the board property boom but then for those who live there, you will know the living environment is very much better than what you see in JB.

#2: MY does not practice meritocracy and experiences constant brain drain - i am one of the example... ahem. There are endless examples which is not the topic here, but an obvious example would be the 15% discount bumiputras enjoy in buying the same property as you, and the quota set aside for them in every property launched. Able people are not keen to remain in Malaysia, this is quite a problem here. The development of the country is executed by... 2nd rated talents.

A tip to property buyers in JB: you might find your choices limited becauses of a large portion set aside for bumiputras. Now, if these "bumiputra reserved properties" are not sold when the project reaches something like 50% or 75% completion, it becomes open to all. In practice, developer like Berinda does take booking for those properties ahead of open release.. i think their experience has been these properties usually do not get taken-up by bumiputras in the end... so they just "pre-sell" to you but if bumiputras decide to buy them they will refund you.

#3: Corruption is deeprooted. I am not saying SG is not corrupted, but Malaysian kind of corruption is more like Indonesian... rather 3rd world. Even today i can see JB immigration officers receiving money and putting into their pocket - in full public view. The reported case of the Singaporean being charged for bribery - i would say he is not smart. Try driving down to KL and get stopped by TP along the way, see if they ask you for money. My personal experience tells me nothing much has changed.

#4: Project execution is poor. There are tons of projects launched as a result of some politician's brainchild... but it never materialised in the way it is meant to be. If you go to Danga Bay, you can still see a huge signboard showing the intial Masterplan of Danga Bay. It was suppose to be a nice resort and entertainment area. But it is far from that. Will Nusajaya become a white elephant? I hope not. Is Putrajaya a huge success? I'm not sure.

#5: Crime rate is high. If you have ever been a victim and visited the police station, or the investigation department, you can understand why the crime rate cannot come down in JB. The officers are really.. really LEPAK... it is in the blood of these people to enjoy life and take everything easy. Very few police here is interested to fight crime. They are more interested in the very lucrative activity called Sertting Up Road Block.

Hence please do consider these factors before you make your foray into JB

Thanks, these has all been taken into account even before i came here, if you read my earlier posts, i was the biggest sceptic of JB. What happened in KL may not necessarily be the same here due to the proximity of SG for JB. If the MY side does not move, at least the SG part will.

I have always made it a point to stress that we only go for already built properties unless we are 100% sure of the developer, even then go for loan rather than paying fully for the place. Check first and check again to be sure, one can never rule out all the possibilities that may go wrong no matter how we try but at least we would have done our due dilligence.

I have never asked anyone here to buy lots, this has always been about moving to JB and living there. This thread is called, Living in JB, not Investing in JB.

I definitely understand the part about crime and corruption but i have also seen first hand how crime was handled in certain (considered first world) countries, even in open court. It really shook me.

I understand the part about the brain drain and people who have move out of MY as its so bad and there are no opportunities like you said. If everyone feels that way, then it will never be as its a self fulfilling prophecy.

I personally know of many who have left MY but have always been curious why those working in SG especially have never given up their citizenship despite SG citizenship being cheaper than USED toilet paper.

[wuqi256]

Agreed Toyohon. :)

[wuqi256]

Sure Charlie, you bought in KL, etc? Capital appreciation got pretty good there.
I am glad, good for you man. :)

Maybe can you help bros here with more options by starting a thread called,
Living in KL or something and share with us the latest there.

[Charlie258]

Sure Charlie, you bought in KL, etc? Capital appreciation got pretty good there.
I am glad, good for you man. :)

Maybe can you help bros here with more options by starting a thread called,
Living in KL or something and share with us the latest there.


No need to be talented, knowledgeable, or a genius to make money in Property.

Just go to the Malaysia equivalent of Orchard Rd or Shenton Way. Buy there. Don't buy too expensive. Don't borrow too much money from Bank(so they cannot "squeeze" you when interest rates go up, or when valuations crash). Then, just sit and wait. The money sure come to you one.

[Charlie258]

Charlie258
I think most of the discussions here are centred on relocating, buying for own stay, living in JB, not so much on pure investment, although it would be a plus if JB properties do go up and in some instances currently, it did.


Some brothers here suggested renting in J.B. if you want to live there.

If you want to buy, why not look for a small terrace house in the outskirts? I think RM500,000 can get already.

Security problem? But 3 units side-by-side, rent the side ones to close friends or relatives. Security problem solved(more or less!).:D

For me, the RM1,000,000 to RM2,000,000 good-class-bungalow that some JB Developers are trying to push on to rich Singaporeans is out of the question. Too much Political Risk and Event Risk in Johor State.

[Coolsaint77]

I personally know of many who have left MY but have always been curious why those working in SG especially have never given up their citizenship despite SG citizenship being cheaper than USED toilet paper.

Because SG is expensive and unkind. MY is Plan B. For many of us working in SG, we prolly can retire now and live in JB for the rest of our life :)

[Coolsaint77]

Some brothers here suggested renting in J.B. if you want to live there.

If you want to buy, why not look for a small terrace house in the outskirts? I think RM500,000 can get already.

Security problem? But 3 units side-by-side, rent the side ones to close friends or relatives. Security problem solved(more or less!).:D

For me, the RM1,000,000 to RM2,000,000 good-class-bungalow that some JB Developers are trying to push on to rich Singaporeans is out of the question. Too much Political Risk and Event Risk in Johor State.

You can get a good sized corner terrace in Nusajaya area for 500k, at a reasonably good location. No need 3 units lah, my neighbours in Nusa Idaman for example are pretty decent. Buy a unit that is not at a secluded corner. Most new properties are gated these days. Avoid single storeys.

Yes, don't expect to live the luxurious life in JB as that would be too high profile and attract lotsa attention.

[Charlie258]

Because SG is expensive and unkind. MY is Plan B. For many of us working in SG, we prolly can retire now and live in JB for the rest of our life :)


Malaysian people are not stupid. They can see that only the top few richest can own Freehold Landed Property in Singapore. In Malaysia, even the roadsweeper and toilet cleaners have their own Freehold Landed Property.

In Singapore, everything must Pay and Pay. In Malaysia, just walk out to your Chicken Coop and pick out a few eggs, pull up some vegetables from your garden, can have lunch, dinner already.

They would have to be nuts to give up their M'sia citizenship!

[Coolsaint77]

Malaysian people are not stupid. They can see that only the top few richest can own Freehold Landed Property in Singapore. In Malaysia, even the roadsweeper and toilet cleaners have their own Freehold Landed Property.

In Singapore, everything must Pay and Pay. In Malaysia, just walk out to your Chicken Coop and pick out a few eggs, pull up some vegetables from your garden, can have lunch, dinner already.

They would have to be nuts to give up their M'sia citizenship!

On a lighter note, one thing i find amusing in Nusa Idaman is, a lot of people indeed turn the land around their houses into farms. In Singapore you would expect residents to do landscaping, plant flowers. Here they plant vegetable!

[wuqi256]

You can get a good sized corner terrace in Nusajaya area for 500k, at a reasonably good location. No need 3 units lah, my neighbours in Nusa Idaman for example are pretty decent. Buy a unit that is not at a secluded corner. Most new properties are gated these days. Avoid single storeys.

Yes, don't expect to live the luxurious life in JB as that would be too high profile and attract lotsa attention.


Agreed, just keep things low profile, what you do for your own home, no one bothers though. :)

[ginfreely]

Hi would like to consult wuqi and others who moved to JB, do you change your IC address to your JB address? if not, how to handle the mails that come from banks and government agencies? thanks.

Hi, anyone can help? thanks.:)

[toyohon]

Thats my point exactly, for all the dissing and complaints i hear about MY, every time we asked them, since you are always praising SG, why don't you be its citizen? Its almost 100% that they will say, no way, my home is in MY.

Its not only an exit strategy, its also very prudent.
Thats why this place is ideal for retirement and those looking for slower (and cheaper) place.

Car or car modding enthusiasts should come out here, solar film, air filters, etc. Can mod to your hearts content especially if you are staying here and have a MY car.

I have a friend looking for a landed house in JB to park his collection of classic bikes and cars!

[sillysinky]

Hi, anyone can help? thanks.:)

hi, you can hire a virtual address for just SGD99 per year. just google for "virtual address singapore" and you will find one that offers SGD99/year, the cheapest.
then you can reroute all your banks corresnpondence to this address. They can also help to forward the mails to you in JB provided you pay for the postage etc.
hope this helps.

[dapbest]

[QUOTE=Coolsaint77;607395]Hi Dapbest

You have a lot of faith in the Malaysian government. You even believe JB will overtake Singapore. Why do you still think DAP is the best then? Just kidding, maybe you don't mean that.

I'm not sure how many people actually believe Nusajaya will become a great place. It should be "pretty ok", but not great to the extent that your property price will quadraple in a few years. Johor has so much land. After East Ledang, UEM can easily build West Ledang, South Ledang or North Ledang cos' there are so much land. I dint even bite when they offered me phase I at about 900k MYR. I think phase II is about 1.1m.

Hi,
columbia is a pretty high end hospital. Its not like Sultan aminah hospital where one can give birth for rm50.. its a high class private US hoppy so u wont find many patients there.

There really aint too much extra land for Nusajaya, I have driven past so many times, esp towards puteri harbour side. Everything is still quite limited

3-5 years ago, my fren bought a shophouse in sutera utama. for just rm700k.. recently sold for double that price. A profit of S$300k. In HH alone, i wont go into the price appreciation of houses as every single house has appreciated in value.

[dapbest]

Thanks for sharing KNNBCCB, its a matter of luck. Sometimes they still randomly check so just be steady, smile, wave and hopefully just drive through.

The one i encountered was at the first link, to be fair, the guy was squeaky "clean" though, i thought the money he was asking was for himself when he asked me if i would like a lower tax.

He took me to the counter and had a clerk give me the printed offical receipt and when i gave him the money, he refused to accept it and instead i saw the clerk put it into the cash box and recorded this and passed me the together with this the receipt.

they also very fair. at the end of the day, they take out the cash box, count the money and divide them equally among themselves. malaysia where got legal channels de? haha

[wuqi256]

Hi, anyone can help? thanks.:)

Yes, i still keep my SG address for mails. Essentially keep mails from both sides separate and just come back once or twice a week to check, etc.

[silverfox@]

by the way, you stayed in Tun aminah for so many years, which I have to assume that you either you or your wife is a malaysian. As far as i know and from fellow sinkies info, Tun aminah is quite a "notorious" area, no ?



Tun Aminah have robbers who rob even school children.

[wuqi256]

I have a friend looking for a landed house in JB to park his collection of classic bikes and cars!

How many cars does he have, there are still 1-2 2.5 storey cluster houses here in HH that have very large areas, can park at least 4 cars just inside the compound.

Some of the houses in Gateway, near the golf course has even own driveways that can park 2 full size buses outside, not counting inside so lots of parking space that is free.

[ginfreely]

Yes, i still keep my SG address for mails. Essentially keep mails from both sides separate and just come back once or twice a week to check, etc.

Hi wuqi, thanks, been reading this thread and finds the info useful. Just wondering how to keep your SG address after renting out the property, wouldn't the tenant mind if they keep receiving your mails?

[Coolsaint77]

How many cars does he have, there are still 1-2 2.5 storey cluster houses here in HH that have very large areas, can park at least 4 cars just inside the compound.

Some of the houses in Gateway, near the golf course has even own driveways that can park 2 full size buses outside, not counting inside so lots of parking space that is free.

Yah the long driveway is nice. Pity it's outside the gate but still it is something i've never seen. Tested their security couple of months back when i tried to get into Gateway by saying the marketing people ask me to come directly - the security responded i have to ask the marketing people to personally bring me in. So it seems security is ok.

[dapbest]

Tun Aminah have robbers who rob even school children.

just 5 years ago i was drinking cofee in a mamak coffeeshop in TUTA ( tun aminah ) when i witness a car being intercepted by another black car. 4 burly men came out of the black car with choppers and started hammering the poor car and smashing the windscreen and pulled the poor driver out. He was left by the roadside while 2 of the attackers got into his car and escaped.

It was like 1am in the morning. There were at least 20 bystanders in and around the coffeshop.

That time the jb polis sibei fucked-up type. Thats why crimes happen rampantly. House breaking is like daily occurence within a taman. Every night u will hear of one or two cars or house being broken into.

A few times, those chio school girls standing by the roadside to wait for sch bus at 6am or 630am were forcefully bundled into the car by rapists and driven to isolated shopping malls or huts to be gang-raped.

Now the security of JB is much much better, somewhat like Singapore about 10 years ago...Singapore security is like some parts of Indonesia or something like JB when it was a cowboy town... except that robbery in lifts or void decks etc are much more rampant in Singapore. Havent never heard of car-jacking for at least a few years. I have driven around jb almost daily at 4-5 am in the morning and so far so good. haha at least i can see more patrol cars. They have never asked me for money unless i beat red light. And i gave willingly though.

But still, I would still advise Sporeans to pump petrol at the shell next to the 2nd link when u come back. Try not to pump elsewhere because i cant guarantee your safety. Yes I know its safe but if u want a 99.9% safety, go for those 2nd link pumps. I have witnessed one GTR and even one lambogini recently.. zoomed past me on 2nd link near Gelang patah at 5am in the morning and we pumped together at the petrol station. No fear no anything. If lambo drivers can have such faith in the security there, u drive Altis or Civic no need fear. For me my cars are all under $150k. I try not to drive evos or sti, or conti cars yet in JB as i want to keep low-profile.

[dapbest]

How many cars does he have, there are still 1-2 2.5 storey cluster houses here in HH that have very large areas, can park at least 4 cars just inside the compound.

Some of the houses in Gateway, near the golf course has even own driveways that can park 2 full size buses outside, not counting inside so lots of parking space that is free.


damn these clusters were selling for like rm400k+ ( 3 storey ) and the car porch can park 4 cars and directly outside your house u can manage to squeeze in another 4 cars. No need to quarrel with your neighbours over parking space.. i know in Singapore its very common for landed idiots to chop parking space using rubbish bins.

have u looked at those new semi-ds at the golf facing the golf course? Havent build yet but asking price is RM 1.1 mil to 1.3 mill and space is much bigger at 3600 sq feet and above. I think the price will appreciate much more when its fully completed and the coastal highway completed.

[dapbest]

Yah the long driveway is nice. Pity it's outside the gate but still it is something i've never seen. Tested their security couple of months back when i tried to get into Gateway by saying the marketing people ask me to come directly - the security responded i have to ask the marketing people to personally bring me in. So it seems security is ok.

the security of HH has to be top-notched as the Sultan of Johor and the MB of Johor have purchased Bungalows in The Hills. If you notice HH well, you will never see a banner.. unlike other tamans where banners from resturants or ah loongs are part of the tamans. The Sultan has personally instructed that no banners should be seen in HH.. even the New Cathy Resturant insie HH cannot hang banners. Compared to East Ledang and Ledang Heights, HH looked more "liveable".. i have been to East Ledang for afternoon visits on weekdays and it not as top-notched as HH. But i like East Ledang as its much much nearer to the real major developments. I heard those professors are already vying for houses there... and they dont go for the Ujana apartments but East Ledang twin villas and bungalows. Money is not an issue. Foreign universities are usually damn rich.

[Investor]

WOW! Hello people, Great to see so many 'like minded' people here. I've just bought 3 units in East Ledang recently, 1 semi-D and 2 terraces which are expected to be completed in 2012. Semi-D will be my weekend holiday home and 2 terraces are for investment. Surprised to see that so many people are into it so much earlier =)

[Investor]

I have a friend looking for a landed house in JB to park his collection of classic bikes and cars!

I heard from a sale person in East Ledang that a Singaporean guy bought a unit in just to park his cars O_O

[Coolsaint77]

Wait a minute... if i want to get a cheap JB plate car for local transport... how can i do that? I don't believe SG licence can drive an MY plate car or even buy an MY plate car right?

[Charlie258]

Now the security of JB is much much better, somewhat like Singapore about 10 years ago...Singapore security is like some parts of Indonesia or something like JB when it was a cowboy town... except that robbery in lifts or void decks etc are much more rampant in Singapore. Havent never heard of car-jacking for at least a few years.


Are you sure security in Singapore is that bad? I am not here to argue with you, just that I need to know, because sometimes I go out late at night in Singapore.

I almost kena robbed in a multi-storey car park in CCK in 2007 by 3 young guys, but that's the extent of my experience with crime in Singapore.

Generally, try to avoid the Outskirt towns of Singapore. Lots of poor families live there, if not poor families, then it's lots of young people. Like Downtown East Pasir Ris. Try to avoid multi-storey car parks late at night.

If I go to a kopitiam or cafe, I try to park my vehicle within sight of my table. This learned from my USA working and living days. So you don't come back to a vehicle with broken windows and missing laptop and cashcard!

[Cruxx]

Anyone who doesn't feel safe in one of the safest countries in the world deserves to be emasculated.

[dapbest]

Are you sure security in Singapore is that bad? I am not here to argue with you, just that I need to know, because sometimes I go out late at night in Singapore.

I almost kena robbed in a multi-storey car park in CCK in 2007 by 3 young guys, but that's the extent of my experience with crime in Singapore.

Generally, try to avoid the Outskirt towns of Singapore. Lots of poor families live there, if not poor families, then it's lots of young people. Like Downtown East Pasir Ris. Try to avoid multi-storey car parks late at night.

If I go to a kopitiam or cafe, I try to park my vehicle within sight of my table. This learned from my USA working and living days. So you don't come back to a vehicle with broken windows and missing laptop and cashcard!

I am in the best position to comment as I have roamed Singapore and Malaysia, esp JB in the wee hours of the morning to noon or nighttime etc over the past decade. Just 5-10 years ago, the crime rate and polis in JB literally suck. When I see them, i will mumbled CCB to myself. Because they simply deserve it. Useless ,damn useless and greedy. After midnight u cant see a single polis car anywhere. You call polis they take their own sweet time to appear. Fast is 3 hours, slow? They dont even appear. Thats how bad the situation was at that time.

Needless to say, Horizon Hills, 90% of Bukit Indah 2 and 60% of Nusa Bestari are flat land or forest that time. That is why even when Sutera Utama shophouses were selling at RM 600-RM700k+ ( 3 storey freehold ), no one was interested as Singaporeans like us totally had NO cofidence in the security. Singapore was damn safe that time of cos. There was no sutera mall, no other shophouse, only the ones that u see at the main road. Its a haunted town but security in Sutera Utama is "among the better ones" in Johor Bahru that time. Now the shophouses are selling at RM 1.5 or almost RM 2 million. Of cos, we have all missed the boat.

Touch wood, but i have travelled alone between 12am-6am in Johor bahru these past 2 years and witness a dramatic surge in road blocks and police cars. I feel safer. The gang fights recently in Singapore doesnt surprised me. Singapore is already a dangerous place for girls in the past few years. The "Heartbeat molestor" in Sengkang was caught recently and I heard he molested over 20 or 30 young girls???!!

And I also heard that one china girl was forced into a bush in AYE and RAPED by a China man? Here in "safe" Singapore? Needless to explain about the countless life robberies and snatch thefts, car windows kena smashed etc. Its a daily occurence just that it dont get reported in the papers.

Personally when i was much younger, I tot singapore was so safe that I went jogging in a carpark at 2am in the morning to beef up my stamina for NS. I was robbed by 3 malay girls armed with choppers. Argh what a malu incident which I rather not mentioned!

[wuqi256]

Wait a minute... if i want to get a cheap JB plate car for local transport... how can i do that? I don't believe SG licence can drive an MY plate car or even buy an MY plate car right?

You can, some bros here even have 1-3 MY cars. Just need to apply for the conversion and pay RM30 yearly. :)

[congo9]

I am in the best position to comment as I have roamed Singapore and Malaysia, esp JB in the wee hours of the morning to noon or nighttime etc over the past decade. Just 5-10 years ago, the crime rate and polis in JB literally suck. When I see them, i will mumbled CCB to myself. Because they simply deserve it. Useless ,damn useless and greedy. After midnight u cant see a single polis car anywhere. You call polis they take their own sweet time to appear. Fast is 3 hours, slow? They dont even appear. Thats how bad the situation was at that time.

Needless to say, Horizon Hills, 90% of Bukit Indah 2 and 60% of Nusa Bestari are flat land or forest that time. That is why even when Sutera Utama shophouses were selling at RM 600-RM700k+ ( 3 storey freehold ), no one was interested as Singaporeans like us totally had NO cofidence in the security. Singapore was damn safe that time of cos. There was no sutera mall, no other shophouse, only the ones that u see at the main road. Its a haunted town but security in Sutera Utama is "among the better ones" in Johor Bahru that time. Now the shophouses are selling at RM 1.5 or almost RM 2 million. Of cos, we have all missed the boat.

Touch wood, but i have travelled alone between 12am-6am in Johor bahru these past 2 years and witness a dramatic surge in road blocks and police cars. I feel safer. The gang fights recently in Singapore doesnt surprised me. Singapore is already a dangerous place for girls in the past few years. The "Heartbeat molestor" in Sengkang was caught recently and I heard he molested over 20 or 30 young girls???!!

And I also heard that one china girl was forced into a bush in AYE and RAPED by a China man? Here in "safe" Singapore? Needless to explain about the countless life robberies and snatch thefts, car windows kena smashed etc. Its a daily occurence just that it dont get reported in the papers.

Personally when i was much younger, I tot singapore was so safe that I went jogging in a carpark at 2am in the morning to beef up my stamina for NS. I was robbed by 3 malay girls armed with choppers. Argh what a malu incident which I rather not mentioned!

What kind of business can we do in the 3 storey shop house ? No crowd no nothing ... what can we do ? Really nothing can do in johore

[wuqi256]

What kind of business can we do in the 3 storey shop house ? No crowd no nothing ... what can we do ? Really nothing can do in johore



Depends on where you are, if your shop is at those Nusa Bestari or near the Sutera Mall, then no problem. Food, KTV, motor car repair shops for example. ;)

[aquilani]

Hi new to the forum and went to visited HH condo yesterday and is very interested.

2 qns.

1) What is the rental potential for HH condo?

2) Want to compare with Puteri Harbor condo development, but its website has no info on them. Anyone has any info on this or where to visit for the showroom?

Thanks in advance.

[wuqi256]

Rental potential is good for HH Condo but i would say Puteri Harbour is better for rental.

Can go on weekdays but need to make appointment, go straight to Puteri Harbour and the 2nd floor is their showroom. With the CIQ to be built onsite there, its a choice place. HH will be very convenient too though, because with new road joining Kota Iskandar, its only 5 minutes away.

Most of the units have been taken up or reserved already though, saw that most of the names there had either E or S in front of them for NRIC/Passport.

[Investor]

Hi new to the forum and went to visited HH condo yesterday and is very interested.

2 qns.

1) What is the rental potential for HH condo?

2) Want to compare with Puteri Harbor condo development, but its website has no info on them. Anyone has any info on this or where to visit for the showroom?

Thanks in advance.

Since you are comparing condos in Nusajaya city, you can also take a look at this one http://www.1medini.com/
Medini, the Financial District of Nusajaya City(Like Singapore's CBD), is next door to Puteri Harbour and Kota Iskandar. They will be launching One Medini soon, it will be located next to Legoland.

[Investor]

Since you are comparing condos in Nusajaya city, you can also take a look at this one http://www.1medini.com/
Medini, Iskandar Financial District in Nusajaya City(Like Singapore's CBD), is next door to Puteri Harbour and Kota Iskandar. They will be launching One Medini soon, it will be located next to Legoland.

[ginfreely]

hi, you can hire a virtual address for just SGD99 per year. just google for "virtual address singapore" and you will find one that offers SGD99/year, the cheapest.
then you can reroute all your banks corresnpondence to this address. They can also help to forward the mails to you in JB provided you pay for the postage etc.
hope this helps.

Hi sillysinky, just saw your posting, thanks.

[Coolsaint77]

You can, some bros here even have 1-3 MY cars. Just need to apply for the conversion and pay RM30 yearly. :)

Conversion as in, i have to give up my SG licence right?

Ok i reckon my partner need to have a driving licence then. I need to keep my SG car as i commute daily. I believe you can only hold either MY or SG driving licence. I cannot drive an MY car daily into SG as it would costs S$30 per day.

Unless of course, i go and driving test to obtain MY licence without letting them know i am S'porean PR and holding a S'porean driving licence :-p

[Coolsaint77]

Rental potential is good for HH Condo but i would say Puteri Harbour is better for rental.

Can go on weekdays but need to make appointment, go straight to Puteri Harbour and the 2nd floor is their showroom. With the CIQ to be built onsite there, its a choice place. HH will be very convenient too though, because with new road joining Kota Iskandar, its only 5 minutes away.

Most of the units have been taken up or reserved already though, saw that most of the names there had either E or S in front of them for NRIC/Passport.

I guess you make the right choice bro. HH has a good balance of factors in terms of nice environment, good security (double layer), reasonable proximity to shops. The Puteri Harbor area might be closer to the Admin Centre but not as mature and liveable as HH, even East Ledang will need a few more years.

[wuqi256]

Conversion as in, i have to give up my SG licence right?

Ok i reckon my partner need to have a driving licence then. I need to keep my SG car as i commute daily. I believe you can only hold either MY or SG driving licence. I cannot drive an MY car daily into SG as it would costs S$30 per day.

Unless of course, i go and driving test to obtain MY licence without letting them know i am S'porean PR and holding a S'porean driving licence :-p

No, you can still hold on to your SG one and still drive an MY car. You just need the separate companion license to drive in MY at 30RM a year.

One thing to note, as a SG PR or a SG citizen, one cannot drive a MY car into SG unless you have a driver who is Malaysian

[dapbest]

What kind of business can we do in the 3 storey shop house ? No crowd no nothing ... what can we do ? Really nothing can do in johore

u shd make a trip down to Sutera Utama and have a look at the businesses that the shophouses are doing.

I can see at least 100+ shops as of now, all bustling. Resturants, DHL, Hotels, Car servicing and accessories. So packed. But I would advise against staying in Sutera Utama ( invest is good but a bit too late ) as you need to pass thru the idiotic Nusa Bestari daily jam. Best bet is somewhere near 2nd link entrance/exit ( Horizon Hills, Bukit Indah etc )

[dapbest]

Conversion as in, i have to give up my SG licence right?

Ok i reckon my partner need to have a driving licence then. I need to keep my SG car as i commute daily. I believe you can only hold either MY or SG driving licence. I cannot drive an MY car daily into SG as it would costs S$30 per day.

Unless of course, i go and driving test to obtain MY licence without letting them know i am S'porean PR and holding a S'porean driving licence :-p


Hi MY car to SG per day is $20 ( not $30 ) and there are up to 10 free days per year. Its better to invest in a JB car if u want to stay long term in JB. The cars there are damn cheap. Just 5 years ago one cabby was telling me how cheap SINGAPORE cars are.. cos that time COE was 3 or 4 digit type.

Recently I was looking at a few cars.. found that VW Sci was selling at just S$80,000 over there.. Civic 2.0 at just S$60,000+ and a 2.0 Toyota Wish for just $70,000+ .. In Singapore I belive these cars are selling for S$100k and above

But of course if you wish to save some money, buy 2nd car or even first hand proton cars. The new Inspire ( LANCER ) cost just S$30,000+.

[dapbest]

WOW! Hello people, Great to see so many 'like minded' people here. I've just bought 3 units in East Ledang recently, 1 semi-D and 2 terraces which are expected to be completed in 2012. Semi-D will be my weekend holiday home and 2 terraces are for investment. Surprised to see that so many people are into it so much earlier =)

I know of Malay bumi working in Singapore as a professional.. Bought 9 houses in East Ledang, Horizon Hills etc. IS that you? :)

good that u buy one, as 2012 will see East Ledang starting to "connect" I believe your value will go up dramatically when the professors and professionals from the establishments and universities and the headmen from Kota Iskandar stays full force in Iskandar. I would say 2015 is the best year.