Living in JB

[vincentck]

First, let me thank you for posting this thread...someone pointed me to this site, and I must say that 155 pages on living in JB is a little too much to read right now. I'm wondering if I could ask some questions instead?

Some background: my wife is a malaysian citizen (from penang) and i'm american, but we're moving to singapore from the uk in april because i got a job in singapore...we also have a 2 year old boy.

1. i'm wondering if it would be realistic to live over one link or the other and then just commute to D13 every day? i have been trying to estimate drive times and it appears the 2nd link might be quicker, but i have more confidence in people who have actually made the drive than computer algorithms. how long might an average commute take to and from D13 during morning/evening traffic?

2. since my wife is a malaysian citizen, i'm thinking it would be pretty easy to purchase a basic used car in malaysia (like a proton), which i could then drive in and out for work...though i'm not sure whether there might be some 'red tape' i haven't considered yet?

3. my wife's primary concerns are: safety and access to day care where our son can learn both english and mandarin. we've tried searching for day care in jb, but haven't been able to come up with a lot. this is a MUST have...she will not consider living in JB unless we can find something like this. :-)

4. ideally, we'd like to spend no more than $4000/mo on rent.

5. given the above, if you were in my shoes, what would you do?

Thanks in advance for your help everyone...I wish I'd found this forum sooner so that I could do more of my own investigation, but with only 2 weeks left before we move, I have little spare time at present.

Hi dp248, welcome to the forum. let me assist in your questions.

1. Yes, it is realistic to live in Nusajaya, Malaysia and travel to Singapore to work. A lot of people do that and I plan to do that too starting in November this year. And yes, the 2nd link is quicker due to lesser cars because it is more expensive to use; maybe triple the amount compared to using the Woodlands Checkpoint. From what I've gathered from this forum and my own expectations, it should not take more than 1.5 hours at the extreme end. I am expecting a 50-70 mins commute/way once I move to Nusajaya.

2. Foreigners can buy cars in Msia and drive in to Singapore. It's only a Singaporean and Singapore Permanent Residents who cannot drive Msian cars into/in Singapore.

3. Do not know about this... maybe some other forum-mers can assist with this.

4. Is that in Singapore Dollar? If that's the case, that converts to approx Ringgit Malaysia 10k, which is more than enough to rent a semi-d in Horizon Hills, a gated and guarded housing development located 15mins away from the Tuas checkpoint.

5. If I was in your shoes, I would stay in Singapore first and find a way to travel into Nusajaya to see the place for yourself. Once both you and your wife like it and find what you need, then can start thinking about moving to Nusajaya.

All the best to you.

 

[LeMans2011]

...Also, for pets, you can get pet dogs, etc at Nusa Bestari, near Ah Khoon, the place to go to for fishball and noodles, etc.
Their pet dogs are cheaper than in SG, you can get goldies cheaper too but you need to apply to bring in to SG.

Hi Wuqi,
I think the 2 main operators are Global Pets and another one by Qian Hu, both along Nusa Bestari. There is a Global Pets before reaching HH as well.
I might be wrong... but it seems like the conditions of the dogs are not very good, therefore for those who have decided to move over here and wants to keep pets... please be careful.

 

[vincentck]

Good morning everyone. Just wanted to share the sarcastic side of one young malay lady working at the singapore immigration with you all. Not the Cisco officer but those in light blue uniform which handles all the queries and transactions involving Autopass card.
My Malaysian neighbour was driving into singapore a couple of days back so I tagged along as I wanted to ride in his new car. Being the first time he drives this car into SIngapore he had to apply for the Autopass card.

After the immigration counter, he had to reverse-park his car at the immigration office to go to the autopass card office. He probably didnt realise at all but his car was only reversed halfway into the parking bay but in no way that it blocked or disrupted traffic at all. Indeed the front of his car was out of the parking bay but within the side of the kerb.

So this particular young malay lady that he approached to jot down his car road tax details was one heck of a sarcastic lady.
SHe asked my friend, " Your car is very big and long is it ?" My friend replied, " i Beg your pardon" as he didn't catch what she was asking initially.
Again she blurted out, this time in a louder tone, "if your car not very long, why do you park halfway only into the parking bay?" must go inside all the way Lah!".

I just stared and stood there in disbelief and was thinking, why the hell was this Malay lady so rude to her malaysian neighbour. Isn't it common courtesy to be polite to the visitors visiting your country.

there and then I told her off that she should not be so sarcastic treating our neighbours across the causeway this way and I showed her my singapore passport.

She just smiled and kept quiet.

A true Singaporean character , wouldn't you say ?

Thanks sillysinky for telling her off. Regardless of what you do or who you are, I don't understand why people can't be courteous and civil to others; nothing to do with nationality or profession; but a lot to do with upbringing.

 

[vincentck]

Hi everyone, I am BACK!

Went for a long holidays to Ipoh, Kuantan, Penang, Melaka, Desaru, for almost 1 whole month. Spent more than RM 5,000. I had Oh I think someone asked about the semi d at the Golf with the million dollar view. I landed a couple and is going to confirm on a bungalow in East Ledang this week. I plan to retire and live on my rental income in 5 years time. After that I will pick up skills up laying tiles, installing kitchen cabinets, painting, repairing aircon, cars, washing machines etc so that I can provide comprehensive coverage for my wonderfull bosses/ tenants. I will also pick up massaging skills in case my pretty tenants need my service. This is what I meant by "Comprehensive". You rent my house and pay me money, u r my boss and I should provide all support to facilitate your entry into JB.

Life is good ever since I moved over to mudland. I had my young, sexy admin girl called Marie running the show for me, answering phone calls and providing special personalised services to my clients on behalf of me so that I can work behind the scene, pretending to hop around Mudland to canvass for sales while I muck around the whole peninsula going for massage, tiap tiap hari. Now I am back in business and ready to earn more money to go for another Peninsula tour end of this year.

Sorry dudes but life is damn good for me.

Good for you dapbest! My wife and I also plan to retire and live off our rental income; but our timeline is another 10-15 years because we're targeting a passive income of RM20k/month which is modest compared to what some property investors in KL are getting... around RM50k/month

 

[vincentck]

I moved to Nusajaya in Oct 2010. Got many quotes and most of them are quite professional but the pricing can vary. I finally made up my mind by using this company services. Very pleased and had no issue with the customs.
My piano, fridge, tv and many other furniture arrived in one piece.

Give them a call for a quote and you can decide for yourself.

Zarrar Khan - Relocation Specialist
Entourage Relocation Services Sdn Bhd. (872450-D)
P.O. Box 38,
81700, Pasir Gudang,
Johor, Malaysia.
Tel:_ _+607 - 3860976
Fax:_ +607 - 3860976__
H/P:_ +6017-7619310
Email:[email protected]___
Website: http://www.entouragerelocation.com

Hi Polymin, did you have to pay "extra" for moving the fridge, TV and other electronic appliances? I'm planning to move to Nusajaya in October this year and I have a 42" LCD TV and a HTS system. Thinking of whether to sell it off in SG to avoid paying high taxes instead of moving it to Nusajaya. Thanks.

 

[LeMans2011]

Thanks Wuqi. I seriously need to find a place that sells nice fresh and cheap local pork.
Salivating already

Wah you really like pork. There is a morning market near the police post opposite Petronas (where you can take the bus to Jurong East). The pork comes in van sales that park there in the morning, usually by 9am it is gone, that is where i bought minced pork at MYR12 per kg. However this is on Bukit Indah Jalan Ceria side, might be too far for you.

 

[vincentck]

12. There is a place at the Perling toll area that tops up touch n go cards. There is a special promotion now on at RM 130 where you get a touch n go card with 10 inside. Deposit waived so effectively its only RM 110.

Hi bro wuqi, thanks to you again for starting this thread and sharing your info. Your sharing as well as others like coolsaint got me and my wife into moving to Nusajaya. Really wish I found your thread earlier, like 2 years ago... hahah..

On Point 12, I think you left out the part where the RM130 is for a Smart Tag, a device that lets you go through the toll booths faster without having to wind down your windows. Am I right or is there a typo in your point?

No offense meant; just wanted to clarify.

 

[vincentck]

If you do not get a PR in SG, you are in theory ok to drive an MY car out to SG. Also another thing is to get an international driving license (get in SG where its cheaper)so that you are well covered while driving in MY/SG.

Dp248
On this point, I believe if one works in Singapore with either an Employment pass or Work pass one needs to get a SG car. If I am wrong then one of the bros. will correct me.

On a different note, as you wife is Malaysian, you can apply for a MAC ( automated clearing at malaysian Immmigartion) at the 2nd link itself. It's on the 2nd floor ( in your case 3rd. flr) of the building at the chk point itself. Just ask the Immigration officer who is quite helpful. Don't forget to bring along one passport size photo and RM$30 for application fees. All in takes 30 minutes top.... depending on time of day and number of people applying. (usually quite quite..... so rather quick to get the MAC stamp in your passport). This will be helpful as the immigation stamps are rather larger and will use up your passport quite quickly if you live in JB and commute to Singapore to work. Do remember to also get Dependants pass for your wife and child when you get your employment pass as it will perform the same function as MAC for the Singapore immigration side.

As to the day care in the Bukit Indah Area, depending on how old your child is, you would need to visit them to address your concerns........ Hope this helps.

I am on an Employment Pass in Sg, and I plan to buy a Msian car when I move to Nusa Idaman. It's possible because I have a Msian friend who used to stay in JB, but works in SG under an EP; he drove a brand new Msian-plate H.Accord and his company gives him a S$500 transport allowance that he uses to cover the $20/day charge for Msian cars coming into Singapore.

 

[vincentck]

That is exactly the issue i am facing. I have only one 2.5hp aircon and it is turned on 20 hours a day. In less than 2 years the starter kaput had to replace. Now my aircon cannot reach the desired temp although it is still cold. Will try this BH Aircon recommended by bros.

Wow bro, if I use my AC that often, I will definitely service it every 6 months. What happens in that 4 hours that the AC is switched off? :-) I doubt these consumer ACs can last long under those kind of operating conditions.

 

[vincentck]

Is it the Flexi-loan type whereby you can do pre-payment of any amount even during the lock-in period of 3 years and thus not having to pay interest for the extra amount which you've pre-paid? If yes, you should accept whatever loan you can get in Sg which charge lower interest than BLR-2.3%. Use the money to pre-pay your housing loan in Malaysia and pay the lower interest rate you get from Singapore.

Thanks Investor, yup. It comes with a Current Acc tied to the home loan. Any money in the CA will be used to offset against the principal amount; so in the end I will pay lower overall interest and settle my loan in less than 30 years. Your idea is very good; assuming there are personal loans in SG that charges lower rates than 4%. Worth looking into.

 

[LeMans2011]

To all people who are looking to purchase properties in JB
1) Please explore your choices wisely as you really do not need to compromise too much, buy the best you are willing to pay. As far as possible, go for the proven places including HH, EL, NI, ND if you are on the second link side. I am not an expert on the JB city side so i am not sure which is best in terms of current convenience/safety and future potential, but there are a number of current lauches (Senibong Cove, Straits View Residences)
2) There are a number of launches coming up in May/June.
3) Be careful when you are buying resale.. those who have experienced can give you some tips
4) Note that you can't resell your property until CFO issued (TOP)
5) Always check your electricals before moving in. I found my unit earth wire not connected!
6) Stay away from the old ungated properties
7) Avoid location which requires you to go through long stretch of local roads, eg. MOnt Callista is really very nice, but sigh...
8) JB is not as dangerous as some make it to be if you follow the safety rules, but there are definitely criminals lurking around looking for opportunities

 

[LeMans2011]

Wow bro, if I use my AC that often, I will definitely service it every 6 months. What happens in that 4 hours that the AC is switched off? :-) I doubt these consumer ACs can last long under those kind of operating conditions.

Yeah must give the poor fella a break. The cold air accumulated in the house helps to maintain interior under low temperature for a while, helped with a strong fan.

 

[cobragold]

Hi,
I need some help in sending money over to JB through local money changers, the threads for it seems to be lost as i cannot find them, can some kind soul please provide name and tel no if possible and as much info on transferring money this way. thanks in advance and keep up the good work and updates in this place, very useful info.

 

[Analytical Professor]

Wow "Wild pork" Thats my favourite. I really love it... Nothing tastes like wild pork...

Seriously.

Sure, Perling sells pork and sometimes............

Just sometimes.......

You get "wild pork", it gets sold out fast, watch out for a blue pickup.
You know it when you see people crowding around and then shortly
later, its gone.

 

[Analytical Professor]

Cathy your Inbox was full earlier.

Could not pm you.

 

[cockcansing]

Hi, thanks. I've checked with HSBC today and they advised that the criteria for credit card application is: for non-Malaysian, must have a legal work permit.

Yes I had mentioned that I was given HSBC Malaysian card when I applied for the housing loan. I was surprised that they had given it to me. After a year and not using them I returned back to them.

 

[wuqi256]

Wow this place is really crowded in the morning. I wonder if the fresh pork are from China as I heard that many pork in JB now comes from China, which is not that fresh.

Yes, it is crowded. There are still pig farms here but maybe but if they are going to fly it in from China, then definitely not as fresh. The last time i went though, it was definitely local as the meet looks like freshly slaughtered.

Wild pig meat is definitely the freshest.

 

[wuqi256]

Hi bro wuqi, thanks to you again for starting this thread and sharing your info. Your sharing as well as others like coolsaint got me and my wife into moving to Nusajaya. Really wish I found your thread earlier, like 2 years ago... hahah..

On Point 12, I think you left out the part where the RM130 is for a Smart Tag, a device that lets you go through the toll booths faster without having to wind down your windows. Am I right or is there a typo in your point?

No offense meant; just wanted to clarify.

Hi Vincentck, thanks so much for correcting me, thats correct, its for the Smarttag, i have left it out. Its not only just for convenience but to speed up when you see a queue sometimes at the touch n go point.

 

[wuqi256]

To all people who are looking to purchase properties in JB
1) Please explore your choices wisely as you really do not need to compromise too much, buy the best you are willing to pay. As far as possible, go for the proven places including HH, EL, NI, ND if you are on the second link side. I am not an expert on the JB city side so i am not sure which is best in terms of current convenience/safety and future potential, but there are a number of current lauches (Senibong Cove, Straits View Residences)
2) There are a number of launches coming up in May/June.
3) Be careful when you are buying resale.. those who have experienced can give you some tips
4) Note that you can't resell your property until CFO issued (TOP)
5) Always check your electricals before moving in. I found my unit earth wire not connected!
6) Stay away from the old ungated properties
7) Avoid location which requires you to go through long stretch of local roads, eg. MOnt Callista is really very nice, but sigh...
8) JB is not as dangerous as some make it to be if you follow the safety rules, but there are definitely criminals lurking around looking for opportunities

All very good points, if buying resale, do go through agents or at least someone local you know. If you have limited budget then go for somewhere where you can still get it through progressive payment(assuming you can wait)

Reselling properties will incur a real gains tax (5%) if sold within the first 5 years.

By the way, bros, there is the Notice of Assessment (March & Aug if i am not wrong) that one needs to pay by end of March i believe, if not you would incur penalty. Bros who are already living here please take note. The quit rent is by May and you can pay online. The Notice of Assessment (their version of property tax) can be paid near the Perling market (for those living at the 2nd link area) instead of going down to MPJBT.

 

[wuqi256]

Hi Lemans2011 and Vincentck, the airconditioners we use should always be slightly overkill but not too much. If underpowered(and you do not wish to replace/upgrade), do something to reduce it by sealing the gaps between doors, putting in curtains or doors to walk in wardrobe which can act as insulators and effectively reduce the size of coverage for the AC.

If its underpowered, the AC has to run longer than if a slightly more powerful AC was used and using even more power.