You think too much. Gleneagles set up there because Khazanah want to lure investors into the area, if no critical attraction point like legoland or hospital in the area, really hard to sell that high price, right. It create an illusion for investors about the area will be very quick to be developed, because normally those facilities only appeared in matured township, one really hard to believe gleaneagle how come willing to get in? Singapore government? LOL! Gleneagle brand along with Pantai is wholely own by IHH healthcare, which majority own by khazanah. DOnt think has anything to do with temasek or GIC or sg gov. Gleneagle in singapore, and novena, mount E are all under IHH, something to do with khazanah, nothing to do with temasek.
You evaluate the issues very well. Enjoyed reading your opinions! Thanks.
I do know that Gleneagles is not by SG govt. If Khazanah had a hand in this, it's even better! The Malaysians should know what to do and expect on their own soil. But at least the SG govt allow our Medisave to be used there. That's a sign that retiring in Iskandar is a closer possibility for Singaporeans.
On Temasek....yes, they co-developed Afiniti with Khazanah. That's also another sign the SG govt thinks there is something going on over there. Not now perhaps, but next time? I'm sure the top brains in Temasek would have studied the situation carefully before putting their money there. Ok, they are not always right with their investments. But at least, you know Temasek is ruled by who and it's not a suka-suka gamble investment.
On Singaporeans preferring condos....I agree. Maybe we are all so used to high-rise flats and apartments in Singapore. Yes, I also agree it is a risky investment. I'm not sure in future if there are people who will want to buy over condos when there are so many new ones coming up, and land in Johor is so huge compared to SG.
But think in terms of future retirement, maybe it's ok? By Johor standards, all those new condos are ridiculously priced. If I'm a Malaysian I also won't buy them. But for Singaporeans, they are affordable compared to back home.
You see today in those mature estates, 4 or 5 room resale flats are going for at least S$700k. Even tiny 4-room BTO flats have hit more than S$400k and not everyone can buy them. Got to ballot. Better location ones cost close to S$600k. Crazy.
Graduates' starting pay these days on average is only about S$3.5k a month if they are lucky. Combined income about S$7k. That's not a lot. Study so hard for years but earn so little. You go and calculate how long they will take to pay off a S$500k tiny HDB PUBLIC flat. In the past, our not so educated parents earned about S$2k each per month. But relatively big HDB flats cost only S$20-50k back in the '80s. Life was so much better.
If you project to the year 2025 or 2030, how much do you think HDB flats will cost then? How much do you think the local graduates salaries will be? For sure, it will get worse and the salary increments will never keep up with the high cost of living in SG.
Iskandar condos 1,000 sq ft cost about S$280k on average. If connectivity improves in future, Singaporeans definitely will be in a better position to retire or live there.
But I understand you are coming from an investment perspective. Yes, condo investments in Johor have their risks. S$280k is still quite big money for the commoners. Those who don't intend to live in Iskandar and cannot tahan the financial strain may have to let go at loss next time.