Living in JB 3 (Johore)

[moochi]

Sunset View from The Sky Swimming pool

 

[1nottiboy]

Mummymoo,

your hubby and yourself seem to qualify as a upper middle class family. is there a real need to move to JB to save on expenses? sending (or being able to) 2 kids to a international school and the other one overseas is a major drain to the cash flow. i have a fren who sends his son to an international sch and it costs him SGD20k a year. I used to study overseas and it cost my family SGD50K a year, 20 years ago. so in theory, your kids education would set you back about SGD90K. that's a lot of money to burn on education. And all that money is before your other daily expenses. not judging you here but just trying to understand the thought process.

Hello! I am a mum to 3 school-going kids. One in P5, one in Sec 2 and one completing her diploma in a pte school. Our house in Setia Tropika is scheduled to TOP by December this year (although we suspect it will TOP a few months earlier judging by the progress of the project).

You have not much choice if your kids are still in primary school if they are Singaporean bec primary school education is mandatory so they have to complete their PSLE. My P5 kid will have to sit for her PSLE next year and we intend to transfer her to an international school within our Setia Tropika house for her secondary education. I checked with MOE and they have confirmed that secondary school education is not mandatory and I could pretty much choose whatever school in or outside of Singapore to enrol her in. My Sec 2 kid will continue with his O levels because he doesn't want to change to an international school so I'm leaving him to decide that. His secondary school is within Woodlands area so it's not a stretch for us to drop him off to school. My diploma-candidate kid will probably leave for Australia in two years' time so it will be commute for her, too. If she has classes that end late or early class, she's happy to sleep over at my mum's.

It will take some juggling and some getting used to but I believe it is do-able. I have some acquaintances who are so much happier living in JB that the commute becomes a small trade-off for their family. I'm hoping that's the same for my family, too. My husband and I have set the expectations to my kids and it seems they are much more patient when we're on the road. We drive into JB almost every weekend for makan and shopping and the traffic doesn't bother us too much now

 

[Movingaway]

i would suggest park and ride, most locations are near mrt. Timing probably would meet your work schedule if office hours. $3 for whole day.

Hi all,

seeking for advise on parking

I commute from JB to SG daily, and parking near my office (very expensive), just wondering anyone able to share some parking or commute idea? am hoping to park near MRT after the causeway... thank you~

 

[jade apple]

Sunset View from The Sky Swimming pool

Awesome, Beautiful view. May I ask, have you rented out your unit? How is the rental market for sky?

 

[nusaduta]

Big plans will disappear if BN loses Johor: Najib

JOHOR BARU — As hustings entered their final week in what is shaping up to be Malaysia’s closest electoral contest, PM Najib Razak yesterday made a blitz visit to the crucial state of Johor and cautioned voters here that the “big plans” his incumbent state government has for them will “disappear” if opposition wins in the state.

Johor will “never be the same again” if the important stronghold of the ruling BN falls to the opposition.

 

[nusaduta]

We all have vested interest in JB, I am hoping for the best... Malaysian election is this Sunday 5th May

 

[moochi]

not yet as it still not ready.The market price for studio above 2k.

 

[Mu8811]

same as hotel sand marina

 

[nusaduta]

May I ask if husband is Malaysian, wife is Singaporean and buying a property in joint names, is the foreign levy payable?

 

[Mummymoo]

Good going Mummymoo to u n family for such a positive outlook . Cheers n well wishes

Thank you!

 

[Mummymoo]

Mummymoo,

your hubby and yourself seem to qualify as a upper middle class family. is there a real need to move to JB to save on expenses? sending (or being able to) 2 kids to a international school and the other one overseas is a major drain to the cash flow. i have a fren who sends his son to an international sch and it costs him SGD20k a year. I used to study overseas and it cost my family SGD50K a year, 20 years ago. so in theory, your kids education would set you back about SGD90K. that's a lot of money to burn on education. And all that money is before your other daily expenses. not judging you here but just trying to understand the thought process.

Hello. My husband and I made a decision to move to JB not just based on reducing our expenses but to have a different lifestyle. Money was invested and put aside for my kids' education from when they were 1 day old so we're quite set there. My husband and I have senior level jobs but we lead a simple lifestyle as we both came from very humble family background. Because of that, we missed out on many opportunities most kids had as our parents simply couldn't afford to, and so we're quite determined to provide them to our kids. This does not mean that we don't practise tough love though

My two girls can't seem to do well in the current local education system, affecting their morale and self esteem. They are very lovely and intelligent, hardworking and positive girls but they are made to feel less their worth at school. So I am giving them a chance to be in an environment which I believe to be more beneficial and one that provides a more holistic learning experience. I have very little wealth to leave my kids and hubby and I believe education should be the legacy we leave them with.

Not all will agree but hey, to each his own

 

[arsenal]

Well said.. Some of us like Johor is not because of money.. but people come to Singapore are usually because of making more money..

Hello. My husband and I made a decision to move to JB not just based on reducing our expenses but to have a different lifestyle. Money was invested and put aside for my kids' education from when they were 1 day old so we're quite set there. My husband and I have senior level jobs but we lead a simple lifestyle as we both came from very humble family background. Because of that, we missed out on many opportunities most kids had as our parents simply couldn't afford to, and so we're quite determined to provide them to our kids. This does not mean that we don't practise tough love though

My two girls can't seem to do well in the current local education system, affecting their morale and self esteem. They are very lovely and intelligent, hardworking and positive girls but they are made to feel less their worth at school. So I am giving them a chance to be in an environment which I believe to be more beneficial and one that provides a more holistic learning experience. I have very little wealth to leave my kids and hubby and I believe education should be the legacy we leave them with.

Not all will agree but hey, to each his own

 

[Mummymoo]

We drive into JB almost every weekend for makan and shopping and the traffic doesn't bother us too much now

Thank you for sharing those valuable experience. My wife and I like the simple life-style of JB as compared to Singapore where everyone are so stress out and working very hard just to meet the ever rising cost of living. I like to think that Singapore are suitable only for the rich and not conducive for normal people like me who find it very stressful.[/QUOTE]

Yes, my hubby and I believe in keeping our lives as simple as possible

 

[nusaduta]

Hello. My husband and I made a decision to move to JB not just based on reducing our expenses but to have a different lifestyle. Money was invested and put aside for my kids' education from when they were 1 day old so we're quite set there. My husband and I have senior level jobs but we lead a simple lifestyle as we both came from very humble family background. Because of that, we missed out on many opportunities most kids had as our parents simply couldn't afford to, and so we're quite determined to provide them to our kids. This does not mean that we don't practise tough love though

My two girls can't seem to do well in the current local education system, affecting their morale and self esteem. They are very lovely and intelligent, hardworking and positive girls but they are made to feel less their worth at school. So I am giving them a chance to be in an environment which I believe to be more beneficial and one that provides a more holistic learning experience. I have very little wealth to leave my kids and hubby and I believe education should be the legacy we leave them with.

Not all will agree but hey, to each his own

We can't agree more. I am not sure if its just us or other forummers feel the same too. Once driving past custom, we suddenly feel the lightness on our shoulder and to return to a place feels homey, that's why we were impulsive to pen down on the purchase even though there are issues which we need to find out how to go around it. Thanks to this forum and this is a major reason we are more determined than ever.

 

[FHBH12]

Try for half a year first. Things may not b as rosy until u experience e full details.

 

[1nottiboy]

Thanks for the reply. My baby gal is not even 2 so education for isnt a real concern rite now. But its good to know that JB offers another option, in case, she cant cope when its her turn.

Hello. My husband and I made a decision to move to JB not just based on reducing our expenses but to have a different lifestyle. Money was invested and put aside for my kids' education from when they were 1 day old so we're quite set there. My husband and I have senior level jobs but we lead a simple lifestyle as we both came from very humble family background. Because of that, we missed out on many opportunities most kids had as our parents simply couldn't afford to, and so we're quite determined to provide them to our kids. This does not mean that we don't practise tough love though

My two girls can't seem to do well in the current local education system, affecting their morale and self esteem. They are very lovely and intelligent, hardworking and positive girls but they are made to feel less their worth at school. So I am giving them a chance to be in an environment which I believe to be more beneficial and one that provides a more holistic learning experience. I have very little wealth to leave my kids and hubby and I believe education should be the legacy we leave them with.

Not all will agree but hey, to each his own

 

[teoky]

I am so touched by above quote by mr nottiboy! I also feel very sad we as a true blue Singaporean have such a country which doesn't belong to us anymore! It's only a place to earn money. We have a highly paid garment which made everything payable. Almost every damn thing they also want us to pay! From car parking, maids levy, this levy that levy!

I really hope 2016 we will turn the table around just like Malaysia now. People need changes.

Lets hope for the best and prepare for the worse!

It is weird that middle class citizens feel detached from Singapore. I guess it is because we are the neglected group as we are not poor enough to get subsidies and grant and yet not rich enough to enjoy living the high life. We just feel squeezed and it seems there's no way we can start enjoying life.

I for one has never gotten much benefits from the country, I didn't make tons of money from buying and selling HDB (I was single and cannot buy new subsidized HDB) nor was I entitled to all the handouts. I only know that I have paid alot of taxes.

 

[Funds Transfer]

Hello. My husband and I made a decision to move to JB not just based on reducing our expenses but to have a different lifestyle. Money was invested and put aside for my kids' education from when they were 1 day old so we're quite set there. My husband and I have senior level jobs but we lead a simple lifestyle as we both came from very humble family background. Because of that, we missed out on many opportunities most kids had as our parents simply couldn't afford to, and so we're quite determined to provide them to our kids. This does not mean that we don't practise tough love though

My two girls can't seem to do well in the current local education system, affecting their morale and self esteem. They are very lovely and intelligent, hardworking and positive girls but they are made to feel less their worth at school. So I am giving them a chance to be in an environment which I believe to be more beneficial and one that provides a more holistic learning experience. I have very little wealth to leave my kids and hubby and I believe education should be the legacy we leave them with.

Not all will agree but hey, to each his own

Mummymoo
I was in your position last year but the scouting of a suitable private school was difficult and probably did not try hard enough. The life in Johor and particularly in Bukit Indah area is alluring. Of course the fear of crime should be reduced if there are sufficient safeguards. But the space that comes with it will hopefully compensate for that. As we know, we have a lack of that in this island and the over crowded dwellings worry me significantly if there's an outbreak of a pandemic flu.

The education system in Singapore puzzles me too. Seemingly good but the end product is not what the Government needs as shown in our aggressive recruitment of foreign talents. Not the CEO-types but the average jobs that many of the younger people can step into.

I had to relearn Mathematics with my child as he struggles with the curriculum. They are more IQ-test type of questions and require the use of models and algebra to solve. And he is not in upper primary. Well, enough said, this is not the kiasuparents forum and I should restrain myself.

Totally agree that giving the child a good place to learn is important, even if it may mean paying more (and I am not referring to those enrichment classes). Many children can be demoralized. It is also not a system that caters to special learners. Sadly, the legacy that we have is one where the school is a place to perform. Your children needs to learn at the private tuition agencies, schools, etc. And good luck to you if you cannot afford the time (working parents) or money to do that.

 

[Funds Transfer]

I am so touched by above quote by mr nottiboy! I also feel very sad we as a true blue Singaporean have such a country which doesn't belong to us anymore! It's only a place to earn money. We have a highly paid garment which made everything payable. Almost every damn thing they also want us to pay! From car parking, maids levy, this levy that levy!

I really hope 2016 we will turn the table around just like Malaysia now. People need changes.

Lets hope for the best and prepare for the worse!

As a Singaporean, I hope for the same too. Our current set of administrators (I call them) is only doing things that benefit themselves and the PAP party. Once that happens, it is a long road downhill.

Unfortunately, I do not think that the people of Singapore are the same stripes. Most have been brainwashed unknowingly and cannot see life outside the country. They are seduced by the 'cheap wins' positioned by the Government without realizing that they have mortgaged our future. While we clamour for changes, I have come to accept that people like us will be in its minority.

Despite the many challenges in Malaysia, I am bullish about the future here. The push for clean (Bersih 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and beyond) governance is breathtaking. People are also able to stand together with difference races to make the environment a better place to live in as shown in the Lynas standoffs. And there's creativity and private sector initiatives through the use of 'm&d balls' to clean up the dirty rivers in Penang.

Whichever way the elections go in May 5, the only way is up for Malaysia. And perhaps, that could serve as an inspiration for Singapore too.

 

[dare2]

..bringing up children entails sacrifice if you want to prepare them well to face the challenges in school. Unfortunately many parents left it too late....my wife stopped work and gave up her career to prepare our kids for the challenges in school as we tightened our belt with no overseas holidays etc. The government has good foresight to bring us this far, but nothing is perfect....they made a few mistakes here and there, lets hope the calibre is there for the next generation of leaders to bring us forth in this increasingly complex and competitive and sometimes corrupted world.