Living in JB 3 (Johore)

[potter]

Haha.. KSL Residences is definitely not similar to Orchard Residences..
I'm surprised that it can fetch so high rentals. Housing Rates have really increased in Johor.

I was surprised many ppl think can only rent out cheapo price here. Of coz, must burn some midnight oil.

 

[mpan12]

Great article, especially to remind Singaporeans how fortunate they are to be in a 1st world country. Many complain "life is tough, medical care and cars are expensive, cost of living is high...." but usually it's because they don't bother to think about how to have workarounds in their lives. They don't realize how little tax they pay!

We all complain about this and that. We always say the neighbour's moon is always brighter. Read and reflect.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this meme-ifyed letter, a Danish teacher slams her native country’s horrendous tax-rates and excessive government dependency.

“I am a school teacher in Denmark making about $61,000/year. We also have free education,” she said.

“You don’t have to pay for the doctor or the hospital, and students even get paid to learn. It all sounds so great, right? However, I forgot to mention that nothing is ever free — the minimum income tax in Denmark is 40 percent,” the teacher said.

She then goes on to mention the astronomical taxes and prices of various other things — like a 25 percent sales tax, 180 percent vehicle tax and the $10 gallon of gas.

“Denmark is the highest taxed nation in the world — taxed an average 80 percent on every dollar earned,” she said. “Danes have the highest personal debt in the world. Few will ever own a car or a home.”

The government probably thinks you’re better off without the prospect of ever making a life for yourself.
The teacher starts to wrap up with the suicide rates in Denmark — which are strikingly high at an average 20.8 suicides per 100,000 people. The United States suicide rates are almost half that.

“Everyone wants the American dream. In Denmark’s neo-communism economy, no one will ever own or accomplish anything.” the letter concluded.

 

[mpan12]

Haha.. KSL Residences is definitely not similar to Orchard Residences..
I'm surprised that it can fetch so high rentals. Housing Rates have really increased in Johor.

He didn't say how big his rental home is. As an established towkay who probably wants good living space sharing with his friend, and also having his family go over for staycation, I imagine it's likely a large condo. Maybe close to 2,000 sqft and above?

Johor condo rental on average is RM1.5k for a 2-bedroom 950 sq ft. Dirt cheap. Of course it depends on location and condition.

 

[winners]

He didn't say how big his rental home is. As an established towkay who probably wants good living space sharing with his friend, and also having his family go over for staycation, I imagine it's likely a large condo. Maybe close to 2,000 sqft and above?

It was mentioned a 1,600sf unit in KSL. But at RM3.3k a month, it must be very well furnished, otherwise, it's hard to fetch that price. And traffic in that area during the weekends is a nightmare, where you get all sorts of illegal parking and impeding the proper flow of traffic.

Anyway, he is able to do it this way because of his flexible working hours. How many of such can do so if it's a regular 9-5 job? So to me, he's just one of the few exceptional.

 

[Frodo]

It was mentioned a 1,600sf unit in KSL. But at RM3.3k a month, it must be very well furnished, otherwise, it's hard to fetch that price. And traffic in that area during the weekends is a nightmare, where you get all sorts of illegal parking and impeding the proper flow of traffic.

Anyway, he is able to do it this way because of his flexible working hours. How many of such can do so if it's a regular 9-5 job? So to me, he's just one of the few exceptional.

I suppose this "nightmare" situation is preferred if it means being able to rent out the condo above RM3000, compared to a "boh lang" ghost town scenario.:p

 

[winners]

I suppose this "nightmare" situation is preferred if it means being able to rent out the condo above RM3000, compared to a "boh lang" ghost town scenario.:p

Moderation, my friend. I simply can't stand more than 15 minutes of stalling in a jam. That's why when I decided to reside in JB, I told myself and my wife that we have to stop working in Singapore. Otherwise, to forgo this idea totally until it is the right time again in future.

Once I was caught in a jam in the vicinity of Jalan Bukit Bintang in KL for more than 45 minutes. Was cursing and swearing inside the car. I suppose I could reach my destination earlier by walking instead.

Another time was a flood situation in Thailand where we took more than 5 hours to get from the Bangkok airport to my downtown hotel. You can really see the fuel gauge of my agent's HONDA ACCORD went down from full tank to 1/2 tank at the end of the trip.

 

[mpan12]

It was mentioned a 1,600sf unit in KSL. But at RM3.3k a month, it must be very well furnished, otherwise, it's hard to fetch that price. And traffic in that area during the weekends is a nightmare, where you get all sorts of illegal parking and impeding the proper flow of traffic.

Anyway, he is able to do it this way because of his flexible working hours. How many of such can do so if it's a regular 9-5 job? So to me, he's just one of the few exceptional.

Oh he did mention ah... RM3.3k is too high. Could be a variety of reasons. Maybe he was taken advantage of, miscomm between reporter and him, or as you said, inside expensive furnishings.

Otherwise, JB rental is traditionally very cheap. I don't see why that area and such a size should command RM3.3k.

 

[mpan12]

Moderation, my friend. I simply can't stand more than 15 minutes of stalling in a jam. That's why when I decided to reside in JB, I told myself and my wife that we have to stop working in Singapore. Otherwise, to forgo this idea totally until it is the right time again in future.

Once I was caught in a jam in the vicinity of Jalan Bukit Bintang in KL for more than 45 minutes. Was cursing and swearing inside the car. I suppose I could reach my destination earlier by walking instead.

Another time was a flood situation in Thailand where we took more than 5 hours to get from the Bangkok airport to my downtown hotel. You can really see the fuel gauge of my agent's HONDA ACCORD went down from full tank to 1/2 tank at the end of the trip.

Yup, I think the same way too. If want to live in JB, I will make sure I have little or no commitments any more in SG. Only need to go back to SG maybe at most a few times a month only.

It's good if business people who have no fixed working hours can work out their schedules for such a lifestyle.

But if one is still working, it's simply not practical. For me, I do have to stay back a bit at work sometimes after 5pm. I won't want to be stuck in traffic after work. 1/2 hour is bad for me. Anything more can be frustrating.

And I hate waking up so early every weekday. At 4+am?

I also don't want to let time rule my life, constantly looking at my watch to make sure I have to leave the JB home and my workplace by a certain time. It's too stressful.

And for some, you want to spend quality time with family or visit your ageing parents. If you live in JB, the traveling and risk of jams makes it difficult.

You gain some, but you also lose some in terms of quality of life.

My colleague from JB travels every day to work and at 5pm, immediately rushes to catch a bus back to the causeway. I see him looking sleepy often although he is used to this kind of life for the last many years. But I can tell his health is affected though not in a serious way. Can't blame him. At 3x currency exchange, why not? He is earning a lot more than his peers back in JB. It's doing for the sake of money.

So when the news sometimes reports Iskandar will thrive because businesses will be created and people are moving there to work, I wonder if it's propaganda. The truth is that most people, especially Malaysians, would rather work in SG. Who is so stupid to earn less in Iskandar when in SG, the pay is so much higher? So where the workforce will come from, I wonder....

 

[Legolad]

Interesting article in Yahoo Finance:

"Can You Save Money Staying In Malaysia? A Singaporean Shares With Us How His Life Really Is."

https://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/save-money-staying-malaysia-singaporean-000026364.html

Just to share.

 

[winners]

Yup, I think the same way too. If want to live in JB, I will make sure I have little or no commitments any more in SG. Only need to go back to SG maybe at most a few times a month only.

I have an advise for all those Singaporeans staying in JB. Never put all your eggs in 1 basket. I have always reminded myself that I'm living on borrowed land. Should there be any social and/or racial upheavals, I must ensure that I still have a living quarter to return to in Singapore. And at most I need to write off are my house and a car in JB. I am grateful to JB and its government, and I'm sure nobody wants such things to happen, but since I belong to the minority race, it's better to be safe than sorry.

I still recall my Indonesian client who told me that during the Suharto regime, the riots were so bad that they locked up all the exits of a Chinese majority shopping centre in the outskirts of Jakarta and set the building on fire. Scary indeed.

 

[toyohon]

Oh he did mention ah... RM3.3k is too high. Could be a variety of reasons. Maybe he was taken advantage of, miscomm between reporter and him, or as you said, inside expensive furnishings.

Otherwise, JB rental is traditionally very cheap. I don't see why that area and such a size should command RM3.3k.

Maybe quoted denomination is wrong LOL!

 

[Investor888]

1600 sq feet is around RM 3.3k. No doubt about that.

Oh he did mention ah... RM3.3k is too high. Could be a variety of reasons. Maybe he was taken advantage of, miscomm between reporter and him, or as you said, inside expensive furnishings.

Otherwise, JB rental is traditionally very cheap. I don't see why that area and such a size should command RM3.3k.

 

[Tekkun]

Sales a roaring success
BY AHMAD FAIRUZ OTHMAN AHMADFAIRUZ @NSTP.COM.MY - 9 JUNE 2016 @ 11:00 AM Facebook 3 Twitter Share 3

The recent Johor Mega Sales 2016 brought much excitement and fanfare to shopping malls in the southern state. Coinciding with the school holidays, it was something many people were looking forward to. Between 2,000 and 5,000 traders in 23 shopping centres in Johor took part in the 10-day event, which kicked off on May 27. It was the first Johor Mega Sales after an 18-year hiatus.

The culmination of the event was the launch by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin at the Johor Premium Outlets (JPO) in Kulai. Unfortunately, most shoppers and visitors that night faced a predicament that many people have to endure when they go shopping during the holidays: traffic congestion. Fellow journalists who were travelled from Johor Baru to get to JPO in Kulai were stuck in a traffic jam that lasted three hours. Mind you, the 26km journey should have taken only about 25 to 30 minutes. One would think that the North-South Expressway would make it convenient for anyone to make the journey northward from the state capital. But, that was not the case.

Some pressmen, who did arrive at JPO after making their way through the bumper-to-bumper crawl, were not allowed to park their vehicles inside the mall compound as it was full. A friend who worked at one of the food kiosks in JPO shared his experience of entertaining a massive influx of customers at the food court that night. “I didn’t even have time to take a toilet break. Customers were coming in droves, and it was non-stop,” said the friend. It was not the first time the popular shopping destination has been chock-a-block with people and vehicles.

It happens every time a long school break coincides with the festive season. The crowds at JPO and other shopping premises in Johor are most apparent during the year-end school holidays, which coincide with the Christmas holidays. It was estimated that more than 10,000 people flocked to JPO during the Johor Mega Sales 2016 launch last Saturday night. Its operation hours were extended to 3am, with shops offering discounts of up to 90 per cent.

Who wouldn’t take advantage of such attractive bargains? The sales event received overwhelming response from the public. It was a roaring success for the organisers and the state government. Johor Tourism, Trade and Consumerism Committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said the event coincided with the school holidays on both sides of the Causeway. It allowed local and foreign tourists, particularly from Singapore, to spend more cash in Johor.

Tee said the event created a partnership between the state government and the private sector to strengthen strategic marketing plans to boost Johor tourism. “JPO was chosen to launch the Johor Mega Sales 2016 because it is a tourism product for the Tourism Development Cluster under the Johor Tourism Master Plan (2014-2023),” he said at the launch. There is no denying that shopping, especially in urban areas such as Johor Baru, is a big contributor to the economy. It draws tourists and promotes local businesses, including eateries, hotels and other services.

A concerted effort must be made by the state government, local authorities and the private sector to ensure shoppers and tourists have a comfortable experience when they are in the southern state. This include enhancing shoppers’ experience when patronising shopping malls and upgrading amenities at the premises. It may be unfair to put the blame solely on mall operators as they often face unprecedented numbers of customers during the holiday season. But planning ahead in anticipation of the large crowds would be better for the proprietor and customers in the long run. It may be easier said than done, but mall operators must have additional staff to manage the crowds and traffic during these busy periods.

The state government must also rope in the traffic police and People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) personnel during such mega shopping events as these are part of the state government’s efforts to promote tourism. More importantly, additional parking space must be provided either near the mall or in the surrounding areas that can be easily accessed via feeder buses or other public transport.

Johor is fast developing into a top destination not only due to its industrial sector, but also its attractive shopping destination. It would be nice if everyone could shop while experiencing First-World infrastructure and attitude.

Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/06/150681/sales-roaring-success?d=1

 

[ECboy]

I like to go JPO to shop. Things there are quite cheap (relatively) and selection is decent. They should open a SPA there also, that would be perfect, or foot rub place.

 

[Tekkun]

Facts of life
========


“RWS first offered us a voluntary retrenchment scheme with a package of half a month’s salary for every year of service. Whoever wanted to volunteer, they just give it to them first,” said the pit manager, who requested anonymity. “After that, they informed us they would be firing some of us in one week’s time.”

The pit manager said he did not take up the voluntary retrenchment offered in May, and was “sacked” on Thursday and told to leave on the same day. According to the source, RWS started serving letters on Monday.

“I asked why they chose me, but they were unable to explain it properly. They just said that my performance for the previous year was average and they were expecting better performance,” the pit manager said, recalling his conversation with an assistant vice president and HR manager on Thursday morning. He was given a severance package in excess of S$35,000 for his six years of service with the company.

“My wife is in terrible shock; she’s been crying the whole day … Some of my colleagues had just bought houses. Not even one month yet then this thing happen … The whole resort world casino staff, there is so much stress, they are traumatized, wondering if they will be called up next,” he said.

A retrenchment letter given to those laid off and seen by TODAY stated that they were being “made redundant” because of the difficulties facing the casino businesses.

“In anticipation that the business situation is unlikely to improve anytime soon, we have made a very difficult decision to reduce manpower,” the document said.

A retrenched pit supervisor, who has been with the company for about seven years, said: “I lost my job and was paid three and a half months salary as a compensation package. It is not enough,” he said.

Recalling better times in the past, another employee who has been with the RWS Casino for six years said: “We need to stay strong even during the hard times now. We do not know who will be leaving RWS.”

http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/rws-axes-close-400-jobs-casino-business-falters

 

[enjoylife77]

Facts of life
========


“RWS first offered us a voluntary retrenchment scheme with a package of half a month’s salary for every year of service. Whoever wanted to volunteer, they just give it to them first,” said the pit manager, who requested anonymity. “After that, they informed us they would be firing some of us in one week’s time.”

The pit manager said he did not take up the voluntary retrenchment offered in May, and was “sacked” on Thursday and told to leave on the same day. According to the source, RWS started serving letters on Monday.

“I asked why they chose me, but they were unable to explain it properly. They just said that my performance for the previous year was average and they were expecting better performance,” the pit manager said, recalling his conversation with an assistant vice president and HR manager on Thursday morning. He was given a severance package in excess of S$35,000 for his six years of service with the company.

“My wife is in terrible shock; she’s been crying the whole day … Some of my colleagues had just bought houses. Not even one month yet then this thing happen … The whole resort world casino staff, there is so much stress, they are traumatized, wondering if they will be called up next,” he said.

A retrenchment letter given to those laid off and seen by TODAY stated that they were being “made redundant” because of the difficulties facing the casino businesses.

“In anticipation that the business situation is unlikely to improve anytime soon, we have made a very difficult decision to reduce manpower,” the document said.

A retrenched pit supervisor, who has been with the company for about seven years, said: “I lost my job and was paid three and a half months salary as a compensation package. It is not enough,” he said.

Recalling better times in the past, another employee who has been with the RWS Casino for six years said: “We need to stay strong even during the hard times now. We do not know who will be leaving RWS.”

http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/rws-axes-close-400-jobs-casino-business-falters

So casino business is no recession proof after all. More pain ahead if CRA keep its stance.

 

[Benzmerc]

Hi Bros. My apology for missing this forum. Staying here for 5 years. I am providing a limousine service around johor, Malacca, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and any other places in malaysia but not the kampong areas. PM me if you are interested. Thanks

 

[transient]

Thanks kawan2sgmy. Oh yes, ICS will. Sigh, I dont want to trouble others. I've written into ICS, which is still deliberating.

 

[transient]

Thanks Frodo. Did you change your NRIC address to JB address?

 

[Benzmerc]

Hi wuqi256, I have live in JB for 5 years and I did not know about this forum. It was accident that I stumble upon this forum. Very informative but I already bought properties in Austin Height and Bandar Dato Onn. It is so noble for people like you to help singaporean like us. Thanks for all your contributions.