Living in JB

[wuqi256]

Hello Wuqi, glad to see you back. Read a couple of post back that you were feeling 'under the weather' and thought that you might be in bed 'fighting' off a flu bug

Thanks Grago, wasn't feeling well lately as i had flu and pressures of work was getting to me, didn't get to rest much even though i took leave. Never took mc for a very long time as i can't afford to as i am still the only one who will have to clean up the mess.

 

[wuqi256]

adding on to security. there are some phones that have a panic call or panic text which allows you to dial up/sms another person on your contact list for emergency situations in 1 touch. set it up if you have! never know when you'll need to make that call.

Good idea, actually its good to also compile a personal list and stick it to the fridge, township, security guard post, police, taxi, food delivery, gas delivery, TNB, the utilities guys(water) and even a tow truck or mechanic.

 

[wuqi256]

Bros, i would suggest getting solar film for your cars when you are out here, tinted ones (those that still comply with SG laws) help to mask valuables that you accidentally left on the car seats as well as makes it harder for people to see in.

It also helps to prevent thieves from making their getaway quickly as they have a harder time(at least takes longer) breaking through your glass. There are even anti break in ones that other bros here have discussed much earlier.

Still, best prevention is to leave no valuables in the car, even your TNG card. The cheaper ones can be had for around 400-500 RM (even cheaper ones available)

Of course, the other effect of having this is the original intended one, makes your car cooler (literally and figuratively)

As i continue to live out here, i try to make it a point not to criticize my host country as much as possible, i don't want to outstay my welcome. I try to be "zi dong" and do this for any country that i am staying to avoid offending peoples' sensitivities.

I would already know what to expect, warts and all before i came out here so i never horn, give way as much as possible when driving and always keep to the middle lane on the highway (allows people to pass easily as well as avoid police cameras)

When people i meet talk bad about things here, even without the presence of locals, i will refrain from speaking too much lest i attract unwanted unhappiness or hostility. I also tend to get my friends to say reasonable rather than cheap when they looked at groceries. Its better to be on the safe side and be prudent as i hope and intend to be here for a very long time.

 

[LeMans2011]

Check electrical wiring r in working condition for switches n 3 pin plug. Dump a few tissues n toilet rolls to see if toilet bowl gets choke. Silding door for ground n top floor change as with time their aluminum lock with crack n become useless. Dun be like me.

Electricals is really no joke. I've got my hand shocked and thrown out of the washing machine, fortunately the hand did not get stuck in there. Nowadays i use a test pen to check the sockets for irregularity.

 

[mallow]

Bros, ...... As i continue to live out here, i try to make it a point not to criticize my host country as much as possible, i don't want to outstay my welcome. I try to be "zi dong" and do this for any country that i am staying to avoid offending peoples' sensitivities. I would already know what to expect, warts and all before i came out here so i never horn, give way as much as possible when driving and always keep to the middle lane on the highway (allows people to pass easily as well as avoid police cameras) When people i meet talk bad about things here, even without the presence of locals, i will refrain from speaking too much lest i attract unwanted unhappiness or hostility. I also tend to get my friends to say reasonable rather than cheap when they looked at groceries. Its better to be on the safe side and be prudent as i hope and intend to be here for a very long time.

Welcome on the ham cha - I will get the name of the restaurant and road this week and make it easier to locate. Hope you're anyway feeling better - hey, no fun being here and ill! Like being sick during school holidays .. terrible waste.

If you check out the segment on 'How not to be obnoxious and spoil it for other Singaporeans" on my web, feel free to make more suggestions. I wrote " ... and it is a huge embarrassment to us when our fellow citizens from Singapore behave in a way most kindly described as kasar.... There are many successful Singaporeans whose entrepreneurial activities have helped develop the state and given Johorians jobs. And innumerable kind and generous Singaporeans have donated millions in hard cash to charitable homes here and are cherished for their philanthropy. We spend lots of money here, so what’s not to like with us?... What, indeed. ... It ain’t just about money, honey...."
Similarly, I am not prepared to put Singaporeans down in public (ohhh the temptation sometimes!), or diss the country which passport I hold. Certainly not to non-Singaporeans.

 

[Analytical Professor]

Back from JB after a refreshing day and a half.

I only managed to secure an exchange rate of 238.7.

I know some bros got better than this.

But thats all i could get.

 

[BalikKampung]

I was told that the price starts from RM 750k to RM 1m for corner lots. But apparently the corner lots are all taken. People have pre-booked with cheques. It is honestly getting quite mental if you ask me. And this has to do with the curbs set by Sg govt to soften the market.

Hi do u happen to know the selling price for end/corner lots of terraces in the Hills? I reckon it could reach RM 900k to RM 1 million

 

[Analytical Professor]

Easter Sunday Mass at Cathedral of Sacred Heart close to Taman Sentosa at 830am on Easter Sunday morning.

This morning enroute to Cathedral of Sacred Heart near to Taman SEntosa i saw lots of Spore car plates driving to shop at the market at Taman Sentosa. I have never been to this market and i have no clue how its like out here.

But i was surprised. Cause it was 730am (my church service was at 745am) and at this hour i managed to see so many Spore Cars.

 

[Analytical Professor]

My suggestion and this is what I may end up doing as well...

Returning to Spore on Easter Sunday night before 12am (Easter Monday or the monday afterEaster) is not a good idea.

If you still wanna return do it around 1-2am ON Easter Monday morning.

What i will possibly do is return to Spore on Monday (Easter Monday). I will reach Causeway at 930am at which time the jam will have cleared. It will usually be free flowing traffic both at Malaysia Immigration and Spore Immigration.

This is just my suggestion. Dun take my word for it and flame me if a 6 SIGMA situation occurs.

Hi friends,

Appreciate opinions/advice.

1) I will be driving back from JB to Singapore via 2nd link on the upcoming Easter Sunday 24 April at night. What time in your opinion would the jam normally recede?

2) Alternatively if I stay overnight in JB and come back Monday morning, what time will be best to avoid the Monday peak?

I am happy to take answers of either or both.

 

[Analytical Professor]

Re: Installation of Grilles

Yes thats another thing to watch out for (grilles that do not rust)

If u must install grills outside, must get those which wont rust as it will be wet sometimes due to heavy storms.

I had tot not to install grills but after the Adda height incident, security and safety of my family member is of paramount importance.

 

[Analytical Professor]

Agree with you bro. I learnt it the hardway.

I noticed that cheap lightbulbs though, do spoil easily.

 

[euphony]

Hi Whoami

How much was ujana selling for psf and what is the psf maintenance fee?

I am actually thinking of getting a unit at the HH condo. Do you reckon it is a good purchase? Noticed that quite a number of units still available (not as hot selling as ujana)

might be used for home stay. New terraces launching at the hills next week corner lots all taken :(

i was very close to buying a unit at fairway suites. but have opted out at the very last minute. although the developer is sound, i think the condo density is going to be too high in the bukit indah area. there is the sky exec which is in the midst of building, then the sky garden next door, also a horizon residence just before horizon hills and then fairway suites with whispers of a lux condo at the peak. And we are not talking about the medini/EL/puteri harbor area yet. exactly how many people will a fully functional greater nusajaya attract to condo developments since there are so many beautiful landed properties on offer? (from an investment pov)

and playing the contrarian, I think terraces are the houses to buy looking at the direction almost all the choice developers are going (this coming from a discussion with bro wuqi a while back mentioning i won't buy big houses only condo hah how the times have changed my views). everywhere i go seems to be the same story where terrace houses will be the last in the development and multi-million dollar bungalows and semi-Ds to follow. Which I think is good because it is going to create a glut of supply and demand of terraces will shoot up especially for the the commoner folks who can't afford such homes but want the shelter and safety of G&Gs. I shudder to think about 2,3,4 million dollar homes in time to come as asking prices from the developers.

I went to LF today to have a look and I truly appreciate what forumers here were saying about the road going to the development. Kinda feel bad for the developer since it does not have as much 'clout' as the 'quasi' government UEM land to make an entrance appear linking from the 2nd link although i hear they're trying to push for it besides the other one from coastal highway. took a look at the bayou water village and must say i am quite impressed both by the concept as well as the attitude of the sales staff. She must have been one of the best ones I have met going to so many developments with the setia tropika sales ranking close second.

 

[toyohon]

JB-Nusajaya toll-free highway opens by year-end


JOHOR BARU: The construction of Iskandar Malaysia's toll free coastal highway infrastructure development project, linking the city to Nusajaya via bridge, will be completed before the end of this year at a cost of about RM1 billion.
Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda) chief executive Ismail Ibrahim said the toll free highway would halve the present 30-minute travel time from Johor Baru to Nusajaya.

"The highway will go through the Sungai Skudai bridge. It will hopefully smoothen the traffic flow, in addition to minimising traffic congestion in several areas in the city," he said after attending a concrete pouring ceremony to mark the completion of one of Iskandar Malaysia's main infrastructure development projects at Jalan Persiaran Danga here yesterday.


He said the construction of the bridge structure took 19 months and they were two months ahead of schedule.

The bridge structure, measuring 605 metres in length and 15.9 metres in width, will have three lanes and will be the longest bridge of its kind in Johor.

It has also been touted as being wider than the original Penang Bridge.


The bridge is one of two constructed as part of the Iskandar Malaysia Coastal Highway project.

The other, which crosses Sungai Kempas, is already completed.

Ismail was confident that the bridge would be an icon as it offers a unique design and crosses two rivers -- Sungai Skudai and Sungai Danga.


"Next year has been earmarked as the tipping point for Iskandar Malaysia where we will see the completion of key infrastructure development and major projects."

He said among them were the coastal highway, Johor Premium Outlets, Legoland and Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia



Read more: JB-Nusajaya toll-free highway opens by year-end http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/26irda/Article#ixzz1JAuIoNVr

 

[house]

JB-Nusajaya toll-free highway opens by year-end


JOHOR BARU: The construction of Iskandar Malaysia's toll free coastal highway infrastructure development project, linking the city to Nusajaya via bridge, will be completed before the end of this year at a cost of about RM1 billion.
Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda) chief executive Ismail Ibrahim said the toll free highway would halve the present 30-minute travel time from Johor Baru to Nusajaya.

"The highway will go through the Sungai Skudai bridge. It will hopefully smoothen the traffic flow, in addition to minimising traffic congestion in several areas in the city," he said after attending a concrete pouring ceremony to mark the completion of one of Iskandar Malaysia's main infrastructure development projects at Jalan Persiaran Danga here yesterday.


He said the construction of the bridge structure took 19 months and they were two months ahead of schedule.

The bridge structure, measuring 605 metres in length and 15.9 metres in width, will have three lanes and will be the longest bridge of its kind in Johor.

It has also been touted as being wider than the original Penang Bridge.


The bridge is one of two constructed as part of the Iskandar Malaysia Coastal Highway project.

The other, which crosses Sungai Kempas, is already completed.

Ismail was confident that the bridge would be an icon as it offers a unique design and crosses two rivers -- Sungai Skudai and Sungai Danga.


"Next year has been earmarked as the tipping point for Iskandar Malaysia where we will see the completion of key infrastructure development and major projects."

He said among them were the coastal highway, Johor Premium Outlets, Legoland and Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia



Read more: JB-Nusajaya toll-free highway opens by year-end http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/26irda/Article#ixzz1JAuIoNVr

really looking forward to have the coastal highway and the best is its free not a toll way

 

[Jogs1]

Re: Installation of Grilles

Hi guys

I am just thinking which is better - install grilles inside the glass windows/doors, or install grilles outside the glass windows/doors?

My initial thoughts are, the thief would have to smash your glass before cutting the grilles, but then on second thoughts maybe they could remove your glass panels from the frames instead. So if the grilles are outside, their cutting action should alert you before they could penetrate the glass layer. Agree?

Actually, I will mix both options. For sliding glass door definitely outside. Windows really must depend on it opening direction...for my case is inside.
I think mixing both will help a bit for the exterior appearance of the house, not so prison look.

Maybe can consider to install tinted anti-shatter glass film as well. it will make the grille not so visible from the other side.

 

[rw6akr]

Bros, i would suggest getting solar film for your cars when you are out here, tinted ones (those that still comply with SG laws) help to mask valuables that you accidentally left on the car seats as well as makes it harder for people to see in.

The only problem is that those solar film that complies with SLA requirements are not dark enough to hide anything inside the vehicle. It helps a little bit though.

 

[Analytical Professor]

Bro HH, which website do you refer to for obtaining currency rate references

Now I usually wait till RM 238.8 before I change. Today ( monday ) could be beter as its RM 2.40+ in the net.

 

[Analytical Professor]

But it still helps in delaying time taken to break the glass. Cause the film prevents instant shattering, snatch and runaway..

Therefore Wuqi is right that it delays the process right?

The only problem is that those solar film that complies with SLA requirements are not dark enough to hide anything inside the vehicle. It helps a little bit though.

 

[Analytical Professor]

Another thing i notice with buying overseas assets is the currency fluctuation. NOt sure if anyone has mentioned this yet..

As an example:
While we hope for the S$ to strengthen and therefore we get more RM (more bang for our buck), this also leads to our asset depreciating. Say you bought an asset X at $100. The value of money erodes if your coverted currency depreciates. Which means the value of your $100 may end up as $95. And of course you may lose even your profits especially if you wanna repatriate your currency back to spore.

But lets say you plan to live, retire and pass on in Malaysia... then you have profits.

So it depends how you wanna use your asset value say after a certain no of years.

Now I usually wait till RM 238.8 before I change. Today ( monday ) could be beter as its RM 2.40+ in the net.

 

[Analytical Professor]

Re: Installation of Grilles

YEah my sliding door has the grille on the outside. The main door the grille is outside.

The rest of the grilles are on the inside.

Yes the solar film with tints reduce ability to look in and therefore see the grilles especially during the day. At night with lights on the grilles are easily visible with solar film unless you buy the Black out solar film. But then if you install blackout solar film why have a window in the first place right?

My hall looked a bit like a prison until i installed nice warm cream coloured curtains.

Actually, I will mix both options. For sliding glass door definitely outside. Windows really must depend on it opening direction...for my case is inside.
I think mixing both will help a bit for the exterior appearance of the house, not so prison look.

Maybe can consider to install tinted anti-shatter glass film as well. it will make the grille not so visible from the other side.