Living in JB

[ginfreely]

Dunno whether all of you board users know, there is a particular forum in skyscrapercity that is abuzz with iskandar/JB updates. Plenty of photos, videos and small info bytes. Recently saw that the structure for the premium outlets up, gosh it was flat land not too long ago construction was really fast I guess 11.11.11 opening is achievable finally a report card that is worthy of praise. Same with malborough and trader's hotel. Ujana as those who pass by has reached new heights literally. The EL facebook page on facebook I chanced across has somebody go up to the top level to take sky shots of EL of which the terraces are fast solidifying in structure. Driving towards Gelang patah on the pontian link expressway, nusa bayu seems to be abuzz with activity and fast filling up. So are the new tamans in the area. Exciting times ahead. Now I hope the crowds will come in after these projects TOP. that will definitely seal the deal for all of us who are already one foot in. Then again when nusa duta/bestari heights/bukit indah/HH reach maturity together with the 5 condos in the immediate vicinity and reach full occupancy, it could be a very very bustling place.

What is the forum address?

 

[wuqi256]

Thanks for the links and the inputs Euphony. Agreed, different things for different folks. For folks new to here, there were links to what to get in pages 35x. Still working now but i will try to get it and post here for places to buy things etc. I would say most places like Izola or Hing Fuat would do better than companies like "Coxxts"

 

[wuqi256]

Oh dear

Time wasted! Any channel for redress at courts? Not sure if u can cancel order n get a refund back.

This happens to me also but in spore with Harvey Norman at Millennia walk. Ordered n fully paid for fridge and neva
turn up on appointed date n time. I gave a piece of my mind and cancel my order n got my money back. The silver
lining was for the same model at a sole proprietor i manage to get at $300 cheaper! And i got it delivered within a day! (called morning delivered at night) Shop name sweetson in bt batok but not sure this shop still around.

They are actually quite fearful of the MY version of CASE. So if you mention you will go to their Consumer protection guys, normally you will get some attention.
In the early days when i first came out here, some guys scratched my parquet very badly and broke some of the boards. Got them to take out 1000 plus from their final bill.

Their boss came with a lorry of their movers and tried to talk nicely. It was interesting as it was just me versus him, their foreman and their earlier guys who moved the furniture. I stood firm and threatened to take all necessary action and was prepared to go all the way. I got an apology from their boss and in the end the matter was settled amicably. One chipped table was also swapped. This was even though my SG plate car (that time no JB plate yet) was prominently parked outside my gate.

If you feel strongly about something and willing and prepared to go all the way, you can actually solve a lot more problems than you think.

 

[ginfreely]

No way man. The difference in the merger equation is clear. The racial and religious balance equation. You want a Malay Muslim government and country? I think even many Singaporean Malay Muslims don't want that.

Actually I don't mind a Malay Muslim govt like current Malaysia, most important is the govt must have heart for the people and not be ultra stingy to citizens while lavish and generous to themselves and foreigners. I see Malaysia govt is doing some things right like setting a high Rm500k limit for foreigners to purchase house and keeping the 97 petrol price high for foreigners.

 

[wuqi256]

LF also has golf courses from what I saw from their website although I guess they are not as well-designed and blended into the precincts as HH, right?

Hi Mathstub, i am glad at least bros here like Euphony has answered most of your queries. LF is not really for me as its still underdeveloped outside. Places like Nusa Duta, HH, Nusa Idaman and Nusa Sentral are still good though prices have started to creep up. If you ask me, at present prices, Nusa Duta still presents the best value and they are still inexpensive as compared to some of the rest. Already just settled one, I may go in for one more.

I don't really go for Setia houses in Bukit Indah/Eco Setia but they did do a good job at Setia Tropika in Kempas area.

 

[wuqi256]

Wuqi is a future Multi-Millionaire in the making I'm happy for you

Thanks, a lot of people are now but its never just about the money when i first came out here. I see so many
friends here now. When i first came out here, i never wished to make money, i wished to be happy and to see
my friends, family and all who hold pink IC happy. Be it they are still in SG or coming to JB.

A long time ago, my ex boss, lets call him Rody, once told me, Wuqi, you need to do this, this, this and this and
this so that you can be rich. (He forgotten that i had advised him to get out of certain stocks just before it fell drastically)

I told him, no i don't need to be number one, i only want to be happy. This supposedly pious guy retorted then, "Life isn't about happiness"

Months later, i left the department, surprisingly, he came over as well. It was obvious neither of us was happy there. When he offered me his position if i stayed on in that department, i said no and told him it was never about the position. He then joined my department and i did my best to make him happy. I succeeded for the next 2 years.

2 years later, he joined another department but within 3 months, packed up and left to set up his own business. When i asked him why, he said he wanted to be happy.

Yes, happiness isn't everything but happiness is the end result of what we are all striving to achieve for. Whenever people ask me why i don't
buy bungalow or tries to show off by saying they can buy 5 HH bungalows at any time(some still think houses here are 100k a dozen)

I don't need a bungalow to be happy. I am already happy. Making my friends and family happy, makes me happy

 

[tutucake]

Hi Bro Wuqi,

Can you share your thoughts about the Setia houses at Bukit Indah/Eco Setia?
What are the reasons that they are not recommended?
Thanks..

 

[wuqi256]

I'll take it as not in the near future. Since such a move would definately plummet the whole Singapore property market. Don't want to see my rental flat in Singapore to devalue too.



Got to give the credit to Najib. I totally agree with him. Looks like a man who get things done to me.



Thats what all of us who are vested here in Iskandar region wants right?

The Hongkong-Shenzhen model. The one we have been discussing about here in this forum since sometime ago. Looks like we stand to gain from this. Do everyone here agree?

Agreed but actually we left out credit for our Professor. He deserves full credit for bringing this up and instead of AP, he became DA (played as the Devils Advocate) as he brought out many valid points. Kudos to him.

I feel sad for those who are only starting to come round to the fact that the writing was already on the wall. Worse, its actually stapled on the notice board by our government now. Many were called but few arrived. It is regretful, i am actually thinking if my younger sister come in one day, to sell at cost, half a share of one of my houses to her so in case her BF (he has 2 here now) doesn't marry her (big touch wood), she will still be able to share my rental income and relax here.

 

[ginfreely]

Hi Mathstub, i am glad at least bros here like Euphony has answered most of your queries. LF is not really for me as its still underdeveloped outside. Places like Nusa Duta, HH, Nusa Idaman and Nusa Sentral are still good though prices have started to creep up. If you ask me, at present prices, Nusa Duta still presents the best value and they are still inexpensive as compared to some of the rest. Already just settled one, I may go in for one more.

I don't really go for Setia houses in Bukit Indah/Eco Setia but they did do a good job at Setia Tropika in Kempas area.

You buying the semi d at Nusa Duta? Yeah LF also not really for me becos of the same reason, I don't feel safe enough to drive along that single lane road at night.

 

[wuqi256]

bro, look like soon you need a property management team to help you handle your vast investment portfolio. :-)

Thanks, maybe i should. In fact, i get so many questions these days, whether to check and look out for defects, etc. I shared with my family enough that even my dad is an expert now and can even easily spot things that i missed. It makes me glad to say that I am proud of my dad. He had a rough life but now, both his kids have multiple properties. All i wish is he has a long life with my mother. The flame of my candle may burn out but there are already lots of candles here lighting the way. Thank you everyone for helping out.

 

[wuqi256]

Thanks Cathy for your earlier kind comments, i am just a tiny flame but i want to do my little part. For the forgotten troops that is the NSmen and their family. I am but just one person but i will do my part to help whenever i can.

As an aside, those who have contributed to the country should get more recognition, not so much financial but to instill a sense of pride lest those who didn't need to serve look upon us as a people with crutch mentality. I know this doesn't mean much but i salute the guys still in the bushes shouting "bang, bang bang!"

Nothing but respect for you guys. There are guys who still gives a damn.

 

[wuqi256]

Seriously considering, they offer really good value and higher upside. People tend to forget about the upside when considering to buy property. They just think a place is too expensive or too low appreciation currently to make money.

 

[wuqi256]

Going to take a short break from work, fresh and crispy prata at Habibs, satay or just quick and easy MacDonalds? Bak Kut Teh at Sutera or just plain fruit juice and sandwiches at the Juice bar.

Looks like more "Beer Here" places are starting up recently.

Hmm choices, choices.

 

[wuqi256]

By the way, for guys keen on massage if Eminent is closed, can try out the Siam Legend place or better yet, a small massage place next to Standard Chartered.
Good clean and wholesome service.

My Field Report on Siam Legend:
The Siam Legend one i got very surly service the last time i went there. The one serving me (all Thais there) treated me as if i was a leper and was basically talking to her friend throughout the whole 1.5 hours i was there and even kicked me when she was walking on my back.

Also kept complaining about my size and having to work so late etc. Slapped my back for no reason and at the end of the massage (i surprised myself with my patience sometimes), i just pitied her as she was really old so just endured. At close to 2am in the morning, after having a bad fall earlier on in the night, having someone (albeit a very unwilling one) knead the joints was great relief.

 

[euphony]

Actually I think standard terraces around 2000 sq ft once split into two floors, does not appear very big, so not too big for a singleton.

In malaysian stds is not big agree though it is positively ginormous in SG/HKG stds. first thing my mum commented was its so small when she saw the LF place! i was smiling inside, that means its perfect for me haha. i'd prefer to reduce my carbon footprint whence i can yet enjoy the privacy and space afforded by low-rise housing.

 

[euphony]

What is the forum address?

here. Its currently page 125. back browse for more visual treats.

 

[mathstub]

Actually, the monthly maintenance fee rate of 0.2 cents per sq. ft. I mentioned was for PB precinct at LF.

I thought it was clear from my original post.

I have to say sorry if this has created any confusion.

Thank you all for telling me about the maintenance fee at HH because I am interested to know this also.

My terraces, i normally pay $90, my clusters at $110 and the most expensive that i paid is only $130-150 i think. My wife handles it these days coz i over paid once (of course they told me in error) so i paid all the way till mid of next year.

 

[mathstub]

Thank you very much. You have answered almost all my questions regarding LF.

Actually BWV has all been sold out. Are PB precinct in LF good? The houses there are something like 4 years old but I suppose those units were rented out to people before. So these houses are actually not new, first-hand. The road leading to the entrance of LF is certainly the main concern for me especially with kids and wife with me besides the house being strata-titled.

My pleasure! Yea thereabouts, you're right.

Safety should not be a problem within the precinct. There are a few of us here too. Just be a bit more careful outside when you go about your groceries etc. Less bling more bland you and your family will be plenty fine. As for BWV monthly maintenance it is on the high side compared with the rest of JB projects. But if it assures me a certain level of 'returns' I'm all good for it. That's where strata titled properties are good in that there's legal recourse for neighbors who don't pay up though I don't forsee that problem arising here. Nope no extra. Maintenance and repairs are constant, additional works subject to endorsement by RC.

 

[euphony]

Making my friends and family happy, makes me happy

there is some truth in this indeed. let me share this short video with all thread readers here. This is produced in part by famed Yasmin Ahmad who's sadly passed on. Her films causes one to reflect on one's values and question the current paradigms. This one made me think about what is happiness and success a few years ago as I lost myself in my career just like in the video. I holed myself up at work in SG hardly in contact with my mum and always fleeting when i do, coming into JB and living here, my mum was a big part in the equation. I hope i could make up for lost time whilst i can. Career can be worked around another day and it shouldn't define me nor the life I am to live.

[video=youtube;r3VT1PTI1GM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3VT1PTI1GM&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL9D7ECDB340D5D55F[/video]

 

[mathstub]

Hi Wuqi,

All of your guys including Euphony and you are so helpful. I am so glad to have joined this forum and read the posts in this thread.

Thank you very much.

Hi Mathstub, i am glad at least bros here like Euphony has answered most of your queries. LF is not really for me as its still underdeveloped outside. Places like Nusa Duta, HH, Nusa Idaman and Nusa Sentral are still good though prices have started to creep up. If you ask me, at present prices, Nusa Duta still presents the best value and they are still inexpensive as compared to some of the rest. Already just settled one, I may go in for one more.

I don't really go for Setia houses in Bukit Indah/Eco Setia but they did do a good job at Setia Tropika in Kempas area.