Living in JB

[linked]

What is a R.E.A.L school ? You mean other just masak-masak. The hardest decision to move over to JB for most parents with children are their ECA and tuitions. Until the day when we see reliable tuition center there and perhaps more reliable transport system between the two countries, I really don't see an exodus of people moving over. I face the same problem myself.

http://www.real.edu.my/index.php

 

[linked]

By that time, I think we would know each other better thru this forum...

Yah, that's another idea... in fact, even better to speed up the growth... not too sure about longan, but I find it hard to believe a 2ft tall mango tree can produce fruits already. How big are the fruits?

Cant believe my eyes too but yeah the fruits looks normal :p do dropby at this nursery if theres still any. http://maps.google.com.my/maps?hl=en&q=1.497953,+103.711678&gs_upl=0l0l1l2015l0l0l0l0l0l0l0l0ll0l0&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.,cf.osb&biw=1280&bih=633&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=nT7WTtqGIsnIrQfglt2qDg&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=3&ved=0CAwQ_AUoAg

 

[avelc]

I would still buy one to keep but thats just me. We do not know what will happen next year, SG property may really plunge like what people predict. I had two close bros still buying condos recently in SG despite my best intentions to ask them to divest. In the end, one bro bought here and then bought another 2 suddenly.

Not sure what inspired him. Some folks told me that if properties fall in SG, it will make neighbouring Johore more attractive as another place to park their money as well as there will be some who choose to come here instead to ride out the recession.

Agreed with Wuqi.

Barring another Global meltdown similar to 2008-2009 crisis, SG property prices are unlikely to fall so much.

Reasons:
- SSD (seller's stamp duty) implemented in Jan 2011 will ensure buyers do not sell their properties too quickly within 3-4years.

- influx of investments/money and immigrants to Asia in general, including SG. Many foreigners are coming here to look for jobs and setup their businesses. Today I spoke to a headhunter who told me contract jobs are increasing in popularity due to the current hiring freeze in Banks, and experienced foreigners looking to come to SG are quite open to contract jobs.

- our govt will continue to open the floodgates to let foreigners come in, despite the seemingly temporal slowdown in approval of PRs and Citizenships. Else who is going to take Downtownline 2 & 3, Northshore line (pasir ris to punggol to sembawang), Eastern region line (tg rhu to marine parade to changi airport) and the other extensions? Expect SG's population to increase too...

Of course, competition is tough with upcoming economies, and I think Iskandar will serve to be a partnership with Singapore, rather than to compete directly. How well Iskandar will do depends on their ability to create jobs and increase income levels of locals, and hopefully that will lead to a sustainable property market.

Singapore has been very blessed (though I know there will always be detractors) - to progress from Third world to First world within a generation. I don't belong to MIW, pls don't get me wrong, but those who invested in the massive property boom here have been rewarded handsomely.

As the saying goes, last time policemen wore shorts. In our property scene, not too long ago, The Sail @ Marina Bay was lauched at $1,000psf, today it is selling at $3,000psf. Without wanting to predict prices, it is possible that early investors in Puteri harbor, East Ledang, Horizon Hills, etc etc will be richly rewarded. Of course most of us are looking for a place to stay/retire, hence this thread, but who doesn't want their property to go up and be able to retire nicely.

 

[avelc]

Just spoken to some expats over the weekend and many say that they are bearish. The good news is that many already sold their property last year and this year. Plus many that buy from them cannot sell in the next 3-4 years because of the seller stamp duties. As such, I do not think Singapore property will not fall so much.

The price of land at Ledang height is MYR70-80psf (SGD30-35psf)freehold (consider prime) where sembawang is SGD450-500 for leasehold (outskirts). Either Singapore is too expensive or Malaysia too cheap. Whatever, there need to me some convergence. I always believe in relative value.

Hope the above does help....

Cheers,
PH

If developments @ Puteri harbour go as planned and the new CIQ opens there, expect soaring prices there too.

 

[Icyraine]

I have finally make my purchase at HH. Hehe, pretty excited!

Took me a while to decide... I have been to HH like 1 and half years ago, checked out the place and i told myself, this is the place i want to stay. Couldnt jump in straight coz i wasnt sure if i will settle down in JB for good. I am born in Penang and grow up in KL but my wife is from Muar.. and due to job offer, i am currently working in JB. Deep down, i still miss my life in KL and penang... basically i just miss the sophistication of a big city!

Honestly, there isnt much to do and see in JB. When i accept my job offer in JB, i told myself that i can always cross over to Sg for some entertainment/shopping etc but i found that i am always too tired during my off day, i hate the traffic jam. Like i said, i have been to HH atleast 5-6 times in the past 1-2 years and couldnt make up my mind. 1)I am not sure if i will settle down in JB 2)Like many, i am not sure if Iskandar will be successful ( hehe, even for a malaysian). To be honest, i am very skeptical in the beginning.

However, i am really seeing some concrete progress in Iskandar. Legoland is building (yup, not a myth, haha), Premium outlet, New castle university, Marborough, Glenealgle Hospital, Columbia Asia etc... And i say hey, may be i will end up staying in JB longer than i thought? May be JB will end up like a "mini" KL/Sg city after 10 years? Well, may be not comparable but definitely not a dead town like now. Now that the coastal highway is up and running, it will make traveling much easier for both me and my wife too. My wife work in Monash Medical University in JB (down town) and i work some where near Pelangi Plaza, with the new highway it will only take me 10-15 mins to reach work.

Saw the Iskandar johor Open aired on Astro the other day and that further boost my confidence in Nusajaya, then, i found this thread. Oh wow, i never know there is such a good singaporean/ malaysian community already present in this part of the town. I just need that last push and this thread really help me make up my mind. Talk to my wife, went to HH and got it done, at last!

I have a big grin on my face when Azhar (sale person in HH) shook my hand and said "welcome to Horizon Hills !"

 

[arsenal]

Congratulations to the new community!!!

I have finally make my purchase at HH. Hehe, pretty excited!

Took me a while to decide... I have been to HH like 1 and half years ago, checked out the place and i told myself, this is the place i want to stay. Couldnt jump in straight coz i wasnt sure if i will settle down in JB for good. I am born in Penang and grow up in KL but my wife is from Muar.. and due to job offer, i am currently working in JB. Deep down, i still miss my life in KL and penang... basically i just miss the sophistication of a big city!

Honestly, there isnt much to do and see in JB. When i accept my job offer in JB, i told myself that i can always cross over to Sg for some entertainment/shopping etc but i found that i am always too tired during my off day, i hate the traffic jam. Like i said, i have been to HH atleast 5-6 times in the past 1-2 years and couldnt make up my mind. 1)I am not sure if i will settle down in JB 2)Like many, i am not sure if Iskandar will be successful ( hehe, even for a malaysian). To be honest, i am very skeptical in the beginning.

However, i am really seeing some concrete progress in Iskandar. Legoland is building (yup, not a myth, haha), Premium outlet, New castle university, Marborough, Glenealgle Hospital, Columbia Asia etc... And i say hey, may be i will end up staying in JB longer than i thought? May be JB will end up like a "mini" KL/Sg city after 10 years? Well, may be not comparable but definitely not a dead town like now. Now that the coastal highway is up and running, it will make traveling much easier for both me and my wife too. My wife work in Monash Medical University in JB (down town) and i work some where near Pelangi Plaza, with the new highway it will only take me 10-15 mins to reach work.

Saw the Iskandar johor Open aired on Astro the other day and that further boost my confidence in Nusajaya, then, i found this thread. Oh wow, i never know there is such a good singaporean/ malaysian community already present in this part of the town. I just need that last push and this thread really help me make up my mind. Talk to my wife, went to HH and got it done, at last!

I have a big grin on my face when Azhar (sale person in HH) shook my hand and said "welcome to Horizon Hills !"

 

[contra]

My mother in law came by yesterday and wife wasn't so well so she helped to take care of her. Mother in law damn impressed and told us she never expected Johore to have a place like that. I guess she just like the quality of the air and lack of noise here.

This is a gem.
Sometimes it feels lonely in the sea of skeptics.
Such simple honesty reinforces the truth . Thanks .

 

[wuqi256]

This is a gem.
Sometimes it feels lonely in the sea of skeptics.
Such simple honesty reinforces the truth . Thanks .

Brought her to places both good and bad. Took her to the pasar malam too and let her experience all the sights and sounds.
Just now, before she went to bed, asked me to take her around Gateway, thought she meant car and prepared to take car
keys, etc but she stopped me and asked to walk around the area. So took her around, she was pretty pleased and then asked
me the often repeated question. Whats the crime rate here?

I told her crime happens everywhere, we need to take proper care and vigliance but thats the best we can do. She seems quite
pleased. Now lamenting why her 2 sons didn't get any back then when i first gave my father in law my report on HH. She even
asked me if i wanted to sell any of mine now, was a bit pai seh but had to say no as i really want to keep them for my children.

Now that i have another one coming along, i am glad i can leave him/her with something. All of wuqi's kids will get something.
This is really a good place for me, despite its warts and all. Really happy here.

 

[wuqi256]

I have finally make my purchase at HH. Hehe, pretty excited!

Took me a while to decide... I have been to HH like 1 and half years ago, checked out the place and i told myself, this is the place i want to stay. Couldnt jump in straight coz i wasnt sure if i will settle down in JB for good. I am born in Penang and grow up in KL but my wife is from Muar.. and due to job offer, i am currently working in JB. Deep down, i still miss my life in KL and penang... basically i just miss the sophistication of a big city!

Honestly, there isnt much to do and see in JB. When i accept my job offer in JB, i told myself that i can always cross over to Sg for some entertainment/shopping etc but i found that i am always too tired during my off day, i hate the traffic jam. Like i said, i have been to HH atleast 5-6 times in the past 1-2 years and couldnt make up my mind. 1)I am not sure if i will settle down in JB 2)Like many, i am not sure if Iskandar will be successful ( hehe, even for a malaysian). To be honest, i am very skeptical in the beginning.

However, i am really seeing some concrete progress in Iskandar. Legoland is building (yup, not a myth, haha), Premium outlet, New castle university, Marborough, Glenealgle Hospital, Columbia Asia etc... And i say hey, may be i will end up staying in JB longer than i thought? May be JB will end up like a "mini" KL/Sg city after 10 years? Well, may be not comparable but definitely not a dead town like now. Now that the coastal highway is up and running, it will make traveling much easier for both me and my wife too. My wife work in Monash Medical University in JB (down town) and i work some where near Pelangi Plaza, with the new highway it will only take me 10-15 mins to reach work.

Saw the Iskandar johor Open aired on Astro the other day and that further boost my confidence in Nusajaya, then, i found this thread. Oh wow, i never know there is such a good singaporean/ malaysian community already present in this part of the town. I just need that last push and this thread really help me make up my mind. Talk to my wife, went to HH and got it done, at last!

I have a big grin on my face when Azhar (sale person in HH) shook my hand and said "welcome to Horizon Hills !"

Congrats and welcome to the family. I am sure you have seen other developments, are you intending to buy in other developments as well if i may ask?

 

[contra]

Hi avelc,
Interesting. I hope you will be right that the SG fall will not be so much.
IMHO, SG prop prices will fall but agree with you not by the 30% that SCB is forecasting. 25% of the population are foreigners. With demand drying up in Europe & US, economic demand for goods and services in Singapore will go down. These foreigners will go home. Rental demand will fall. Thus those who overleveraged to purchase such rental properties will feel stressed and some may be forced to let go some at firesale prices. The seller stamp duty will not be a blocker if a bank forecloses. However this will not be many as I feel Singapore demographics & investor base have shifted to a higher level and set a platform where demand can quickly bounce back to pick up such distressed properties. It will be like 2009 V shape recovery. Thing is liquidity is still sloshing around the market and inflationary pressures are still abound. As property is a hedge against inflation.....prices will be supported and banks will continue lending. Plus is true that foreigners will come back in droves as Asia is the only next big thing in the global commerce, esp China, India and Indonesia. Guess which country is in the middle of all these?

Interestingly wuqi's friends buy in JB even more. Maybe is good foresight because if things get tougher for manufacturers in Singapore, businesses may look for cheaper destinations to base factories and JB is obvious choice. Thus rising housing demand!

By no means am I asking anyone to plunk in more cash at this stage. I am just trying to draw the dots to link the mysteries. I am just like all here, having the same concerns and not born to rich families. At least JB house coming up gives me something to look forward to next year, a happy distraction of sorts

Agreed with Wuqi.

Barring another Global meltdown similar to 2008-2009 crisis, SG property prices are unlikely to fall so much.

Reasons:
- SSD (seller's stamp duty) implemented in Jan 2011 will ensure buyers do not sell their properties too quickly within 3-4years.

- influx of investments/money and immigrants to Asia in general, including SG. Many foreigners are coming here to look for jobs and setup their businesses. Today I spoke to a headhunter who told me contract jobs are increasing in popularity due to the current hiring freeze in Banks, and experienced foreigners looking to come to SG are quite open to contract jobs.

- our govt will continue to open the floodgates to let foreigners come in, despite the seemingly temporal slowdown in approval of PRs and Citizenships. Else who is going to take Downtownline 2 & 3, Northshore line (pasir ris to punggol to sembawang), Eastern region line (tg rhu to marine parade to changi airport) and the other extensions? Expect SG's population to increase too...

Of course, competition is tough with upcoming economies, and I think Iskandar will serve to be a partnership with Singapore, rather than to compete directly. How well Iskandar will do depends on their ability to create jobs and increase income levels of locals, and hopefully that will lead to a sustainable property market.

Singapore has been very blessed (though I know there will always be detractors) - to progress from Third world to First world within a generation. I don't belong to MIW, pls don't get me wrong, but those who invested in the massive property boom here have been rewarded handsomely.

As the saying goes, last time policemen wore shorts. In our property scene, not too long ago, The Sail @ Marina Bay was lauched at $1,000psf, today it is selling at $3,000psf. Without wanting to predict prices, it is possible that early investors in Puteri harbor, East Ledang, Horizon Hills, etc etc will be richly rewarded. Of course most of us are looking for a place to stay/retire, hence this thread, but who doesn't want their property to go up and be able to retire nicely.

 

[ODYSSEY]

Brought her to places both good and bad. Took her to the pasar malam too and let her experience all the sights and sounds.
Just now, before she went to bed, asked me to take her around Gateway, thought she meant car and prepared to take car
keys, etc but she stopped me and asked to walk around the area. So took her around, she was pretty pleased and then asked
me the often repeated question. Whats the crime rate here?

I told her crime happens everywhere, we need to take proper care and vigliance but thats the best we can do. She seems quite
pleased. Now lamenting why her 2 sons didn't get any back then when i first gave my father in law my report on HH. She even
asked me if i wanted to sell any of mine now, was a bit pai seh but had to say no as i really want to keep them for my children.

Now that i have another one coming along, i am glad i can leave him/her with something. All of wuqi's kids will get something.
This is really a good place for me, despite its warts and all. Really happy here.

Truly happy for u, Wuqi. U did well and congrats on the coming new addition to ur family . Nothing like the sound n voices of littles children running around! Priceless! Our children is what keeps us going in moments when we r down. Congrats once again.

 

[LGLab]

I believe only the bungalows in the current launch (The Hills) have good views of the golf course, and these are of course priced at premium. Was at the sales office again earlier, and the sales guy pointed out a unit and said it was purchased by the sultan lol.

Anyway, this is the correct pricing for current launch of Hills (Cluster and below, I didn't ask about semis or bungalows):

Superlinks -
26x80 with built-up area of up to just over 3,000 sqft, starting at 800k up

Clusters -
32x75, forgot the built-up areas, starting from 920k

Units viewed at Golf today:
Saw 2 intermediate semi-D cluster units (32x75) today, priced at 785k and 750k respectively
2 intermediate link terrace houses (24x75), one completed, another one to complete by June next year according to agent, both asking 670k
1 intermediate link terrace (22x70) completed, rather expensively renovated and well-maintained by Singaporean owners who use it as recreational home asking for 700k nego

Current market I think is such that it will be very hard to get anything in HH on a 500k budget, best hope is to try the smaller inter-terraces in The Gateway. Perhaps a market downturn may come soon and make it easier, but current market conditions make 500k a very difficult proposition imo.

Happy to share more specific information with whoever is actively house hunting so we can know what's on the market at what kind of price, and marketed by whom. Just PM me, this thread moves a bit too quickly!

wa,,,
making me sianz, so cannot get anything for 500k rm now in hh?

 

[LGLab]

I have finally make my purchase at HH. Hehe, pretty excited!

Took me a while to decide... I have been to HH like 1 and half years ago, checked out the place and i told myself, this is the place i want to stay. Couldnt jump in straight coz i wasnt sure if i will settle down in JB for good. I am born in Penang and grow up in KL but my wife is from Muar.. and due to job offer, i am currently working in JB. Deep down, i still miss my life in KL and penang... basically i just miss the sophistication of a big city!

Honestly, there isnt much to do and see in JB. When i accept my job offer in JB, i told myself that i can always cross over to Sg for some entertainment/shopping etc but i found that i am always too tired during my off day, i hate the traffic jam. Like i said, i have been to HH atleast 5-6 times in the past 1-2 years and couldnt make up my mind. 1)I am not sure if i will settle down in JB 2)Like many, i am not sure if Iskandar will be successful ( hehe, even for a malaysian). To be honest, i am very skeptical in the beginning.

However, i am really seeing some concrete progress in Iskandar. Legoland is building (yup, not a myth, haha), Premium outlet, New castle university, Marborough, Glenealgle Hospital, Columbia Asia etc... And i say hey, may be i will end up staying in JB longer than i thought? May be JB will end up like a "mini" KL/Sg city after 10 years? Well, may be not comparable but definitely not a dead town like now. Now that the coastal highway is up and running, it will make traveling much easier for both me and my wife too. My wife work in Monash Medical University in JB (down town) and i work some where near Pelangi Plaza, with the new highway it will only take me 10-15 mins to reach work.

Saw the Iskandar johor Open aired on Astro the other day and that further boost my confidence in Nusajaya, then, i found this thread. Oh wow, i never know there is such a good singaporean/ malaysian community already present in this part of the town. I just need that last push and this thread really help me make up my mind. Talk to my wife, went to HH and got it done, at last!

I have a big grin on my face when Azhar (sale person in HH) shook my hand and said "welcome to Horizon Hills !"

Hi, how much u got it for ? ... im aiming there also..
but my budget only around 500k :$

 

[LGLab]

All of wuqi's kids will get something.
This is really a good place for me, despite its warts and all. Really happy here.

This is pretty good phrase u get there..

in Singapore, what u passed on was a leasehold pigeon hole unit that left probably 50 years and darn old, which our kid has to go through the process of buying another leasehold and contribute all over again.

 

[LGLab]

I had just passed my basic theory test yesterday, getting my pdl today.

chiong arrr!!!

i wanna know how to get to HH without own car?

any public transport?

I getting my whole family to view it!

 

[checkers]

Now that i have another one coming along, i am glad i can leave him/her with something. All of wuqi's kids will get something.
This is really a good place for me, despite its warts and all. Really happy here.

WOW! Congratulations...Wuqi!:o Well done!

 

[greddy88]

i've not stayed in a landed house for all my life.. just curious.
in general, what is the period for refurbishment, for the quality used for the house, using hh as an example?
like, the paint getting peeled off, gates getting rusty, fence/roof/gutter, electrical/wirings and antenna servicing (if there is any?)
and how much would that going to cost?

a number of my american colleagues diy for their houses (in the states)... but i don't think i'm that type that can climb up/down to fix things :-P

these are going to be part of my budgeting calculation as running maintenance costs..

 

[avelc]

Hi contra,
sorry I guess I should have qualified that I'm a newbie to property. Have read your respected views & many contributions to this thread too.

No matter where the mkt is going, a sizeable number in this forum will be enjoying their properties outside of SG... where there's more space & lower living costs.

Cheers.

Hi avelc,
Interesting. I hope you will be right that the SG fall will not be so much.
IMHO, SG prop prices will fall but agree with you not by the 30% that SCB is forecasting. 25% of the population are foreigners. With demand drying up in Europe & US, economic demand for goods and services in Singapore will go down. These foreigners will go home. Rental demand will fall. Thus those who overleveraged to purchase such rental properties will feel stressed and some may be forced to let go some at firesale prices. The seller stamp duty will not be a blocker if a bank forecloses. However this will not be many as I feel Singapore demographics & investor base have shifted to a higher level and set a platform where demand can quickly bounce back to pick up such distressed properties. It will be like 2009 V shape recovery. Thing is liquidity is still sloshing around the market and inflationary pressures are still abound. As property is a hedge against inflation.....prices will be supported and banks will continue lending. Plus is true that foreigners will come back in droves as Asia is the only next big thing in the global commerce, esp China, India and Indonesia. Guess which country is in the middle of all these?

Interestingly wuqi's friends buy in JB even more. Maybe is good foresight because if things get tougher for manufacturers in Singapore, businesses may look for cheaper destinations to base factories and JB is obvious choice. Thus rising housing demand!

By no means am I asking anyone to plunk in more cash at this stage. I am just trying to draw the dots to link the mysteries. I am just like all here, having the same concerns and not born to rich families. At least JB house coming up gives me something to look forward to next year, a happy distraction of sorts

 

[avelc]

Wuqi, Congrats on the additional member to your family !

Now that i have another one coming along, i am glad i can leave him/her with something. All of wuqi's kids will get something.
This is really a good place for me, despite its warts and all. Really happy here.

 

[greddy88]

On Monday 28 November 2011, 21:37 SGT


Singapore's property sector may soon face difficult times, as Standard Chartered Bank's latest report has stated a bearish outlook for the market.

According to the bank's analysts, prices and rents of residential properties in Singapore will drop by 30 percent over the next three years.
....
Looking at the above article , do you guys think it is better to push back our JB purchase ?
If SG property is down 30% , does it make better investment than JB leh ?
Was thinking of adding a JB house ,but if SG properties down next year by 20 - 30 % , I think we should get better pricing in JB too ?

here's the url link
http://blog.propertyguru.com.sg/2975/bleak-outlook-for-singapore-property.html

but did we see a huge 20% dip in malaysian properties during the last financial crisis?