I'm not saying there is no crime at all in Singapore. What I was pointing out is the parts of Iskandar that are developing now may not be as safe as many assumed. JB's safety may have improved but I don't know how true, cos I still read many reports of crimes and know of friends or friends of friends who have at least once been robbed, have their belongings stolen or whose homes broken into. So fair to say it's far from convincingly safe.
I've heard some say Iskandar is like the "new" Johor. More modern and SAFER. I'd like to caution people when they bang on their luck like that. In fact, safety, among many other factors, is definitely one aspect that determines whether or not people will be ready or attracted to move over to live in JB. For the next few decades, I don't see that possibility which many investors blatantly assumed. And so they rushed in to buy properties hoping that they will experience a "Boom" cos a lot of Singaporeans will cross over to live in Iskandar. That's at best an untested assumption.
I've briefly browsed through the other forums here and when you read the questions they asked there, you will know they have not done much homework. They bought one or even 2,3 (*gasp*!) condos and then start asking: Do you all know how's the rental so far? Can cover my costs? That's like putting the cart before the horse.
It's still best to note: Iskandar is part of Johor, Johor is part of Malaysia. Anything that has happened to Malaysia as a whole, it will continue as such in general. For eg, if you think Malaysia's shopping is cheap, yes, Iskandar is likely that way. If you feel racial riots can happen in KL or JB, yes, it can happen in Iskandar too. Not now, but maybe one day. If you feel unsafe walking alone in JB now, yes, Iskandar could be like that once your condos are completed. If rental amount is pathetic in JB now by Singapore's standard, yes, Iskandar could be like that too or very likely worse, due to the over supply.
Just don't assume because Iskandar is so near Singapore, and because Singapore has been so successful, in terms of our economy, education, top world-ranking standing, strong government, rich nation, almost corruption-free politics, very safe city, etc, Iskandar will also be like that.
The bottom line is, whatever one's plans are with investing or living in Iskandar, as long as they work well, that's fine. The worrying thing is, many do not consider the REAL possibilities but simply assumed. And whatever they have assumed without strong possibility or evidence, will work against them. If they have still not realised it now, they eventually will, when their properties are ready and they have started paying their monthly loans. The pain may come from then on.
