On your account before and up 2013 it was non-bleak? I understand in the period 2011-2013 there're plenty of sales, marketing, poster, advertisement, news, blogs, and many people talks about it. Your sentiment is influence by marketing activities and sales talk.
After 2013, numerous sporting events been held, pinewoods had completed number of projects, universities students increase by the year, universities annual enrollment drive intensified of previous years, Marlborough take up rate consistently rise, frost move in to Medini, Huawei move in to Medini, gleneagles opened, somerset opened.....that is that how so, you looking at wrong place my friend.
Let me clarify:
Bleak after 2013 because before that, many viewed Iskandar with rose-tinted glasses. Interestingly, Straits Times even reported how attractive Iskandar was, being the "darling" of investors. When the truth struck hard in 2014 onwards that there was a huge oversupply, the news turned bleak suddenly. It's like people started waking up and realising it's not as rosy as it had looked.
Your points about many companies opening and all that are irrelevant. Firstly, it will be good to have numbers. For eg, yes, Gleneagles opened. But what are the patient numbers? Anyone who visits there again, maybe can kindly take some pictures and show how deserted the hospital is.
Secondly, I wouldn't be too influenced by who does what. Remember and care for yourself first as a buyer or investor who is putting your money on something important. For eg, some said previously Peter Lim was developing properties in Iskandar. How can a super rich and savvy investor like him go wrong? So let's invest too! Then what happened? He too knew the risks and fears. He converted his property business into healthcare. If you followed blindly, you are stuck. Peter Lim can't save you.
So many companies opening everywhere is irrelevant and you can't conclude because of that, Medini will thrive. One still has to remember Iskandar is very big, 3x the size of SG. There are so many residential units and houses. Students and workers are spoilt for choices.