This article addresses common questions about living or retiring in Malaysia, particularly focusing on Johor Bahru (JB) for Singaporeans looking to escape the high cost of living in Singapore. It covers various aspects, from visa requirements to cost of living and safety concerns.
Who is Suitable for Living in Johor Bahru?
Several groups of people find living in JB while staying connected to Singapore beneficial.
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Retirees: Their flexible schedules allow them to control their travel between Johor and Singapore, and they can significantly reduce their cost of living.
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Remote Workers: Individuals who can work from home or only need to be in the office occasionally benefit from the lower cost of living in JB. This includes those in IT, customer service, or running online businesses.
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Business Owners: Owning a business often provides flexible hours and more control over one's time, making it easier to commute between JB and Singapore.
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Those with Flexible Work Hours: Individuals with work schedules that allow them to avoid peak traffic hours, such as nurses or airport staff with shift work.
Legal Requirements: Visas and Permits
Staying in Malaysia legally requires the appropriate visa or permit.
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Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H): This program allows eligible individuals to live in Malaysia for an extended period. Information about this and other visas are covered in the speaker's linked video in the description.
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30-Day Tourist Visa: Singaporeans, as part of ASEAN, receive a 30-day tourist visa upon entry to Malaysia. Some use this by frequently entering and exiting Singapore. While not technically illegal, it is potentially an abuse of the tourist visa. Immigration officials may question frequent travelers spending more time in Malaysia than Singapore.
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Other Visas: Employment visas, education visas, and digital nomad visas may be appropriate depending on individual circumstances.
Travel Between Johor Bahru and Singapore
Cross-border travel can be challenging due to traffic congestion.
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Private Transportation: Cars and motorcycles are options for those who own them in Singapore. Avoid peak hours during weekdays (when Malaysians commute to Singapore) and weekends (when Singaporeans travel to Johor). Be aware of the impact of public and school holidays.
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Public Transportation: Buses can be efficient during off-peak hours due to dedicated bus lanes.
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KTM Train: An existing train service connects Woodlands (Singapore) to JB, but tickets sell out quickly.
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MRT (Future): The upcoming MRT line between Woodlands and JB, expected to be completed in 2026, is anticipated to significantly improve cross-border travel.
Internal Travel within Johor Bahru
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Car Ownership: Buying a car in Malaysia is significantly cheaper than in Singapore, even a secondhand car in reasonably good condition.
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Grab: For those who cannot drive, Grab is a convenient and relatively affordable ride-hailing option.
Cost of Living
Malaysia generally offers a lower cost of living compared to Singapore.
- Estimated Budget: A rough estimate of SGD 1,000 per person per month (excluding rent) can cover food, utilities, transportation, and other services. For a more in-depth look at potential savings, the speaker recommends watching his video detailing 10 items that are cheaper in Malaysia.
Housing
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Renting: Renting is recommended for those new to living in Malaysia. Leases are typically for one year (shorter leases are possible but often more expensive).
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Rental Costs: A one-bedroom condo in the city center may cost around RM 2,000-2,500 per month, while rentals further from the city may be cheaper.
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Deposits: Expect to pay approximately 3.5 months' worth of rental fees upfront, covering the first month's rent, a two-month security deposit, and a half-month utility deposit.
Security
Concerns about safety in Johor Bahru are often overstated.
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Johor Bahru is as safe as any other city in Malaysia, especially compared to many cities in the world.
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Be mindful of your surroundings and avoid leaving valuables in plain sight.
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Police take serious crime seriously.
Medical Care
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Private Clinics and Hospitals: Foreigners are advised to use private clinics and hospitals, where costs are lower than in Singapore. A typical clinic visit may cost RM 60-100, including medication.
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Dental Care: Dental costs in Malaysia are significantly lower than in Singapore.
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Hospitals: Johor has reputable hospitals, some run by Singaporean companies.
Internet Connectivity
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Broadband Wi-Fi is readily available, although 5G rollout is still in progress.
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Major service providers include Unifi, Maxis, and Time. Unifi is generally considered the best value.
Working and Banking in Malaysia
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Employment: Getting a formal employment pass for part-time work may be difficult.
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Business Ownership: Opening a company in Malaysia is relatively inexpensive (around RM 4,000-5,000), but annual costs also apply. A viable business model is manufacturing in Malaysia (in Ringgit) and selling in Singapore (in Singapore dollars).
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Banking: Opening a Malaysian bank account as a tourist can be challenging. Consider using Singaporean banks with a presence in Malaysia. An account is typically granted if buying a property in Malaysia and taking a bank loan. Internet banking is recommended for bill payments. E-wallets like Touch 'n Go eWallet and "DuitNow" (the Malaysian version of PayNow) are useful for day-to-day transactions.
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