Exploring Johor Bahru: A Trip from Singapore
This article details a recent trip from Singapore to Johor Bahru (JB), Malaysia, covering experiences such as transportation, dining, and property investment insights.
Traveling from Singapore to Johor Bahru
The journey began with a late-night (2 AM) booking of a car from Singapore Airport to JB. Surprisingly, the border crossing was quite lively even at that hour. This was the first time experiencing a car crossing the border.
Dining at Restoran Teochew Meng
The first stop in JB was Restoran Teochew Meng in Skudai. This restaurant offers a wide variety of options, including cooked dishes, snacks, and desserts. They tried the Lao Shu Fen (rat noodles), Mala Kou Mien (spicy broad noodles), and Kek Dur (a local dessert). This is the restaurant's second branch, and the decor features a nostalgic, old-fashioned style. While the food was flavorful, it was noted to be a bit on the salty side.
Investigating Property Investment in Johor Bahru
The primary purpose of the trip was to explore property investment opportunities in JB, specifically comparing existing and new developments. This investigation was to determine whether or not the investment aligns with certain MM2H (Malaysia My Second Home) program considerations.
Princess Cove: Location and Accessibility
The first property visited was Princess Cove in JB. It's located directly across from Singapore, accessible via a bridge. A cross-border MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) line is planned for the area. The area seems quite bustling, likely due to Singaporeans. Princess Cove attracts:
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Singaporeans working in Singapore but seeking more affordable housing across the border.
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Individuals seeking a second home in Malaysia.
The accessibility to Singapore makes JB a desirable location for these groups. The presenter also noted that many people who have APB (Annual Pass Benefit) and other similar passes like to go to JB every Friday, because the cost of living, entertainment and consumption is low.
The Appeal of Johor Bahru for Singaporeans
Many Singaporeans are choosing to live in JB due to the lower cost of living and more affordable housing prices compared to Singapore. During weekends and holidays, hotels tend to be fully booked. Furthermore, it appears many Malaysians like to visit Singapore for work.
Investment Insights
The speaker professed to having little investment knowledge beforehand, so this trip was a learning experience. Fortunately, assistance from family and friends provided valuable insights, making investment appear less daunting than initially perceived.
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Affordability: It's possible to invest in property with around HKD 1.2 million (approximately USD 154,000).
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Down Payment: The initial down payment could be around HKD 400,000 (approximately USD 51,000).
This means that with HKD 200,000 (approximately USD 25,500) per person, it is possible to invest in real estate.
Property Features
The property viewed was a two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit with an open kitchen. A specific unit (number 7) was also visited.
Shopping and Dining in Johor Bahru City Square
The exploration continued to Johor Bahru City Square, which connects directly to the customs checkpoint, making it an easily accessible shopping destination for people going to and from Singapore.
Inside the mall, one could find food from everywhere. It was noted that the speaker's partner enjoyed the spicy food options.
Grocery Shopping
The team stopped to do some grocery shopping at the hypermarket.
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Value for Money: It was noted that the five-ringgit chicken dishes offer excellent value.
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Drink Comparisons: The water brands are also affordable; a 600ml water bottle costs around two ringgits, which may cost around five dollars back in Hong Kong.
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Snacks: The snacks seem to have roughly the same price in Hong Kong.
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Frozen Foods: The frozen chicken (drumsticks, fillets) are cheap, costing around 20 Hong Kong dollars for three to six pieces.
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Other commodities: The team was amazed by the variety of commodities sold.
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