How to Live or Retire in Johor Bahru? Things to Consider

[@heong20]

This is quite a detailed explanation about living lifestyle in J B, good job. But you may miss out the changes of Singapore polyclinic system, no more walkin are allowed. You need to do the booking one day in advance.... and that is the reason why the private clinic is always crowded in Singapore.

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

I was at a polyclinic recently, they allowed walk in that time but quite late after 3pm which was like 5 hours later

[@leealex24]

Security is overblown, in fact many people in sg are brainwashed. Malaysia is the 18th most peaceful country in the world according to World Peace Index top 3 - 5 in Asia. JB should be safe, KL and Penang would be even safer

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

I think most people who talk about poor security in JB, probably haven't been to JB themselves in a long time.

[@JamiePpty]

But NSHW near kulai has people impersonating as police on highway and maybe try to rob people ?

[@SSxxx18]

​@@JamiePptythere is a "but..." in all countries lah. I do drive at 4:30 am in NSHW....without hesitation. Try that in big countries like USA or Europe.... 😅

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

@@JamiePpty Suspects caught already hardly 2 days later. Idiots, this kind of thing sure police will clamp down on them fast

[@JamiePpty]

@@AlphaMarketingSG because it is on social media, that’s why it is fast.

[@sengkialee9305]

As a Singaporean, I'd like to share that banking is not an issue. One can open an account with Maybank in sg, get a debit card and u can tap your debit card all around Malaysia ( I have not tried this in east Malaysia though). So getting groceries or paying for petrol for e.g is not an issue if one intend to live in Malaysia for a longer period.

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

Online banking can be useful to pay bills and utilities

[@seabreeze667]

How long do i have to be away from Malaysia to re-enter the country for 30 days visa free?

[@juliaelyana3915]

Hallo … I need your advice If we stay there as singaporean can 30 days and back for 1 days to Singapore and we back again to Malaysia is that ok to do that? Or need apply visa. ?

[@deltaco-zd6dq]

solid video solid content!!!!!

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

Tq for watching

[@derekyak6384]

I agreed with you, those people whose keep complaining Singapore high living costs should do something & adventures to try & living in johor bahur for some time & feel the difference !

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

Thank you

[@lindawong5808]

I was lucky to open a bank account with RHB a few years ago & I don’t own any Malaysian property yet. Do you know if RHB has “duit” facility?

[@francokwok1667]

David, thanks for this informative video indeed. Just one suggestion for you, as I note that you are a property agent, on both sides of the border, perhaps you should mention a bit more about mortgage. Big business opportunity. Most retirees have much cash and are sitting on bigger residences, say in SG to begin. The proper with most banks, or all banks, they would not lend any money to retirees. But, most retirees from SG have much concerns about the continued weakness of MY. Property prices in MY are really cheap. The problem with banks in MY are that they are not innovative or creative enough. Most retirees would like to take out mortgages in MY, and at the same time, they might leave same amount of SGD with the lending banks. And needless to say, these lending banks may also take collateral of the property, as they are seen to be under the mortgages. Let us stop here, in other words, basically nearly no risks to the lending banks indeed - SGD deposits plus the property as collateral. In fact, there might be investment banks out there, to offer a swap between SGD and MYR, so the lending banks might just purchase this type of swap to cover their risks. The rental differential between SG and MY, would definitely work to the advantages of SG, particularly to a retirees. They might not like to offload their property in SG. So, this would be business opportunity for you. And in addition to, if you might find lending banks willing to lend in MYR as above, the retirees might take up property in MY, rather than just to rent them. And if that is possible, some retirees might wish to downsize their property in SG too, to release some cash for the purchase of the property across the border. Lot and lot of business indeed for you. All start off with whether you might be able to find a bank who is willing and not dogmatic to view the business from another perspective, in all, NO RISK TO THEM INDEED.

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

Hi Franco for watching and your comments. A couple of points to highlight in this regard, the Malaysian central bank (Bank Negara) does not allow foreigners to refinance out MYR on their Malaysian properties. So if you have a fully paid up Malaysian property, you can't take out a loan on it. You can do it in Singapore, there are some schemes in Singapore for HDB flats to cash out on the balance lease of the flat. You can also take a SGD loan from a SG bank (normally is Maybank and CIMB in SG) to buy a Malaysian property, but there is usually some concern whether that is a wise move or not.

[@francokwok1667]

@@AlphaMarketingSG David, thanks. Still no good, as really we still get stuck here with SGD cash, to convert upfront into MYR. Honestly, most retirees might not need any SGD loan or a second mortgage on their SG property, they might well have too much SGD cash, to begin with. The trick is to get someone to lent you in MYR. I would approach Maybank or CIMB in SG, if they can lend me in MYR, repeat MYR, with either an outright SGD deposit or a collaral on my SG property. But, if it is an SGD loan, and for me to convert it into MYR, then no need at all.

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

@@francokwok1667 Sure I understand haha but MYR is a more restricted currency vs SGD so some rules here. Of course I think if we allow foreigners to refinance out of MY properties that is a good thing

[@matthew77ask]

if you do not have a work visa in Malaysia or have an MM2H visa - then u are using the tourist visa to go in and out of JB to Singapore for your work daily - I can assue you that you will likely to be questioned - sooner or later by the Immigration officers (who dun like Singaporean anyway) and notes will be written in your pp about applying for MM2H visa etc. Personal experience

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

yes its best to still spend some time in Singapore. Or have a proper residency visa

[@Fiona20238]

My Aesthetic doctor in JB is professional, experience and less rushing. The cost also allow me to do more at a slower pace.

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

Thank you for sharing

[@maxp670]

Stop saying using MRT. The MRT end at Woodlands North and they have to traverse thru the CIQ to use the RTS system. Say use the RTS mon-rail link to Bukit Chegral.

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

Layman dont recognize the RTS term mostly

[@marktn9851]

Can anyone help with this question regarding 30-days tourist visa, does that mean so long one goes in & out JB/SGP, there’s no limit per year to stay in JB?

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

technically if you spend more than 180 days a year in one country, you can be defined as resident instead of tourist.

[@vwchan841]

Without an actual visa, like a MM2H or digital nomad visa, I don't think it is good advise to suggest that people "try it" by signing up yearly leases and see how it goes with Customs.

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

Short of a more practical solution, this is being done currently by thousands of people I believe.

[@vwchan841]

@@AlphaMarketingSG Sure, probably because they currently are residing in Malaysia and/or are citizens there. They have no choice but to try this back and forth strategy.

[@leealex24]

Im quite curious, foreigners can go and leave Malaysia multiple times in a month on tourist visa without any issue?

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

@@leealex24 yes

[@lindc1070]

It wont go well unless you stay over in SG at least once a month for a few days. If you continually go in and out but are in JB at least part of each day, after a few months they will bar you. It has happened to some.

[@ifuknjk]

rules living in jb is seasoal...change govt change rules...permits change 3 mths...malaysia my second home ...

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

I just had this discussion today with a client haha. I think Singapore changes rules relating to property and foreigners very often too. Even Singaporeans cant keep up with all the rules HDB change. Usually most Singaporeans don't notice it anyway unless you happen to ask a foreigner in Singapore. Maybe I should do a video about it one day. Government changing rules is normal. That's what they do anywhere in the world

[@winnievinis]

May i ask if i want to live in JB. which website is highly recommend to rent long term like for 6mth to 12mth motorcycle , car and looking for condo?

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

online search, there are many portals

[@winnievinis]

@@AlphaMarketingSG like which portals? any intro?

[@lingxinru6777]

So we can sell our HDB homes and lives in JB on Freehold Condominium? How could we know the Property we purchase have high potential yield?

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

To live in Malaysia (or any other country), long term, you need a residency visa like Malaysia My Second Home. Or any other visa as explained in my other videos

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

You can always compare to surrounding or existing properties to compare yield

[@steventay5834]

JB property only good for own stay, not for investment

[@MildredJones-e7q]

A rental agreement also allows you to open a bank account

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

Good to know

[@rashidismail7124]

If I rent a condo in JB, say for a 1 year lease, I can stay there for a maximum of 30 days continuously assuming I am using a tourist visa as a Singaporean. In a year, I will definitely need to come back to Singapore about 13 times. Hence, I need to have at least a room in Singapore to stay when i am back in Singapore. Can a Singaporean using just a tourist visa allow to rent a residential property in JB? Will I get into trouble with the Malaysian Immigration if I make frequent travels to Malaysia and stay there for 20-30 days for each visit?

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

basically if you are just using a tourist visa, ideally try to spend more than half a year still in Singapore. Because if majority of your time is spent in Malaysia, then technically you are no longer a tourist and then immigration may start to question you. You can in out JB-SG as many times as you want but basically make enough days in SG so that you can't be accused of over-staying in MY

[@ninaneo2168]

Don't dream u can go in and out unless you are Malaysian or u have a Malaysia spouse where u can get spouse visa, beside that u will definitely get caught and be told to go to a room for questioning and maybe they may black list you

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

Apply MM2H or some other visa. And as long as you dont go for more than half a year, tourist visa works fine.

[@davidtan9101]

Without a Msia VISA with just the 30 days tourist visa, I want to buy a condo in JB and treat it as weekend home. Is there any restrictions on how often can I go to JB? Can I go in every weekend say Fri to Sun? Will the immigration ban me from going in? Cos I read some forums that if the custom officer see your passport has too many chops they will ban u from going in?

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

If you go in every weekend Friday to Sunday is no problem as you still spend alot of time in Singapore

[@juliaelyana3915]

If like this scenario I think should be ok because before Covid I almost every day go JB few hour and back sg

[@whyh]

I live in Malaysia now, as a Singaporean. Why was my comment deleted?

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

Is it? I didn't delete any comment

[@juliaelyana3915]

Hallo are you applying visa Malaysia or after 30 days back to Singapore pls advice because I’m soon want to move JB also

[@whyh]

@@juliaelyana3915 Return to Singapore before 30 days

[@davidchang9454]

Hi Love your videos, I am an American in the process of deciding to move back to Asia. As an American you get a 90 day entry to Singapore and Malaysia. I am not ready to retire permanently to Malaysia or Singapore. So I come to Singapore, for 90 days, make a short trip to JB or Penang come back to Singapore and get 90 days again. Or I stay in Malaysia for 90 days. This is another option to your 30 days advice.

[@davidchang9454]

This 90 day entry without requirement for a visa applies to citizens of other countries in addition to US citizen.

[@stevenlim9640]

@@davidchang9454 90 days is not for singapore citizens

[@francokwok1667]

David, just what I have heard. Please fact check. Basically you retire in a place near the border with SG, so that you may always reset your stay in MY, so cross the border and return in the same day. Of course, you may always apply for MM2H.

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

Sure hope to see you in MY/SG soon

[@mw8080]

Hi, any language schools or teachers to recommend? want to learn Malay or Chinese for day to day purposes. I am based in Spore, but dun mind travel to JB for lessons.

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

I think for that is better to google what language schools you can find in JB

[@janettan115]

For property Bank Loan what is the age limit?

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

up to age 65

[@alnwicktan402]

S$1000 = RM3380. What is median income of Msians? Quite ridiculous to say mthly spending needs S$1K excluding rental.

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

Ya so I'm saying $1,000 per month is more than enough. In practice it could be lower if you adapt spending to like locals

[@iammisssee7752]

1000singdollars per person is enough to live in JB??? Thats alot per person to live for JB

[@TFRO_madRobots]

​@@iammisssee7752it's a lot even for a Singaporean lol

[@Searth63]

Are there any Malay Language learning Groupd out there for Retirees ?

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

You can try language classes online or in JB itself.

[@88maryc]

Hi

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

Hi

[@lpfong2538]

Bro and Neighbour, don't know whether in Singapore the teachers teach you this or not. Singapore is a financial hub in the region, just like Hong Kong. Nothing unusual for Singaporeans to travel and live in Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. You're government also need to build collaborations with all these governments, e.g., free trade zone, etc. Singapore is a financial hub or centre similar to Hong Kong. If Singaporeans are isolated, it will fail. Even a school drop in Malaysia also knows that. But l hate Malaysia because even a school dropout can afford a car, which is not fair.😊 I have a Singaporean friend in Malaysia working here since 2012. Using only 30 days of holiday visas. Last week, l saw her still in Malaysia. Just every month. She has to leave Malaysia to Thailand or out of Malaysia and re-enter again. She give reasons like mother is working her. But in reality she is working here. Who cares, as long she don't commit a crime here.

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

thank you for sharing

[@zhenwenlu2607]

I am Singaporean and I want to be a quitter.

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

what?

[@cstan7373]

Not interested

[@AlphaMarketingSG]

@@cstan7373 tq for your sharing