Why We LOVE LIVING IN MALAYSIA! Iskandar Puteri Johor, Expat Traveling Family

Are you considering becoming an expat and moving abroad? Are you a slow-traveling digital nomad looking for your next destination? Are you traveling long term as a family? Here are the reasons why we love living in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia!
00:00 Sunrise
00:18 Location
00:46 1 - Family friendly
02:40. 2 - What Our Kids Love
04:00 3 - Restaurants
06:13 4 - Grocery Stores
07:42 5 - Healthcare
08:21 6 - Schools
08:44 7 - Shopping Malls
10:24 8 - Restaurants in Johor
11:02 9 - Transportation
12:24 10 - Neighboring Countries
13:09 11 - Rent
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ABOUT KENSHO QUEST 🏝
Aloha! We are a worldschooling family with three young kids. We are George, Heidi, Kaisho (8) Harumi (4), and Sora (1). Our home base is the beautiful island of Oahu, Hawaii. We've been living a nomadic lifestyle for the past 14 years. Once we started traveling, we just wanted to keep on exploring!
We like to make new friends, eat local foods, and immerse ourselves in culture. We strive towards a natural, minimalist, zero-waste lifestyle. We're not perfect, but we keep trying!

[@cleanenergyinside1921]

You guys are one of the two foreign youtubers that have chosen Johor for long term stay. The other one is Silverfox. Cheers! 👍

[@DanHeather]

What a brilliant place, so much more affordable than Singapore!

[@amirdomani8178]

Wow great guys, this is the first time im seeing foreigners staying and making videos in johor. Others tend to spend their time in KL and rarely make it to johor, when infact johor is the second biggest city after KL. I hope you enjoy your time here. Sorry bout them mat rempits (motorbike dudes) and car meet ups during the weekend, we dont fancy them also. Haha. Other than that, puteri habour is a best place to live in. As a johorean myself, its great seeing a different perspective from your guys view of the state and the place. Neways, enjoy your stay, stay safe have fun and welcome to johor.. 💪🏻

[@KenshoQuest]

terima kasih! We really do love Johor and all the kind people we meet here :)

[@altecati]

Thanks for your drawbacks comment. I am Malaysian.. we hope to improve it..

[@marinamisgiman4883]

tq for promoting our beloved state

[@christophers8467]

The other more local big mall with lots of shops and food can be found at aeon bukit indah and more affordable international hospital at Columbia Nusa Idaman. Around 10-15mins from your place. Eco botanic is also another area with lots to eat

[@keangwooichoo6138]

Air index is usually moderate unless sumatra burns up again. Also malaysia only has 32m people. It is not highly populated like neighbouring countries. But vehicles here is more than the population. So traffic is high during peak hours.

[@KenshoQuest]

good info! let's hope there will be no burning for a while!

[@international8128]

Yes I've stayed at Puteri Iskandar for 3 days and I love the place.Kinda posh place.Clean & peaceful except for the road racers which I did not encountered so far.

[@WilliamTheUnkownShoutout]

Kensho Quest i subscribed because you are a cool and awesome family😀.

[@simonfetrateo4729]

What a fantastic video. Rare to get such a thorough video talking about living in Johor/ Iskandar. Thanks both of you! 👋🙏😃

[@fxn7279]

Thank you for sharing the details 👍. It looks super comfortable living there but do be extra careful with the road racers. Looking forward to your road trip videos 😘

[@sarasardar8838]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnKpYoOKadSkf7c Thank you for watching this video. If this is your first time watching please don't forget to subscribe... Thank you very much🌷🌷

[@chiangea3495]

Love your Vlog. Both of you look well rested and a bit younger than when you are in the KL vs BKK vs Saigon video. Enjoy your stay in Msia and take care!

[@kasimabdullah3874]

Dont 4get go and visit KOTA TINGGI WATERFALL..and DESARU BEACH RRSORTS..

[@penangiteInAU]

Nice views! Thanks for sharing😊

[@CKology]

Great video! Very insightful

[@KenshoQuest]

Thanks for watching! We'll be headed to KL before long.

[@wineadore8695]

Such a great video!

[@nnnnnnn1682]

there are few restaurant ..cafe..and clinic(more affordable then gleneagles) at eco botanic..just 5-10 minutes drive...

[@vincentchin88]

Wow, Legoland once or twice a week! It's like a kid going to Disneyland once or twice a week. I'd like that too!

[@dzulkafleysamad4980]

its hot, its humid😓....but in many ways its nice here...its a "bumi bertuah" ..a blessed land in english

[@KenshoQuest]

We like hot and humid! We will take that any day over snow. ❄️

[@myunussupaat]

its my first time seen your vid. Very cool n very informative. Keep it up guys. Done subscribe. 👍👍👍

[@sarahyaolin]

So excited that we ran into you guys today 😊😊 Thanks sooo much for all of the info. We've had a great trip so far. Cheers!!

[@KenshoQuest]

Thanks for stopping and saying "hi"! Have a wonderful rest of your trip! 🌺 Heidi

[@fishingdotcom9280]

Nice vid guys. Wow… rental is so expensive. I have a vacant unit in KL at bukit bintang precinct I’m struggling to get tenant for 2500rm. Anyways, I go to KL once a yr at least, and your vid made me want to travel to Johor for next visit. Again, thanks 🙏 for the vid and subscribed!

[@kasimabdullah3874]

Have a good and nice day..

[@skm___in]

Love from Kerala India❤

[@kobk9709]

I am glad to hear that you guys love living in Johor. You have situated in a great location for the whole family.

[@KenshoQuest]

Thank you!

[@grace14emily27]

Unlike NA, pedestrian has zero right away on the crosswalks. I learnt that pretty fast similar to you.

[@lindatang4955]

Living in Johor..easy access to Singapore and Batam Island

[@KenshoQuest]

We hope to take the ferry to Batam sometime!

[@lindatang4955]

@@KenshoQuest It will be great 👍

[@bridezilla13]

such a good & accurate video 🎉

[@Harry_Johnson16]

No such a good video because Puteri harbour is an attraction place and that's not city but like resort or tourism place. There are many feature at Puteri Harbour, shopping mall, restaurant and water fountain. I think is the good place to visit but lack of tourists come visit it, that is one weakness. When you go to Puteri Harbour, trying to go overseas and find Australia country then go to Sydney city. Sydney Harbour can be more tourists comes and having a water transportation and strolling.

[@idrisabdulrahim7322]

For good and affordable medical try KPJ, it is private hospital run by Johor State Economic Development Corporation, a goverment own private company. It has hospitals and medical centers across Malaysia.

[@Kevin-xz4jq]

You guys are fantastic. Quality info...pleasantly delivered.

[@Kevin-xz4jq]

Also..thanks for the tip about Wahdah. Was looking for something like that

[@KenshoQuest]

Glad to help!

[@KenshoQuest]

Thank you, let us know if you have questions or topics you want us to cover.

[@gymitsui7634]

Yiou are welcome to live here like your second home..yipee

[@KenshoQuest]

Terima kasih! We love it here but will be exploring more of Malaysia soon!

[@gymitsui7634]

@@KenshoQuest cool....i may just hop on if theres little winny space

[@ashtriana1]

How about doing a road trip on the east coast, start at JB up to Pasir Gudang onwards to Desaru, then Mersing, Endau-romping, Muazzam Shah then from there you can choose either to go straight up north thru pekan to Kuantan and Cherating or go west thru Mentakab, temerloh and back to KL.... I once went on a road trip where we went full circle from Perak went to Kota Bharu down to Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan then to Segamat up to Melaka, KL then back to Teluk Intan (Perak) in 2 weeks.

[@KenshoQuest]

sounds like an amazing trip! We will keep this in mind for a future road trip. terima kasih!

[@sarasardar8838]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnKpYoOKadSkf7c Thank you for watching this video. If this is your first time watching please don't forget to subscribe... Thank you very much🌷🌷🌷

[@ismailyanti4270]

Beatiful city...humble people...abundant life

[@Harry_Johnson16]

Not city, but attractions in Puteri Harbour. But not quite beautiful kind tall building, shopping Mall, stall and many more. Go to the Sydney city, Australia when look like we are in Puteri Harbour but not, Sydney Harbour. Sydney Harbour is like a kind attraction but the closest city of Sydney. When you live here (Sydney, Australia), you can meet around the people, water transportation like yachts and enjoy new year's eve events. Enjoy..👌😁

[@keangwooichoo6138]

Yes long term rent is cheaper

[@hmdesignBD]

Thank you so much guys, all these information are really helpful. Kids are so adorable 😊 I and my wife will apply for the nomad visa and if that works well we are planning to live at iskandar puteri for a few months.

[@KenshoQuest]

Best of luck!

[@kayposia4997]

for extravagant luxurious shopping mall u can always drive to singapore orchard road '1hr+ journey' compare to Kl '4hr+ journey'.

[@sarasardar8838]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnKpYoOKadSkf7c Thank you for watching this video. If this is your first time watching please don't forget to subscribe... Thank you very much🌷🌷

[@oligoyan]

Great episode, your new home looks very family friendly. When you have a chance, would you please do an episode comparing Bangkok, Phuket, KL and Johor (post Covid)? You did a comparison of Asian cities for family long term trip a few years ago. Would love to know your perspectives now. Thank you!

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi min yan, it is a great place for families and anyone who wants to be outside of the city but still have a lot of amenities. And yes, we are looking to do an updated comparison video. We will probably make a couple. But there are some places we want to revisit first. Stay tuned :) And as always, please keep your questions and ideas coming! We hope your travels are going well.

[@sarasardar8838]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnKpYoOKadSkf7c Thank you for watching this video. If this is your first time watching please don't forget to subscribe... Thank you very much🌷🌷

[@mahlok8210]

Tankyou.. 🤙

[@KenshoQuest]

🤙

[@adrianmagearu5411]

amazing info guys, thanks a lot! I'm glad I came across your channel! Do you think it would be possible for me to work in Singapore and commute from Iskandar / JB?

[@KenshoQuest]

There are people who do that.

[@sairamena]

Your videos are SO incredibly helpful, especially since we're going to start traveling and world schooling soon (and Malaysia is our first stop!) Can you please share how you booked your apartment stay? We're checking on airbnb, and the prices are generally higher than what you have shared and recommended. Stay safe!

[@KenshoQuest]

Exciting! We normally start by looking on Airbnb. Sometimes we book our initial stay through Airbnb and then extend our stay directly through the host. Sometimes we figure out the name of the apartment building and see if they have a website or office to book directly through them. The fees are lower that way. In Phuket we stayed initially in a hotel, which gave us the opportunity to visit buildings and see them in person before booking directly through the office. But usually we book before we arrive in the city, since that is easier with kids. Also, prices are going up now that it is easier to enter Malaysia, with no testing requirements. Safe travels! 🌺✈️ Heidi

[@sairamena]

@@KenshoQuest awesome, thanks so much! Looking forward to your upcoming videos about Iskender Puteri/Johor :)

[@KenshoQuest]

@@sairamena I forgot to mention, we also like to book for at least a month at a time. Airbnb sometimes has a really good discount when booking for a whole month.

[@KenshoQuest]

I forgot we did a video with tips on booking an Airbnb: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYKzqH1ofNdki5I

[@christophers8467]

Do a video on forest city since you r close by, prob will go viral

[@KenshoQuest]

ha, we thought about it 😜

[@xchaix]

👍

[@keangwooichoo6138]

At least no more socar !

[@joeawk]

Sounded like a US$5k a month living environment.

[@faisalz8849]

It’s sad to see Forest City marketed the way it was and dominated by certain nationalities only which is what killed it. If it’s more diversified (and better priced) it would probably better received locally and internationally.

[@KenshoQuest]

Agree!!

[@chrissison8232]

Hi, just wanna ask what options did you take for your kids education? We may just choose to go with online schooling for our 8yr old, but we don't know wc US school will work with the lifestyle. Really hoping you would see this and give insight. Thanks in advance!

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi. We are currently homeschooling. We might consider enrolling our kids in a local school when we settle for a year. For now it’s been easier to make our own schedule/ curriculum while traveling long term. We include basic subjects (reading, writing, spelling, grammar, math, history, science, Japanese), but we also try to learn through our travels and experiences. 🌺 Heidi

[@Avarua59]

Is this area part of the SEZ that the government announced in their new MM2H program?

[@David-rq5pm]

Do u consider to purchase there property? Actually I have concerns that this new developed area end up similar as so many projects in China which had become really ghost towns (and u mentioned forest city which is near by there). I’m thinking whether i should get later an apartment in Penang or JB/ johor (for retirement purpose 😁)..

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, this is a great question. We know someone who has purchased multiple properties in the area, though he was able to purchase at very low distressed prices. For us, we would not choose to buy for the reason you mentioned. There is a huge glut not only in Johor but all over Malaysia. Too much speculative building... I think Penang would be a much better choice for a purchase. If you want peace and quiet then Iskandar Puteri is a great place.

[@jamescps8799]

KL Is much safer and more vibrant.

[@Johndoe-qn9jr]

Hi is it easy to find ecologically grown veggies and fruits and nuts there in grocerys or other places ? Thank You

[@KenshoQuest]

It's easy to find organic produce (Zenxin Farms) and also hydroponically grown produce. I'm not sure if that's what you mean by ecologically grown. 🌺 Heidi

[@Johndoe-qn9jr]

@@KenshoQuest Hi i mean organically where they have not used any chemicals pestesides and other things on it. Thank You

[@keangwooichoo6138]

Malaysia is family friendly. Some regional places are popular for singles or couples with no children.

[@KenshoQuest]

Just curious, where is your favorite place for singles, and families??

[@keangwooichoo6138]

@@KenshoQuest you mean in malaysia or outside malaysia.

[@keangwooichoo6138]

@@KenshoQuest i am single lol. I do not travel much. But have been to singapore, hk, seoul, canada in my younger days. In south east asia, i noticed young travellers will visit thailand and bali and philippines. Vietnam is mix, can be friends, couples or family(many theme parks). Liquor has high taxes here so is not happening for night life unless on duty free islands. But one thing about malaysia is we are diverse in tourism products. Eg our cities are fantastic full of culture and arts, food is diverse of course, weather is hot between march and july but overall less than 40 degrees, we have the fastastic rainforest and mountains and beaches. We have caves, most importantly those forest have wildlife. You do not find biodiversity under water and above water like ours.

[@KenshoQuest]

fascinating info. I think we need to pick your brain more often. for instance, where should we stop along the way of our upcoming road trip 🤔 😁

[@keangwooichoo6138]

@@KenshoQuest muar town can be a stopover if you are heading to melaka. Others are rather tiny towns, nothing interesting in my opinion. I was born in kluang town but grew up in selangor. But if you have the time, drive to mersing and get a ferry to tioman island. Spend 2 or 3 days there. There is a rather historical structure from world war 2. In defending johor and singapore, the british built bunkers along the old kota tinggi road. It is at the roadsides. Many. With holes for machine guns. May not be on your road trip route.

[@vincentchin88]

Shakes? What shakes? We have good milkshakes?

[@KenshoQuest]

RC Cafe has burgers 🍔 and shakes!

[@Harry_Johnson16]

Puteri harbour look similar as sydney because have expensive ships and Yachts

[@KenshoQuest]

But it’s mostly a ghost town except on weekends

[@Harry_Johnson16]

@@KenshoQuest not a ghost town

[@KenshoQuest]

@@Harry_Johnson16 Have you been to Puteri Harbor recently?

[@Harry_Johnson16]

@@KenshoQuest No

[@darrylk808]

4 months! Has it been that long? Life is flying by. I'm guessing Singapore was a visa run? If I see you in Kuching you'll be applying for MM2H?

[@KenshoQuest]

HI Darryl, howzit? yah on Singapore. Though we intend to return soon. And you know more about MM2H than us!

[@darrylk808]

@@KenshoQuest There are two different MM2H. Sarawak has their own with different $ deposit requirements. Basically less money, but you have to spend 15 days a year in Sarawak. After that you can move around Malaysia. Kuching is very nice, smaller city. KK (Kota Kinabalu) is even smaller. Go explore the Borneo side of Malaysia. Orangutans are cute, but DO NOT stand under them! It's NOT rain...

[@KenshoQuest]

@@darrylk808 Thanks! Heidi here. I was just researching the Sarawak option. It sounds like a good possibility! It's been years since we visited Borneo (and I fell in quick mud and had a close encounter with an orangutan), but we are planning to take the kids soon. We'll see how we all like it. We could definitely do 15 days in Kuching. Are you planning to do the MM2H? 🌺 Heidi

[@darrylk808]

@@KenshoQuest I have itchy feet, my wife is a "nester" so as much as I want to retire in Penang, it probably won't happen. "Happy wife, happy life." 😁

[@Harry_Johnson16]

Hello kensho Quest, why cannot stay in Johor Bahru?

[@KenshoQuest]

We prefer the slow pace, less crowd and nearby schools

[@Harry_Johnson16]

@@KenshoQuest why?

[@stevenbloomfield6964]

Can I ask what visa you are using to stay in Malaysia? Thanks

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, we are on a social visit pass for 90 days but they are offering a nomad pass for up to 1 yr called de rantau

[@keangwooichoo6138]

Motorbike racing is everywhere in malaysia. It is mainly malay youths doing this. Nuisance.

[@keangwooichoo6138]

Can visit batam indonesia from singapore

[@KenshoQuest]

We are hoping to visit some Batam in the future via ferry. We wish it was easy to visit and come back.

[@keangwooichoo6138]

@@KenshoQuest i heard customs there may have hanky panky. So far towards my malaysian friend. Not sure about singaporeans or others.

[@anishglx]

You said you pay 3750 RM for that unit but does that include OR excludes power utility bill? For my info does the power bill has to be paid by the owner or the tenant?

[@KenshoQuest]

It was included but in general, the tenant pays the electric bill separately. Do note, this was 2 years ago. Prices have gone up post covid. For a unit of this size expect to pay between 300 RM - 600 RM per month based mostly on how much you use your AC.

[@anishglx]

@@KenshoQuest great! Thank You for your prompt reply. Also would you mention a few websites where you can search for classified rental listings like the you personally use/prefer!!

[@keangwooichoo6138]

So medini and forest city are ghost towns

[@KenshoQuest]

Forest city is a complete ghost town, medini has residents but the mall is mostly empty...

[@keangwooichoo6138]

@@KenshoQuest covid19 closed dpwn many businesses

[@Victor-gu4bk]

It's better to drive 15 min to Aeon mall at Bt Indah which is more vibrant

[@ahmadzabidiahmadzanzalli9341]

live wëll dude(¬_¬)

[@kunang_kunang7779]

Are the noisy cars local's or Singaporeans'.

[@KenshoQuest]

We are pretty sure they are local kids just having fun 🤪

[@sarasardar8838]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnKpYoOKadSkf7c Thank you for watching this video. If this is your first time watching please don't forget to subscribe... Thank you very much🌷🌷🌷