Scratcher

I lived in Malaysia in 2001/2, both in KL and then Penang, so I am fairly familiar with this part of the world...but, I am considering a job offer near to Johor Bahru (Tanjung) and would appreciate any up to date information regarding living costs.

What is a typical monthly rent for a small villa (2 beds) furnished with a secure garden?
What is a typical monthly car hire? Nothing fancy - your run of the mill proton or equivalent.
Where (apart from Johor Bahru) should I consider to live?

Any pointers would be appreciated.

Regards,
Scratcher

evop

It depends what you mean by "secure garden" - if you want gated and guarded community (which nearly all expats do) I would guess 2,500 MYR and up (US$850). It is much easier to find places in the 4,000+ MYR range. Cheaper, if not gated and guarded but...

Finding a small gated and guarded place will be hard. Mainly they are 3,4,5... bedrooms. Prices on the web are also probably inflated, there is more supply than demand for rentals - especially condos. And much more supply is heading our way without much reason to expect a boost in short term demand - not nearly as many high paying jobs being added and the number of high cost houses being added.

http://www.iproperty.com.my/property...&au=&sby=&ns=1

has lots of examples

Lots of investment buying without current renters or plans to occupy the houses by buyers. So renters should be in the drivers seat but the whole rental market is very inefficient so it is hard to get things done (compared to more mature markets) - lots of stuff just seems to sit vacant.

Scratcher

evop, thanks for the reply.

By secure I did not mean a gated compound. I only meant with a wall or fence.

Thanks for the link and the information. I will have a look at the properties listed.

Scratcher

ex reg

Be aware that JB is considered the least 'secure' of anywhere in Malaysia certainly by nervous Singaporeans.
We usually will take public transport if we go to JB for food or shopping rather than leave the car parked anywhere, street of multi story car park.

I lived in JB back in 1990 and consider it a much more insecure place than it used to be then.

Car jackings, kidknappings burglaries etc just causing damage to cars are all reported in the Singapore meeja regularly.
Not saying the %age of incidents is high but if you are unlucky enough to be involved then ...
Just a heads up I suppose.

The Nusajaya area is much more secure than JB itself.

BTW where is Johor Bahru (Tanjung)???

Scratcher

ex reg, Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately I have already witnessed some street crimes when I first worked in Malaysia, but have never been a victim myself.

After further research the project is located on the western shore of the estuary near to the second crossing. This is probably 1 hour to Johor, so too far to commute each day.

Scratcher

ex reg

So Tanjung Pelepas port area???
Nusajaya would suit you much better than JB.
South of the second crossing, where Tanjung Pelepas is situated is real;l;y without any accommodation but just north of the second crossing has loads, all types and prices.
Kukup would have some houses available for rent perhaps but Nusa Jaya would be my area of choice.

Scratcher

I would be the other side of the river from Tanjung Pelepas. On google maps it looks like there is nothing there!!

bakedbean

Sounds like you need a boat, Scratcher