Bocat

Hi folks

My family has been living in Singapore for 3 years. We're pretty set on settling in Asia but property prices in Singapore are just ridiculous.

We visited some friends in Nusajaya today and we're now giving serious consideration to whether moving there, and my hubby continuing to work in Singapore, could be an option.

Just a few of the questions that have popped into my head so far (I'm sure there will be many many more!) Any answers/advice would be greatly appreciated.

1. Schools - we have two kids aged 7 and 4. They are both in local schools in Singapore (P1 and N2). What are the options for schooling in the Nusajaya area?

2. Any particular developments that you'd recommend? The friends we visited live in Ledang Heights. Their house was lovely but I feel it would be too isolated for us. I'm a sociable bunny and I need other people around me! Its also important for us to have somewhere the kids can go out and play with other children.

3. Safety - I can't deny I feel very safe living in Singapore and it's one of the things I like about living here. I don't know much about the general safety in Malaysia/JB as all you ever hear are the negatives. Any comments on this?

4. Shopping - are there supermarkets/shopping centres close to Nusajaya?

5. General cost of living. With the way things are going in the UK just now - I'm starting to find things in Singapore are not as expensive as I once thought (apart from cars and property!) How does the cost of living in Malaysia compare?

6. Medical - is this similar to Singapore where you have to have your own medical insurance? My hubby's company don't cover any of this sort of stuff (he gets his salary and that's it). Any recommendations for medical cover?

I think that's probably enough for me to ask of you all to begin with. I'll probably be back with more

Thanks in advance for any help/advice. I've had a look through the discussion board tonight and you all seem very friendly and helpful

dreadsoc

Hi Bocat

Just popped over to this forum and saw your post.
Unfortnately I can't answer you questions as I am normally found lurking in the Goa forum, however I just wanted to say welcome to BE.

I am sure that Baked bean who is a Malaysia dweller will soon be along to assist you with information and answer all your questions

Regards
Dread - x

Kooky.

Can't help you out with Nusajaya but as somebody who used to live in Singapore and has been known to use the forum nickname Bocat, I thought I should say hello

Bocat

Hi Dread & Seasider

Thanks for the welcome! Such a friendly forum!

Seasider - I thought I was unique! I used to have a cat called Bo - hence the name

Kooky.

Bo says Hi. She's a drain cat - pictured here at our old house in Geylang.

exhale

Hi Bocat,

We've been living in Nusajaya now for 3 years. We lived in Singapore for 6 years before that. We live in Leisure Farm but are building our dream villa in Ledang Heights, and 5 other projects in the area. Happy to help via e-mail/phone. We are extremely happy with the move. I've answered your questions below and you may also want to check out a recent article in EXPAT Living magazine which covers a lot of these questions and more.

http://www.expatliving.sg/article/pr...ya-august-2011

Cheers,

David

1. Schools - we have two kids aged 7 and 4. They are both in local schools in Singapore (P1 and N2). What are the options for schooling in the Nusajaya area? Our kids are the same age as yours and will be going there...

Marlborough College (from the UK - Kate Middleton attended there) is setting up an amazing school, 5 minutes from Ledang Heights. It's a 90 acre campus and opens August 2012. They are having an opend day next Saturday and I would encourage you to check it out.

2. Any particular developments that you'd recommend? The friends we visited live in Ledang Heights. Their house was lovely but I feel it would be too isolated for us. I'm a sociable bunny and I need other people around me! Its also important for us to have somewhere the kids can go out and play with other children.

It's a personal choice. I'd go for Ledang Heights or Leisure Farm if you want to build your own home. They have the largest plots and freehold land. Everywhere else requires that you buy off plan, and homes are smaller. There is quite a community out here and I'm not left bored on weekends and weekday nights! However, we are still close to many of our friends in Singapore and travel into town some evenings just as before.

3. Safety - I can't deny I feel very safe living in Singapore and it's one of the things I like about living here. I don't know much about the general safety in Malaysia/JB as all you ever hear are the negatives. Any comments on this?

I feel as safe (or more safe) here as I did in Toronto, or most any other major city in the world.

4. Shopping - are there supermarkets/shopping centres close to Nusajaya?

It's not Orchard Road but there are plenty of places to shop down the road at Jusco/Aeon Bukit Indah. There is also a new retail factory outlet going up. For serious brand name shopping I still commute into Singapore.

5. General cost of living. With the way things are going in the UK just now - I'm starting to find things in Singapore are not as expensive as I once thought (apart from cars and property!) How does the cost of living in Malaysia compare?

You can build a dream villa on your condo budget.
You can get a Malaysian car and drive it into Singapore ONLY if you are not PR.
Marlborough Tuition is on par with Singapore private schools, however the facilities are much more expansive.
For everything else, I would guess staples are about 20% less. Restaurants can be a lot cheaper, bust still good. Labour (this includes landscapers, mechanics, repairmen and even doctors) are CONSIDERABLY cheaper than in Singapore.

6. Medical - is this similar to Singapore where you have to have your own medical insurance? My hubby's company don't cover any of this sort of stuff (he gets his salary and that's it). Any recommendations for medical cover?

Medi save from CPF (if you are PR) can be used at Glen Eagles Nusajaya that is being built. The also have Columbia Hospital which is really good. You still need to have medical insurance, but I didn't need to make any changes to mine to move over to Malaysia.

bakedbean

One thing for sure, Malaysia is way way cheaper than Singapore. Take a look through other threads on here. Someone else recently proposed doing what you're planning . Maybe you can compare notes. I also know someone living in nusajaya. I'm traveling at moment but I'll send you a link when I get back in a couple o days. Try and do a couple more posts then i can PM you

exhale

Hi Bocat,

I just sent a pretty detailed response with some links that might help you. I've lived in Nusajaya for 3 years. The response is pending an approval from the Administrator, perhaps because of the links. Feel free to send me a private message and I can help you out.

Cheers,

David

Bocat

Aww she's beautiful. Our Bo was black and white. Unfortunately now that I'm cat-free I have to admit that I am actually allergic! No more using my inhaler and taking antihistamine every day. I miss having a moggy though

Bocat

David and Bakedbean - thanks for your replies. Hope yours comes through soon David and Bakedbean - appreciate any advice you can give - but I'll have a look through the older posts in the meantime.

Just back from a day at the zoo so going to collapse on the couch first...

Kooky.

Oh I have one of those too - he's called Fu. And a ginge called Han. All Sg rescues.

Sorry, I'm not helping much with Nusajaya am I? If you ever want to know anything about Sydney, I'm here.

Bocat

Thanks Exhale (David) for all the guidance and info. I'm sure I'll be back with more and if you don't mind me sending you a PM I'll do that rather than bore everyone with all my questions!

I don't think building our own place is on our radar for the moment. I'd just be happy to move to a house, with a garden, and somewhere where my kids can go out to play and meet other children. I'm an easy to please soul really

exhale

Happy to help! Feel free to PM me. Cheers.

bakedbean

Great info exhale

Harlow Lad

This is the same route we going to go, live in Nasujaya & work in Singapore.