Warning for those considering Living in JB
You can read about my story going from SG to living in JB first if you are curious about my decision.
It may sound like a fairy tale where anyone and everyone can live better in JB and save money in the process. But I want to caution you that not everyone is suitable for the move.
In fact for some people they may be worse off than staying put in SG.
Who are NOT suitable?
For starters, those who have to be present at a physical workplace like scientists for example. Or, those who have to meet clients face to face like doctors, real estate agents, masseurs, fitness instructors.
The reason is because the peak hour traffic going into SG is horrendous. And the return journey is just as challenging. This applies whether you drive a motorbike, a car or use public transport. Just take a look at how bad the situation can be.
Overtime, they take a toll on your mental health and physical well-being. And that defeats the purpose of living in JB in the first place. And that is to live better AND save money at the same time.
Some of you may be thinking that the upcoming RTS may solve congestion problems. Whilst the construction is on-going, we are still quite a ways off at the time of writing. Why don’t you wait until that day comes into fruition first? I will definitely provide an update here to see if the travel is much smoother!
And I am not done yet! Families with school going kids are also not suitable as the kids have to get to school on time every school day. And when everyone waits for each other before they are done with the day to head home, you can be sure this will be late. And when that happens, sleep will have to be shorter than desirable.
This also extends to those with pets such as dogs.
How do I know people with these profiles are not suitable? I see it with my own eyes, how many of friends and neighbors pack up in exasperation, giving up on the idea.
The consequences
For people who decide to return back to SG for good, you’ll have to suffer the repatriation costs. These include the breaking of rental leases, moving, etc. For those people who bought homes, they have to be let go.
Since there are endless supply of JB properties, many transactions end up as a loss. And it becomes more complex when marriages break apart. So who should shoulder the losses? 50-50?
What if these properties cannot find buyers? Then they end up deteriorating from the weather and un-use further decimating the sale price.
What about those who end up taking a toil on their health from the stress and pollution they have to tolerate on their journey to and from SG to JB? I have a friend who suffered a fall as he missed his step trying to squeeze into a bus. That resulted in a broken ankle leaving him unfit to make further daily journeys.
Not to forget, the heightened risk of road traffic accidents that arise from the daily long queues. From fender benders with minor scrapes if they are lucky to deaths devastating the family left behind.
Who should consider living in JB then?!
I know I sound like a wet blanket. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. If you truly want to earn SGD or other stronger currencies but still live in JB, then consider the profile of those who are suitable for this move. More importantly, aim to transit into these kind of profiles!
Indeed, those who can station themselves in JB majority of the time reap the biggest benefits of living in JB. This includes professionals who are able to work from home mostly to retirees. This also includes professionals who have to work in Singapore but in odd hours before or after traffic congestion occurs such as graveyard shift nurses or tutors. In addition, those whose children are staying with their grandparents and either the children comes in once in a while or the parents head out.
Interestingly, some partners will have separate arrangements where one is in SG and visits JB from time to time whilst the other stays in JB full time working from home.
This is because, even though they will make their way back into Singapore occasionally, they do so during off peak hours. As such, expenditure is predominantly in MYR translating to more savings.
Bottomline
The shift into living in JB is not going to be a bed of roses. In fact it is definitely not advisable for some. For the others who can take advantage of the currency arbitrage, the ability to live better AND save money makes it all worth while.
And I join the ranks of many living this way at the beginning of 2020. In the near future, I will share more of my journey as well as lessons learnt along the way so as to help you decide or make the transition smoother.
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