No way that Singaporeans / Malaysians in Singapore staying in Iskandar.

A friend told me the other day that I am wrong about my expectations that Singaporeans or even Malaysians working in Singapore buying homes in Iskandar just because a few more bridges are built. Even if it’s 30 minutes, it’s too much effort. Huh? I just came back from Singapore and from my office there to the airport, it would have taken me easily 52 minutes! That’s just within ONE country. I did not see everyone crowding into the central districts. Do you know why? Please go and check the prices of even the HDB flats for these areas which are next to or nearby the Central Business Districts. Then, you would get my idea WHY if the new bridges allow these people to travel comfortably within half and hour and a total of 45 minutes, end to end, it will be a catalyst for the move to happen.
Besides that, a colleague told me the other day that while MRT is very convenient but if given a choice, majority of everyone would have preferred to drive. Come on, let’s be realistic, with a car it fear no rain nor shine. With a car, it does not need to follow any specific schedule and even direction. There is no need to change stations or even take the bus for some areas. With a car, a family with babies would not struggle to do their shopping, with trolley, baby bags and shopping bags. I love taking the MRT when I am in Singapore but if I am there with my family, I can already imagine how troublesome it would be for a family of four like me.
Yes, it is true. I can own a car in Malaysia and it would be too expensive to drive into Singapore but a Preve in Singapore costs a bomb while a Preve in Malaysia starts from RM55,000. How much is Preve in Singapore? Read here: Proton Preve RM509,605, SGD appreciation and transportation costs. If I work in Singapore and earns only a combined S$10,000 household income, I can easily pay for a gated and guarded landed home in Iskandar or one of the better and bigger condos too. I would park my car in Iskandar and drive them during the weekends. It’s expensive to pay every month and drive just 8-10 days per month? Haha. FYI, renting a car for 8-10 days a month is definitely more expensive than paying for a car on a monthly basis. Go figure.
If you are a Singaporean or a Malaysian working in Singapore and you disagree, sure, I will accept your argument, no matter what it is. Everyone should have their preference, whether it’s staying in a flat nearby a good public school within Singapore or a condo nearby an international school within a good area inside Iskandar. Happy choosing whatever. As for my friend, I hope he enjoys his MRT rides like me when I travel to Singapore, alone.
written on 5 June 2015
next suggested article: 12 international schools just within iskandar?