Moving to Johor Bahru may seem like a way to escape Singapore\u2019s high cost of living<\/a>, but one family has found themselves spending even more after relocating across the border.<\/p>\n For Noor Sobri Mohamed Noor, 37, his family\u2019s monthly expenses<\/a> have risen by about 10 to 20 per cent since they moved to Johor in 2022.<\/p>\n Yet he has no regrets.<\/p>\n According to Berita Minggu, Sobri, who lives in Iskandar Puteri with his wife and five children<\/a>, said the higher costs largely come from international school fees<\/a>, which can reach RM3,000 ($940) per child.<\/p>\n \u201cFinancially, our expenses are a little high because of international school fees.<\/p>\n \u201cBut in terms of the value of life, we can live in a big house<\/a> in a gated and guarded estate, which is a big difference compared to in Singapore,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Sobri did not always enjoy living in Johor. Growing up, his parents had chosen to settle in Johor Bahru<\/a>, even though the family were Singaporeans.<\/p>\n He recalled having to wake up as early as 5am every day to travel from home to his school in Singapore.<\/p>\n When he turned 18 and became eligible for National Service (NS), he \u2018returned\u2019 to Singapore.<\/p>\n But almost two decades later, Sobri found himself moving back to the very place he once disliked, and raising a family there.<\/p>\n \u201cAs I grew up, I started to see Johor through a different lens,\u201d said the founder of Lufts Barber.<\/p>\n He wanted his five children, aged five to 13, to enjoy a more relaxed and well-rounded education, along with a larger living space.<\/p>\n All five now attend an international school in Tebrau.<\/p>\n Sobri said his children previously struggled with the pace of Singapore\u2019s curriculum, with his eldest son\u2019s mathematics grades declining.<\/p>\n After transferring to the international school, however, his son began enjoying his lessons more and achieved excellent results without needing regular tuition.<\/p>\n Nur Syafiqah Abdul Rahman, a PropNex real estate agent who moved to Johor in 2023, shared a similar experience.<\/p>\n Her eight-year-old daughter attends Marlborough College Malaysia, where Syafiqah has seen improvements in her studies.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are parents who choose international schools in Johor because they want their children to develop holistically through educational activities.<\/p>\n \u201cThey get to visit natural spaces, practise drama, public speaking and sports<\/a> that are integrated directly into school hours, without the pressure of the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE)<\/a>,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n PHOTOS: COURTESY OF NUR SYAFIQAH ABDUL RAHMAN, ST PHOTO<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n National University of Singapore economist Dr Timothy Wong said education remains a key consideration for Singaporean families thinking about relocating to Johor.<\/p>\n \u201cEducation remains a priority for Singaporean families. Despite having to face the hassle of travelling back and forth across borders, they will not compromise on the quality of their children\u2019s education<\/a>,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n As co-founder of relocation consultancy MoveToMalaysia, Syafiqah has seen an uptick in enquiries from Singaporeans considering life across the Causeway.<\/p>\n She now receives up to 10 enquiries a month, compared with just two to three two years ago.<\/p>\n A free webinar session organised by her team also attracted more than 100 participants, while an in-person event scheduled for Oct 31 has received over 300 initial registrations, with an expected turnout of up to 700 visitors.<\/p>\n However, Syafiqah cautioned that more enquiries do not necessarily translate into immediate relocations.<\/p>\n Syafiqah takes interested groups to visit suitable properties in Johor before they decide to rent.<\/p>\n PHOTO: COURTESY OF NUR SYAFIQAH ABDUL RAHMAN<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n So far, she has helped about five families move to Johor, with the shortest process taking six months.<\/p>\n The process involves extensive financial planning, registering for schools, as well as having the proper documentation when handling immigration matters.<\/p>\n She advised Singaporean families to rent a home first to assess the suitability of living in Johor \u2014 including the challenges of commuting across the border \u2014 before making a commitment to purchase property there.<\/p>\n The Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, scheduled to begin operations in February 2027, is expected to make cross-border travel more convenient.<\/p>\n Although Johor offers larger homes at comparatively lower prices, demand is also driving up rents in areas popular with Singaporeans.<\/p>\n Syafiqah cited East Ledang and Eco Botanic as examples.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I first started renting a semi-detached house here, the price was around RM5,800.<\/p>\n \u201cNow the same unit can reach RM9,000 per month. In terms of the rental market alone, we have seen how high the demand is,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Beyond housing and education, Johor is also attracting Singaporean businesses looking to expand their businesses<\/a>.<\/p>\n Commercial property agent and MoveToMalaysia co-founder Shamir Wahid said major corporate investments could create opportunities for smaller businesses, as new companies bring in workers, suppliers and their families.<\/p>\n These opportunities include tuition centres, enrichment programmes, restaurants, fitness centres and professional services.<\/p>\n \u201cIn my opinion, one of the biggest opportunities is the ecosystem that is forming. When a large company establishes a foothold in an area, other businesses tend to spring up around it,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n For Studio Five Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Rayden Yuzz, 40, expanding into Johor has been part of his company\u2019s strategy for a decade.<\/p>\n The creative media company opened its first office in Johor Bahru in 2016 to tap Malaysia\u2019s creative talent pool while benefiting from its proximity to Singapore and lower labour costs.<\/p>\n \u201cFor us, operating in Singapore and Johor is not just about managing costs, but leveraging the best of both cities.<\/p>\n \u201cThe combination of Singapore\u2019s strategic business environment with Malaysia\u2019s diverse creative talent gives us a unique competitive advantage, thus enabling us to offer better services to customers,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, 34-year-old Roslee Tay, founded the Football Code Academy (FCA) in Iskandar Puteri in January 2026 after identifying demand for structured football training for children.<\/p>\n The academy has since served more than 90 families, with players representing over 14 nationalities, including Singapore.<\/p>\n Roslee said Johor\u2019s proximity to Singapore allowed the academy to attract families from both countries while taking advantage of training facilities and more flexible schedules.<\/p>\n Roslee (right) during a football training session at the Football Code Academy in Iskandar Puteri, Johor.<\/p>\n PHOTO: COURTESY OF ROSLEE TAY<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n \u201cFor us, Johor is not just a cheaper alternative to Singapore. We see it as a market with its own potential and identity, where we can build FCA for the long term,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Shamir believes the two cities can complement each other rather than compete.<\/p>\n Singapore, he said, remains attractive for headquarters, finance and other high-value business functions, while Johor offers more space, a different cost structure and access to Malaysia\u2019s workforce.<\/p>\n Shamir feels that with more large investments entering Johor, opportunities for SMEs in both cities will become increasingly attractive.<\/p>\n \u201cBig companies may make up the first wave,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cBusinesses that provide services to their employees, families, suppliers and communities may be next.\u201d<\/p>\n Have something to say? Join in!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Explore more on these topics<\/p>\n<\/div>\n See something interesting? Contribute<\/a> your story to us.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/div>\nFrom dreading life in JB to moving his own family there<\/h2>\n
Parents seek more holistic education for children<\/h2>\n
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More Singaporeans open to moving<\/h2>\n
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Higher property demand and better business prospects<\/h2>\n
More business opportunities across the Causeway<\/h2>\n
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