This could become an ongoing series of its own after my Money Advise to Malaysians.
Since there will be no shortage of Malaysians coming to Singapore for career advancements, I would be more than glad to provide a well-rounded approach to advice on accommodation planning.
I will be honest upfront – there is no right or wrong. There is only whichever that suits each and every one of us.
Let’s just start with the most obvious question on the top of everyone’s minds:
Would Commuting from Malaysia Save You Money?
In a nutshell, yes. If you are pulling in starting pay of SGD 3,000 per month, a monthly expense of RM 5,000 could see you potentially saving up almost half of your monthly pay!
If financials play the biggest factor in making your decision, it is highly likely that you will opt to commute daily from JB to SG.
Commuting could be a hassle as there are hundreds or probably thousands of Malaysians doing it daily. As someone who values and appreciate sleep, the thought of queueing up to pass the customs gantry at 6 am in the morning gives me nightmares.
But I guess by car-pooling or renting specific taxis for cross-border crossing, for most parts of the journey you could still continue an hour or 2 worth of sleep before you arrive at your workplace.
Apart from the quality of sleep and potential sleep deprivation, commuting daily has its perks. For the most part of your life, your living expenses are still back in Malaysia.
Groceries, meals, and shopping would still be done over in Malaysia. You only spend Sing dollar for your office lunches.
Those who opt to pack their lunch from home, you are the real MVP. This move successfully curtails any potential spending in Singapore.
The biggest savings, of course, would be on rentals, since the rents over here for even a room, can comfortably service the mortgage for a Johor house.
Why bother renting a place in Singapore?
You might think that due to the simple currency disparity in terms of expenses, it is a no-brainer to save more by opting to commute daily.
Well, that is one side of the coin.
There are other aspects that Malaysians opting to rent in Singapore benefit from.
Better sleep, better mental health, and experiencing Singapore as it is are some of the intangible strengths.
One tangible advantage that is often overlooked is, however, time.
Money vs Time Cost
Malaysians who opt to commute daily might be saving in terms of monetary, but the time spent daily to come in and out of Singapore could easily take up more than 20% of their 24 hours (assuming 2.5 hours just for coming in and another 2.5 hours going out).
Given the fact that we already spend 25% of our time on sleep, and 30% on work, the 5 hours of commuting in and out daily would mean that half of your personal time is gone. The only free time you have would be on the weekends.
Time when well utilized, can help enable a lot of potential. Spent on doing gigs brings in additional income. Spent on upgrading and upskilling yourself opens up future and better job opportunities.
Although not everyone who rents in Singapore spends their time wisely, it is an asset and advantage we hold over those who commute daily.
Which is better for you?
It really boils down to what you appreciate and treasure in life.
Is it the upfront financial savings, or time to embark on self-learning or working a lucrative 2nd job with a good side income?
I daresay that for Malaysians working in Singapore, even with the wide spectrum of monthly pay, it is still possible to opt for either choice.
Even if you are working in the long-hours manufacturing sector, or working in a 9-6 office job, finding a suitable accommodation in Singapore that suits your budget is not impossible.
Choose renting if…
Sleep and time is more valuable to you.
Although expenses will likely be more since necessary expenses will be denominated in SGD, that does not mean we automatically lose out to those who opt to travel in and out daily.
Time is on our side, and we should learn to make full use of it.
Choose commute between SG and JB if…
For those who commute in and out daily, don’t get me wrong, you are indeed living the best of both worlds. The quality of life that you get to enjoy upfront and even for a long period of time is something that a Malaysian opting to rent in Singapore would not enjoy.
It takes strength, determination, and sacrifice that I somehow lack to enjoy the best of both worlds at the same time.
Perhaps this is why some Malaysians are stuck in Singapore in their prime years?
Food for thought!
Such arrangements are not permanent nor forever!
Although it is hard to switch over once you have chosen to either the daily commute or renting in Singapore, remember that this arrangement can change as time goes by.
I have a friend who has been working and renting in Singapore, but due to the rising rents and that he recently bought a house in JB for his aging mum, he sees it as filial piety and wants to spend more time with her. Commuting daily, helps him exercise his filial piety and also save on the Singapore rents, which is a win-win no-brainer decision for him.
High-flying Malaysians may eventually enough disposable income to bring their entire family over to live in Singapore, even if it is to rent the entire unit. Financials aside, the happiness ‘bought’ from your choices in life will priceless. It’s up to you to decide which is more important for you.
The safety and convenience of living in Singapore are somehow overlooked and taken for granted. It is possible for your kids to go around with their daily schedule, be it school or activities via the convenient public transport. Compared to Malaysia, there would be a need for transport arrangements.
No matter what it is, do know that both choices have their pros and cons, and we would never know when we will be given the tough choice of relooking into this crossroad.
I for one would definitely dread waking up early just to cross the borders, while those who have been doing it daily would freak out at the current rental cost of staying in Singapore.
But hey, that is life. Appreciating the pros and cons of both choices could somehow help us all make easier decisions should the time arises.
I rather commute to and fro JB/SG Even though is a hassle.I feel relaxation and happy to stay at JB.After a hard day in SG the refreshing surrounding make at ease
If given the choice, I think many Malaysians working over here would want to stay at JB. Just many of us find the time, effort and sacrifice a bit too far-fetched.
Kudos to you for enjoying the best of both worlds!
Staying in SG it’s just like putting yourself in a supper difficult situation .
1st if you r a Malaysian ur rental flies sky high.
2nd always can hear ” you all come here bring back times 3… own banglo bla bla bla atleast once or twice a week.
3rd the most favorite dialog > Go back to your country.
4th nobody ever highlight how much bad Malaysian are get treated in SG immigration especially motorcyclist.
Despite everything , anything , it’s always better to come back home rather than staying in a place where we are always kena disrespected.
Neither choices are easy. Both have their pros and cons.
I think if commutting time is 1 hour door to door, many would choose to stay in Johore.
Mix with better quality people. Those said like what you mentioned above are low class people, therefore keep far fron them. You have choice.
Do you take your children education and social wellbeing into considerations if you choice to stay in JB? How about their future career choices once they go into job market?
I think there are 2 sides to a coin when coming into this.
Letting your children enrolled in the Singapore education is a straighforward decision. Meritocracy will dictate his/her education trajectory.
However in order to do so, most likely the parent/s would need to convert to SG citizen.
Converting into citizenship or not plays a factor into the retirement grand scheme of things for Malaysians working in Singapore as well.
The other side of the coin is this- most Malaysians currently working in Singapore, be it white or blue collar, have humble beginnings even for our tertiary education.
There is a “if I can do it with my Malaysian Uni degree, so can my offsprings”. This might hold true still, but not necessarily in the future, as per your concerns.
The many conundrums of a Malaysian working in Singapore…