It is no secret that Johor is experiencing major change, blossoming from an industrial centre with refineries and factories to become Malaysia’s southern jewel. Thanks to the Iskandar Malaysia initiative, Johor is slowly being fitted with world-class infrastructure, state-of-the-art facilities and amazing property developments that when combined, provide the perfect environment for communities to live, work and play.
Popular amongst Singaporeans, Johor is a favourite escape to relax, shop and dine; taking advantage of the strong Singapore dollar and finding relief from the struggle of living in Asia’s sixth most expensive city. So much so that many Singaporeans have chosen to make Johor their home. Afterall, all one needs to do is cross the 1km Causeway with a valid passport. But of course, that is no secret either.
What is interesting, however, is the interest out-of-state Malaysians are taking to Johor as well. This has much to do with the many access points into Johor that are being developed, making it easier for locals and foreigners alike to flock to the state.
With these infrastructures in place, Johor continues to see a steady population increase in several property developments along these routes. These in turn have made an impact on property prices. Mah Sing Group is one of many developers who have seen their property developments such as Sri Pulai Perdana 2 and Austin Perdana increase by 12% to 15% over a period of five years. Sri Pulai Perdana 1, a terrace housing development on the other hand, has seen a staggering 79% increase over a seven-year period.
Zone B: Nusajaya & Medini
A new lease of life has just been given to what was once the Johor Bahru West Coast Parkway. Now called the Iskandar Coastal Highway, the six-lane highway links Danga Bay to the Johor State New Administrative Centre (JSNAC) in Bandar Nusajaya boosting the economy of west Johor Bahru and making it easier to travel from JB town to the west.
Nusajaya is on its way to become the new economic growth centre within the resource-rich state of Johor with UEM Land taking the helm as master developer across the 24,000 acre land. Among the notable developments underway in Nusajaya is Horizon Hills, a RM3.1 billion low-density development with a private 18-hole golf course has proved popular by investors in Korea, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Australia, Japan, UK and more.
A short 10km drive from JSNAC lies another property development reaping the rewards of a great strategic location. Investors from Singapore are eyeing Taman Mutiara Mas for its lush greenery and access to established townships, universities and proximity to the Tuas and Woodland checkpoints. Built between the 2nd Link Expresway and Johor Bahru city, its residents are in an enviable location as it is located right in between zones A, B and E; a short drive to all three areas.
Zone A: Johor Bahru CityNew highway links have also taken away the hassel of travel and traffic, enabling residents to get in and out of their homes and to work easily and without fuss, thus instantly increasing the appeal of a of a once congested area. Take the Pasir Gudang Highway for example. It is one of Johor’s main arteries and regularly sees cargo trucks passing through its cramped 4-lane highway. With a new link to Jalan Tampoi and a RM150 million plan to increase the lanes to six, travellers will be breathing a sigh of relief and residents of the new Jentayu Residensi at Tampoi will rejoice.
With the new Jalan Tampoi link in place and the lane expansion set to be completed in 2012, travelling time to both the North-South Highway and the Causeway will be dramatically cut, just in time for the 2013 completion of Jentayu Residensi. This mixed retail and residential development will soon see a surge in amenities in its surrounds, expecting a surge in population at this exclusive address as well.
Southkey will also be reaping the rewards of the highway upgrade when it is completed in 2014. This unique mixed development township in the heart of Johor Bahru sits comfortably along Jalan Tebrau, the new Eastern Dispersal Link (EDL) and the proposed LRT line. Easily accessible by LRT and major roads, retail outlets there can expect healthy business and property owners can expect a rise in property prices.
Zone E: Senai - Skudai
Johor’s industrial area gazette with free zone status. Current key economic activities are its airport services, engineering, electrical and electronics (E&E) and education. Going forward, Flagship E would also be the hub for agro and food processing, ICT and retail tourism.
Located at the northern region of Iskandar Malaysia, this industrial zone is best positioned to take advantage of new and existing infrastructure with the airport just around the corner and multiple highways such as the Senai-Desaru Expressway, North-South Highway and the 2nd Link Expressway right at its doorstep.
Daiman Prime Factories within Taman Perindustrian Murni Senai is one of such properties enjoying access advantage. Only 5km away from the Senai International Airport, goods are easily sent for export with the Senai Cargo Hub nearby.
Set to be a hit with Singaporeans and locals alike is the soon-to-be-completed Johor Premium Outlets. Nobody can resist a 175,000 sqft space of goods by over 80 leading designers at factory outlet prices. With multiple highways from the north and south making its way to zone E, one can be sure of the area’s popularity.
