28/09/2025

ON SUNDAY September 28, 2025 theSunday Special V

Johor Bahru: Singapore’s next door neighbour Rent J % R̆ HUV D ZLGH UDQJH RI UHQWDO RSWLRQV A studio near the CIQ complex or Bukit Indah costs between RM1,200 and RM1,800. Cheaper units are available in Skudai or Taman Molek. Budget tip: Living further out saves money, EXW WUDɤF LQWR WRZQ FDQ EH EUXWDO Transportation Public transport is limited. Most residents drive. Petrol is cheap, but tolls and car maintenance add up. The budget is likely between RM600 and RM800 monthly. Food J %¶V IRRG VFHQH LV YLEUDQW DQG D̆ RUGDEOH Hawker meals cost RM7 to RM10, while cafés run RM20 to RM30. Monthly food costs are roughly RM700 to RM900. Lifestyle & other costs Being next to Singapore is tempting, but regular cross-border trips can quickly blow your budget. Keep them occasional to stay on track. JB RM5,000 monthly breakdown (single person):

Penang: Modest island living Rent Penang’s rental market is kinder. A fully furnished apartment in Bayan Lepas or Gelugor goes for between RM1,000 and RM1,500. Even a small condo with a sea view in Tanjung Tokong might be around RM1,800. Budget tip: Stay inland or near USM for cheaper rates. Renting a room can go as low as RM600. Transportation Public transport is improving, but most still drive. Car owners should budget between RM500 and RM700 monthly for petrol, tolls and parking. Without a car, RM200 to RM300 for Grab and buses is enough. Food Penang’s street food makes daily eat LQJ RXW D̆ RUGDEOH

S ŊľããŊϰöĢĢßϰÙŏēŊŏľãϰ ĐããĻłϰēÿŢÿě÷ϰÙĢłŊłϰ lower, with meals starting at just RM5–RM10.

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SUSTAINABILITY is no longer confined to policy documents or corporate pledges. In creasingly, it is shaping the way Malaysians experience everyday life in the city. From transport to housing, the shift towards greener choices is becoming visible and practical. One of the most noticeable changes is the rise of electric vehicle (EV) charging hubs, now a common sight in shopping malls, office towers and even residential complexes. While EVs remain expensive for most households, the growing infra structure signals a push towards cleaner mobility in the long run. Waste management is also being reimagined. Recycling apps and collec tion services are making it easier for Where does RM5,000 go the furthest? If you’re earning RM5,000 a month and ZDQW D GHFHQW TXDOLW\ RI OLIH 3HQDQJ R̆ HUV the best value among the three. Racheal wasn’t just being cheeky, her hometown really does stretch your ringgit further. K / R̆ HUV EHWWHU MRE RSSRUWXQLWLHV DQG infrastructure, but rent and lifestyle costs make it harder to manage. Johor Bahru is D PLGGOH JURXQG ± UHODWLYHO\ D̆ RUGDEOH but with logistical challenges and the lure Green shifts in city living

of Singapore’s pull. Final thoughts

Rent (room share) 1,300 Transport 700 Food 800 Groceries 300 Lifestyle & others 600 Savings 300 Total 5,000

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Racheal’s story highlighted how absurd and creative things can get when young professionals try to make ends meet in Malaysia’s cities. W KHWKHU \RX¶UH À\LQJ WR ZRUN VKDULQJ D ÀDW RU FRRNLQJ DW KRPH GDLO\ OLYLQJ RQ 50 LV SRVVLEOH EXW LW WDNHV H̆ RUW wise choices and sometimes a bit of hustle.

Rent (room share) 1,200 Transport 400 Food 700 Groceries 300 Lifestyle & others 600 Savings 800 Total 5,000

Verdict: Livable with discipline. RM5,000 can go far in JB, especially if you avoid unnecessary Singapore splurges.

Verdict: Comfortable. With thoughtful planning, RM5,000 lets you live decently with room for savings or even frequent ÀLJKWV WR ./ LI \RX¶UH 5DFKHDO

Rental options in Johor Bahru are varied, öľĢęϰØŏß÷ãŊϰŽ¾ŊłϰŊĢϰüÿ÷üϒľÿłãϰÙĢěßĢłϰěã¾ľϰ the Causeway.

households to sort and dispose of plastics, paper and e-waste responsibly. These tools, coupled with community-driven recycling drives, reflect a broader culture of accountability among city residents. In housing, developers are integrating rooftop gardens and solar-ready designs into new projects. Green roofs not only provide shared spaces for residents but also help reduce heat in dense urban areas. At the same time, government incentives for solar panels are encouraging homeowners to generate their own clean energy. These shifts may appear modest, but together they signal an important transi tion: City living that balances convenience with long-term environmental resilience.