These past few weeks had been extremely intense for me, what with work, taking over from Ai, the Sabah situation and of course facing up to the CTs trying to intimidate me with their bullying ways. Heh .. you can only try CTs.
The situation in Sabah seems to have eased off a bit, although I'm sure that our guys out there are still in grave danger, and they are still in my prayers. Work has been easing off too, with the bulk of my more time-consuming workload delegated to the rest of the team, so I have more time to do the less urgent but more important things that I have been putting off.
However, I'm taking it easy this weekend. Being intense can be exhausting, so I am just going to chill this weekend and do things that I had been putting off for weeks now.
I am thinking of going to JPO tomorrow, though, for a bit of retail therapy. The last time I was there, I only managed to get myself a pair of Skechers running shoes and a pair of Clarks oxfords for work. I am not sure what I will find tomorrow, but I am in search of a good bag that looks feminine but will fit my laptop, tablets, hard disks, cables, chargers, my med-kit and other work essentials, to replace my tatty Targus.
I like having all the mid-range brands in one place so I don't have to walk miles just to get a few things. Most of the stuff at JPO are things that I can afford, quality stuff that I don't have to save months for, but are great for daily use and last for a long time. The crowd that I saw the last time I was there was a good mix of locals and out-of-towners. It provides a different shopping experience for middle-income Johoreans and will be a plus point in attracting more professionals to reside and work in Johor.
Personally, I think JPO is a good addition to southern Johor. Besides being another tourism attraction for shoppers, I think JPO is a reflection of the changing landscape of commercial activities down here, a much needed boost to Johor services sector. Things are getting livelier in JB too, and I am seriously thinking of setting roots here, maybe buying a property somewhere nearby, a studio apartment maybe. Maybe I should start looking after the General Election.
Huh? Buy a property in JB? Dont dream Big Cat. Iskandar Malaysia property prizes are crazy now. The Chinese developers are laughing to the banks. Singaporeans are buying properties, leaving the ordinary local folk to move to smaller towns far away. Is this progress? Rich get richer, poor get poorer. Where is the social agenda of Iskandar Malaysia?
ReplyDeleteJust like how property prices are sky rocketing in Penang eh? I've already seen a few famous eateries closing shop indirectly due to the increase of real estate prices. In a decade or so, Penangites will be driven away from the island to be replaced by rich, fat cats. Already they're putting up properties for sale at 1k psf.
DeleteActually, prices in JB isn't that bad when compared with KL. Besides, if JB/Iskandar Malaysia aspires to be a metropolis of international standing as in their brochures, we have to accommodate more living space for the rich so they can spend their money here. Doesn't mean there aren't affordable housing being built for the less privileged, so I am quite positive about the latest residential property situation here.
DeleteI don't know much about JB. The last time I have been there was 1982. Last month, nephew got engaged, only drive to Tenggaroh via Kluang. Spend the night in Tanjung Leman. Drive home to Selangor through Mersing, Bukit Ibam (visit sister) and Kuala Pilah.
ReplyDeleteYes, build houses for the rich. That's where the money is, but don't forget about the not rich people. Do be like Penang gomen. No new low cost housing for the rakyat. Must buy house on the Mainland the commute to the Island everyday to work. Need to pay toll, some more. If the new under-the-sea tunnel no collect toll, then OK. Last time MB promise want to abolish all tolls.
RD.
Dear Big Cat named tinsel
ReplyDeleteYou know Taipeh very well having been there and lived there too. Even though the GDP is higher than Malaysia , the people lived in tiny houses which are very2 expensive. We must not be like taipeh or HK or Tokyo or Seoul, where the cost of living and owning cars too are very2 expensive indeed.Apartments are so small 550 sq ft are piced like RM 1 million. Oh yes you can cheaper units but then it means 30km ouside the city limits.. Singapore is no different either. So to the Iskandar people down there dont be too obsessed with developing Iskandar until that the cost of owning a house is beyond the reach
Nope, I haven't lived in Taipeh, or any of the Asian cities you mentioned, so I can't say for sure. I have lived in London, Manchester, Sioux Falls and Minneapolis, though .. London was reputedly expensive but I wasn't paying the bills, so I wouldn't know. Manchester was OK, I could afford to actually own a property, a 2-bedroom terrace near Radcliffe and commuted to work in my old Citroen. I like JB, although different, it reminds me of Manchester, and it is still not as expensive as people make it out to be.
DeleteTumpang chill bersama boleh tak?
ReplyDeleteNo problem. Come over to JB and discover what southern Johor has to offer :D
DeleteCuti-Cuti 1Malaysia