The pictures above are not in Iskandar Malaysia(IM), I took them in the new NUS(National University of Singapore) University Town. Why University towns and Medical centres are taking centre stage in IM? Well, the simple answer to that is you instantaneously get a large captive population that is going to live, work and play in the area.
I like to frequent the NUS university town (I get food at staff rates shh…. ), it is spacious, not crowded and very new. Singapore is known for this sort of infrastructure-driven model. I also remember popping into the food court every now and then at Gleneagles Hospital Singapore during my stay-in when my wife delivered our two girls.
This can be similarly replicated in Iskandar Malaysia, (remember, IM is 3 times that of Singapore). But like I mentioned in “Knowing your Bandars and Tamans”, while this model of town planning has a proven record of being successful, it can take a long time before universities get filled and hospitals get crowded. You can try to shorten that process, but you can’t do away with it.
If you have yet to invest in Singapore, think Singapore first! Areas around NUS is already vibrant, well-connected and in a new commercial belt that will be included in the new Masterplan. Prices range from $800psf to $1600psf(estimated) in the District 5 area. In my opinion, the potential of the Buona Vista, Pasir Panjang and West Coast area is not fully appreciated while the regions on the eastern side of Singapore continues to steal the limelight.
Yes it is a lot more than what you can get in EduCity (estimated RM800-1000psf and rising), but the universities in Nusajaya are hardly more than 2-3 years old and the surroundings are still largely work-in-progress. And while EduCity goes about establishing its reputation, we may have to weather a few more economic cycles before you see the place really take off. Saying that, I would still go into EduCity area if there is a good enough bargain.
I would like to spend a bit more time on Flagship Zone A- JB City and Flagship Zone B- Nusajaya in my later postings. Hope this posting surpasses 150 reads :)
