Johor Bahru, Malaysia 🇲🇾
#530
1.503555, 103.749558
Nomad Score:
66%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Johor Bahru is the capital of Johor state in Malaysia, located just north of Singapore. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 1.6 million residents. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed is 50 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 MYR ≈ 0.22 USD. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable; bottled water is recommended. |
| 🔌 Power | 240V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Maxis, Celcom, Digi. Prepaid options available. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Popular banks include Maybank and CIMB, which offer mobile banking. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from high-rise condos to serviced apartments; Airbnb is prevalent. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, widely accepted; mobile payment options like GrabPay and Touch 'n Go are common. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local property management companies provide numerous short-term rental options. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel options include Space Hotel and R&F Princess Cove. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WORQ, located in the heart of Johor Bahru, offers great amenities for remote workers. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Roost Cafe has a nice atmosphere and reliable Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Look for events on Meetup.com or Facebook groups for expats in JB. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Johor Bahru Expats Facebook Group hosts regular meetups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Grab is the most popular ride-hailing app in Malaysia. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Available through platforms like Mobike and Anywheel. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Desaru Beach, approximately 40 minutes away by car. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Firefly Airlines operates regional flights from Senai International Airport. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Malindo Air and AirAsia offer multiple international routes. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Major highways include North-South Expressway and Johor Bahru Link. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Johor Bahru Sentral is the main rail station. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | There are no specific transit passes; single fares apply. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses to nearby cities like Batu Pahat and Kuala Lumpur are available from JB Larkin Terminal. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | KPJ Johor Specialist Medical Centre is the top healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | YogaOne and Nirvana Wellness offer various classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness First has multiple locations in Johor Bahru. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Self-service laundromats like Speed Queen are widely available. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | GrabFood is widely used for food delivery in Johor Bahru. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Nasi Lemak and Laksa Johor are must-try local dishes. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | The Potato Head and Loving Hut are popular spots. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Hiap Joo Bakery for their famous banana cake. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Local markets like Pasar Karat offer affordable street food and goods. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Lazada and Shopee are popular e-commerce platforms in Malaysia. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | TESCO and AEON have online grocery delivery options. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Jalan Wong Ah Fook has a vibrant nightlife scene. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Johor Craft Brewery offers tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | WineTalk is a notable wine bar in JB. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Taman Makan offers various local delicacies from street vendors. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Chow Kit Road provides a variety of Indonesian and Western options. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque and Johor Bahru Old Chinese Temple are key attractions. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Johor Bahru Chinese Heritage Museum showcases the local culture. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Istana Besar is a historical palace not to miss. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple is famous for its architecture. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Johor Bahru International Kite Festival is held annually. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Little India and Kampung Melayu are vibrant cultural neighborhoods. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Johor Bahru Theatre hosts various performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | JB Night Market is popular for local crafts and street food. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Local venues like D'Angelo provide live music events. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Explore the murals around the city, especially in Taman Pelangi. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cooking classes at Johor Culinary School offer local cuisine lessons. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Johor Art Gallery hosts rotating exhibitions from local artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim is an iconic architectural landmark. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The Johor Kreta Api (steam train) is a symbol of the area's railway history. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Endau Rompin National Park is a beautiful nature reserve nearby. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Taman Negara is accessible for hiking and eco-tourism. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Larkin Sentral Park offers lovely paths for cycling and walking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The viewpoint from Hutan Bandar Puchong is scenic and relaxing. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Pulau Ubin and surrounding wetlands are great for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Promenade beach areas allow for bonfires in designated spots. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Pos Malaysia provides reliable shipping services locally and internationally. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Jay's Tech Service offers quick mobile repairs. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Table Tennis Association of JB hosts games and practice sessions. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Mighty Language School offers classes for English and Malay. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Johor Bahru City Library is quiet and study-friendly. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Johor Bahru Community Centre hosts various classes and events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Landmark Gaming has a spacious setup for gaming enthusiasts. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Resorts World Genting is a nearby Casino offering gaming and entertainment. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. RM 5,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = RM 200,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. RM 3,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = RM 140,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. RM 4,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = RM 270,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. RM 3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = RM 180,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. RM 4,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = RM 320,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. RM 2,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = RM 224,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 24% standard corporate tax rate. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 0% on dividends for Malaysian companies. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Resident individuals taxed only on income derived from Malaysia. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Maximum personal income tax rate is 30%. |
| 🧾 VAT | 6% Goods and Services Tax applicable. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | No strict CFC rules in Malaysia. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property tax is based on property value, generally low. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Standard rate of 3% for properties valued RM 400,000 or less. |