Friendly folk, lower expenses create ideal lifestyle conditions
IT was the warmth and kindness of Malaysians that convinced China national Zheng Chun Lian that Johor was more than just a place to earn a living, but a location to build a future and call home.
The 48-year-old said she came to Johor Baru over a decade ago at the encouragement of an aunt who had married a Malaysian and settled here many years ago.
“I was going through some personal difficulties which were affecting my well-being,” said Zheng.
“My aunt, who had moved to Johor Baru by then and loved the place, advised me to come here to clear my mind and consider moving for good if it was a good fit.
“It was the best decision I have made. I like it here. People are nice, friendly and very supportive,” said Zheng, who is from Fujian, China.
A few years later, she met her husband − a Malaysian from Segamat − and settled down in Johor Baru.
“I love to cook and have the habit of cooking for friends and neighbours.
“After some thought and encouragement from people around me, I opened a stall in a food court in 2013. I established my own restaurant several years after that,” she said.
But just months after opening the shop, Zheng said the Covid-19 pandemic hit, resulting in significant financial losses.
“There was a lot of pressure, but it was the kindness and support of those around me, including my customers, that kept me going.
“They told me my food was good and to keep going.
“Their support meant a lot to me and things gradually improved.”
Zheng said the pandemic showed her how caring Malaysians were, as many helped one another through tough times.
“I find life in Malaysia more relaxed.
“People here are also more understanding and supportive of one another.”
Zheng, who plans to retire in Malaysia, said her positive experience inspired her sisters and cousins to move to Johor Baru.
Carolyn Hawkins, from the United Kingdom, echoed similar sentiments, having lived in Johor Baru for almost 14 years.
Hawkins, who is in her 60s, first moved to Johor Baru with her late husband who was a project manager for a university in Iskandar Puteri.
“Not long after we moved here, I was offered a job at an international school, where I have been working as a librarian until today.
“My husband passed away two years ago, but I decided to remain in Johor Baru as I have a job and I like the life I have here.”
Hawkins said one of the things she appreciated most about Johor Baru was its friendly people and multicultural environment that made it easier for her to settle in.
“I have made many good friends from different backgrounds, including Malay, Chinese and Indian.
“I am also learning Bahasa Malaysia. I have several Malay friends with whom I practise, but probably not as often as I should. But I do my best,” she added.
Hawkins said that despite living alone after her husband’s death, she never felt lonely as she has a good circle of friends and could keep in touch with her family via modern technology.
“The cost of living has definitely increased since I first moved here, but compared to the UK, it is still cheaper.
“Desaru is an hour away and Singapore is just a stone’s throw away.
“It is easy to travel around and the weather is great,” she said.
Taking things in their stride
South Korean businessman Son Myoung Hwan, 46, moved to Johor Baru about five years ago after falling in love with the place while on vacation in the city.
“I came here for a vacation and realised that I really liked Johor Baru. I noticed there are many Koreans living here too.
“However, there are not many businesses offering the type of services that are commonly found in South Korea.
“I saw a business opportunity and decided to start a shop selling meat for Korean barbecue.
Two years later, he brought his wife and son as he wanted Johor Baru to be their home for good.
Son said the main challenge he faced after moving to Malaysia was language barrier.
“My English is not very good and most of my customers are Koreans, so I do not have many opportunities to improve my command of English.
“I would also like to learn Bahasa Malaysia, but I have not managed to do so yet,” he said.
The lower cost of living, he said, was initially one of the attractions of Johor Baru, although he had noticed a significant increase in expenses over the years.
“Despite the rising cost of living, I really enjoy the lifestyle here, especially the peaceful surroundings and family-friendly environment,” he said, adding that he planned to remain here for good.
Another South Korean, Youn Sumin, 22, first moved to Melaka from Seoul with her parents in 2014 before relocating to Johor Baru in 2018.
“Coming from South Korea, I had limited English vocabulary because I did not have many opportunities to practise speaking the language.
“Although I had tuition classes for English back in South Korea, the lessons were mostly theory-based, so it was difficult for me to communicate when I first arrived,” she said.
The nursing student, who is currently studying at a polytechnic in Singapore, said moving to Malaysia at a young age had broadened her perspective on life and taught her the importance of adapting to different cultures.
“I think the most important thing when living in another country is to be open-minded.
“If you do not understand certain cultural practices, you can always ask your friends instead of judging them,” said Youn.
She is fascinated by Malaysia’s multicultural environment, especially the way locals communicate in different languages.
Among the advantages of living in Johor Baru, she said, was low cost of living.
“Living in Johor Baru is definitely cheaper than in South Korea, especially when it comes to housing, food and shopping.
“Another advantage is that Singapore is very close.
“People who work in Singapore can choose to live in Johor Baru because the rental is lower and they can travel between the two countries,” she added.
Indian national Nancy Gaur Bhargava, 36, moved to Johor Baru with her family in January 2025 after spending 15 years in Singapore.
“We wanted our children to experience some of the things we enjoyed growing up, such as having more space, being closer to nature and living in a close-knit community.
“Johor Baru offered all that, along with a safe neighbourhood, good schools and plenty of attractions for our children,” she said.
The mother-of-three said adjusting to life in Johor Baru had been relatively easy thanks to the welcoming people and strong expatriate community.
“It really feels like a home away from home,” she said.
She added that one of the things she appreciated most was its multicultural environment.
Nancy said her family planned to remain in Johor for the long term, especially as her children were young and enjoyed the lifestyle.
For Poonam Singh, 47, another Indian national, moving to Johor Baru 14 years ago was a pleasant experience despite the initial challenges of settling into a new environment.
“We relocated to Johor Baru due to my husband’s job, after previously moving to Singapore for employment opportunities.
“Living in Johor Baru definitely makes life easier, especially in terms of the cost of living and better education opportunities for our children.
“At first, it was difficult because we did not know anyone here, but things became much easier once we formed our own group of friends,” she said.
Poonam, a part-time blogger who runs a non-governmental organisation, said she enjoyed Malaysia’s diverse food and culture.
“We love living here, but we will see where life takes us.
“We never imagined that we would end up staying in Johor Baru for 14 years, and we are still enjoying it,” said the mother of two.
