Seamless Living: Blending Malaysia and Singapore Lifestyles

Singapore is a dynamic, vibrant metropolis, but it can also be pricey, especially if you choose to eat out in restaurants every day or live a luxury lifestyle. That’s where crossing the border comes in.

A short drive north lies Malaysia, where spacious, affordable living is easily attainable. Increasingly, people are choosing to settle in Johor, commuting to Singapore for work each day. This unique cross-border lifestyle offers the best of both worlds, blending Malaysia’s more relaxed pace and significantly lower cost of living with Singapore’s dynamic energy and world-class infrastructure.

In this blog post, we’ll share unique insights on why locals and expats alike are choosing to live in one country and work in another.

Cost Of Living Differences

One of the biggest advantages of living in Johor while working in Singapore is the significant difference in the cost of living. Housing in Johor is way more affordable, and you can rent a spacious, modern condo or even a house for the price of a tiny studio in land-scarce Singapore.

Groceries, dining out, fuel, and utilities are also very much cheaper, allowing you to stretch your budget and enjoy the same quality of life.

Many Singaporeans take advantage of the price gap by doing most of their shopping across the border, so expect massive queues at the checkpoint during weekends. With smarter purchasing decisions, you can save a significant part of your income yet enjoy the same urban living.

Crossing The Border

The Singapore-Johor border is one of the busiest in the world, if not THE busiest. Choosing the time during which you cross the border will make a significant impact on your commuting time. Try traveling during off-peak hours, and use apps that will allow you to see the real-time information on waiting times.

There are two main borders: Woodlands Checkpoint and Second Link. Woodlands is much busier than the Second Link, and it offers numerous commuting options. The easiest way would be to drive, which means you’ll only need your passport and a Touch ‘n Go card for the toll.

You can also take one of the many buses across, but try traveling during off-peak hours to ensure you get a seat.

There is also a planned MRT station to Johor slated to be completed in 2026, which will connect Singapore’s impressive, world-class metro system to a key location in Johor.
Whether it’s for work, school, or leisure, crossing the border is a manageable part of daily life, and a small trade-off for the major lifestyle and financial benefits Johor offers.

Penrith Condo in Queenstown

Singapore’s residential landscape continues to attract buyers and renters looking for both convenience and style, especially those who frequently travel between Singapore and Malaysia.

Properties like Penrith Condo, with layouts in the Penrith Floorplan, offer a stylish base for cross-border commuters seeking comfort without compromising connectivity. Located in the city-fringe Queenstown district, this development is just minutes from Queenstown MRT, giving residents easy access to both the CBD and key expressways.

For those who work in Singapore but enjoy weekend escapes or maintain ties across the Causeway, having a home base that’s both well-connected and thoughtfully designed is a huge plus.

Penrith Condo delivers that balance with modern amenities, efficient layouts, and a welcoming community environment. With the rise of hybrid working and more flexible lifestyles, choosing a home that supports seamless movement across borders has become increasingly important, and developments like Penrith meet that need beautifully.