Retirement in JB, KL or Stay Put in SG? My Ongoing Comparison...

[Levis]

Hey bros, thought I'd share some notes from my own retirement planning journey. I'm looking at options to retire by 50 (fingers crossed and 3.5 years more to go), and the top contenders are Johor Bahru (JB), Kuala Lumpur (KL), or just staying in good ol' Singapore (SG).

 

Figured I'd break it down by some key factors — and hopefully this sparks more sharing from others here.

 

A. Budget Sustainability (Till We Go Upstairs ~84 yrs)
SG: Solid but premium pricing — every kopi feels like it's inflated with GST and childhood memories.

JB: Your dollar does gym-level stretching here. Groceries, hawker food, massages — all cheaper. Just don't forget to factor in medical insurance and Grab fares.

KL: Similar to JB but with more temptation to overspend in big malls. Retirement might turn into "early reemployment" if you hang out in Pavilion too often.

 

B. Lifestyle Closeness to SG
SG: Comfort zone, no surprises. MRT delays are the most exotic part of daily life.

JB: Feels like SG from 15 years ago — familiar hawker food, Singlish everywhere, and even our favourite bubble tea chains made it over.

KL: A bit more rojak, but still very navigable for SG guys. More English signage, but also more traffic jams and confusing mall layouts.

 

C. Food Choices
SG: 24/7 food paradise, but lately everything comes with a side of "price increase".

JB: Legit good and cheap — but your tummy might need to build immunity if you're too used to NEA grades.

KL: Endless food choices too — with some amazing local and international picks. Be warned: their char kway teow is different (don't fight the auntie over it).

 

D. Healthcare
SG: Excellent, if you can afford it or have enough MediShield/MediSave/meditations.

JB: Good for GP visits and dental, but serious stuff may still see you crossing back to SG with your CT scan results in hand.

KL: More established private hospital options than JB — some even with concierge vibes.

 

E. Housing Affordability / Variety
SG: Unless you're ballin' or inheriting a flat, prices here can kill your FIRE dreams.

JB: RM500K gets you a condo with pool, gym, and sometimes even a small ghost in the hallway.

KL: More developed options, slightly more expat-friendly. You might even find one with a durian ban written into the tenancy agreement.

 

F. Transport (Getting Around / Back to SG)
SG: MRT is king, even if it gets moody sometimes.

JB: RTS Link is coming (finally), but current crossings can still be a test of patience and bladder control.

KL: Affordable flights, but don't expect Changi standards. And if you thought SG traffic was bad, wait till you try their rush hour.

 

G. Public Infra / Daily Convenience / SG Banking Access
SG: 10/10 convenience. Everything works — except sometimes Singpass OTPs.

JB: Maybank2u + DBS/POSB + PayNow magic still works, but don't expect everything to be digitised — bring a pen.

KL: Better infra than JB. More modern malls, Grab everywhere, and decent banking options — just double check the ATM before you put your card in.

 

Final Thoughts
Right now, I'm leaning toward KL as I'm most familiar with it although JB is kind of "best of both worlds" — close to SG, cost savings, familiar lifestyle. KL is also appealing if I want more city life. SG is still the gold standard... but at gold bar prices.

 

Would love to hear what you guys are thinking. Anyone already testing the waters in JB/KL? How are you planning around CPF, healthcare, or visas? Let's build this into a solid info thread for all the SG bros looking ahead!

 

 

P.S. I'm not a financial planner and not trying to solicit biz.

[radiusulnar]

Thanks for doing the homework!

[cbm]

If you're holding Singapore passport, how do you plan on staying in Malaysia for long term?

[Newbiegayguy]

Have you considered adding Penang to the list? More chill and laid back lifestyle if that works for you!

[Gayman76]

How much do I need to retire comfortably as a gay man when I am 58 years old?