Johor Galore

As rents rise and condo square footage falls, what’s a family to do? Expat-veteran Australian TANIA GROSE-HODGE advises making a run for the border.

- Monica Pitrelli

When did you first move to Singapore?

My husband and I moved here 25 years ago. We love it and have considered it home ever since. When we arrived in 1993, Ngee Ann City was still being built and Suntec was a construction site. Taxis had no seat belts in the back, and a bell rang when they broke the speed limit! We’ve lived in Balmoral Road, the East Coast, Pandan Valley, Serangoon Gardens and Kovan Road, so we have covered most of the island.

Why did you decide to move to Johor?

Our daughter had been weekly boarding at Marlborough College Malaysia since 2015, and we were travelling up repeatedly for various school functions, sporting events and social occasions with friends. When my husband had a career change, we decided to move into Malaysia. Education is so important, and finding the right school is vital. Marlborough is the perfect fit for Reilly, and with the amount of time we spent there, it was a big factor in choosing to cross the causeway. We gave our daughter the choice to continue as a weekly boarder or to become a day student. She chose the latter but is still open to going back to weekly boarding or utilising the school’s new flexi boarding option, which boards three days a week. For now, she loves being at home and we love having her with us – well, most of the time!

What are the pros of living in Johor?