Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Security Question in East Ledang

I just read about the recent robbery incident at Bukit Indah. Security is definitely something that we take super seriously.

When we first considered moving to East Ledang, our main and no 1 concern was security. I spent many hours researching and reading many many blogs which were discussing about security in Johor. Some of the comments were quite scary, some even wrote: "I've not been to Johor for over 20 years and I don't plan to visit" while others even suggested carrying guns for self-protection.

Since we've been living here for almost 6 months now, I feel obliged to share our experience and learnings about the security of living in Johor.

A few important points for me on why we chose East Ledang:
- The East Ledang complex is surrounded by fences equipped with movement sensitive infra-red cameras, coupled with guard patrols throughout the day on regular intervals. Visitors entrance into the complex is tightly controlled (Before moving here, we've tried to visit this complex a couple of times but were not allowed to drive in).
- Each house is armed with CHUBB Alarm system which is super sensitive and super loud (you'll definitely wake up the entire neighbourhood if the alarm goes off)
- Police station is located at Anjung, which is the foodcourt area just outside of East Ledang.

Overall, I feel safe in East Ledang and we've not heard any complaints from neighbours so far. I also drive home late quite often from work, but I feel safe driving on the LebuhRaya highway in the evening. There are usually still lots of traffic in the evening.

I use my common sense and take precautions if we go to other places in Johor. For examples: not to show off and wear too many expensive jewellery pieces, not to display cash in public, always using a steering wheel lock, be mindful of where we park the car, etc. I think these are again common sense that you would apply everyday when you live anywhere else in this world (OK - maybe except for Singapore - yes there's no place else I feel in the world as safe as Singapore). Also, residents should act as a community to ensure that we keep the area safe and secured.

So in a nutshell, yes I do agree that Johor is not as safe as Singapore - but where else is as safe as Singapore really? Each of us play a part to be prudent and watch out for our community. I think this will lead to a better and safer environment.

16 comments:

  1. Hi. Thanks for this informative blog. We are a couple working in Jurong area. Planning to get a place at East Ledang too. How do I get in touch with you for more first hand information? Thanks.

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  2. HI Erika, Really appreciate with your informative sharing. I am planning to move back soon and will be commuting between SG N JB. This information will be very important for my wife since this is the first time for her to stay in Malaysia. Troy

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  3. hi erika. my hubby and i went to visit east ledang this morning. looked for norhaneesa n brought ur name up as a referral.:) thks. needless to say, we fell in love with the place and am in the process of purchasing it. now we just have to wait till the house is fully built next year. :( thks for ur informative blog n hope to see u soon neighbour!!!

    cheers,

    hany and tom

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  4. Hi Hany,

    Thanks for reading my blog, happy to hear that you guys like the place. I hope to see you soon as our neighbour too! Do drop me a note when you're visiting next, I'll be more than happy to catch up :)

    Cheers,
    Erika

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  5. Hi Troy, Thanks for reading my blog. I'm happy to hear that this blog is useful :)

    Hi Gunn.Clarke, sorry for my late reply. You can drop me an email at e_oktora@yahoo.com.

    Cheers,
    Erika

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  6. hi erika, im interested in east ledang too but also considering horizon hills. little concern on security as ledang heights is more prone to burglary. would u mind to tell what's the occupancy rate in east ledang?

    thks,
    jan

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  7. Hi janelle,

    Thanks for reading my blog. In east ledang, occupancy rate is roughly 30% for now.

    I think this will increase once more facilities and development project open over this and next year.


    Cheers,
    Erika

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  8. Hi Erika

    Had seen your type of phase 1 SD at 1/1, seems that there is some leaking problem at stairway ceiling, wonder it is common and would appreciate your comment on the defects and built quality so far.

    Am thinking to purchase one. Thank you

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  9. Hi Erika,

    I love your blog! It's very informative, useful and well written. Thanks for sharing. It really helped those of us considering buying a house in Iskandar.

    Benson introduced us in Singapore two months ago. Do you remember me? My hubby and I bought a twin villa in East Ledang so we'll be neighbors soon. We love the great location (15 mins to S'pore's Tuas Second link), greenery, large open spaces, security features, police station just outside at Anjung and of course, the beautiful houses in East Ledang.

    We also loved the stunning interior design of their show houses! Do you know which interior design company they used? We would like to check them out for doing our place. We hope to be able to meet up with you and your husband soon. Hope that would be possible. Take care!

    Cheers, Aileen

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  10. Hi Charlynn,

    Thanks for reading my blog, apologies for my late reply. Yes we did experience leaking on the stairway landing as well, but so far it has been fixed and we've not experienced any leaking in this area since.

    The quality of built is not comparable to Australian standards (which is what we're used to), but I have been told by many locals that East Ledang built is amongst the best of all developments in Johor. We did lodge a defect report and managed to have them fixed by the developer. We're fitting out our house currently, so hopefully we won't see too many defects in the future :)

    Cheers,
    Erika

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  11. Hi Aileen,

    Good to hear from you again. Do drop by when you are in the neighbourhood. We're seeing a lot more renovations being carried out and some new faces in this phase, so it's great :)

    I'm not sure about the Phase II showhouses interior designer, but I have heard of many many complaints about the phase I showhouse interior designer, so I wouldn't suggest contacting them at all.

    We've just started our house fit out about 2-3 weeks ago. I'm using a local interior designer, but since we are still in early stage, I'm a bit hesitant to give out his contact for now. Let me wait another few weeks to see how things progress :)

    Take care!

    Cheers,
    Erika

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  12. Great blog, keep it up. I posted this to a forum but haven't received any responses. Do you have any thoughts on the following.

    Any suggestions for condos in the Johor Bahru area. I would like to be within 1 km of public transportation. I would like to be able to walk, take public transportation for food, shopping... convenient access to taxis would also be good.

    A nice view and a quiet location would be nice - I will be spending a lot of time in my condo reading and writing. I will use the internet a great deal so a fast and reliable internet connection is a must. A nearby basketball court would be great, but I figure I likely won't get that.

    I won't be commuting to Singapore but trips into Singapore would be nice occasionally (so if that is convenient and less time that would be a plus).

    Straits View Condo seems like it might be nice? Adamai also seems nice? Molek Pines may also?

    Do you have any thoughts on Danga Bay and Danga View Apartments? Wadihana Condos?

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  13. Hi Curiouscat,

    Thanks again for reading my blog. I'm not too familiar with apartments especially in JB area. We've been to Danga Bay a few times, but I have not seen the Danga View apartments. Danga Bay is another important development area in the Iskandar region, however, I still prefer the area that we are in. I'm aware of luxury high end water view condos/bungalows under development in Danga Bay, but I have not seen any showhouses.

    Are you currently in Johor? Have you visited these areas before? If not, my suggestion would be to drive in and visit these places a couple of times to get a feel of the area. We did this ourselves for a few times and spoke to some people we know who's living in this area, before making the decision to move.

    I will also ask around for tips on JB apartments and get back to you.

    Have a great Veesak Day!

    Erika

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  14. I will be getting to JB in early August. I will be looking around then. I am trying to get a jump start on the area in advance of heading over.

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  15. Erika,
    I am new to Johor (only been here for 1 month) and considering Horizon Hills (currently living in Horizon hills), East Ledang, Ledang Heights or Leisure Farms. what do you think of other communities?

    I found it hard living here coz they really take advantage of foreigners...

    do you know of any American community in Johor?
    thanks

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  16. Hi Curiouscat,

    Sounds like a good plan, if you're thinking of coming over earlier, you can just grab a taxi as well who'll drop you to post Woodlands checkpoint.

    Hi Henry TJ,

    Thanks for reading my blog. Perhaps you can drop by our weekly Thursday evening (starting from 7ish) at East Ledang Clubhouse (no gathering for next Thursday) to meet some of the residents in this area. I don't really find it hard to live here. The most negotiation we have had to do is for our house renovation, but there are so many folks who have gone through the same so there are always people to contact to double check. Most of us use referral contacts in the end. I tend to shop in Bukit Indah Jusco, so prices are fixed. We eat at local shops and restaurants which would have fixed prices too. I think it's just a matter of getting used to how things work :) I'm not sure if there's an American community, but there are many foreigners here of all sorts of nationalities (British, German, French, American, Australian, South African, Korean, Singapore, Indonesian & more).

    Cheers,
    Erika

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