Actress travels daily across Causeway to Singapore for work, saving S$1,000 a month on rent
Mediacorp actress Juin Teh has moved back to her family home in Johor Bahru to save on rising rental costs in Singapore and be closer to her ageing mother, despite a challenging cross-border commute for work.
Moving Home Amid Rising Costs
On April 1, 2025, Mediacorp actress and host Juin Teh made a bold personal decision—relocating from Singapore to her family home in Johor Bahru. The move followed the expiration of her rental lease and rising living costs in the Republic. In a follow-up Instagram video, she explained the motivation: “Rent went up, so I thought it might be good to move back home to Johor Bahru. My mother’s getting older too, so I want to spend more time with her.”
A Gruelling Two-Hour Commute
Although she saves around S$1,000 (approx. Rp12.8 million) monthly by avoiding Singapore’s rental market, the decision comes at a cost. Juin now commutes up to two hours each way for her work commitments in Singapore, sometimes stretching to three hours on weekends. “When a job ends late but I have other work early the next morning, I’ll stay over with a friend or a relative here,” she shared in an interview with Lianhe Zaobao on April 25.
Public Transport Across the Border
As a Malaysian permanent resident in Singapore, she cannot drive a Malaysia-registered car into the city-state. With Singaporean vehicle costs being prohibitively high, Juin relies fully on public transportation. “Sometimes, I do get recognised. People will yell ‘Juin!’, and some netizens leave comments on social media saying they hope to bump into me at Customs,” she added with a smile.
Still Active in the Entertainment Scene
Despite her move, Juin remains a full-time Mediacorp artiste. She plays a maid in the Channel 8 drama Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story and co-hosts the online variety show #JustSwipeLah. She first rose to fame as a finalist in Star Search 2019 and has since established herself as a familiar face in Singaporean entertainment.
Home Renovated for Elderly Parents
In October 2024, she gave fans a tour of her Johor Bahru home during an episode of #JustSwipeLah. The video revealed that she had spent 10 months renovating the house to make it more accessible and comfortable for her elderly parents. “All the trouble is worth it when I see my mother’s home-cooked dinner waiting for me,” she said.
A Balancing Act of Career and Family
Juin’s cross-border lifestyle reflects a rising trend among Malaysians working in Singapore who seek cost-effective solutions amid escalating urban living expenses. Her story also underscores the deep cultural value placed on family care and financial prudence—a balancing act many regional workers relate to.
Juin Teh’s decision to leave behind city convenience for cross-border commuting in favour of family, frugality, and personal fulfilment strikes a chord with many in Southeast Asia. Her story not only highlights the realities of rising urban costs, but also celebrates the dedication of those who juggle work, travel, and caregiving with grace.
Sources: The Sun MY (2025), The Straits Times (2025)
Keywords: Juin Teh Move, Johor Bahru Living, Singapore Commute, Mediacorp Actress, Public Transport Causeway
