29-06-2025
Singaporean Grab rider shares how he earns six figures and lives in a RM1.4 million villa in Johor Bahru
SINGAPORE: From dodging Singapore's rental hikes to cruising across the Causeway into a golf villa with a buggy service, Afiq Zayany, a Singaporean Grab rider, has cracked the code to living large on a lean budget.
Yes, he clocks 250 km a day on his motorbike. Yes, he lives in Johor Bahru (JB), and yes, he's stashing away six figures annually, while probably sipping teh tarik happily by the pool of his RM1.4 million (S$399,000) villa.
This isn't your typical rags-to-riches tale. It's more like rags-to-strategic-Grab-rides-and-cross-border-hacks. As Afiq says with a shrug, 'To get this… I worked as a Grab rider,' and by 'this,' he means the dream—one many Singaporeans are still dreaming about. The villa life for a rider guy
'I have this big space, and I don't know what to do with it,' Afiq laughs, as he gives a casual tour of his JB home. It's not just a house—it's a 2.5-storey golf villa, complete with a swimming pool, gym, and even a buggy to cart him around the estate. All this just for S$550 a month. Photo: YT screengrab/@RinggitDollars
Compare that to Singapore, where even a cramped 600 sq ft studio apartment can cost upwards of S$3,000. He jokes about it, but there's some real fire behind his decision to move across the border.
'I was looking at PropertyGuru… and this one-bedroom without even a personal toilet is going for S$980!' With such pricing, Afiq probably just said no to that and decided to move to JB instead. Why Afiq can ride 250 km a day with a smile on his face
Here's where most people would groan: Cross-border commuting, but for Afiq, it's the price of freedom—and actually, a cost-saving move.
In Singapore, you're shelling out S$3.40 per litre. In Malaysia? Just RM3.10 (S$0.93 for RON97). Yes, Afiq calculated it down to the cent:
'I ride around 250 km a day. That's about 8 litres. If I pump (petrol) in Singapore, it would cost me S$27.20 (RM89)… In Malaysia… RM24.80. That's about RM64 savings per day! Times (multiply) that by five days a week, four weeks a month—that's around RM1,280 (S$387) saved.'
That's just one of the five smart reasons why this Singaporean rider took the long road to wealth (literally and figuratively). Top 5 reasons Afiq moved from SG to JB 1. Rent that doesn't rob you
Singapore's rental prices are, in Afiq's words, 'very, very expensive.' He couldn't justify spending S$3,000 for a shoebox when he could have a villa for a fraction of that. 2. Cheaper petrol, bigger wallet
A full-time rider burning through 250 km a day feels every price bump at the pump. With Malaysia's lower petrol cost, his RM1,280 monthly savings fuel not just his bike, but his dreams. 3. The food tastes better
Now, this is a controversial point—especially for Singaporeans—but Afiq stands by it. 'Malaysian food tastes nicer. It has more flavour, more spice—it really just packs a punch!' Photo: YT screengrab/@RinggitDollars
His advice (if you don't believe him): Try a nasi goreng kampung in Singapore, then hop over and try it in JB. 'Then, you guys tell me, Malaysian food or Singaporean food is better? To me, it's Malaysian food. That's why I moved here.' 4. Lower cost of living = higher quality of life
From groceries to date nights, utilities to vehicles, Afiq says everything just costs less.
Case in point: he bought a Toyota Alphard for RM30,000 (S$9,000)—no Certificate of Entitlement (COE), no expiry in 10 years, and no kidney sacrificed.
In Singapore, the COE requirements are valid for only 10 years and come with an additional price tag of S$100,000 or more, so in Malaysia, Afiq is happy that he 'can use it (his car) forever.' 5. More peace, less pressure
Above all, it's the vibe. 'I feel less stressed. I have more freedom. It's less crowded, and I'm more at peace.'
Afiq isn't just riding for Grab. He's also building his dream as a content creator and aspiring business owner. And that requires one precious resource: flexibility. Daily grind done right
What's Afiq's typical day? Well, he just works from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., then chills. In that short window, Afiq earns between S$4,000 and S$6,000 a month, depending on how hard he works or pushes himself during the day.
'It's very hard for me to find an office job that actually pays that well with those short working hours,' he explained, so let that sink in for a while. Imagine the freedom of having no cubicle, no clock-punching, and definitely no office politics, gossip, and toxic bosses—just open roads and open possibilities.
However, Afiq is also not romanticising Grab riding either.
'I don't recommend doing Grab long-term. It really takes a toll on your body,' he warned, but if you're building something or in between jobs, it's a great option, he advised.
He calls it (Grab riding) a transition job, one that gave him the stepping stone to build real savings for him to invest in his future. From Grab rider to six-figure maker
Here's the part that gets everyone blinking, or even going biking like Afiq.
Afiq's goal is to save and invest RM100,000—and he's well on his way. With low living costs, high discipline, and smart financial moves, he's managed to build up six figures in savings.
'I'm just like you. I'm not earning much. I'm just doing Grab, and whatever I do, you guys can apply… anyone can do this.'
His secret? There's no secret. It's just the good ol' application of discipline + dedication = results.
'Anyone can do this. Anyone can save up and invest RM100,000—even a Grab rider like me…' Million-ringgit takeaway
There's something infectious about Afiq's optimism. He doesn't act like a guy burdened by long rides, border jams, or the grind. Instead, he comes off like someone who's cracked the system and is genuinely enjoying the ride.
Now, he's living in a villa, working flexible hours, and saving serious money—all while pursuing his creative passions.
So what's the real takeaway?
You don't need a high-flying corporate job or mess around with some get-rich-quick scheme to make it. Sometimes, all it takes is just a helmet, a plan, and a willingness to ride your own route—metaphorically and even literally!
For the full ride through his SG-JB lifestyle, watch Afiq break it all down in the video below:
In other news, another SG citizen also shared that 'You don't need to be a stock market expert to get rich' — Young Singaporean millionaire reveals how solving problems of others with AI led to his first million
