Looks like I may be moving to Jakarta

[AlexWKba]

Hi all,

It looks like I may be moving to Jakarta and have a few starting questions. Note that I have been to Jakarta for business multiple times before and have lived in KL, Bangkok and Manila so the region is not new to me.

1. Normally the first month I would stay in a serviced apartment - anyone to recommend? I am alone (no wife, kids or gf). Am also open if cheaper to stay in a hotel for the first month while looking around for a condo or serviced apartment for longer term. Note also that I should be not too far away from the city centre. I will be working from home so no office travels needed only to potential clients in the city and the airport as I would be regionally responsible for ASEAN.

2. An open question to anyone here who has lived a while in Jakarta - in hindsight what is the top things you wish you knew when you arrived that you didnt?

Any and all info is greatly appreciated.
Alex

 

[jstar]

Hi Alex.

I think the four major criteria for me won’t apply for you that much.

Those are noise (pollution), traffic, family and flooding. That also answers your question in 2.

Probably you want to be close to restaurants etc. as well so that normally would mean Kuningan (e.g. Mega or Setiabudi). But in your case it might make sense to think outside of the box and look at something like Taman Anggrek. Position wise not so bad and there’s quite a lot to do with Central Park etc. next door.

NB: It also depends how long you plan to stay. The LRT and MRT will be expanded considerably but that’s not useful for somebody who will leave in two years.

 

[Wisnu]

there's a recently vacant indekos room in the nice residential area in city center Menteng area, close to offices, mall, hotels and US and other embassies. Hot news until to-date, not sure if become available for rent. if available, I can expect would be very cheap.
Check the Gondia international guest house

 

[Bad_azz]

Hi Alex.

I think the four major criteria for me won’t apply for you that much.

Those are noise (pollution), traffic, family and flooding. That also answers your question in 2.

Probably you want to be close to restaurants etc. as well so that normally would mean Kuningan (e.g. Mega or Setiabudi). But in your case it might make sense to think outside of the box and look at something like Taman Anggrek. Position wise not so bad and there’s quite a lot to do with Central Park etc. next door.

NB: It also depends how long you plan to stay. The LRT and MRT will be expanded considerably but that’s not useful for somebody who will leave in two years.

Or PIK?

 

[Jaime C]

Definitely try to live close to where you want to go. Restaurants, malls, movies, etc. Traffic can be very horrible. We once spent 3 hours in a taxi for Friday rush hour to go a few miles.

Noise levels, including mosques call to prayer can vary widely. A small apartment we had in 2011, in Jakarta, had 3-4 mosques nearby. As soon as one would stop, another would start broadcasting.

Some apartments have a lot of amenities you don’t need or want. If you are self funding your residence, definitely don’t rush into things.

You can find lots of airbnb, serviced apartments and hotels in Jakarta. If you have any sort of hotel loyalty membership, you can often get some nice benefits.

 

[centurion]

Noise levels, including mosques call to prayer can vary widely. A small apartment we had in 2011, in Jakarta, had 3-4 mosques nearby. As soon as one would stop, another would start broadcasting.

Good thing is after 5 years you get used to, barely noticing them anymore.

 

[AlexWKba]

Well noise levels and pollution is not really too bad after having been 18 years in central Bangkok, 1 year in Makati and 2 years in KL.

Thanks for all the suggestions... Have asked IHG if they can provide long-term hotel price as I'm a platinum member and they said they do and will revert with an offer...

So probably start there...

 

[Helpful Herbert]

1. Top priority should be checking the mosque positions and positions of the loudspeakers. They can make your life absolute hell if you get it wrong.
2. The first time I lived here I chose a place near to the airport (Taman anggrek area) because I thought I wanted easy access to the airport for frequent traveling. Big mistake! Choose an area you like.

 

[El_Goretto]

Do you have a rough idea of who your clients will be? Start by checking where they are located. If they are industrial types and you will visit factories, etc, it will be outside the city, so then it doesn't factor all that much.

Then it depends also on your budget. Prices for apartments vary widely.

I would also look for something not too far from the MRT if possible, that's always useful. By not far, I mean walkable. A 10-mn taxi ride can turn in a 2 hours affair during peak hour when it's raining. Then you could consider areas in Cipete (where a lot of the French expat community lives), as it is connected to the MRT and the whole area of Cipete and Kemang is more of a residential vibe, with a lot of restaurants, bars, etc, and still relatively easy access to the city center. And they have small condos/townhouse kind of residences as well.

And lastly, the main noise pollution are the mosques. If you do not pick wisely, you can have 3D surround sound with 4-5 mosques blaring their speakers and rattling your windows every day at 4am, and then day long recitals on said speakers during the weekend.

I think a good tactic would be to look for short term rentals on airbnb and the likes in some apartments towers you are interested in. They generally won't be serviced, but they will be furnished and will let you test out the area for a couple days for noise and general neighborhood vibe and ease of access.

Don't stress about food, I'm sure you are familiar with Grab, it's very easy to order anything at any time of the day, during your prospection period.

How long do you plan to stay for?

 

[AlexWKba]

Hi,

My initial contract is for 1-2 years but extendable. My main clients are brandowners such as Nestle, Unilever, P&G, Pepsi, Coca Cola etc so a mix between city centre offices as well as outside to factories.

Som clients in Bandung, Surabaya aswell and a lot in Singapore, HCMC, Shanghai, PP and Bangkok (so a lot of flying). PP limited though. THought first about Aryaduta in Tangerang or a first 1 month stay at Holiday Inn in city (one of them) close to cntre (cant remember the area name but close ot the Pullman where I have stayed before and then make more informed decision when in place and know the city better than previously during just short trips. Longest stay so far was a month in Mulia Senayan and that seemed to be a convenient area - as well as a good hotel. During the weeks I will in the beginning mainly work from ¨home¨then more and more visits both locally and internationally so airport should not be too inconvenient but trips to malls and some western style pubs would be good for weekends at least if it takes an hour in taxi (I know it is not easy to say with certainty in terms of time in Jakarta) on a weekend I am not too bothered.

If I had come with family I would have a lot more criterias so am relatively flexible now.

 

[Jaime C]

Good thing is after 5 years you get used to, barely noticing them anymore.

Only applies if you‘re Indonesian. I still notice.

 

[Helpful Herbert]

Only applies if you‘re Indonesian. I still notice.

Only people that are registered deaf could 'barely notice' the mosque noise pollution. Although a lifetime of being exposed to it would make you deaf anyway, which is probably why Indonesians don't notice it anymore.

 

[jstar]

Make sure you’re higher than the 20th floor in an apartment building or on the side with the pool and do vist the place at 3 or even better; 6 PM.

 

[El_Goretto]

Hi,

My initial contract is for 1-2 years but extendable. My main clients are brandowners such as Nestle, Unilever, P&G, Pepsi, Coca Cola etc so a mix between city centre offices as well as outside to factories.

Som clients in Bandung, Surabaya aswell and a lot in Singapore, HCMC, Shanghai, PP and Bangkok (so a lot of flying). PP limited though. THought first about Aryaduta in Tangerang or a first 1 month stay at Holiday Inn in city (one of them) close to cntre (cant remember the area name but close ot the Pullman where I have stayed before and then make more informed decision when in place and know the city better than previously during just short trips. Longest stay so far was a month in Mulia Senayan and that seemed to be a convenient area - as well as a good hotel. During the weeks I will in the beginning mainly work from ¨home¨then more and more visits both locally and internationally so airport should not be too inconvenient but trips to malls and some western style pubs would be good for weekends at least if it takes an hour in taxi (I know it is not easy to say with certainty in terms of time in Jakarta) on a weekend I am not too bothered.

If I had come with family I would have a lot more criterias so am relatively flexible now.

In that case, have you considered the Tangerang Selatan area, more specifically BSD (where Unilever is located)? It's a lot better lifestyle than in the city, easier to get to the airport and basically everything you could ask for. I've been living in that area for 14 years now, so I know it like my back pocket. I also WFH and travel regularly. Hit me up if you'd like to catch up when you're around, I'd be happy to show you around and tell you about all the places.

 

[John indonesia]

I haven't been here very long, but I have found out a few things:

• Live as close as possible to work, or at least on an MRT or bus route to your office
• Don't own a car or motorbike unless you really have to
• Blue Bird taxis are safe, but local, small company taxis should be viewed with caution
• Keep belongings close in crowded places.

 

[Helpful Herbert]

I was very dubious about getting a car 12 years ago but it has been fantastic. Big quality of life increase.
Also it has barely lost any value in that time, which is a bonus.

 

[Hawk256]

Also it has barely lost any value in that time, which is a bonus.

Buy a Honda or Toyota and the value stays very high compared to the West. Our 6 year old Honda sold in 1 day at a price I never thought we would get.

 

[AlexWKba]

In that case, have you considered the Tangerang Selatan area, more specifically BSD (where Unilever is located)? It's a lot better lifestyle than in the city, easier to get to the airport and basically everything you could ask for. I've been living in that area for 14 years now, so I know it like my back pocket. I also WFH and travel regularly. Hit me up if you'd like to catch up when you're around, I'd be happy to show you around and tell you about all the places.

I have thought of the Aryaduta (think they have serviced apartments). Definately open to catch up once I am there... aiming at arriving around October 1st.

 

[AlexWKba]

Buy a Honda or Toyota and the value stays very high compared to the West. Our 6 year old Honda sold in 1 day at a price I never thought we would get.

Did the same in Bangkok - no need for a car for first 6 years then bought a Toyota Camry and that only lost a bit of value... but will not buy a car for the first year at least.

 

[Hawk256]

Did the same in Bangkok - no need for a car for first 6 years then bought a Toyota Camry and that only lost a bit of value... but will not buy a car for the first year at least.

I never bought a car in Thailand. Lived in Chiang Mai for a few years but since I was single then, really no need to buy a car at the time. Went practically everywhere on my motorbike.