Jakarta, Indonesia Report of what it's like to live there - 12/04/23
Personal Experiences from Jakarta, Indonesia
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
This is first post with USG, but have lived in other place internationally as an expat for years before joining as a government employee.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
From DC over 24 hours with layover – either Tokyo or Doha.
3. How long have you lived here?
Over one year.
4. What years did you live here?
2022-2024.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomatic mission
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
We live in the compound closest to the Embassy. About 16 apartments (1 and 2 BR), seems for singles or couples without children along. One of the places where dogs are allowed. Not as decadent as any other housing I’ve seen that the mission puts employees in, but the selling point is that it is a five minute walk to the Embassy.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
If you can stick to local brands and products, you will find prices much cheaper. Cheese, peanut butter, other random products you will pay more for, as well as international brands. Alcohol is taxed quite a bit. Household supplies will be different but work just as well; if you love a certain US brand, send it in consumables shipment.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Alcohol, dryer sheets, laundry detergent, Q-tips, certain makeup/hair/personal products. Oh, tampons. Also, favorite OTC meds – for colds, stomach issues.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Very easy to order food on apps like Gojek and Grab, once you set up payment method. “Nicer” restaurants where expats tend to hang out are much pricier than local places, but still cheap compared to US restaurants.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
We’ve experienced problems with ants in the apartment several times. Management is responsive, and then we found some pest control powder on the local market and that seems to be working, just sprinkle it in outside the entrance to our apartment and haven’t had a problem since.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Local facilities are not adequate. Very overpriced and very long time to arrive. Even DPO from the US takes about 5-6 weeks. Sending items back to the US seems to be a bit quicker, taking about 2 weeks.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Extremely affordable and there are always household helpers with experience working with the Embassy community looking for work. We employ a part-time helper (2 full days per week) for about $140 per month to do laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping, a bit of cooking, and other small errands. I know other expats employ staff from nannies to gardeners to personal drivers.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
The four main apartment buildings in Jakarta all have gyms, not sure about stand-alone homes down in South Jakarta. The Embassy gym is quite small, but they also just built an outdoor gym facility if you can stand the heat (and pollution) out there.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Yes, we mostly use a credit card. Some smaller establishments that don’t see too many expats may have an issue with it processing in their machine, so we always have cash on hand just in case. If you travel to smaller/more remote cities, always plan to have enough cash to get by just in case as I’ve been to remote places where everything is cash only.
5. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
There is a post language program. It’s definitely easier to get around, get to know locals, travel independently outside of Jakarta (excluding Bali), etc. if you have language skills.
6. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Jakarta is not a walkable city. We mostly take taxis around.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Yes, very much so in both respects. The local train system has a lot to be desired, but you can take trains to other cities and those are more comfortable. Taxis are cheap and safe, sticking to BlueBird.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Our sponsor helped get it up and running before arrival. Wifi is so spotty and cuts in and out very frequently in our experience.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
Yes, there is a quarantine requirement.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Many locals cover up here, even in the heat. The embassy seems to be business casual. Find some comfortable batik when you first arrive and that works, too.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Not that I have encountered, just keep regular street smarts.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Singapore is very close for any serious medical issues/procedures.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Not good, I had pretty significant respiratory issues on arrival. Try to get out of Jakarta as much as possible.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
I don’t have food allergies, but will say being a vegetarian may be challenging. Environmental “allergies” were tough for me to adjust to, in terms of the pollution. I have mild asthma and history of sinus infections; spending any time at length outdoors in Jakarta triggers my issues. I am sensitive to mosquito bites as well, and they are monsters here, so that’s something to be aware of.
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Hot and humid all the time, even in the “dry” season. And the wet season is very wet and humid.
Expat Life:
1. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
I think singles can easily meet people, whether it’s within the Embassy community, locals, or other expats. Fine to go out alone, safety wise. Indonesian people are extremely welcoming for the most part.
2. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
Locals are very friendly and easy to make friends with.
3. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
No, probably not the easiest place to be.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Jakarta can be tough in some ways, but probably yes, only because of the culture, cost of living, and travel opportunities in this area. But you need at least a long weekend for travel.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Outdoor sports equipment (bike, kayak, etc.), winter clothes/gear
3. But don't forget your:
Bathing suits, snorkel and hiking gear, favorite OTC medicines, light poncho rain jackets, umbrellas, bug spray
