My company would to send me (next week) to Jakarta for a
four month project.
Is there anybody out there who can give me some idea of what
it is like to be an expat there, and whether I should really
be worried about all the political unrest? Is it the kind
of city that you can actually have a life in? Is it easy to
get away from the city on weekends?
Any advice/help would be much appreciated.
[There are 3 posts - the latest was added on Fri 21 May, 16:00]
Use the form at the end of this page to add your own post.
Topics
| Thorn Tree
| Home
You may be coming home from Jakarta sooner than you think if
all hell breaks loose! Watch out for pickpockets and other
thieves!
I have lived in Jakarta off and on for 9 years and like it
despite traffic, pollution, corruption, and occasional
chaos.
Hard to generalise on what life is like - it depends what
you want and like - some hate it some love it. Plenty of
restaurants, some OK pubs and the like, good cinemas
(Hollywood fare only) but weak on other (western) cultural
stuff. Some single expat women find it tough to make a
social life - tends to be family and single male expats.
You can "have a life" but no promises - depends on you too!
Good accomodation easily available in apartments or hotels
or houses - suggest an apartment for 4 months.
Current situation could be a problem. Election campaign
started yesterday and there is a risk of moderate to heavy
violence in the coming weeks, and especially in June if
people do not like the results. Expats are (so far) not a
target but it can be unnerving. Many expats are leaving
during this period.
Also a fair amount of petty crime since economic crisis, so
some care is needed.
Getting away for weekends possible - a couple of hours to
mountains (hills really, rather crowded), some so-so
beaches, and some small islands. Or Bali and other places
not so far away. I tend to leave for long weekends, not
Sat-Sun.
email me if you have more specific questions... good luck!
Roger
Hello-
I am a single expat woman, in my late 20s, living in
Jakarta. Two points - I agree with Roger - not the best
timing, but not a real danger, the elections and campaigns
are more unnerving than anything else. In fact, things are
unpredictable - so it's pretty foolhearty to try to make
accurate predicitions.
In terms of life - I find life here great - while in term
sof western culture, it is limited, there are plenty of
dance, music and other performances to see. Museums are
scarce, and only a few are really worth seeing. Social
life and night life are great though. Plenty of good
restaurants and bars - some nightclubs, you just may want
to avoid certain places that double as brothels! All told
it's good fun - most expats here are dynamic, ambitious
people who work and play hard -- definitely worth a few
months.
Any other queries - just drop me a line.
Good luck--