Job Discussion Forums

Ned · Joined: 13 Jan 2007 Posts: 4

Hi there,
Could anyone tell me about living in Bandung. Any comments would be welcome.
Cheers,
Ned

sidjameson · Joined: 11 Jan 2004 Posts: 629 Location: osaka

I was only there for a week so my words aren't worth much but I would say that Bandung was a bit of a let down for me. One half of the city was very poor indeed.. The other half got surprisingly more opulent as you went further north. In fact some of the houses were down right ostentatious. The university though was stunning. Definitely the nicest part of the city. The nightlife was very poor. As far as I could tell Jalan Braga's assortment of a few run down sleazy bars was it. The shopping malls were typical, as was the food and people (for Indonesia)
Further north of Bandung you really do escape all sense of the tropics with some really nice temperatures.

laughing_magpie06 · Joined: 14 Sep 2006 Posts: 282

I must agree with sidjameson. I was expecting Jalan Braga to be something like Jalan Jaksa but it was very quiet and looked like a collection of karaoke bars. I was there during Ramadan and the traffic was worse than in Jakarta-so much for getting away from it all. There are some nice Sundanese retaurants but try finding one that serves anything stronger than a lemonade. The only place I felt really comfortable was in my hotel next to the pool. Also the only reason I found Jakartans wanted to go there was to do shopping-huh Rolling Eyes

Chancellor · Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 6:58 pm Post subject:

I was there for about a month in May-June 2006 and I enjoyed my time there. The mounds of trash nearly everywhere was a bit hard to tolerate.

Ned · Joined: 13 Jan 2007 Posts: 4

Can you tell me what it is like to live up in the hills of north Bandung in an area called Dago? I believe that is where all the teachers live.

cheers,
Ned

Chancellor · Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 8:40 pm Post subject: Re: Living in the hills...

papillon · Joined: 02 Feb 2006 Posts: 91

PEP808 · Joined: 06 Oct 2004 Posts: 14 Location: Bandung, West Java

Hey Ned,
If you're still reading, this is from a teacher who has been living in Bdg for two years. Anybody who has visited Bandung for a week or two has no idea what the city is like. There is a lot to do, and in 2 yrs I don't think I've been to Jl. Braga more than 5 times. Living on Dago is very pleasant as long as you don't get stuck in the "kampung bule" of Dago pojok and look farther to the north. Houses are affordable and spacious with beautiful views, about 8-15 mil per year. Food is plentiful and delicious, as are the women, should you be so inclined. I would not accept a job that pays less than 8 juta, and would look for 9 or 10, not because you can't live on less, but bcuz thats standard. The city can get boring after about two years and is not very close to beaches, but is close to Jkt, and not too far from pelabuhan ratu which is an ok beach. As for nightlife there are about five big clubs and about twenty pubs/bars/cafes (maybe 5 good ones), so not big, but maybe big enough for a year or two, depending on your appetites Wink

. As for local arts, Bdg is the centre of Sunda culture, with quite a few good arts schools, and while its not yogya I'm sure you could learn a lot about traditional culture, if you're into that. I'm not staying for another year but I can recommend it for a year or two, and the schools have a decent standard. Just stay away from downtown...

Ned · Joined: 13 Jan 2007 Posts: 4

Thanks for your reply PEP808... It sounds good!

Cheers,
Ned Smile

philbags · Joined: 13 May 2006 Posts: 149 Location: 1962-69

Hey, I didnt know any of the Ban Dung Teachers were posting - wonder if I know you Pep.
Wanted to get onto this thread before but internet in china has been slower than a jaksa tart on a monday afternoon since the Taiwan earthquake.
Bandung also has a Hash house harriers; they used to have a news-sheet in the Setiabule supermarket. tho' typically they run on a monday afternoon so most teaching gigs wouldnt let you do it - assuming that you wanted to.
Anyone visiting should go up to the Selesar Sunario art gallery in Dago Atas.
I know a lot of teachers who have settled (and sometimes bought houses) up around there. depending on what youre looking for , it could be a lovely place to live - I even found a house where you could sleep through morning prayer, provided you used earplugs and took anti-mo.

PEP808 · Joined: 06 Oct 2004 Posts: 14 Location: Bandung, West Java

Quimby?
Spent any time in pangandaran, philbags? Have a coworker named Teddy?
If not, please ignore the above...

philbags · Joined: 13 May 2006 Posts: 149 Location: 1962-69

ZANZIBAAARRRR!
I can only guess who this is - however choices would be limited to mostly canadarians.
T-bag and I still teach and drink.
I'll PM you .