Job Discussion Forums

[norbdemn]

I am currently living in Thailand so I am pretty familiar with Thailand. I am curious to know how it compares to Indonesia.

How great are the differences between these countries in terms of day to day living?, Public Transportation?, People?, Safety?...The Big picture!...etc...

What about working (teaching..etc..)? Ease of getting legal?........Paperwork?. Salary?.....etc......


I would appreciate hearing from Expats who lived in both of these countries. Also for those of you who have lived in both, which do you prefer?, why?

Thanks

[flapjack]

Well,
I have lived in both and I like both equally but for different reasons.
Both are the land of smiles and both are very interesting places to live.

Learning the Indonesian language is a lot easier than Thai, and knowing the language where you live makes things more interesting and easier, so I would say Indonesia would be my choice if I were to return to SE asia. On the other hand Thailand is easier for taking short trips to cambodia, and vietnam. Also the cultural part of living in a buddhist country is more agreeable to me than living in a mulsim country. But thats just a personal preference.

[gado_gado]

I've travelled extensively through Thailand and Indonesia and I personally would advise the following.

Stick to Thailand and Bali for cultural reasons.

Avoid other parts of Indonesia, especially Jakarta, there's no reason to spend your time there, people are there (locals and expats alike) for all the wrong reasons and you will become affected by the negative atmosphere of the place.

It's all down to religion in Indonesia and if you're transient you'll learn a lot, if you're loking to live in a place for any period of time you will have to think carefully about whether living in a conservative, judgemental and oppressive part of Indonesia such as Java is really for you.

[norbdemn]

Thanks flapjack and gado gado!

It seems, from what both of you mentioned that it would be better to stick to Thailand as far as 'living a comfortable life' goes as I anticipated ( but wanted to hear it from people with experience in both).

What about cost of living, are both countries somewhat equal? handling paperwork in Indonesia?, and expected teachers salary in Indo?

Thanks :D

[flapjack]

Hi,
I suppose it's a toss up on salary and cost of living depending on whether you choose a big city or a small rural place to live.

I lived in Jakarta(personally, didnt like it) Surabaya(clean but boring) Bandung(my favorite place, cooler weather, great food, fun students).
Bali would be a nice place to live if you had a some money saved and and could work independently, but there aren't a lot of schools there. I agree with Gado gado on staying out of most parts of Indonesia, but I still think that Bandung and Bali are do-able.

I havent been to indonesia in many years so I couldnt advise on the paper work, etc.

best of luck on your research.

[TEAM_PAPUA]

[gado_gado]

Batavian Culture (reverse theory)

Not being gassed by exhaust fumes whilst incacerated in a concrete cage with a rogue band of thieving gypsies for neighbours.


You ever tried searching for culture in Jakarta, Papua?

Damn stinkhole that city.

[TEAM_PAPUA]

I am surrounded by 'culture' with many people interacting in different ways according to the norms and values they share. Unfortunately, the shared norms and values of some folks here in JKT leave a lot to be desired.

If you manage to break the 'school - mall - jaksa - home cycle' there are some incredibly interesting experiences to be had.

But, you are right, on the whole it is a *beep* hole

[xsbir]

[gado_gado]

put it this way, the way I see it expats in Jakarta are there for 2 reasons, they are searching for something or running away from reality at home.

expats in Bali are searching for a lifestyle on a tropical island blanketed by a glorious cultural heritage, stunning natural beauty and a religion steeped in forgiveness and understanding, I can understand why so many want to relocate here.

I failed to find any of the above in Jakarta and I rather suspect that those expats NOT employed by oil/mining companies on outrageous retainers or Int school staff are running away from reality and are trapped in the vice cycle of girlie bars, low salaries and miserable working/living conditions.

what are they searching for??

[xsbir]

Delete

[xsbir]

[gado_gado]

I'm not looking for anything anymore. My reality is here. If in the past I wanted to escape anything it would have been winters, slush, high taxes and North American women. There's none of the first three here, and thankfully few of the last. The dirt, pollution, poverty and sexist attitudes of Jakarta men make it that few such women can handle it here or want to be here. Life is good.

I hope I've helped to answer your question.

...so to conclude, you had trouble getting laid with western women, free thinking, liberal western women?

[xsbir]

[TEAM_PAPUA]