Job Discussion Forums

bmetter · Joined: 12 Mar 2008 Posts: 7

Can anyone tell me what it is like to live in Jakarta? Is it difficult to live there without a car?

tanyakenapa · Joined: 06 Feb 2007 Posts: 180 Location: Batavia

I live here without a car. I'm female and catch taxis everyday and I have never had a problem. However just as my own rule, I dont catch taxi's alone after 9pm at night.

I used to live about 45mins taxi ride from the office (only 6kms away) and it cost about 25 thousand each way... if the traffic was Ok it would cost me about 20 thousand.

Now I have moved and it costs me about 5 thousand to and from work by taxi. But I always give the drivers 10 thousand and they never complain. Although I have gotten one or two taxi drivers with a grumpy face ... but once they get more than the actually fare (which i always do) they are OK again.

People might say, why doesnt she get a bajaj... they usually require at least 8 or 10 thousand for the distance I want to travel, so I might as well pay the 10 thousand and travel in an air conditioned taxi.

The taxi companies I usually look for is EXPRESS... and then BLUE BIRD. But I usually just get the first one that comes along empty...

btw...if its raining... you will have heaps of trouble finding a empty taxi... I have waited nearly an hour and a half one night.. just waiting for one to come along..

rayman · Joined: 24 May 2003 Posts: 427

Very easy without a car. Done it for 5 years and have never felt the need. Having said that, will probably buy one soon for family reasons. As a single person living is easy, and in may regards, easier, without one. Particularly if you live and work on one of the busway routes.

BrisTeach · Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 1

Jakarta's traffic can be manic and dangerous at times if you are not used to the "flow". I would say that it's probably not worth the hassle of having a car. Taxi's are fine.

pest2 · Joined: 28 Oct 2006 Posts: 170

rayman · Joined: 24 May 2003 Posts: 427

Most westerners that buy a bike in Jakarta, prefer something a bit beefier than a scooter. In beefy, I mean a 250cc. The extra power would, as irony may have it, increase the safety and the extra bulk would place you (ever so) slightly higher in the food chain.

laughing_magpie06 · Joined: 14 Sep 2006 Posts: 282

Funny how the traffic works both ways. My wife coped quite well with the insanity of Jakarta and drove like Alain Prost on the hellish roads there. Here in Melbourne though she seems nervous and hesitant but for me it works the opposite.

TEAM_PAPUA · Joined: 24 May 2004 Posts: 1679 Location: HOLE

mistermark · Joined: 12 Nov 2008 Posts: 21

the previous post just said only scooters after the one 250cc model was withdrawn... for real? i'm plannig my nexxt stage and was gettinginto the idea of Indo until i read that.. i do have a bicycle though! are cars cheap?