Job Discussion Forums

alc · Joined: 14 Dec 2008 Posts: 55

I'm applying to several language schools in Jakarta, Bogor, and Surabaya that don't offer housing for teachers. How much is it for a single person to rent a room or basic (but clean) apartment in each of these cities? I have a B.S. and CELTA but no teaching experience. What do you think would be the bare minimum I should accept for a monthly salary that would allow me to live comfortably? My idea of comfortable is being able to eat Western food from time to time (wouldn't mind Padang food everyday), have a few beers (bars/local restaurants, not clubs), and travel within Indonesia during work breaks (and some weekends). I know Jakarta is a big place so rent rates for central Jakarta and/or Pondok Indah area would be helpful.

Hopefully I'll find a job soon and I can stop asking so many questions!!
Thanks!

rayman · Joined: 24 May 2003 Posts: 427

There are only a couple of apartments affordable in central Jakarta on an English teacher's salary.

There's Sudirman Park which is just behind Jl. Sudirman and Taman Rasuna Apartments on Jl. Rasuna Said (near the Australian Embassy).

At each of these, 1 bedroom furnished apartments are available for Rp3.5 - 4.5 million/month. Rent must be paid either in 6 month or 12 month installments. For water and electricity you need to add another Rp600 000/month minimum. Sudirman is newer, yet smaller, so the price works out similar to Taman Rasuna.

Other alternatives are a range of kosts. The better ones are similar to a studio apartment. The best selection are clustered on Jl. Karet Pedurenan in Kuningan (enter opposite Pasar Festival on Jl. Rasuna said or Jl. Dr. Satrio just before ITC/Mal Ambassador. The advantage with a kost is you can pay monthly. Some also have small gymnasiums and free WiFi. The disadvantage is they can feel a bit cramped after a while.

ljb · Joined: 12 Feb 2009 Posts: 41

I live in Taman Rasuna and have been lucky enough to get a 2 bed apartment for 4.4 per month, fully furnished. This is a lucky find but I believe the one bed rents are as Rayman says. Although due to the new shopping centre and office blocks being built close by, prices may increase in the near future.

I have lived in two really nice Kos. One was very close to Kuningan/Kemang and had a swimming pool, internet and cable TV. This cost me 1.750 million per month. PM me if you would like the number at any stage.

The only issue with some Kos is that overnight guests are not allowed, particularly if they are deemed to be a relationship with you. Make sure you check this out so that your accommodation meets your needs.

Salaries - well I suppose your lifestyle will be dictated by your salary in some ways, I know some people who live the life they want with nights out and western food on a salary of about 10 million per month, I know others who earn around 15 million and constantly borrow to support what they would consider to be a reasonable lifestyle. At one stage I earned 12 million and led a very happy life.

Happy job hunting.

malu · Joined: 22 Apr 2007 Posts: 1344 Location: Sunny Java

I can only speak for Bogor these days, but here rents are much lower than in central Jakarta. I rent a decent sized house for just over 1 mill per month (though I had to shell out two years up front for that deal). There are plenty of kost around but they tend to be aimed at the local student market so are a bit basic. Rp 500 000 per month is, so I'm told, the going rate for the better ones though you'll always get the best price for a longer term let.

The advantage of a kost is that the basics are usually provided while most apartments and houses are let unfurnished so there is a lot of up-front expense. Disadvantages include noise from neighbours and lack of space.

I notice that language schools like EF who used to provide shared accommodation as part of the package are now tending to require FTs to find their own housing.

twinkle85 · Joined: 19 Jun 2009 Posts: 5 Location: UK

Lady_Drew · Joined: 03 Sep 2009 Posts: 6

How negotiable are these schools? Is the salary just the salary? Here in the US, I would rarely ever take a first offer, but rather use my skills of negotiation to compromise. How will that angle be received there? Do I just smile and nod?

Synergy101 · Joined: 14 Jun 2005 Posts: 39 Location: Jatim

What I know about housing in Surabaya

A Kost( local name for boarding house) is about Rp 1,500,000 - 2,000,000 per month for a room with your own bathroom, ac, share kitchen, livingroom. Price includes water and electricity use. Pay monthly. Generally no curfew, no questions asked if you have a bf/gf staying with you. Most have mini markets and food areas nearby

A house can be be between Rp 8 million up per year. You have to put down at the very least a 1 year payment, sometimes 2 years are demanded. Problems can arise with the neighbours if you are single and have a local gf/bf staying over...the neighbours may give you a hard time for your "immoral behaviour." Also figuring out where to pay your power and water bills and finding a good handyman to fix a leaky pipe, overflowing toilet can be troublesome.

My suggestion is if you are new to the city stick with a good Kost first. Start house hunting if you are planning to be here for a couple of years.

Nabby Adams · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 215

shared kitchen! Do they end up looking like something out of my student days?

father Mackenzie · Joined: 10 Oct 2008 Posts: 105 Location: Jakarta Barat

I live in an apartment in Mediterania in Tanjung Duren. I pay roughly 2 million a month at the moment and have 2 bedrooms, shower and a balcony. There are several swimming pools etc that are free to use. The best bit is really the free Internet and Indovision that is supplied to each apartment. The security is also fantastic but then it should be after recent events!!

HCV · Joined: 10 Nov 2009 Posts: 8

I am renting a 3 bedroom house in Gading Serpong, just outside of Jakarta for 16 000 000 IDR per year, roughly 1600 US$. In most cases here you have to pay in advance for the whole year, and I had to buy some basic furniture, which came to another 5 or 6 million IDR. I live walking distance from the school and shopping mall. You can get away with paying less though...

One of the teachers here live in a kost, and he pays 9 00 000 per month.

vema123 · Joined: 09 Mar 2009 Posts: 13

Madame J · Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 5:22 am Post subject:

How would you say the cost of living in Jakarta compares to other large cities here (I'm currently based in Surabaya)? I'm considering a move to Jakarta next year, but I'm not sure how much more money I should really aim for in order for me to live happily in the capital. I'm on eight million (housing provided free) at the moment and have been able to live reasonably comfortably on that so far (Western food, nights out, travel on weekends, bar/restaurant meals most nights), although now I find I'm having to borrow/dip into savings to live the lifestyle I want (regular-ish travel to other islands, possibly renting a studio next month).

laughing_magpie06 · Joined: 14 Sep 2006 Posts: 282

Jakarta can cost as much or as little as you want it to..If you like western style clubs, restaurants and shopping you will probably pay more than anywhere else in the country and it will be as pricey as a western country. However if warungs and beers in Jaksa are more your thing it wont cost much at all. Kosts range from about 2 million upwards (less and you're going shanty), houses are probably better value but require an upfront lease / rent for one year, apartments are expensive.

Madame J · Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:01 am Post subject:

Shanty, eh? How exactly would you define that?

In terms of what I want from my living space, I don't need a huge area but at the bare minimum would require the ability to come and go when I want, have who I want in my room and not have the living area right outside my door (a communal living space down the hall would be fine, and I don't mind having to share a kitchen/bathroom). Oh and hot water!

In other words, I wouldn't mind sharing some of the space as long as we weren't living right on top of each other, the way shared teacher housing here often works. Realistic?

laughing_magpie06 · Joined: 14 Sep 2006 Posts: 282

Well kosts less than 2 million a month probably wouldn't be open to bules anyway. When I first arrived in 2004 you probably could though. Then I lived in a nice, but small place for around that price. The downside was the road leading there was at the bottom of a hill and flooded regularly. When I said shanty, no AC, TV, share bathrooms and genrally smallish conditions. And yes restrictions on who you can take to your room.