Job Discussion Forums

midwest-magpie · Joined: 01 Jun 2010 Posts: 11 Location: Indiana

Hi everyone!

I've read through several pages of this forum now, and I have some questions of my own.

I have recently been offered/accepted a contract working for Wall Street Institute in Jakarta (one of four schools tbd). The pay is approximately 14rp per month after tax (16.141 before). Housing is not included. I am single, female, with a tendency towards the quiet life. I have lived in big cities before, and I have lived abroad for a few years, but mainly in Europe. I have debts to pay in the States, obviously. I have a two BAs (one in English), an MA (non-English), and my CELTA. I have been a college professor for 3 years.

I have read the State Department's website, which terrified me. I read these forum posts, which calmed me back down. But I'm not sure what to do anymore - perhaps it's information overload.

Based on my monthly salary, will I be able to afford a decent apartment - one that is clean, safe, and has (so Western) a bathroom? I don't mind bugs, and I can handle heat as long as I can buy a fan. Will I be able to save some money to send home and work on my loans? I figure since I don't go clubbing, and am a light drinker, I will be able to save a little more. I am not a flirt that I know of, so I assume that I will not be creating any unnecessary scenes on that front.

I could use a little reassurance I guess, that what I am about to undertake is workable. It's my first time teaching English abroad, and I don't want to mess it up.

Thanks!

wailing_imam · Joined: 31 Mar 2006 Posts: 580 Location: Malaya

China is more female friendly.

wailing_imam · Joined: 31 Mar 2006 Posts: 580 Location: Malaya

China is more female friendly.

benbobaggins · Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 60 Location: Jakarta

Hi there,

Firstly, well done on the job offer.

A question... which Wall Street (the area or suburb)? This will influence the price of room you will live in and then the places to go out to in the surrounding area. However, you could try...

http://www.ciptanuansa.com/rental%20price%20list.htm

http://www.apartementamanrasuna.com/

http://www.livinginindonesiaforum.org/forumdisplay.php/21-Home-Search

The first two are links to Taman Rasuna Apartments - I live there and they are pretty good, but more expensive than the usual yearly rent for a house. However, no mosquitoes, few bugs, less noise and pools, shops, gyms etc included in the service charge price. It is very central, and excellent for getting to places around. There is a supermarket and cinema within 5 minutes walking distance.

The rent for a one bedroom is about 4.5 a month (this is approx. higher and lower are available-search the forums!) X 12 in advance usually, but often 6 months is fine. Add another 1.5 approx for bills a month.

The 3rd link is a forum. Often the prices are a lot higher on this site, but its worth checking out to compare.

Also, you may want to check out sharing - there are some lovely people, and a new friend could be great in a big city.

You will need to bring a bit of cash to pay for your rent in advance, plus, if you went for a semi-furnished, you could save money in the long run by buying some cheapish furniture yourself.

PM me if you need any help. Taman Rasuna has agents that post on the lobby windows, not on the net, so often its harder to find. Oh, and check out the classifieds if possible from 'Kompas' newspaper on a Saturday.

Anyway, good luck!

fabdi_2 · Joined: 24 Jun 2010 Posts: 6

Midwest, when are you planning on leaving? I got a job offer with them too but had to push it back...to save money for the flight and apartment. Looks like we have a similar situation and I need to figure out if I can pay my loans n save too.

fabdi_2 · Joined: 24 Jun 2010 Posts: 6

Benbobaggins, do most apts in Jakarta require 6mo-1yr pay?

benbobaggins · Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 60 Location: Jakarta

extradross · Joined: 23 Apr 2010 Posts: 81

One of the best deals apartment wise is to be found in Pluit-'Laguna Apartments'. They ain't pretty and rather small but leased through their office are available [unfurnished] for around 16-17 million for the year. 'Private' rentals are available from apartment owners for less but you need to bargain and it needs to be made very clear what is included in the place-i.e stove, refrigerator, beds etc. An added advantage of the place is that it's a short toll journey to Sudirman/Senayan area.

midwest-magpie · Joined: 01 Jun 2010 Posts: 11 Location: Indiana

Thanks for the advice benbobaggins Smile

I don't know which school I will be at yet. My contract is a little open-ended, because I am teaching at a college in the states till the end of the year. I expect to be out there at the beginning of January. I'll know as the date grows closer (hopefully...)

Semi-furnished does not include a bed? ouch...oh well, I'll make do.

So, if in theory I were to take an apartment at Taman Rasuna, I would need to pay a year's rent in advance? That's good to know, savings wise.

Thanks - if I have any more questions I'll be sure to post them!

jef dam · Joined: 27 Apr 2010 Posts: 79

"So, if in theory I were to take an apartment at Taman Rasuna, I would need to pay a year's rent in advance? That's good to know, savings wise. "

Thats not written in stone, spend a bit of time checking with as many agents as possible. I'm moving there in 2 weeks and have found a nice one bedroom for less than the price quoted in this thread and the landlord is letting me pay monthly. It took a few weeks and a couple of false starts but the agents will usually agree to monthly payment.

benbobaggins · Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 60 Location: Jakarta

benbobaggins · Joined: 17 Sep 2007 Posts: 60 Location: Jakarta

p.s.

Lots of prices may look cheaper, but will not include the service charge. This is about 600 thousand a month. This goes towards the maintenance of the complex.

Check this as well before you sign on the dotted line... Wink

extradross · Joined: 23 Apr 2010 Posts: 81

Are there really ex-pat teachers here shelling out 3-4 mill per month on apartments when they are [probably] only making 14-15 mill per month working in language mills? Laughing

phis · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 250

Economic experts say that accommodation should cost no more than 30% (approx) of your total income.

Kanga · Joined: 07 Apr 2010 Posts: 7 Location: Indonesia

What you're undertaking is very doable. Your School might be able to suggest a local boarding house (Kost) which offers hotel style accommodation for about 1.5-2m until you can find an apartment. Apartment rents, relative to income, don't seem too much different from 'the West' (I think so anyway ...?) After you arrive your colleagues and DoS should be able to fill you in with their local knowledge.

You could probably save a couple of million a month, albeit at the expense of a fairly parsimonious lifestyle...

Your qualifications and experience are quite good - what are employment prospects like at the moment for teachers in the States?