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Flicka
Joined: 22 Mar 2010
Posts: 68
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 Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 9:43 am Post subject: Kuningan area |
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Hi Everyone,
I've been reading lots of posts with great interest but my specific question remains not fully answered.
I would like to know about Kuningan area. This is because I have interview with a TBI school there but, being currently based in Lampung, am unfamiliar with the area. Ive been to Jakarta once but only to Taman Mini and only overnight.
What is Kuningan like? Are there any nice parks you can get to with relative ease? Is it suburban or central? How expensive is accommodation? How good are transport links? How expensive/easily accessible are things like gym, swimming pool.
Does Jakarta have any climbing walls? Are any near Kuningan?
How is TBI Kuningan these days? I've read good things about it on this forum except they were from 2008 so obviously things might have changed a little since then! Is it still good? Certainly the person I've been dealing with seems very nice.
Ok, apologies for my ignorance and I look forward to any replies of a trying to be helpful nature 
Thanks, Flicka. |
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rayman
Joined: 24 May 2003
Posts: 427
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| Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 12:16 am Post subject: |
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Hi, I lived in Kuningan for 7 years, up until about a year ago. It's officially classed as South Jakarta, yet it is really quite central and contains most of the embassies. It is very developed and has a relatively high proportion of single foreigners.
There is access to a park in Menteng (Taman Menteng), about 8-30 minutes away, depending on trafffic.
Transport links are probably the best in Jakarta. There is the Corridor 6 Busway running through the main road, Jl. Rasuna Said down to Ragunan Zoo. Ojeks are never spaced more than 200m apart and taxis are abundant.
The range of accommodation options are also probably the best in Jakarta. Jl. Karet Pedurenan (opposite Pasar Festival) and its adjoining streets has an excellent range of kosts from Rp1-5 million a month. Taman Rasuna Apartments at Rasuna Epicentrum has 1 bedroom places starting around Rp3.5 million/month + utilities.
There is a climbing wall at the rear of Pasar Festival. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. |
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Flicka
Joined: 22 Mar 2010
Posts: 68
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| Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 6:12 am Post subject: |
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Thank you for taking time to reply!
I'll be doing a demo class in a couple of weeks, so we'll see what happens. At least I wil be able to get a small feel for the area while I am there.
Do any of the kos have swimming pools or gyms? How expensive? Or is there one that is walking distance to somewhere with a swimming pool or gym? Or walking distance to the park? Can you get to the park using the bus way?
Where is Pasar Festival? How expensive is the climbing wall? What about pool/gym memberships?
Thanks in advance for any more help but already you've given me lots of help so thank you! |
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rayman
Joined: 24 May 2003
Posts: 427
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| Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 3:50 am Post subject: |
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No problem. There is a Gold's Gym, considered the best one in Indonesia at the Rasun Epicentrum in central Kuningan. This is walking distance from the Taman Rasuna Apartments and the kosts on Jl. Karet Pedurenan. There's also plenty of gyms and swimming pools at the numerous hotels in the area. TBI is now located in Mega Kuningan which is the newer, flashier section. I'm sure you could get a gym/pool membership at one of the hotels nearby. The kosts themselves don't have pools and generally don't have gyms either.
The outdoor climbing wall is free if you have your own equipment. I'm not sure about rental prices, but am sure it would be cheap. Pasar Festival is a small shopping complex on the main road, Jl.Rasuna Said. There is a McDonald's out the front and a soccer stadium and running track behind. If you're taking the Busway, get off at the Gor Sumantri station which is directly in front. |
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travelNteach
Joined: 14 Jul 2009
Posts: 222
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| Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 5:06 am Post subject: |
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| membership at gold's gym runs about 5 million per year ($550). sometimes they have promos that will make the price more attractive, but usually are 2 for 1 or something like that. not sure if that branch offers monthly memberships or not |
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Tudor
Joined: 21 Aug 2009
Posts: 339
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| Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 1:35 pm Post subject: |
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| TBI isn't in Mega Kuningan, it's in Menara Kuningan on Jl Rasuna Said between Gor Sumantri and Karet busway shelters....I'd concur with the rest of the advice though! |
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rayman
Joined: 24 May 2003
Posts: 427
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| Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 3:07 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks for the correction Tudor. Admittedly I haven't been to TBI since they moved from setiabudi building some years ago. |
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bule_boy69
Joined: 05 Mar 2007
Posts: 158
Location: Jakarta
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| Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 11:11 pm Post subject: |
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| Flicka wrote: |
Thank you for taking time to reply!
I'll be doing a demo class in a couple of weeks, so we'll see what happens. At least I wil be able to get a small feel for the area while I am there.
Do any of the kos have swimming pools or gyms? How expensive? Or is there one that is walking distance to somewhere with a swimming pool or gym? Or walking distance to the park? Can you get to the park using the bus way? |
Some of the More expensive Kos2an will have a mini gym, but I dunno what you need. If stuff like gyms n swimming pools are important, you might be better off in an apartment.
I'd say that a livable kos in Kuningan is around 2 n a half a month. The nice ones are 3-4. Personally I don't see the point in paying 4 mil for a kos when you can get an apartment for that (plus bills). You'd be lucky to get a nearby apartment cheaper than 4 mil these days I reckon.
I had a decent sized kos (around 3 mil) which i stayed in for 6 months before I got an apartment. Overall I think I was happier in an apartment Getting a kos first (one month up front plus a deposit) was the easy option, but I probably should've moved straight in.
One thing that you will notice is that despite being in the 'Golden Triangle', parts of Kuningan are pretty crappy and even if you have a nice living space, as soon as you step outside the gate your environment ain't too pretty. Apart from the office workers in the kos2an, the conditions for the locals are in stark contrast to the smart new buildings on the edges of the triangle. For the large part they seem pretty marginalised and this is reflected in their mentality. Some might enjoy the urban kampung feel and some kos2an can be sociable, but I got a bit sick of stupid comments from the ojeks and kids asking me for money.
The kos vs apartment discussion is a common topic for eslers in that wage bracket / location, so I'm sure you can get some good advice from the TBI teachers when you do your demo.
The busway doesn't pass the park. You can get a number 20 bus to the park in Menteng - doesn't take long. You could walk it I guess, but walking in Jakarta isn't enjoyable.
Good luck wiv your demo. |
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benbobaggins
Joined: 17 Sep 2007
Posts: 60
Location: Jakarta
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| Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 12:03 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| membership at gold's gym runs about 5 million per year ($550). |
Its running at about 7.5 million a year now (I went and asked yesterday), and is no longer Gold's Gym Elite - now called Elite Club.
To OP - perhaps look at a flat share at Taman Rasuna... it would work out cheaper than a top Kost and you would have 2 pools and Gym on hand.
Good luck |
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Flicka
Joined: 22 Mar 2010
Posts: 68
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| Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 4:04 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for all the useful input, folks!
Taman Rasuna looks like a possibility but it also looks as though you have to pay a hell of a whack up front! (From the website) Is that the norm? I've a (local) friend who might want to share with me although because she's on a lot less than I would be then the rent split would reflect that, so I'll save a teeny bit but not much! But either way, neither of us can afford a huge amount upfront payment. The only way round it is probably to see if my employer would give me a loan that I pay back out of the salary each month. Any idea on how expensive electricity bills and the like are liable to be in a place like this? I've heard they are more expensive than usual, which worries me! How much should I expect to spend on food in a month (Assuming no alcohol and no poncy western restaurants but ideally be able to get plenty of fresh produce--i'm vegetarian [Except since I came here, I've relaxed a little and will eat chicken or fish from time to time and not fussy about fish sauce or whatever in the food stall food!] and a salad junkie--and if possible some decent cheese from time to time!)
I'm spending the summer in a small to mid-sized English town in the countryside (working a summer school) so imagine what a stark contrast Jakarta will be after that! If I work in JKT I really do want to stay in a nice place (more in terms of the pool/gym/grounds type facilites not how nice the inside of the room is) so at least I have a sort of escape from the daily grind. Somewhere nice to be. A pool to swim in. That's my priority, quite happy to pass on the booze etc in favour of that! If I stay in a nice kost plus pay for gym membership, I probably won't be saving much anyway I'd have thought, compared to the apartments.
Thanks all for the input so far and whatever more comes in! Much appreciated! |
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Flicka
Joined: 22 Mar 2010
Posts: 68
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| Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 4:04 am Post subject: |
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Sorry for the repeat post, internet connection is a bit dodge!
Last edited by Flicka on Thu Jan 20, 2011 4:08 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Flicka
Joined: 22 Mar 2010
Posts: 68
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| Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 4:05 am Post subject: |
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| Sorry for the repeat post!! |
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benbobaggins
Joined: 17 Sep 2007
Posts: 60
Location: Jakarta
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| Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 4:24 am Post subject: |
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Hi ,
Check this thread: First job, not country, abroad - fight the anxiety?
My bills are:
Electric: 500
phone: 100-200 (depends if i call UK or not)
Service charge & water: 800
Net-Zap: 320,000
Cable TV: 150
Food: 1.2 per week (for 2 adults and baby!)
All per month - it adds up!! But, i do use the pool and gym alot at Taman Rasuna. |
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bule_boy69
Joined: 05 Mar 2007
Posts: 158
Location: Jakarta
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| Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 8:52 am Post subject: |
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| Flicka wrote: |
Thanks for all the useful input, folks!
Taman Rasuna looks like a possibility but it also looks as though you have to pay a hell of a whack up front! (From the website) Is that the norm? I've a (local) friend who might want to share with me although because she's on a lot less than I would be then the rent split would reflect that, so I'll save a teeny bit but not much! But either way, neither of us can afford a huge amount upfront payment. The only way round it is probably to see if my employer would give me a loan that I pay back out of the salary each month. Any idea on how expensive electricity bills and the like are liable to be in a place like this? I've heard they are more expensive than usual, which worries me! How much should I expect to spend on food in a month (Assuming no alcohol and no poncy western restaurants but ideally be able to get plenty of fresh produce--i'm vegetarian [Except since I came here, I've relaxed a little and will eat chicken or fish from time to time and not fussy about fish sauce or whatever in the food stall food!] and a salad junkie--and if possible some decent cheese from time to time!)
I'm spending the summer in a small to mid-sized English town in the countryside (working a summer school) so imagine what a stark contrast Jakarta will be after that! If I work in JKT I really do want to stay in a nice place (more in terms of the pool/gym/grounds type facilites not how nice the inside of the room is) so at least I have a sort of escape from the daily grind. Somewhere nice to be. A pool to swim in. That's my priority, quite happy to pass on the booze etc in favour of that! If I stay in a nice kost plus pay for gym membership, I probably won't be saving much anyway I'd have thought, compared to the apartments.
Thanks all for the input so far and whatever more comes in! Much appreciated! |
A two bed flat ain't always that much more than a one bed, so it isn't much of a problem if you're not splitting the rent 50/50. I'm guessing a 2 bed flat is over 5 mil now, maybe someone here can give up to date info. The rent might include the service charge, but you'll have to pay water and electricity bills. You heard right that these are higher than if living in a house, but if you and your friend are careful it needn't be too hefty. This is one reason I'd hate to share a flat in Jakarta as I'm really tight with the bills and a bit of a greenie. Many Indonesians who can afford it think you can't live without constant air con. I can, and I come from somewhere far colder like yerself.
Generally speaking you will need to find around six months rent plus a deposit to move in, but you can find places that will take 3+1. I do know one guy who paid monthly there, but this is unusual. Also...the more you pay upfront the cheaper the rent. TBI will give you an advance if you get/take the job - I think up to 3 months pay.
When you go for your interview, the teachers there will surely be able to give you the number of a few agents. See if you can get some numbers beforehand and check some flats out on the same day.
For vegetarians who aren't really that vegetarian, Jakarta is fine. Not much use of fish sauce, although some shrimp paste might be used occasionally in warungs. You'll be eating stuff fried in the same oil as chicken etc and of course MSG is used liberally. Really hard to put a price on someone else's food bill ...If you are trying to eat cheap but don't want to cook, you'll have to venture out of the cosy apartment environment and into the other dimension that exists beyond the portal - I mean the gate next to the mosque. Here, back in hello mister world, you can buy street food, eat in warungs or shop in the local market. Alternatively, there's a supermarket for the apartment dwellers, I'm sure you can get your cheese there.
By the way....if you want to try all those meaty Indo dishes without the meat, there are great vege restaurants in Jakarta, none in Kuningan though. They are mostly to the north where sizable pockets of Chinese live. Start by checking out Te He in Kemayoran, bit of a trek, but worth the effort. |
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aku_tonpa
Joined: 03 May 2004
Posts: 63
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| Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 3:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| For vegetarians who aren't really that vegetarian, |
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