Job Discussion Forums

[reality]

I lived and worked in Indonesia, on and off thoughout the 1990s, before making the mistake of returning to Europe, Five years ago.

I am finally in a position to return to Indonesia, as I have always dreamt of returning, and feel my life there was part of my blood. Its more home than Europe, now.

I have read the Jakarta Post and scanned forums for news about living again either in Jakarta or Surabaya.

Basically, what concerns me is the obvious cost of living, including entertainment costs. I am coming back to work and enjoy life.

1)How much would a basic flexible Kost, cost, in the center of Jakarta?

2): Has the Country become anti-western and moralistic, since 2000?

3): Does a basic Teachers salary cover, a reasonable standard of living?

I am not afraid of terrorism, riots or poltical change. After living in Europe, which only is like living like a bill payer, in a corrupt system. That would be the least of my worries.[/b]

[Winmarr]

First of all, why Jakarta or Surabaya? They'd be well down my list! But I guess you've enjoyed those places before, which is what counts.

I was in Indo for a month until a week ago. It didn't seem like attitudes to westerners were any different to a few years ago. I'd be very happy to go and live back over there, but it probably won't happen for a few years. For cost of living on a teacher's salary you'll have to get advice from someone else, as I'm not sure.

[kasihan deh loh]

1. a decent Kost is now around Rp.2.500.000 per month

2. Hard to say really.

but consider this,
Anti western:
tourist visas went from 60 days free to $40 or so for 30 days.
They are looking at charging foriegners $50,000 to marry an Indonesian girl (a bond).
You can "NEVER" get Indonesian citizenship, whether married, have children, property or whatever. They will never give you citizenship.

Moralistic:
All alcohol in Jakarta, except beer, can now only be bought in a dutyfree shop.
The recent trouble with Islamic fundamentalists closing down churches and islamic mosques whom they consider to hold heretical beliefs.

3. Some say yes, some no.

again consider:
Inflation since the fuel price rise has been around 20%
Cab fares have nearly doubled.
Fuel over 100% increase.
Beer around 15% in the minimarts.
Water to go up 25%
Electricity to go up 30 to 40% again.
Next year is predicted to be 14% (I don't believe it)
Teachers salarys have not generaly increased to allow for this although some schools may have had a slight increase.
A meal in a Jl Jaksa restaurant up around 20%

I have noticed a large increase in prices in the last 2 months and yet some say they haven't noticed it.

A reasonable standard of living is a very subjective thing.
My opinion is that you can only have an acceptable standard of living here now in Jakarta on Rp.10.000.000 a month, but I am married. Some single teachers say it's ok but others also think it is to expensive here now.

[Henry_Cowell]

[Salam]

" a decent Kost is now around Rp.2.500.000 per month"

Where on earth are you staying? You can rent a nice house (with maid) for that much.

[El Llama]

Ah, that wonderfully ambiguous phrase "a reasonable standard of living" - close cousin to the EF doozy "Rupiah based salary allowing for a comfortable lifestyle and travel within Indonesia."

Kasihan deh loh tells us that a 'decent' kost is 2.5 juta. Well I hope he's got a swimming pool or suchlike, otherwise he's seriously getting the shaft. If he were making an average EF starting wage (which I'm sure he's not, by the way), he'd be on 6.6 a month leaving the square root of sweet f. a. to get by on.

However many teachers can happily (well, ish...) get by on that salary. Free accomodation and shared bills keep expenses low. They look at their neighbours in the kampung and feel rich by comparison.

A year later, their contract's up for renewal (they've been promised a pay raise of a few hundred thousand/month) but they've also been talking to other teachers and reading Dave's. They see other teachers making half as much again and feel poor by comparison. Ergo quit your job and bitch about it here.

Anyway... I had a point, surely? Oh well, it probably wasn't a very good one anyway. So how about a question: what would a "reasonable salary" be for Jakarta in 2006? Why? And what are your chances of finding it?

[kasihan deh loh]

Where are you guys living?

I don't actually live in a kost. I rent a house for around Rp2.000.000 a month, but that means you have to pay 1 or 2 years in advance. So you are right Salam. But the question was

[Henry_Cowell]

[kasihan deh loh]

Well fine Henry, go and buy yourself a $25 steak.

Or did you mean Indonesians by the "real people"? In which case you can get a bowl of Bakso (meatballs), Sate Ayam (Chicken or sate kambing (goat), Mie (Noodles) or Nasi goreng (fried rice) for Rp.5.000 to Rp.10.000. But I'd hardly call them "real eating places" as that is from the streetside vendors.

Trouble is can you live on that, stay healthy? I sure can't and by the look of the average health of the "real Indonsians" nor can they. They just have no other choice.

I'm just trying to give and indication of the options available.

[Salam]

What is it with Indonesians and steak?

Okay I'll pay a heap for a nice juicy steak - what's this you've given me? Minute steak? Thin enough you can use it as a frisbee!

Where are the REAL steaks in Jakarta?

Anyone know?

[Henry_Cowell]

I usually eat nasi rames twice a day when I'm living in or visiting Indonesia. It's a much more nutritious and healthful (and varied) meal than a meat pie or a steak. And its cost is only a fraction.

Shame that you don't think Indonesian food is real food. Is this your first time away from home? Masakan bule donk! Kasihan deh...

[Mark Loyd]

Merry Christmas Henry and keep putting the newbies right.

[Henry_Cowell]

This Henry doesn't celebrate Christmas. But thanks anyway for the kind wishes, little shadow.

[Mark Loyd]

Happy Holidays then TEFLer and hope you have not abandoned us on the Turkey forum.

[uilleannpiper]