Job Discussion Forums

reality · Joined: 13 Mar 2003 Posts: 105

8)Some of tthe worse areas to live near Jakarta, are the three above adjoining satellite Cities. All three areas are dirty, hot, and are characterless.

They may be "cheaper" for some things than living in the City of Jakarta, but they are much more "expensive" , considering they are only linked to the city by a tollroad and train service.

This means to get to anywhere interesting, after 8pm, a taxi fare would cost over 50.000 - 90.000 rp. Its cheaper to get a hotel room in central Jakarta then travel back "home."

The only entertainment in these areas are clone like Malls, that close after 9pm or internet cafes and local warungs. Goods in these Maklls are jakarta prices anyway, and are often cheaper in centra Jakarta.

Do not be fooled by anyone who claims these areas are "nice" to live in. They are hotter then any place in the City, dirtier, with no greenery and the toxic, stinking smog cloud that hangs over these areas, is far more smellier then the one over Jakarta, itself.

Imagine, taking a job in Sunderland, an industial area of Detroit or in China's smog belt. Then you have the Indonesian industralized nightmare called Bekasi, Tangerang or Depok.

aku_tonpa · Joined: 03 May 2004 Posts: 63

Any reason for your warning the masses about these places?

pauleslteacher1 · Joined: 17 Mar 2007 Posts: 108 Location: Indonesia

Hello Reality...

I have been living in Cikarang which is a part Bekasi for the past 3 years.. The "horror story" that you are describing in your post of Bekasi perhaps relates to another area... I first lived in Lippo Cikarang/Bekasi which is a pretty nice complex that has a waterpark, bars and an okay shopping centre. I now live in industrial area of Cikarang... BUT the housing complex is quite nice with a golf course and lots of green areas..

For me, living out here is quite good... I can save alot of money, not go out every evening and go to Jakarta as a kind of holiday...

Cheers!

Paul

aleskis · Joined: 02 Mar 2006 Posts: 11

I would like to offer a different view on one of these areas in particular: Depok. Though I will agree that it can be hot, crowded, etc...I would hasten to point out the advantages of a place like this.

-It's very easy to get around in (only one main street...Margonda)

-People are very friendly and easy to talk to

-I love the mie ayam here (though I am, admittedly, biased)

I would also like to second the opinion regarding the advantages of being able to save money instead of going out all the time. Clearly, Depok is NOT Kemang...but some people may like it better that way.

Nabby Adams · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 215

While it's great to hear the above two posters are enjoying where they live I find it hard to understand the idea that a place is good because it HASN"T got something desirable such as places to go.

I mean that's like saying how a restaurant is so good because they don't have any entrees, deserts or alcohol. "Well at least that means your dinner is cheap" Smile

I do like the idea of a golf course on the doorstep though. How much is a round?

Nabby Adams · Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 215

Actually as the OP equaled these places to Sunderland in the UK I will say that I went to uni in that city and the reality was so much better than what I could have imagined. Fantastic time. So I guess it really isn't a case of where you live but rather how you live.

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

Don't forget that Tangerang is a huge area and Bekasi is the name of a fairly large administrative district.

I would agree with the OP that Kota Tangerang and Kota Bekasi are truly awful places, but I'd argue that Sunderland is much nicer than either. The industrial zones of the two districts are also very grim.

Previously I lived in Tangerang regency which extends south as far as BSD and Serpong. For me, the quality of daily life in a posh housing estate in Serpong was better than I would have experienced in urban Jakarta. The estate where I lived was very green and leafy and there was no through traffic. Having said that, I'm an old fart with no need for nightlife beyond a cinema.

Quite a few natplus schools outside Jkt offer the use of a school car and driver at the weekend for the cost of fuel and driver's overtime.

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

I live very close to Tangerang (or may be it is Tangerang?) - Lippo Karawaci.

It is like living in Singapore - but cheaper!

Yes, it is a long haul from jaksa if that is where you prefer to spend your days.

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

laughing_magpie06 · Joined: 14 Sep 2006 Posts: 282

Haven't lived in the three mentioned places but lived in Cibubur and can say it was far superior to living in the city. Close to the city people do pay Singapore prices to eat out and party but out in Cibubur there are pretty good bars and restos offering good value. Also a good house in the suburbs (Kota Wisata, Legenda Wisata and Raffles Hills) are great and affordable. About 15 million a year. Walking distance to all amenities.

Fishy · Joined: 18 Apr 2006 Posts: 138

I live in BSD which is very close to Tangerang and its clean, full of nice restaurants (plently outside mals,) has green areas, and very cheap housing; even relatively cheap for a house with a large garden and a pool. I could easily travel from here to any of the schools is Tangerang or Serpong. The tol road from here can get me in and out of Jakarta pretty quickly too, as does the busway feeder bus from BSD. Good place to live.

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

It is said that the water in my apartment is ok to drink directly from the tap - but, like you, I am not ok to drink it directly from the tap Shocked

Regarding the tol rd, it is simple and fast to get into Jakarta by car as long as you leave before the mad rush. it takes me around 30 minutes to get to my school. It used to take the same when I lived around the corner from the school!!!

However, I tried it last week on my motorbike, just to get an idea, no way! You need a car to live out in these parts.

I wouldn't dream of moving back to the city. For the price I paid for my apartment, I couldn't buy much now in Jakarta. The price of luxury is cheap (relatively) out here in the wild Laughing

Michael_Indonesia · Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2008 2:43 am Post subject:

I've gotta agree with TP that living in some of these areas isn't so bad, with just one caveat: you gotta own a car. I lived in Serpong (kabupaten Tangerang) for 3 years and really loved it. It was clean and quiet with lots of wide-open green spaces for the kids to play in. Additionally, we didn't get any flooding the entire time we were there, including the big one in 2007.

But, I had a friend out there who had no car, and he hated it. Cost him a good bit of cash just to get to Jaksa on the weekends and he always had to take angkot or ojek to get anywhere.

sidjameson · Joined: 11 Jan 2004 Posts: 629 Location: osaka

TP did you buy your place? If so would you mind saying how much it was and what you get for the money. If prices are different a current price would be good too.

rayman · Joined: 24 May 2003 Posts: 427

Sid - Foreigners can't legally purchase land/houses in Indonesia. Some purchase it through their Indonesian partner's name etc., but still major risks/complications involved.

For an idea of prices, check out the houses on www.rumah123.com

A nice, but small house on the outskirts of Jakarta (Serpong, Cibubur etc.) starts around Rp500 million (US$50 000).