Singapore Expats

I will be posted to a Jakarta International School as an expat teacher soon.

As this is my first visit to Jakarta, I welcome all information, experiences, the do's and don'ts.....etc while I am there.


# My personal observation is that life is cheap in these 3rd world countries


Thank you in advance!

No need for the bold print, I haven't been there but you will find it is an overcrowded islands most likey with poor sanitation and gross econominc problems. Hopefully somebody more local who has been there more recently can update you better than me.


Plavt.

Im from Jakarta!!

well, one thing for sure - be humble to the locals so that they wouldn't look at you as a proud expats. by nature locals are very helpful.
you might (will) be frustrated with the traffic, slow pace of living compared to singapore but once you get the hang of it you will love it.
don't worry too much!
i got a caucasian friend who was worried about going there, but once she's back from jakarta all i hear about is how happy she was while staying there.

Crowded, polluted, heavy traffic jam, third wold (you'll find the gap between rich and poor so wide), dusty.

BUT things are cheaper (food - except imported products of course), local people are friendly and anxious to help, number of expats are not as much as here in Singapore and they have a closer bond (won't be that difficult to find friends).

It's a different world all together, it is an interesting place to live.

PM me if you need more info, I know I haven't really answer your questions here as there's too many to share. Could even give you some contact details that you might need there, even a friend

Good luck!

Everything you ever wanted to know and then some...

http://wikitravel.org/en/Jakarta

It's a deeply weird and occasionally depressing place, but you can also have a very good time if you get out.

hi im from indonesia!
but i agree with "no border"
thats jakarta look like!

jpatokal wrote:Everything you ever wanted to know and then some...

http://wikitravel.org/en/Jakarta

It's a deeply weird and occasionally depressing place, but you can also have a very good time if you get out.

Thanks 4 the link!

Indonesia is very nice!

People are so friendly and a lot of nice places to visit.

I go there once a month and I just love Indonesia and their people.

Kind regards,

Alex

Alexlah! I really LOVE your signature! Made me laugh! Very smart.

Jakarta can be a nice place if you know what to do, where to go, and especially, what not to do! And of course, with money, then it's great too.

People here are right about the traffic, probably that's the worse aspect after the crime. I lived there for 3 years before coming here, and I think its nightlife is so much better than here. People are more unassuming and friendly. Car is a must if you want convenience.

If you get a package that enables you to live in the city apartments, or in areas such as Pondok Indah, Kemang, or such places, then environment would be nice as well.

There are a few expat sites for Jakarta with useful info (http://www.expat.or.id/, also http://www.alloexpat.com/indonesia_expat_forum/). If you have a more specific question do post again. Will be glad to answer.

Another web site is - www.expat.or.id

Good luck!