View Full Version : Is Jakarta really so unliveable for Expats?
The Jakarta GlobeSaturday, March 14, 2009
Jakarta Really So Unlivable for Expats?
Desi Anwar
While I’m the first to admit that living in Jakarta is far frombeing paradise on earth, my jaw practically dropped when I readthat Jakarta came 39th out of 49 cities in a survey by aLondon-based consultancy that ranks Asia’s best locations forexpatriates. Singapore, according to the survey, is first.The expat survey says only a handful of cities in Asia offerexpatriates a good standard of living. The categories, amongother things, include climate, air quality, health services,housing and personal safety. Obviously Jakarta is far from beingamong the top.Yes, Jakarta sucks.
As a matter of fact, if I were to list the common grievancesagainst this place it would cover a lot more paper than thisentire article.For an ordinary Indonesian with just enough income to cover thedaily commute on public transportation, a simple lunch at thewarung and a trip to the mall with the kids once a month so theycan enjoy an air-conditioned playground, it really is anunpleasant place to live in
.But unpleasant for an expat on an expat salary? I beg to differ.For a lot of expats I know, their worst nightmare is not theexperience of living in this city but when they finally have togo back to their country of origin and to their ordinary livesas ordinary people in ordinary houses without the expat status.It’s true that Jakarta’s air quality leaves much to be desired.
As a matter of fact it’s very polluted if you have to stand by the side of the road and wait for a mikrolet or a Transjakartabus, or if you have to negotiate heavy traffic on the back of a motorcycle.However, since the average expat’s exposure to Jakarta’s air quality would be when he exits his air-conditioned house to enter his air-conditioned car, the only real pollution he would be exposed to for any length of time is when he inhales his driver’s carbon dioxide exhalations during the journey to his office.
But compared to the simple life at home in which they must drive themselves or catch the train to the office, deal with the daily chores of shopping, cleaning, washing, taking the rubbish out,dropping the children off at school, etc., I suppose an expat’s life in Jakarta is quite challenging.The number one challenge being having to live up to the image and status of an expat itself, which if you happen to be a Westerner, equals being rich with lots of money to spend, a penchant for a good time and a keen interest in the local culture — and which incidentally makes you attractive and popular with the local girls or boys.A challenge, I suppose, that does warrant a higher location allowance, especially if this sudden elevation in social status is giving you culture shock.I guess housing in Jakarta is another reason for the city’s poor performance in the expat survey.
When the expat is used to a nice, cozy and unpretentious little home in the suburb, I guess having to live in a mansion with garish pseudo-Greek columns or a house that looks like a giant wedding cake complete with luscious tropical gardens and a fair sized swimming pool can be quite a blow to the system.Fortunately, however, most expats, even those from the most enlightened countries where all men are created equal, quickly adjust to this challenging situation and very soon have their army of maids, houseboys, gardeners, cooks, nannies, drivers and security guards under control and obeying orders as if they had been brought up with them all their lives.
There is another reason why expats need higher location allowances for living in Jakarta. Even though living costs herea re not that high and the exchange rate is favorable to the dollar, mandatory flying to Bali every other weekend to enjoy the sun, sand, surf and other tropical pleasures that constitute an expat life in Jakarta can cause quite a dent in one’s wallet.Finally, while dying of boredom is not something that an expat will experience in Jakarta, it’s true that good health care is an issue here. For that the expat can always fly to Singapore,which is a convenient one-hour flight away.
Desi Anwar is a senior anchor at Metro TV.
simarkbotak
01-04-09, 15:30
Even though I am a WNA, obviously, I am not considered an expat by this article..
Oohh.. How I wish I was an expat!! ;)
I find the article somewhat precocious and petty.
Most of the houses she refers to in Pondok Indah are owned and/or lived in by Indonesians for a start.
A keen interest in the culture and the country is definitely not attractive to most Indonesian girls, in my opinion. The vast majority couldn't give a rats ass whether you've taken the time to read up and educate yourself about their country. Quite sad.
A keen interest in the culture and the country is definitely not attractive to most Indonesian girls, in my opinion. The vast majority couldn't give a rats ass whether you've taken the time to read up and educate yourself about their country. Quite sad.
But enlightening, you really wouldn't want to hitch up with one of these ayams would you..on the other hand just tell 'em you earn 80,000 grand a year, that should do it.
I find the article somewhat precocious and petty.
....and full of envy too, especially because when he goes O/S and becomes an 'expat' ,he realises how relatively poor he really is.
It is rather patronizing. It's not like the majority of expats even live like that. Or if they do, I'm certainly missing out. I don't even have a garden to hire a gardener to clean, let alone a swimming pool. Can anyone actually relate to the article?
I don't imagine many of the Globe's expat readers would be impressed. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you.
Thank you for the article. I am considering whether to sign a 5 years contact for job in Indonesia.
I am interested what you consider a "reasonable expat allowance" worth for leaving a quiet home and fresh nordic air to the polluted Jakarta?
If you know, could you clarificate the approximate amount expats spend for weekend in Bali or other nice place?
Thanks
The Jakarta GlobeSaturday, March 14, 2009
The number one challenge being having to live up to the image and status of an expat itself, which if you happen to be a Westerner, equals being rich with lots of money to spend, a penchant for a good time and a keen interest in the local culture — and which incidentally makes you attractive and popular with the local girls or boys.
The author is probably referring to the bule and ayam episodes !!
Desi Anwar, is a diplomat and she's lived abroad. If she doesn't "get" what makes Jakarta living unbearable at times, she's wasted her time abroad and not learnt anything while living in the West...
Desi Anwar, is a diplomat and she's lived abroad. If she doesn't "get" what makes Jakarta living unbearable at times, she's wasted her time abroad and not learnt anything while living in the West...
A Diplomat ???..
The byline said. 'Desi Anwar is a senior anchor at Metro TV.'.. not very good at her 'proffession' then.
Have to agree with your point M.
her blog
http://www.desianwar.com/
Desi Anwar is Senior Anchor, TV Journalist and Producer, Writer, Photographer, Media & Communications Specialist based in Jakarta, Indonesia.
A veteran TV anchor, Desi Anwar’s career serves as a road map for all aspiring journalists. Currently Metro TV’s senior anchor, Desi hosts the network’s major economic talk shows and special programs, along with heading Metro TV’s Marketing and Business Development.
Desi began her career as an anchor/reporter with Indonesia’s first commercial television station RCTI in 1990. Among other programs, she hosted daily news bulletins ‘Seputar Indonesia,’ ‘Nuansa Pagi,’ ‘Buletin Siang’ and ‘Buletin Malam.’ RCTI Desi also served as executive producer and anchor of RCTI’s daily English-language news program “Indonesia Today’ and the weekly current affairs documentary ‘Liputan Khusus.’
A member of the presidential press corp, Desi travelled extensively on foreign state visits as well as international summits during her years in RCTI and has interviewed many prominent statesmen and public figures including PM Benazir Bhutto, PM Tony Blair, Lady Margaret Thatcher, Bill Gates, Muhamad Yunus, President Jiang Zemin, French Diva Catherine Deneuve and many others.
Desi joined Metro TV as consultant and trainer in 1999 as it prepared to air as the country’s first national news and information channel and proceeded to become Metro TV’s senior anchor, Talent manager and founded the station’s Media Services department as well as becoming General Manager of Marketing and Business Development.
Prior to that Desi was co-founder of the online portal Astaga.com and columnist and editorial member of Indonesia’s English language daily The Indonesian Observer.
Desi Anwar was voted “Best News Presenter” by Citra Tabloid for three consecutive years (1994 – 1997). She also won the Panasonic Award for “Best News Presenter” in 1997 and 1998. In 1998, she was nominated as “Best Anchor/Presenter” by the Asian Television Awards. And she was a nominee for the Panasonic Award “Best News Presenter” in 2004.
Born in Bandung, 11 December 1962, Desi Anwar holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Sussex, England, and a Master of Arts degree from S.O.A.S, University of London. She speaks Bahasa Indonesia, English and French.
A keen Video Journalist and amateur photographer Desi continues to travel extensively, both domestically and abroad, finding inspiration from her many trips. Countries Desi has visited include Europe (Western and Eastern), the US, North and Central America, Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan), west and east europe, Africa (Namibia, south Africa, Tunisia, Morocco), Middle east (Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey), Australia, New Zealand, India, China, Japan and all Asean countries including Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.
Desi Anwar is also a regular columnist for the news magazine Tempo and the English daily The Jakarta Globe.
She has exhibited her photographic works and published a book of photography and writings on her travels called 'A Romantic Journey.'
Desi is the Founder, Editor and Content Provider of the online magazine The Daily Avocado.
Desi Anwar’s Specialises in:
Executive Media Training and Media Relations Coaching
Communication and public speaking
Journalism Training
English language Training
She can be contacted at
[email protected]
Please someone explain me what makes Jakarta living unbearable at times. I need to make decision to move or not.
The point remains, she is well travelled. My point other point remains, she is well travelled physically, but in mentality it's as if she's never left Jakarta.
At times, it's a bit suffocating due to lack of open, green areas and places to jog, no sidewalks or open pedestrian areas and the traffic. Otherwise, it's a great place, particularly if you are a single male...
I would rather live here than kuala lumpur (sorry malaysians..) and singapore.. 90% is because of the people, very friendly and down to earth and more or less like philipines. Quality of living is cheaper as well.
Yes other big asian cities like singapore and KL have all the nice things easily accesible but for me, it's the people which is more important. Maybe because it is the only place in Asia that I have lived in, except for vietnam, that I wasn't labelled outright as either a housemaid or ayam. Not directly,but you know the looks they give (when being with my husband on a night out especially, and of course this was before I got fat like a whale,hehehe) and questions e.g. upon answering the door for a postman - "where is your boss?", from taxi drivers - "who is your employer here?" "when is your day off?"). I am not ashamed of my fellow countrymen making a decent living, talking here about domestic helpers, but can other people just not streotype? I mean, filipinos are not only maids you know?
So there, I like indonesia because they are more or less like pinoys. They are so kind and genuine and likes children very much. Singapore is good for a few days of partying, Malaysia is good if you want to go to the islands and explore, both are good because they have IKEA, but other than that..I would prefer my current "home". But I'm still waiting for a bangkok experience though (NICE FOOD! yes, you cannot deny! and bargain clothes!).
(disclaimer, only places I have lived in southeast asia as an expat are singapore, kuala lumpur, hanoi and now jakarta)
That's hilarious; you go open the door of your own home and the person at the door asks you "where is your boss?"...Sorry, I couldn't help but crack up!
That's hilarious; you go open the door of your own home and the person at the door asks you "where is your boss?"...Sorry, I couldn't help but crack up!
Yes, it is! I just said "I'm the boss!" :-D
Please someone explain me what makes Jakarta living unbearable at times. I need to make decision to move or not.
It depends on how open you are. Of course this is a third world country, the citizens don't get the benefits the people may have in nordic countries. You mmight be surprised why certain things are this way or that. Personally, for me, it the country is not war-torn, or if there is social unrest or has a pandemic, I will be willing to try to live in it at least once. If you don't like it after a while you can always give your one month notice and move on and explore others.
A bit similar : one day, my wife, my 5 year's old son (he was 2 or 3 years old at that time) and me were at home in Manado when a girl came to the house to sell stuffs, saw my boy, and said "Ado'e! Pe gaga itu cowo... Mana ngana pe mama?" (Wow! What a cute boy! Where is your mother?) when my wife was standing just by my son! :)
I could not stop laughing while my wife was quite pissed. In fact my boy really looks "bule" and took more from me than from her mother which may be confusing for some. He now starts to look more like a métis but there was a time where one could wonder if he has an asian part in him.
I would rather live here than kuala lumpur (sorry malaysians..) and singapore.. 90% is because of the people, very friendly and down to earth and more or less like philipines. Quality of living is cheaper as well.
Yes other big asian cities like singapore and KL have all the nice things easily accesible but for me, it's the people which is more important. Maybe because it is the only place in Asia that I have lived in, except for vietnam, that I wasn't labelled outright as either a housemaid or ayam. Not directly,but you know the looks they give (when being with my husband on a night out especially, and of course this was before I got fat like a whale,hehehe) and questions e.g. upon answering the door for a postman - "where is your boss?", from taxi drivers - "who is your employer here?" "when is your day off?"). I am not ashamed of my fellow countrymen making a decent living, talking here about domestic helpers, but can other people just not streotype? I mean, filipinos are not only maids you know?
So there, I like indonesia because they are more or less like pinoys. They are so kind and genuine and likes children very much. Singapore is good for a few days of partying, Malaysia is good if you want to go to the islands and explore, both are good because they have IKEA, but other than that..I would prefer my current "home". But I'm still waiting for a bangkok experience though (NICE FOOD! yes, you cannot deny! and bargain clothes!).
(disclaimer, only places I have lived in southeast asia as an expat are singapore, kuala lumpur, hanoi and now jakarta)
IKEA Maria? ...you can have anything you want made here but you want IKEA... :p
That's hilarious; you go open the door of your own home and the person at the door asks you "where is your boss?"...Sorry, I couldn't help but crack up!
Careful mite, your mask is slipping ;} :eek:
IKEA Maria? ...you can have anything you want made here but you want IKEA... :p
Yeah! I like the designs, it's cheap and makes you do the effort to assemble things, which I find quite amusing. :D
simarkbotak
02-04-09, 17:52
IKEA Maria? ...you can have anything you want made here but you want IKEA... :p
It's most probably produced here through exploiting furniture manufacturers anyway..:p
I once asked a carpenter to make a simple shoe rack, just like the cheapest one in ikea: http://www.ikea.com/PIAimages/26462_PE095263_S3.jpg (javascript:popLargeImageWindow('en_US','color:',' ','Size',' ', 'close window');)
He told me, 1.25 juta WTF! :eek:
Did he ask to talk to the boss?
Yeah! I like the designs, it's cheap and makes you do the effort to assemble things, which I find quite amusing. :D
Are you sure that's IKEA you're talking about? The running gag back in my home country is that they are adept at thoroughly mindfucking you by leaving out the one or two parts you really need. Never had a piece of IKEA furniture that wasn't missing some screw or other.
Never had a piece of IKEA furniture that wasn't missing some screw or other.
Madcat, if you buy a piece of furniture that requires a screw, may I be so bold as to suggest, you go and buy a screw?
Or shop in a normal store with slightly better service and pay double the price. No, I don't work for IKEA, but it seems to me you want both a low price and a full packet of screws.
Rolls Royce for Morris Minor money? Difficult.
Madcat, if you buy a piece of furniture that requires a screw, may I be so bold as to suggest, you go and buy a screw?
Or shop in a normal store with slightly better service and pay double the price. No, I don't work for IKEA, but it seems to me you want both a low price and a full packet of screws.
Rolls Royce for Morris Minor money? Difficult.
Umm...
Yeah let's work on that reading comprehension a bit... I have a feeling this one went completely and utterly over your head with enough clearance to satisfy FAA regulations.
Fact: IKEA supposedly supplies "some assembly required, everything included" furniture.
Fact(ish): Every piece of IKEA furniture I have ever purchased during my student days (1995-ish), as well as that of my fellow students, always seemed to be missing something or other that one needed to complete said assembly.
Fact: Previous two facts contradict eachother.
This makes it funny. Enough people find it funny, it creates a running gag.
So, really, next time before you throw your 2 cents in, make sure you've read what was posted first, mkay? :)
So what you are saying is that you had previous knowledge that there was a strong possibility that there would be some pieces missing before you made a purchase?
Then you made a purchase anyway?
Even more reason to buy some screws.
So what you are saying is that you had previous knowledge that there was a strong possibility that there would be some pieces missing before you made a purchase?
Then you made a purchase anyway?
Even more reason to buy some screws.
:confused:are you intentionally trying to screw with my head or are you just screwing down the thumbscrews?
Forgive and forget?
Come to room 308 and have a glass of this lovely red wine.
Ikea are now selling Lesbian Beds.
There's no screwing involved, just tongue-in-groove.
It's the only IKEA joke I know, sorry!
*snicker*
My mom always said I wasn't supposed to take drinks from strangers, so call me first! 021 8675309 :D
(yes i'm bored as all hell... also spot the reference and win a cookie.)
simarkbotak
03-04-09, 15:35
It's the only IKEA joke I know, sorry!
In germany they had an article about IKEA with the headline "Lebst du schon? oder baust du noch?"
Translation: "Are you already living? or are you still building?"
In germany they had an article about IKEA with the headline "Lebst du schon? oder baust du noch?"
Translation: "Are you already living? or are you still building?"
Yeah it can take quite some time and a lot of screwing and figuring out what to do. When we lived in germany the aprtment we rented was empty, and knowing we will only be living there for less than a year, we bought all our stuff from ikea, all the cheapest ones, wardrobe, dining table and chairs, kitchen starter set, matress, bed , everything (even a rocking chair!) was from IKEA because it was the cheapest and easiest and they dont have grandma designs. So far from that experience we didnt have any screws/parts missing.
Yeah it can take quite some time and a lot of screwing and figuring out what to do. When we lived in germany the aprtment we rented was empty, and knowing we will only be living there for less than a year, we bought all our stuff from ikea, all the cheapest ones, wardrobe, dining table and chairs, kitchen starter set, matress, bed , everything (even a rocking chair!) was from IKEA because it was the cheapest and easiest and they dont have grandma designs. So far from that experience we didnt have any screws/parts missing.
Your such a party girl Maria, socialising, smoking drinking and..... ;}
In germany they had an article about IKEA with the headline "Lebst du schon? oder baust du noch?"
Translation: "Are you already living? or are you still building?"
I think there is a sign on the wall of the purchasing offices of IKEA that roughly translates as:
If the company you are buying from in still in business after 2 years, you are not doing your job correctly.
See you in the pub Mark.
simarkbotak
03-04-09, 18:41
I think there is a sign on the wall of the purchasing offices of IKEA that roughly translates as:
If the company you are buying from in still in business after 2 years, you are not doing your job correctly.
See you in the pub Mark.
I can really picture that to be true!!:p
AFAIK, it is contractually agreed that the supplier has to be able to reduce prices by 5%/yr..:eek:
Yes, getting ready to leave, but new posts keep popping up..
Will never effect me, as I would not entertain their business.
Having a quick nap, then down to pub at 9pm
Your such a party girl Maria, socialising, smoking drinking and..... ;}
Haha! I knew someone will do this, as I was writing those words ;-p
stt_cibubur
04-04-09, 13:54
LOL..You can read men's mind very well Maria.. See you later today.
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