Pamulang

[valleyninja]

Hi,

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum to post this in, but hoping someone will be able to help...

I am currently trying to get a job in Jakarta (as an English teacher). I have been offered a place working in a school in Pamulang, which is apparently SW Jakarta, about 1-3 hours in a taxi from the centre, depending on the traffic. That seems like a lot to me.

Does anyone have any experience of the place, or know what it is like? Googling and forum searches don't turn up anything useful. I am concerned that if I take the job I will be stuck in some fairly boring suburban area, too far away from the centre of Jakarta and anything potentially interesting.

Any information would be appreciated,

Alex

[Mauricio]

Pamulang is almost on the border with Depok and the province of West Java. It could take upwards of one hour to get to the "center" of Jakarta. Keep in mind, however, that Jakarta does not really have a center.

[gffgold]

Pamulang is (mostly) an aspiring middle class outer suburb where people live who couldn't afford property in neighbouring BSD. Not much goes on there though I believe there is at least a cinema and a Carrefour supermarket. The general area is prone to flooding during the wet season and the road from Serpong/BSD to Pamulang is one of the most potholed stretches of tarmac in greater Jakarta.

In short, it isn't a place I'd choose to live. The only employer of expat teachers that I can think of would be EF Pamulang, and there are EFs in much more convenient places than Pamulang. Try EF Karawaci as that is located inside a decent shopping mall in an upscale suburb right next to a fast toll-road into Jakarta. I've heard mostly positive things about that franchise. EF Pamulang has a bit of a history - try searching Google with 'deported Pamulang' to see what I mean.

[b_santoso]

Hi,

I'm not sure if this is the correct forum to post this in, but hoping someone will be able to help...

I am currently trying to get a job in Jakarta (as an English teacher). I have been offered a place working in a school in Pamulang, which is apparently SW Jakarta, about 1-3 hours in a taxi from the centre, depending on the traffic. That seems like a lot to me.

Does anyone have any experience of the place, or know what it is like? Googling and forum searches don't turn up anything useful. I am concerned that if I take the job I will be stuck in some fairly boring suburban area, too far away from the centre of Jakarta and anything potentially interesting.

Any information would be appreciated,

Alex

Pamulang is a small area called as "kecamatan", part of New South Tangerang City (just last year established) close to Ciputat (east) and BSD (north). You will find many residences/housing and some shopping centers there. The best route to reach Pamulang from Jakarta : Got to BSD by JORR (Jakarta Outer Ring Road) Pondok Indah-BSD toll highway, exit at BSD/Pamulang. Do not go there through Ciputat you will get heavy traffic jam.

[mattyboy43]

I live just on the border of Pamulang and Ciputat and can tell you unless you have a specific reason for being in the area (my wife's family is all very close) it is not a great spot for expats. Pamulang itself is fairly small with one new ITC type shopping center and a carrefour express. To get to Pondok Indah or Citos area it will take you anywhere from 1-2 hours depending on traffic. Although that sounds really long, you kinda get used to it after a while. If you had a choice of another franchise of your school, I would say try and give it a shot.

[gembira]

I lived in Pamulang and did a 1 year contract at the EF there. The longest year of my life.... The school is very poorly run and Pamulang is a town that's a long way from anywhere.

PM me or ask for contact details from teachers who are currently working there. My advice is try another school or even better, a franchise other than EF.

All the best.

[alrobo]

I have recently completed at EF Pamulang and was very happy with the working conditions and fully intend to sign on for another year. Whist not in the centre of town, Pamulang is a pleasant place to live and not far from south jakarta or BSD. I find the school well run and easy to work at.

[kingwilly]

nice to hear some positive feedback

[think_tank]

I have recently completed at EF Pamulang and was very happy with the working conditions and fully intend to sign on for another year. Whist not in the centre of town, Pamulang is a pleasant place to live and not far from south jakarta or BSD. I find the school well run and easy to work at.

Didn't that school go bankrupt? I saw there old ruko location has been shut up, have they moved?

[WSJ1900]

EF Pamulang has recently moved (January 2010 actually), across the road from the previous premises, and are now located in SuperIndo Building, larger premises, larger classrooms and a few more great Native teachers who enjoy working there..

No, we haven't gone Bankrupt.

With regards to 'gffgold' comments on 'deportations' that occurred in 2007, and a LOT HAS CHANGED since then, with both the School and the Group.

If anyone has questions please contact the School or EF English First Regional support office in Jakarta.

[waarmstrong]

Thanks for the update, WSJ1900. Sounds like the school is on pare with other EF locations.

I have relatives who live in Pamulang. Since there is a toll road extension headed down that way now, their place is not all that hard to get to. Pamulang is not an expat enclave, more like a typical Indonesian middle/working class burb in the teer of Kampungs just beyond the outer ring road -- towns struggling to adjust to urban development for the flocks of people flooding into Jakarta. Like most Jakarta and surrounding neighborhoods, many of the roads are poorly maintained and some blocks are prone to flooding. Most necessities are within easy commercial reach. Its an OK place to live, but is you crave imported foods, like to hit the bars and clubs regularly, or occasionally do a bit of cross-dressing, there are other places in DKI you may wish to consider before Pamulang.