Advice on Kelapa Gading

[soups]

Hi all,

We are an Australian family (one 4year old and 15month old twins) about to accept a job in Jakarta (the 'cbd'). The accomondation supplied is in Kelapa Gading.

The 1000 question about moving to Jakarta with a young family aside, is anyone able to give me a quick personal run down on this region such as schools, are there alot of expats in this region, social etc etc?

Is it a good area or should i be trying to negoitate accomodation in another area?

[kingwilly]

There is no real CBD such as you would find in Australia. Kelapa Gading is a nice enough place, and getting better, but far away from the 'expat enclaves' of Kemang or Menteng etc. If the job location is Sudirman (which is probably as close to the definition of CBD as one can get, I would question living out in KG. But if the location of work is closer to KG then living out that way would make sense.

Not a huge range of international schools out there either, south jakarta is a better option for that.

[waarmstrong]

I would echo what Kingwilly imparted. It might be a good idea to use Google maps to locate your residence versus the office to gage the commuting distance. Depending on the time of day you travel, distance and location, the commute could be around an hour to well over two hours -- each way. I assume you already know that one of the main negatives of Jakarta is the notoriously bad traffic congestion.

Kelapa Gading is an up-scale northeastern burb with all the usual amenities including large new malls and good housing and high-rise apartments. Rents there are generally less than in the CBD, Kemang and Menteng, which may explain why your employer housed you there. It does not have as many expats and associated night life as Kemang, but there are some -- you will not be isolated. Schools include North Jakarta International School, which has recently emerged from a controversy with the owner of the land where it sets. The problem appears to be history and the school program is pretty good, so its worth a close look if you end up staying in Kelapa Gading.

Welcome to the Forum and Jakarta.

[soups]

thanks for the advice so far.
Our main aim is to enjoy our exprience in Jakarta.I think trying to make the transition into Jakarta life will be a lot easier if we where around expats and area where it is easier to socialise. Am i right in assuming that I should try to negotiate accomodation in the Kemang and Menteng areas?

[kingwilly]

. Am i right in assuming that I should try to negotiate accomodation in the Kemang and Menteng areas?


very much depends on where you (or partner) will be working first. I have friends that seem to like living in Kelapa Gading. so it's hard to say exactly.

[waarmstrong]

If you were relocating within Australia would an area where night life and boutique shopping is the paramount attraction be your preferred choice? If the answer is yes, choose Kemang. Your social contacts with the English speaking community might be facilitated by the neighborhood you choose, but job, school, and perhaps Expat Forum contacts will probably be more important. As has been suggested on other threads, locate your place of work, select a school for your older child and then look for a suitable neighborhoods within easy driving range of both. I note, as well, that there are a number of up-scale closer-in expat preferences beyond Kemang and Menteng such as Cilandak, Pondok Indah, and Kebayoran Baru.

[TheJester]

People here can help more if you specify exactly where the work location will be and if your employer has a maximum amount they are willing to spend on accommodation. There is a new school starting in August close to senayan cbd area called Jakarta World Academy which caters from 16mth olds to 7yr olds - http://www.jwa-jkt.com/ although I can't comment on what it will be like.

[Animal]

I lived in Kelapa Gading for a few months and liked it a lot, but that's because I prefer to see less expats than more of them(sorry guys). If you like to shop you'll have a great time at all the malls. I still go to Mall of Indonesia a lot to see a movie and shop even though it's about an hour drive for me now. I can't tell you much about the schools though. If you need the comfort of seeing a bunch of other expats, it's not the place for you. Most people at the local malls do not speak much English either, but they are friendly.

I will agree with others. Don't even think about getting on the toll road around 8am or 5pm. It will take you hours to get anywhere. Then again...that's pretty much the norm everywhere in Jakarta.

If you find out exactly where you are working and where in Kelapa Gading you are staying we can tell you more.