Thread: Is Jakarta really so unliveable for Expats?

Or Bangkok for that matter.....

Is Jakarta really so unliveable for Expats?

The Jakarta GlobeSaturday, March 14, 2009Is

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.

I think the fact it's full of Aussies might have something to do with it.

traffic is such a pain in jakarta. That alone makes it almost unliveable.
And the food is lamentable.

The girls have big tits though which sort of compensates.

I will be back in jakarta in May KW if you are around.

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

I think the fact it's full of Aussies might have something to do with it.

I do not disagree with that.

I do think that the author is a moaning witch, and she is probably better off than dozens of expats anyway, like a large number of novea rich or old rich in Jakarta. The mansions in Mentang and Pondok Indah that she refers to are overwhelming owned/lived in by Indonesians.

But dont let facts get in the way of a good xenophobic article.

Originally Posted by Blake7

traffic is such a pain in jakarta. That alone makes it almost unliveable.

You get used to it. Ipods, Blackberrys, books, TV's in cars, small chilly bin of beer.

Originally Posted by Blake7

And the food is lamentable.

I'm getting quite used to it actually, prefer it sometimes.

Lack of good beers on the other hand....

Originally Posted by Blake7

The girls have big tits though which sort of compensates.

It does.

Originally Posted by Blake7

I will be back in jakarta in May KW if you are around.

Depends on the date, I have a weekend footy trip to Hanoi, i think its the 23/24 erm the 16th is a cricket function, Chris Cains is going to be here, should be interesting.

I think there is also a holiday thursday the 21st, if you want a big night out the evening before, lemme know the dates, and bring your clubs...

Originally Posted by kingwilly

Lack of good beers on the other hand, makes me feel at home

Obviously.

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Quote: Originally Posted by kingwilly Lack of good beers on the other hand, makes me feel at home Obviously.

git.

being an irishman i'd kill for a decent guinness or kilkenny.

Same as living in any big city, I reckon. You found some good friends, pubs and restaurants tho, KW? That's all you need. Your bennies are a Mrs KW and kitties.

Originally Posted by Jet Gorgon

You found some good friends, pubs and restaurants tho, KW?

yup, and some sports clubs.

Originally Posted by Jet Gorgon

bennies

you've lost me,

urban dic linky that a bennie is either a dumb tourist in new york or amphetamines.....

bennies = benefits (doh...)

Originally Posted by kingwilly

being an irishman i'd kill for a decent guinness or kilkenny.

You're about as Irish as I am, and Kilkenny is shit.

Originally Posted by Jet Gorgon

bennies = benefits (doh...)

oh, I see.

yep, MrsKW is definitely a benefit, though I'll get smack down if she reads that...

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

You're about as Irish as I am, and Kilkenny is shit.

really?

Your mam from dublin then?

^ Probably better to say "perk" in that instance.

Originally Posted by kingwilly

Your mam from dublin then?

Are you?

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Are you?

Shouldn't that be "is yours?"

yes, she is.

me pa is from Cornwell, me mam is from Ireland.

That makes me gaelic.

but not the stupid welsh or scottish git kind

Unliveable. Liveable. Bit of a moot conclusion. One could easily use this inquiry for anywhere.....depends where you are comfortable.

and back on topic - the hardship allowance that the Aussie government pays their staff is higher in Bali than it is in Dili ..... go figure!

Would not live in Jakarta for all the Tea in China. Totally unlivable and totally suitable for Aussies.

Originally Posted by filch

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Are you?

Shouldn't that be "is yours?"

Nope.

I was asking if KW was from Ireland.

He isn't, so he aint.

look Marmers, there's two sorts of people in this world, those that have an irish granny, and those that wish they had!

I've got a pikey great-grandfather. That's enough dilution in my bloodline thank you.

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

I've got a pikey great-grandfather. That's enough dilution in my bloodline thank you.

Proper irish, not the bladdy travellers.

^ WTF is Anwar?
I had an Irish Granpa (RIP). Does that count? His middle name was Paxton. Coooooooooooool.

Desi Anwar is the person who wrote the article in the OP.