You are spoilt for choice with the types of accommodation available. From tropical, villa-style living to sleek, urban apartments, Jakarta has it all.
You’ll want to pick a neighbourhood that is convenient to your child’s school, to work and boasts access to the amenities your family needs. Yes, traffic is the number-one complaint about Jakarta, so minimising it is a priority. Whichever area you are interested in, be sure to try out your daily commute at the corresponding times for a more accurate guide of what a typical day might look like. The actual viewings are most likely to take place in the least busy part of the day, so you might not get a real indication of commute times.
South Jakarta is where you will find most, if not all, of the international schools. For this reason alone areas such as Kemang, Pondok Indah, Cipete, and Cilandak are very popular for expatriate families with school-aged children. For those with younger families and whose spouse works in the CBD, neighbourhoods such as Menteng, Kebayoran Baru, and Kuningan are also good options, with good access to large malls, small play centres for babies, and an array of the most popular restaurants and bars.
Some points you might find helpful to consider:
If you live closer to the office:
– Children can take the bus to school
– The school may offer an after-school activities bus
– Children often travel at low-traffic hours
– A shorter work commute means more family time
If you live closer to school:
– Handy if you have children that are very active on campus
– Schools provide valuable green space as well as access to facilities such as a library.
For many, your employer may have policies governing where you stay, so do check first before you begin your search. Here’s a snapshot of each of the more popular neighbourhoods:
Kebayoran Baru
A relatively expensive area, due to its strategic location, with good access to the SCBD and shopping malls. Boasts wide, tree-lined streets and houses often have small gardens. Luxury apartments abound here and it is close to JIS Pattimura campus and Binus.
Kemang
This area has an eclectic mix of housing with a recent surge of apartment complexes. Some of the properties have big gardens, which is a real treat. Kemang has a great range of restaurants and bars, which many expats enjoy visiting. Check out the roads that begin with ‘Kemang Dalam’ (e.g. Jalan Kemang Dalam 5) for shady, quiet abodes.
Kuningan
Apartments are more common in this area and it is popular with expatriates. Roads are generally wide and in good repair providing easy access to embassies and central Jakarta, but with a longer commute to schools.
Menteng
Arguably the most expensive address in the city, Menteng is a network of wide, tree-lined roads, with handsome colonial-style houses, close to many embassies and central Jakarta. It can be a longer commute to schools.
Permata Hijau
A residential neighbourhood that has both lushly gardened houses and modern apartments. A good alternative to Pondok Indah if you want to be in a quieter yet equally accessible neighbourhood.
Pondok Indah
This area is dominated by grandiose, palatial houses often with some green space. It is well located for both JIS Cilandak campus and BIS (via toll road), Pondok Indah Mall and Gandaria City.