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.