What are the top factors to keep in mind when searching for a place to live in your city?
When searching for a place to live, some important factors to consider are safety, location preference and individual needs. Depending on your preferences, you may want to find a place close to work, school, shops, medical facilities and most importantly an area that is secure and safe. Choosing the right place to live is essential to having a pleasant and safe stay in Jakarta. Also, it’s important to select an area that suits your lifestyle.
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What are the most popular neighborhoods in your city for expats?
Most expatriates moving to Jakarta choose to live in one of the following areas:

  • The old colonial suburb of Menteng
  • The southern suburbs - Kemang, Pondok Indah, etc.
  • The western “elite” enclave of Permata Hijau.

There are a few other popular neighborhoods at reasonable prices, such as:

  • Sunter and Kelapa Gading in North Jakarta
  • Gudang Peluru in East Jakarta
  • Kabayoran Baru, Cipete, Cilandak and Kemang, as well as the new prestigious area of Pondok Indah in the south

 Kemang is one of the most popular neighborhoods in the south among expatriates, because it boasts two supermarkets catering to Western tastes. Ideally, where you should live depends on where you work, whether you have children and your particular wants and needs.

For further assistance and help finding a home, contact Crown Jakarta.
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Do expats tend to buy or rent their homes?
 Expatriates usually rent rather than buy. Jakarta's rental housing is not cheap, but compared with
Singapore, it is still possible to find very attractive housing at a reasonable price.
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Typically, will I be required to pay additional money up front (such as a deposit) before moving into leased housing? If so, how much is common?
In most cases, you will have to pay a minimum of two years' rent prior to moving in for houses and one year for apartments. For homes, a security deposit is typically not required, and for apartments it is normally equivalent to one month’s rent.
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Are utilities generally included in the price of rent, or are they extra?
No, utilities are an extra expense.
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Are there special security concerns I should be aware of in regards to my home or choice of neighborhood?
It is recommended that you check local police reports before deciding on an area to live. These reports provide factual information on types of crimes and how often they occur. This will most likely be a determining factor on whether you choose to live in a certain neighborhood or not. For the most part, Jakarta is a safe city, but break-ins and robberies of residences do happen. It is good to know that most residential compounds and apartment buildings have security guards. If you intend to live in a house, consult with your neighbors about hiring a security guard.
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I’m not sure if I should bring my appliances. What is the electric current, Hz and plug shape in your city?
The electric current in Jakarta is 230 volts. The electrical Hertz (Hz) is 50. Some smaller cities in Indonesia are still using 127 volts, but this will eventually change.

If you are coming from the U.S. or an area that uses a different power system, you will need to use a transformer. Kitchen ranges and refrigerators are often supplied by landlords, but washing machines are not. Most houses and apartments are fitted with air conditioning units, because most foreign residents usually need it in order to survive the hot months.

Note: If your TV is not PAL-compatible or a multi-system set, it will not receive local stations.
Televisions from the United States can be used for viewing NTSC videos when connected to a compatible VCR. These videos are available at the American Club and at some private vendors.
Below are examples of the types of plugs that are used in Indonesia:
Type C plug
Type C - Round pin attachment plug
NOTE: Type C plugs can also be used with E and F and some L receptacles. This type of plug is very common in most universal adaptor sets. (Though the diagram shows a circular plug, quite often Type C plugs have a rectangular shape, as in the photo above.)
Type F plug
Type F - "Schuko" plug and receptacle with side grounding contacts
NOTE: Type F receptacles will also accept Type C and E plugs. This is formally known as a "Schukostecker" plug, commonly abbreviated as "Schuko."

Type G Rectangular balde plug
Type G - Rectangular blade plug


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Do you have any other accommodation information that might help me?
Please contact Crown Jakarta with any additional questions or concerns.
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IMPORTANT NOTE:
Crown Relocations has made every effort to present accurate information. However, regulations, rates and other variables are subject to change and Crown Relocations cannot accept responsibility for the errors that might result. Should you have any questions or need additional information, please contact your local Crown representative.