Living in Lebak Bulus & Cilandak, Jakarta

At the southern end of Jakarta’s expat residential corridor, Lebak Bulus and Cilandak offer something that is genuinely hard to find in a megacity: space, greenery, quiet streets and excellent schools within easy reach. These neighbourhoods have traditionally been overlooked in favour of the better-known addresses to the north — but the opening of the MRT’s southern terminus at Lebak Bulus has changed that calculus significantly. This corridor is now one of the most practical and best-value places to live in South Jakarta.

Lebak Bulus: Spacious Living at the End of the MRT Line

Just south of Pondok Indah, Lebak Bulus offers some of the greenest and most spacious housing in the entire southern corridor. Houses here often sit on large lots with mature trees, and the area has a quieter, more suburban feel than the busier neighbourhoods to the north.

Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS) — the city’s most prominent international school — has its main campus on Jl. Terogong Raya in Cilandak, making Lebak Bulus a natural choice for JIS families who want to live close to school. Families using the British School Jakarta (BSJ) in Bintaro, South Tangerang also find Lebak Bulus particularly convenient, as the commute south via the toll road is more direct from here than from further north in the city.

Singapore Intercultural School (SIS South Jakarta), located near the Bona Vista area, is also right on the doorstep — offering a full international pathway from early years through to the IB Diploma for families who prefer an international school with a Singapore-aligned curriculum.

The MRT Advantage: Lebak Bulus Grab Station

Lebak Bulus is the southern terminus of the MRT North-South Line, and this has transformed its appeal for expats who work in the central business district. The Lebak Bulus Grab station offers a Park and Ride facility — residents can drive or take a Grab to the station and reach Bundaran HI in under 30 minutes on the MRT, entirely bypassing surface traffic.

For a neighbourhood that was previously somewhat overlooked due to its distance from the CBD, this is a significant practical upgrade. The combination of spacious housing, good schools and fast MRT access makes Lebak Bulus a genuinely compelling option for families who have historically defaulted to Kemang or Pondok Indah.

Cilandak: Solid Value with Strong School Access

Cilandak, just north of Lebak Bulus, has established itself as a solid choice for expat families who want good value without sacrificing quality or school access. Houses here are predominantly freestanding with gardens, and the area is generally more affordable than Kemang or Pondok Indah for comparable space.

Nord Anglia School Jakarta (NAS Jakarta) is located in this corridor and is worth considering for younger families — the school continues to expand its international programme, making it suitable for families across multiple age groups.

Residential Compounds: Executive Paradise & Atmaya

Two residential compounds in this area are consistently popular with expat families and worth visiting in person before making a decision:

Executive Paradise (also known as Astoria)

This compound backs directly onto the Nord Anglia School campus, making the school run as simple as it can possibly be — in many cases a short walk. The estate has a strong, established family community feel as a result, and many families who live here form lasting friendships through the shared rhythm of school life.

Atmaya Compound

A nearby alternative offering a more high-end finish for those looking for a premium compound living experience in this part of the city. Well-regarded within the expat community for its quality and security.

Shopping & Lifestyle

Cilandak Town Square (“Citos”) remains a focal point for the southern expat community — a relaxed mall with a good range of food and beverage outlets, a cinema and regular weekend events in the atrium. It has the comfortable, neighbourhood feel of a local gathering point rather than a destination mall.

One Belpark Mall has added further retail and dining options to this corridor in recent years. Good access via the Outer Ring Road means that the airport, other parts of Jakarta and the industrial estates to the west are all reasonably reachable.

For major shopping, Pondok Indah Mall (PIM) is a short drive to the north.

Flood Risk

Lebak Bulus and Cilandak are generally considered lower to moderate flood risk — better than Kemang, broadly similar to Pondok Indah. The terrain is less low-lying than the Kemang basin, and drainage in the main residential areas is generally adequate. As always, ask directly about the flood history of any specific property before committing.

Housing Costs

• 3-bedroom house: approximately USD 1,800 – 4,500/month
• Properties in premium compounds (Executive Paradise, Atmaya) sit at the higher end of this range

The corridor offers genuinely good value relative to Kemang and Pondok Indah for comparable quality of space. Always verify current pricing with a local agent, as the market moves with the rupiah exchange rate.

For property assistance, see [expat.or.id/info/agents.html](https://expat.or.id/info/agents.html).

Schools Summary

For a comprehensive school listing, see [expat.or.id/info/internationalschools.html](https://expat.or.id/info/internationalschools.html).

Summary: Is Lebak Bulus / Cilandak Right for You?

Lebak Bulus & Cilandak is part of our 10-article Jakarta Expat Neighbourhood Guide series. For other areas, see our guides to Jakarta in General, Menteng, Kuningan, Kemang, Cipete, Pondok Indah, Permata Hijau & Simprug, Senopati & Dharmawangsa, and SCBD.