Living in Pondok Indah, Jakarta
Often described as the Beverly Hills of Jakarta — a comparison that is part compliment and part gentle ribbing — Pondok Indah is one of the city’s most established and well-planned residential areas. Conceived in the 1970s and developed steadily since, it offers wide tree-lined streets, well-maintained infrastructure, gated communities and a suburban orderliness that […]
Living in Cipete, Jakarta
Cipete sits south of Kemang and has long been overshadowed by its more famous neighbour in expat conversations. That is changing. In recent years, and particularly since the opening of the MRT, Cipete has quietly established itself as one of South Jakarta’s most practical and appealing places to live — offering a more residential, less […]
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 […]
Living in Senopati & Dharmawangsa, Jakarta
The Kebayoran Baru district, running south of Senayan along the western side of Jl. Sudirman, encompasses a cluster of neighbourhoods that have become increasingly central to Jakarta’s expat geography — and which deserve more attention than they have traditionally received. Senopati has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade and is now one of […]
Living in Kuningan, Jakarta
Kuningan occupies a stretch of South-Central Jakarta on both sides of Jl. Rasuna Said, and for decades it has been one of the most popular addresses among expats who want to live close to Jakarta’s business and diplomatic core. Well-planned, well-connected and home to some of the city’s most prestigious offices, hotels and residential towers, […]
Living in Permata Hijau & Simprug, Jakarta
Conveniently located roughly ten minutes west of the southernmost end of Jl. Sudirman, Permata Hijau and Simprug offer a combination of qualities that is quietly hard to beat: well-planned streets, genuinely green surroundings, good infrastructure and convenient access to both the CBD and the international school corridor. These neighbourhoods don’t often top the list when […]
Living in Menteng, Jakarta
Menteng is where Jakarta’s history lives. Set in Central Jakarta just east of the main Jl. Thamrin/Sudirman thoroughfare, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious neighbourhoods in the city — a place of stately Dutch colonial-era mansions, tree-lined boulevards, embassies, and a quiet gravity that newer developments simply cannot replicate. For the right […]
Living in Sanur, Bali
Sanur sits on Bali’s sheltered eastern coast, facing calm, reef-protected waters and separated from the intensity of Kuta by the Ngurah Rai bypass. It is, by most measures, the most established expat residential area in Bali — quieter than Canggu, more genuinely Balinese in character than Seminyak, and consistently preferred by long-term expat families who […]
Expat Living in Bogor, West Java
Bogor is the 14th largest city in Indonesia, with a population of approximately 1.231 million (2023 census). CIFOR-ICRAF (www.cifor-icraf.org) — formed by the 2022 merger of the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) — continues to bring foreign researchers to Bogor for short-term study, research projects and meetings, and […]
Expat Living in Malang, East Java
Editor’s note: This page has been reviewed and updated to reflect current conditions in Malang. While many of the places and services mentioned continue to exist, readers should verify practicadl details such as contact information, school availability, and medical providers directly before making decisions. Community Welcome to East Java. The Malang area has long attracted […]
Expat Living in Semarang, Central Java
Semarang is the capital of Central Java and one of the most comfortable medium-sized cities in Indonesia for expatriates who want a slower pace of life than Jakarta, but still need good schools, hospitals, shopping malls, airport access, and easy weekend escapes. The city continues to grow and offers a practical balance between business life, […]
Living in Solo (Surakarta)
Solo, also known as Surakarta, is located in Central Java and has long been considered one of the cultural hearts of Java. With a population of just over half a million people, it is smaller than nearby Yogyakarta or Semarang, yet it has a strong cultural identity and a long royal history connected to the […]
Living in Bandung, Indonesia
Bandung, the capital of West Java, is located approximately 150 km southeast of Jakarta and has long been a popular destination for both Indonesian and expatriate residents. Known for its cooler climate, scenic surroundings, and relaxed atmosphere, Bandung offers a different pace of life compared to the capital. Often described as a university town, Bandung […]
Expat Living in Balikpapan
Balikpapan, located on the eastern coast of Kalimantan, has long been known as one of Indonesia’s key oil and gas hubs and a relatively comfortable city for expatriates. In recent years, its strategic importance has grown significantly due to its proximity to Indonesia’s new capital, IKN Nusantara (Ibu Kota Negara Nusantara, meaning “National Capital of the […]
Expat Living in Yogyakarta
When people say Jogja is “teeming with students,” they mean it quite literally. The Yogyakarta Special Region is home to four state universities, around 16 private universities, and many specialist institutes and academies covering subjects such as art, science, technology, education, agriculture and business management. The best known is Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia’s oldest and […]
Batam Area Guide
Overview of Expat Life in Batam Batam remains a unique destination within Indonesia. Located just 20 km south of Singapore, the island continues to function as a free trade zone and industrial hub, with strong economic ties to Singapore. As of 2026, the expat population is estimated at 1,500–2,500 residents, significantly higher than earlier figures […]