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Find the latest rental rates on the Jakarta property market
Special Capital Region of Jakarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. It is the most populous city in the country, with more than 10 million people living across its areas. Since large numbers of people from all around the country relocate to this city in hope of a better live and job opportunities, the city has been struggling to keep up with its rapid urban growth.
Jakarta is nicknamed the “Big Durian” (the thorny strong odor fruit native to the area), which is seen as the Indonesian equivalent of the Big Apple (New York). Just like its fruit namesake, Jakarta may be a shock at first sight, with its heavy traffic, huge population, and air pollution. However, while initially a bit overwhelming, those who are willing to dig deeper will discover that this city is also one of the most exciting and lively cities within Asia.
Apartments and condominiums in the city are usually located in high-rise buildings. They are usually very modern and luxurious as the target is wealthy Indonesians and expats. Most apartments and condos come with swimming pools, gyms, gardens, kid’s playgrounds, and clubhouses. They may also be serviced, allowing the renters to live a hotel-like lifestyle.
Houses and townhouses come in traditional Indonesian-style design or modern, minimalistic design. They can be found all around the city, but luxury houses are usually located within gated communities. Luxury houses are usually very spacious, with gardens and swimming pools.
While there is not a lot of villas available in Jakarta, they are available in certain areas. Villas are mostly very luxurious, with swimming pools and gardens.
‘Kost’ is the most popular type of property to rent in the country. It is similar to studio rooms, but it usually has a smaller size and renters have the option between an en-suite bathroom and shared bathrooms. Kost is the most affordable type of property to rent.
One of the most popular parts of Jakarta is Sudirman Central Business District (SCBD), which is possibly the most prominent business center in the city. The area has many high-rise buildings that host hundreds of local and international businesses and is one of the most developed areas in the city. At night, the area comes alive with its youthful nightlife scene. The combination of its businesses and nightlife has made SCBD a popular area amongst expats.
Along with SCBD, Kemang and Senayan are also popular. Kemang is known as Jakarta’s trendiest area, with modern restaurants and unique cafes, while Senayan is famous for its glitzy shopping malls, such as FX Center and Senayan City. Senayan also has interesting parks and museums, including Mataram Park and Satria Mandala Museum.
While the cost of living in Jakarta depends on lifestyle choices, most foreigners can live comfortably with very little due to the exchange rate of Indonesian Rupiah (Rp) to the US dollar. US$1 is equivalent to around Rp14, 000.
Since many people from all around Indonesia relocated to Jakarta, foreigners can experience the country’s cultural diversity here. Bahasa Indonesia is the most widely spoken language, but most of Jakarta’s population is multilingual, speaking one of Indonesia’s 700 native languages, Bahasa Indonesia, and, sometimes, English.
To live in Jakarta, foreigners need to obtain a visa. There are several types of visas available, but most expats have a KITAS visa, which is valid for 6 to 12 months.
1. Flexibility – if you do not plan to live in Jakarta permanently, renting is a more flexible option than buying since you are not tied to the property long-term.
2. Affordability – renting in Jakarta, for the most part, is a lot more affordable than buying as you do not have to worry about repairs, taxes, insurance, and other expenses.
3. More options – while foreign ownership law in Indonesia has been made to become more favorable for foreigners, there are still some restrictions and strict rules that may prevent you from living in your dream property. With renting, no strict rules and restrictions apply that would stop you from choosing the property you love to rent.