What are some of the most FAQ’s about living in Jakarta?

- Is English widely spoken in Jakarta?
- Which area of Jakarta should I choose?
- Does Jakarta have a high crime rate?
- What is the safest public transportation available?
- Do I need to worry about flooding in the rainy season?
- Should I bring my own furniture and/or appliances?
- How do I arrange utilities/services? What do I do with
bills?
- What cell or mobile phone systems/services are
available?
- What is the real situation regarding air quality?
When is it particularly bad? Does it impact daily life?
- Many spouses want to work. Is it difficult for
accompanying spouses to obtain employment?

Is English widely spoken in Jakarta?
Although many Indonesians speak some English, it would be to your advantage to learn as much Bahasa Indonesia as possible. Speaking the language, or even making an attempt, is widely appreciated in Indonesia and will greatly facilitate the process of making friends and learning about the culture.

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Which area of Jakarta should I choose?
At first, navigating your way around Jakarta will be extremely challenging. However, helping newly arrived expatriates choose the right neighborhood is part of our expertise. During our home search we will discuss commute times for your workplace location, schools, and your accommodation preferences. We will advise you on suitable areas and available accommodations.

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Does Jakarta have a high crime rate?
Jakarta has a relatively low crime rate compared to many other capital cities in the world. In fact, many expatriates living in Jakarta feel it is safer here than in most large European or North American cities. Regrettably, Indonesia has had several large scale terrorist incidents and political disruptions over the past few years, resulting in a higher level of security precautions being implemented throughout the city. These isolated incidents however are not reflective of the average Indonesian citizen's behavior. On the whole, Indonesians are very friendly, obliging and non-confrontational by nature. We will advise you about the current security issues, if any, upon your arrival.

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What is the safest public transportation available?
Expatriates in Jakarta rarely use public transport and it is recommended to only use authorized Silver Bird or Blue Bird taxis when you’re commuting throughout the city. If you’re planning to take a taxi from the airport, you will find the Blue Bird and Silver Bird reservation counters are located inside the arrivals terminal near the exit door. There is a small surcharge and the passenger is responsible for payment of toll fees into the city. If this is your first visit to Jakarta, it is preferable to arrange airport transfers with your hotel, your company, or through Colliers.

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Do I need to worry about flooding in the rainy season?
Flooding is common in the rainy season and often causes additional traffic congestion; but there is usually no need for concern as the water levels soon recede. We are familiar with the problem areas of Jakarta, and we will advise you on those areas which are prone to flooding.

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Should I bring my own furniture and/or appliances?
Both fully furnished and un-furnished apartments are available. However, although houses are rarely furnished; cookers, refrigerators and washing machines are often provided, or if not, they can be negotiated into the Lease Agreement. It is also worth checking with us to ensure that any appliances and telecommunications equipment you are planning to bring is compatible with the Indonesian operating systems.

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How do I arrange utilities/services? What do I do with my bills?
For utilities and services such as telephone, cable TV and internet, we will assist you to get connected to all the required utilities and facilities. Most apartment buildings will take care of the bills for you and invoice you each month for the amount you owe. In the case of houses, there are several options available, and we will advise you of the most convenient ways to deal with the monthly bills.

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What cell or mobile phone systems and services are available?
Cell or mobile phones are referred to as hand phones in Indonesia and almost every one uses them. In fact a hand phone is almost essential in Jakarta when dealing with delays for meetings and appointments, due to traffic congestion and the wide unavailability of functioning public phones. There are several providers offering similar services and operating systems, and there are two ways in which you can make payments for calls, either through a prepaid refill system or a regular billing system.

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What is the real situation regarding air quality? When is it particularly bad? Does it impact daily life?
Pollution is a problem in Jakarta and the air quality is poor most of the time. Most expatriates’ cars, homes and offices are fully air-conditioned to help make living with the pollution more comfortable. Air filters and purifiers are available if needed. All major shopping centers, hotels and recreational facilities are also air-conditioned. Due to the pollution and congested traffic conditions, activities such as walking and bike riding are not recommended. There are however some beautifully landscaped golf and recreational clubs offering swimming, tennis and other outdoor activities. Many expatriates also like to get out of the city by taking a trip up to the cooler and more refreshing mountain towns of Bogor and Bandung on long weekends.

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Many spouses want to work. Is it difficult for accompanying spouses to obtain employment?
It can be difficult but not impossible for accompanying spouses to obtain employment. Most spouses are in Jakarta under the sponsorship of the working partner's company and their visa is an accompanying visa which does not allow them to work. Should an accompanying spouse secure employment, the company wishing to employ them would need to apply to the department of labor and the accompanying spouse will then need to go to Singapore to arrange for the separate visa formalities.

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