Removals to Indonesia

Why Move to Indonesia?

Made up of more than 17,000 stunning islands, Indonesia is a diverse and beguiling country offering myriads of adventures, from stunning beaches and tropical rainforests to fiery (but largely dormant) volcanoes. The fourth largest country in the world in terms of population with over 260 million people spread across the different islands, 9 million alone call the capital city of Jakarta home.
Most people will immediately associate Indonesia as a holiday destination, but the islands are fast becoming a tropical haven for expats with an 83,000 strong community.

This is in large part thanks to a blossoming Indonesian jobs market. Many large corporations have set up on the island and offer attractive remuneration packages which include fully furnished accommodation, insurance and access to high quality schools. Combine this with the low cost of living throughout Indonesia and it is not hard to see why many are ditching stagnating western markets in favour of fresh opportunities on the equator.

Indonesia itself is a melting pot of Asian, Middle-Eastern and Western influences, reflecting its diverse population in a colourful array of art shows and film festivals. The nightlife in Indonesian cities is vibrant and modern and there is a thriving music scene with bands playing almost every night of the week. It should be borne in mind that Indonesian society is largely Muslim (85%) and so there are some cultural norms and practices to be observed. The dress code is modest and alcohol, although not prohibited can be expensive.

Regardless of their location in Indonesia, most expats find it takes a little time to adjust to the countries’ tropical climate. There are two monsoon seasons, the eastern monsoon from June to September, which is typically very hot and humid, and the western season from December to March, which sees very heavy rain fall. However, those expats able to acclimatise and who endeavour to integrate themselves into Indonesian society and respectfully observe its traditions, can expect a society rich in economic opportunities and adventure.

Property

Historically it has been the case that foreigners were not allowed to purchase property in Indonesia. Since the late 1990’s new laws have been passed softening this stance and expats are now permitted to buy apartments and office space.

However, it also set tough requirements regarding foreign ownership of Indonesian property and obtaining a mortgage is equally as difficult. As a result almost all expats rent as the cost to do so is very cheap.

The capital Jakarta is a popular spot for expats owing to its establish international communities living there and its opportunities to socialise in family friendly spaces. Most British expats rent in the suburbs as tight local laws can restrict access to the centre. Homes usually come with gardens and pools and the areas are rich with community life as well as family friendly spaces. Pondok Indah, dubbed the ‘Beverly Hills’ of Indonesia is a particularly sought after location thanks to its plush properties, proximity to the Jakarta International school and excellent recreational facilities, including a world class golf course.

As a guide, to rent a property in the city of Jakarta would cost approximately Rp 5,758,250 (£302) to rent on the outskirts of the centre it is Rp 3,162,894 (£166). For a larger family sized home, you can expect to pay Rp 17,103,898 (£897) with prices rising substantially for the more hotly sought after expat suburbs of Pondok indah and Kemang.

For a little more information on purchasing property in Indonesia see below:

www.indonesia-investments.com/news
www.rightmove.co.uk
www.expat.com/en/housing

General Information

Moving to a new country is a huge, life changing experience and there will be a host of things to adapt to when you arrive. For some helpful tips and information on settling into life in Indonesia it is a good idea to visit some of the many expat forums online to learn from the experiences of others:

www.internations.org/indonesia-expats
www.expatexchange.com
indonesiaexpat.biz/

Travel

The general rule is that if you have never driven in Asian traffic it is best not to attempt to do so. Rules and regulations are ignored by the local population, and traffic is very heavily congested, particularly in Jakarta. If you do decide to drive, you must obtain a local driving licence or apply for an international licence from the Indonesian Motor Association (Ikatan Motor Indonesia).

For those looking to avoid the chaotic motoring scene, thankfully there is a range of public transport to choose from. Buses are frequent and taxi motorcycle riders take passengers at very cheap rates. Also, very popular are minibuses (bemos or angko), which operate in the towns and cities. Small air-con minivans carrying paying passengers (known in some areas as Taksi Gelap) are also common in some areas. There are even dokars or jingling, horse-drawn, two-wheeled carts!

Healthcare

Expats are not covered under the universal scheme offered by the Indonesian Government and the quality of public healthcare in Indonesia is not up to the standard that many Western expats have become accustom to.

Private medical care in private clinics is often the only way go to ensure that you and your family are adequately covered should anything go wrong. For those living not too far away from Singapore, it is advisable if you have the time and money to seek out the facilities there which are more in line with Western standards.

Pharmacies in Indonesia are known as ‘apotik’ and can easily be found in the large shopping malls scattered throughout all major cities.