Experience in Jakarta, Indonesia by Rara

What is it like to live in Jakarta? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Well, as a capital of Indonesia, Jakarta is absolutely big,We called Jakarta as The Big Durian. for me, Live in Jakarta seems difficultbecause everyone knows how bad the traffic here. And as we know that Jakarta is the central of Business, culture and politic that is why some people likely move to Jakarta to get their better life.live in Jakarta also is little bit expensive than in another cities like java, but I can say yes if Jakarta has too much night fancy places aswell, which is young people may love it. Jakarta has too much big building around, polution and traffic became the main problem in here. Thats why I personally dont like too much about living in Jakarta.

What is the student lifestyle like in Jakarta?

I guess most of the student in Jakarta have the same lifestyle like in other cities. They like to go out in the some coffee shops, bars, and in the weekend they go ot to some clubs. And seems like the students here are more modern in their mindset than in another cities like java. it is probably because they live in the capital of Indonesia. We can find so easily students in coffee shop, as most of them prefer to do their homework in some coffee sop with good wifi instead of staying at home.

How much does it cost to live in Jakarta?

About the living cost in Jakrta, everyone knows that live in Jakarta is little bit expensive than other cities. well, depends also where to go. For example if you like to hang out to the coffee shop you might need to pay minimum 50.000 - 300.000 rupiah.you can also find some street food around which is cheaper than in the restaurant. For place to stay (apartment, kost) it might expensive, like I paid for my place is around 3 million rupiah ( do not compare with euro or dollar money :)) .

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Jakarta? Is there any advice you can give?

I can say it is not difficult to find the transportation, lots of taxies and also the technology isalready good, you can just order online taxt which is cheaper and comfy. and also we have public transportation here like metro bus, train. but make sure that you go earlier to the station as it will be crowded.( do not expecting the public transport like in europ! )

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

For food, i can say that indonesia has lots of different kind of food! Kerak telor is really famous in Jakarta, and we have soto betawi (kind of beef soup) which is the typical food of Jakarta. And do not worry about food here as you will get tired of trying food ! (we have soo many typical of local food that you can find here). My favourite food at the moment is gado-gado ( it is like salad with peanut sauce)

What places would you recommend visiting in Jakarta?

Honestly, there is not o many interesting places in Jakarta if we compare to java. if you like to know about the culture you may have to come to some museum in jakarta (taman nasional, or betawi heritage, kota tua) but you can also go to the island out of jakarta, it called pulau seribu or the thousand island ( do not compare with island in bali). most of Jakarta's people like to go to the mall basically as we have really huge mall around.

Is it good to eat out in Jakarta? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Yes, I prefer to eat out in jakarta. my favourite place at the moment is loewy. well, it is not indonesian food but I like the place by far. and also there are some places to et inside the mall in Jakarta. I suggest you to try street food in Jakarta if you are never come to jakarta. because street food is always good taste. no worry , its clean. :)

Is the nightlife good in Jakarta? Where is good to go?

Jakarta is the best for prty they said. yes, for the night club Jakarta is always the best. well depends on what are you looking for, as Jakarta is more fancy . you have to dressed up and looking good. but there are also some bar in kemang that you do not need to dressed up lol). I prefer to go to the bar like beer garden, loewy, amigos,camden to just chill. but if you are party lover then you should check it out dragonfly, x2, and soo many places.

What advice would you give future students heading to Jakarta?

My advice , probably you need to be careful in Jakarta, make sure you dont get cheated by taxi. I suggest you to just order online taxi. If you have to study at 9 am , make sure you get up from your bed and go like 2 hours before just in case will be traffic like alwasy :). and the rest, you will enjoy jakarta !!