Jakarta Neighborhoods
City of Jakarta and It's Divisions
If you are given the option by your company of selecting your own home in Jakarta, you may first wish to become familiar with the various residential areas. The residential areas described below have always been popular with the expatriate community due to their proximity to international schools, grocery stores, clinics, community organizations as well as great shopping and a wide variety of restaurants. Of course, there are other options as well; you may wish to live downtown or futher afield in one of the new communities constantly being developed outside the city. This will all depend on your personal preference and needs. It is important in all cases to take into account the traffic problem in Jakarta, and the time you will spend commuting between work, school, activities, friends and home.
The City of Jakarta is divided into five mayoralties: North, South, East, West, and Central. The following provides a very brief description of what is found in each of these areas.
Rents are high due to close proximity to the business district. Some pavilions (apartment over a garage/small guest house) are available for reasonable rates. The infrastructure is old, small narrow streets and crowded thoroughfares abound. Yet the small quiet streets off those crowded thoroughfares and the old-world atmosphere of the old buildings is quite attractive. Good shopping nearby at Plaza Indonesia, Sarinah, Menteng Plaza, Jalan Sabang and the various small neighborhood shops.
For those who like to be at the heart of the action, and don't need to be located in South Jakarta to be near schools for their children, the apartment-living lifestyle of the Golden Triangle can be very attractive. Within a few kilometers of most major office buildings, commute time is minimal. If you yearn for green, wide open spaces you will probably not be happy for long in this area, but if the drone of traffic is music to your ears, proximity to work is valued and you don't want the hassles of caring for a large home, consider leasing an apartment in the Golden Triangle.
Nearby shopping in Menteng Plaza and Plaza Indonesia. Closest international school is Pattimura elementary. The middle school, junior high and senior high school at JIS are 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hour away.
Moving into South Jakarta, Kebayoran Baru is located just east of the southernmost end of Jl. Sudirman. Kebayoran Baru is a well planned neighborhood with large homes, wide tree-lined streets and close proximity to the Pattimura Elementary campus of the Jakarta International School. Close proximity to offices on the southern end of Jl. Sudirman. Lots of nearby shopping in Blok M Plaza, Pasaraya, Blok M and Plaza Senayan. Major streets can be quite congested, yet most side streets are quiet. 10 to 30 minute commute to the Golden Triangle area, depending on your destination.
What follows is a more detailed overview of the different areas in East Jakarta.
If you are given the option by your company of selecting your own home in Jakarta, you may first wish to become familiar with the various residential areas. The residential areas described below have always been popular with the expatriate community due to their proximity to international schools, grocery stores, clinics, community organizations as well as great shopping and a wide variety of restaurants. Of course, there are other options as well; you may wish to live downtown or futher afield in one of the new communities constantly being developed outside the city. This will all depend on your personal preference and needs. It is important in all cases to take into account the traffic problem in Jakarta, and the time you will spend commuting between work, school, activities, friends and home.
The City of Jakarta is divided into five mayoralties: North, South, East, West, and Central. The following provides a very brief description of what is found in each of these areas.
Central Jakarta (Jakarta Pusat)
In short this is what can be found in Central Jakarta:- Majority of office buildings Embassies
- Government offices
- Internationals hotels
- Hospitals and clinics
- Some of Jakarta's best restaurants
- Original campus of the University of Indonesia
- Old, established, historical neighborhoods
Menteng
Menteng is one of the oldest and most prestigious neighborhoods. Set just east of the main thoroughfare of Jl. Thamrin/Sudirman, Menteng is known for its stately colonial-era mansions, proximity to the business district, as well as being the site of many embassies, ambassador. s residences, as well as the residence of the President of Indonesia and other senior Indonesian officials. Many houses in this area are considered historical landmarks.Rents are high due to close proximity to the business district. Some pavilions (apartment over a garage/small guest house) are available for reasonable rates. The infrastructure is old, small narrow streets and crowded thoroughfares abound. Yet the small quiet streets off those crowded thoroughfares and the old-world atmosphere of the old buildings is quite attractive. Good shopping nearby at Plaza Indonesia, Sarinah, Menteng Plaza, Jalan Sabang and the various small neighborhood shops.
The Golden Triangle
While it would never have been considered a neighborhood 5 years ago, apartment developments on or nearby the 3 major thoroughfares that form the Golden Triangle (Jl. Sudirman, Jl. Gatot Subroto and Jl. Rasuna Said) have turned this area into a convenient location for expatriates to live.For those who like to be at the heart of the action, and don't need to be located in South Jakarta to be near schools for their children, the apartment-living lifestyle of the Golden Triangle can be very attractive. Within a few kilometers of most major office buildings, commute time is minimal. If you yearn for green, wide open spaces you will probably not be happy for long in this area, but if the drone of traffic is music to your ears, proximity to work is valued and you don't want the hassles of caring for a large home, consider leasing an apartment in the Golden Triangle.
Kuningan
Just west and east of Jl. Rasuna Said, there are substantial planned housing developments favored by expats. Patra Kuningan, built in the 70s, has been a favorite of oil and gas folks for over 20 years. The neighborhood is well-planned, with tree-lined streets and lots of space for parking. Many of the homes are owned by oil and gas companies and occupied by their current expatriate staff. Kuningan Timur, on the west side of Jl. Rasuna Said, and most of the Mega Kuningan development area behind this are still undeveloped. This area was planned as a diplomatic enclave and does have some stately residences for diplomats.Nearby shopping in Menteng Plaza and Plaza Indonesia. Closest international school is Pattimura elementary. The middle school, junior high and senior high school at JIS are 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hour away.
South Jakarta (Jakarta Selatan)
In short this is what can be found in South Jakarta:- Tends to be an area favored by the expatriate community in terms of housing and general facilities
- Numerous planned residential areas
- Several international schools
- Grocery stores
- Department stores
- Shopping malls
- Specialty stores and boutiques
- Hospitals and clinics
- A great variety of restaurants geared towards the expatriate community
Kebayoran Baru
Moving into South Jakarta, Kebayoran Baru is located just east of the southernmost end of Jl. Sudirman. Kebayoran Baru is a well planned neighborhood with large homes, wide tree-lined streets and close proximity to the Pattimura Elementary campus of the Jakarta International School. Close proximity to offices on the southern end of Jl. Sudirman. Lots of nearby shopping in Blok M Plaza, Pasaraya, Blok M and Plaza Senayan. Major streets can be quite congested, yet most side streets are quiet. 10 to 30 minute commute to the Golden Triangle area, depending on your destination.
Permata Hijau/Simprug
Conveniently located 10 minutes west of the southernmost end of Jl. Sudirman, these well planned communities have wide, tree-lined streets, good infrastructure and green surroundings. Nearby shopping in the Permata Hijau shop houses and Plaza Senayan. Commute time to the Golden Triangle 15 to 45 minutes, depending on your destination.Pondok Indah
Stately mansions line the major thoroughfare of Jl. Metro Pondok Indah, just south of the Pondok Indah Mall. A well planned community with tree lined streets. Pondok Indah is the closest neighborhood to the Cilandak campus of Jakarta International School. Over 45 minutes to commute to the Golden Triangle, depending on your destination.Lebak Bulus
Just south of Pondok Indah is Lebak Bulus, also very close to the Jakarta International School. Several very nice housing complexes can be found here. Good access via the outer ring road to all parts of Jakarta.Kemang
Beautiful homes tucked down alleys and narrow streets, the housing development in Kemang has not been planned. Yet narrow streets and high traffic congestion don't keep expats away from Kemang neighborhoods. Beautiful homes with substantial gardens hide behind tall walls down unsuspecting back roads. 10-15 minutes from the Cilandak campus of Jakarta International School. Nearby shopping in Kebayoran Baru and Pondok Indah Mall. 45 minute to 1 1/2 hour commute to the Golden Triangle. In the heart of Kemang you will find the new Primary School campus for the Australian International School . The present campus however is no more than 10 minutes from this lovely suburb. For more information on restaurants in this area.Cipete/Cilandak
Located just west and south of Kemang, the development of these areas has not been planned. Yet beautiful homes exist down small alleys and in the middle of kampung. 10-15 minutes from the Cilandak campus of the Jakarta International School. 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hour commute to the Golden Triangle.Warung Buncit/Pasar Minggu
For those whose children attend the Australian International School, Warung Buncit and Pasar Minggu are close locales. Quiet winding roads and major thoroughfares offer a wide range of housing options.East Jakarta
In short this is what can be found in East Jakarta:- Taman Mini Indonesia Indah Recreational Park
- Planned housing developments
- Light manufacturing
What follows is a more detailed overview of the different areas in East Jakarta.
Houses