Pros and Cons of Living in Indonesia – The diverse culture in Indonesia might be pros and cons of living in Indonesia for expats. A rich tradition of music, art, dance, storytelling, and craft might be a totally new experience, nevertheless, as exciting and exotic as Indonesia is, still, there are some downsides to living here.
Pros living in Indonesia:
Vibrant nightlife and entertainment
You can find a lot of options for entertainment in Indonesia. Despite alcohol being a little bit expensive here, the nightlife is vibrant and varied. It’s not difficult to find a good place if one knows where to look for it. If you are not really into alcohol, there are other options like various cafés and coffee shops. Plus, it serves regular live music, and famous singers regularly perform gigs in a certain place.
Expats Organisation
For some expats who feel isolated or not really not familiar with the Indonesian environment, there are a number of well-run and established organizations that host meetings and events. They offer support and can give help and advice on any number of issues that may arise.
Affordable and Various Transportation
Taxis are abundant and ridiculously cheap when compared to the west. Plus you can choose any kind of taxi you want, from common taxis like Blue Bird to online taxis like GoJek or Grab. Or if you want to cut the time, MRT might be one of the best options if you living in Jakarta.
Cheap food and Communication
Eating out is very cheap and if you love to try something new, grocery in the traditional market could be fun! Mobile phone tariffs are good value with a lot of internet plans choice. You even can install a broadband or tv cable easily at an affordable price.
Cons living in Indonesia:
Overcrowding
It’s a premium thing if you talking about space and living place. Most people opt to live in apartments, if choosing to live in an expat area as we write here, be prepared to pay more.
Traffic
In major Indonesian cities, traffic can be horrific so, especially in Jakarta. It’s just like a nightmare and a normal part of life. Ideally, expats should try to live somewhere that is as close to work as possible if don’t want to deal with congestion. Or you can try some of our transportation options here.
Poor sanitation
Only bottled water should be consumed, and you need to note that some street foods may be tempting but not much friendly to your stomach. Some diseases also can infect you too, make sure you already got your vaccine before flying to Indonesia. You can check what vaccines you should get here.
Expensive imported products
The cost of living does vary depending on what one buys, though any imported goods are much more expensive than Indonesian products. Especially the Western-styled ones.
Overall, those are the pros and cons that might you consider before moving to Indonesia. Need more info about Indonesia? We got you covered! Check out more guides here!
