So, I just wrapped up a month-long stay in Jakarta, Indonesia, and wow, what a ride! Honestly, I went in totally blind. I had no clue where I was going to stay, what to eat, or even what to expect from the city. I’ve lived in places like Bali before, but Jakarta? A whole different ball game. So, I wanted to share the 10 things I learned after living in Jakarta for a month.
Jakarta is HUGE!
First things first: Jakarta is massive. I thought it was just another big city, but nope. There are five main districts… or wait, actually six if you count the Thousand Islands. That’s a lot of space to cover, and trust me, even after living there for a month, I barely scratched the surface. If you’re just visiting for a few days, make sure you stay longer! There’s so much to see and do. In fact, I’m already planning my next trip back to finish up the content I didn’t get to capture.
Renting a Motorbike is Harder Than You Think
Coming from Bali, I thought renting a motorbike would be a breeze. Turns out, Jakarta’s a bit trickier. It’s way harder to find a motorbike to rent unless you know a local. The next best option for me was taking taxis, but public transport turned out to be a solid option too, so stay tuned for that.
Public Transport is Pretty Solid
Speaking of transport, Jakarta’s public transit is actually really good. I didn’t expect much, but the TransJakarta buses and MRT (metro) are surprisingly efficient. The metro is new, clean, and comfortable – even my friends was impressed. So, skip the taxi or Grab and give the public transport a try. It’s worth it!
Language Barrier, But People Are Super Helpful
Now, Jakarta’s not exactly known for being English-friendly, especially in areas like West Jakarta where I was living. But guess what? The people are super nice and will go out of their way to help you. Even if they don’t speak much English, Google Translate is your best friend. So don’t be shy about asking for help!
Jakarta Can Be Expensive (But It’s Your Choice)
I came to Jakarta with a $1000/month budget thinking it would be enough to live comfortably. And it was – but Jakarta is not as cheap as some people might say. If you’re living in areas like West Jakarta, it can get pricey. But you can easily live affordably in the range of $500-$800, especially if you stick to local food and accommodations.
Malls Everywhere
Okay, if you love malls, you’ll love Jakarta. I swear there’s a mall on every corner. The area where I lived, Taman Anggrek, had three malls within two blocks. It’s like Jakarta’s obsession with shopping is on another level.
You’ll Get Stared At
This one took me by surprise. I’m used to being a foreigner in Bali, but Jakarta’s a different vibe. I was getting a lot of looks – like, people were staring. And from what I gathered, Jakarta doesn’t have as many tourists compared to places like Bali, so maybe it’s just that they’re not used to seeing a lot of expats. If you’re planning on visiting, get ready for the attention.
Sidewalks Are a Rare Sight
Walking around Jakarta? Yeah, it’s not as pedestrian-friendly as you might think. North Jakarta and West Jakarta don’t have many sidewalks, so be careful walking around. However, Central Jakarta and South Jakarta are a bit better in that sense. Still, be prepared for some serious traffic and walking challenges.
Traffic and Air Quality
Before coming here, I kept hearing about Jakarta’s traffic and air quality. Honestly, it wasn’t too bad – except for a few days where you couldn’t even see the buildings ahead because of the smog. But yeah, big city problems – it gets hot, and the traffic can be brutal.
I’m Coming Back
Last but not least, I’ve had an amazing time in Jakarta, and I definitely plan on returning. There’s so much more to explore, and trust me, I’ve got more content to create. It’s been a blast, and I’ll see you guys again soon.
So, there you have it – the top 10 things I learned in Jakarta. It’s a wild, bustling, and fascinating place. If you’ve been, let me know what surprised you the most. Or if you’ve got tips for my next trip, hit me up in the comments!