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) | - Majority of office buildings - Embassies - Government offices - International hotels - Hospitals and clinics - Some of Jakarta’s best restaurants - Old, established, historical neighborhoods - Shopping malls |
| South Jakarta (Jakarta Selatan) | - Tends to be an area favored by the expatriate community - Numerous planned residential areas - Several international schools - Shopping malls - Hospitals and clinics - A great variety of restaurants geared towards the expatriate community |
| East Jakarta (Jakarta Timur) | - Taman Mini Indonesia Indah Recreational Park - Halim Perdanakusuma Military Airport (and for some domestic flights) - Planned housing developments - Light manufacturing |
| North Jakarta (Jakarta Utara) | - Borders on the Java Sea - Ancol Recreational Area including Marina (departure point for the Thousand Islands) - North Jakarta Intercultural School - Port facility |
| West Jakarta (Jakarta Barat) | - Soekarno-Hatta International Airport - Housing Developments |
Residence 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 further afield in one of the new communities constantly being developed outside the city. This will all depend on your personal preferences and needs. It is important in all cases to consider the traffic problem in Jakarta, and the time you will spend commuting between work, school, activities, friends and home. The following are a few of the most popular areas:
| Kemang (South Jakarta) | - one of Jakarta’s most desirable residential areas, located in the southern part of the city, popular with the expatriate community - types of Properties - Homes, apartments - close to the Jakarta Intercultural School, the Australian International School and the French International School - nice variety of stores well stocked with Western and Japanese food items, restaurants, boutiques and home furnishing shops - close to several clubs and organizations, cultural centers and sports facilities - commute Time to Business District 30 to 60 minutes (depending on the traffic) - Advantage - close to most facilities - |
| Pondok Indah (South Jakarta) | - Popular with the expatriate community, this area is slightly newer than Kemang - Types of properties - homes and apartments, luxury - Closest international Schools: Jakarta Intercultural School Pondok Indah Elementary campus and Jakarta Intercultural School Cilandak Middle and Senior campus - Facilities: Pondok Indah Mall shopping area, complete with a department store, supermarket, a cinema, restaurants. - Commute Time to Business District 30 to 60 minutes (depending on the traffic) - Advantages - close to most facilities, nice environment, convenient location |
| Cipete/Cilandak (South Jakarta) | - Located between Kemang and Pondok Indah, boasts the same advantages as the former in terms of location more rural in flavor. There are many beautiful new homes - Types of properties - mostly homesstreets are quiet for the most part and retain their Indonesian character. Street hawkers roam the neighborhoods selling their wares, sounding their horns and bells; school children fly their kites--this is a lovely area with a lot of charm. - Facilities: The French International School, the Jakarta Intercultural School, SOS Medika Clinic - Commute Time to Business District 30 to 60 minutes (depending on the traffic) - Few restaurants and supermarkets - Advantages - Peaceful, convenient location |
| Menteng (Central Jakarta) | - Close to the downtown area, offices, shopping centers and restaurants. - Commute Time to Business District 15 to 30 minutes (depending on the traffic) - This neighborhood is noted for its embassies and ambassadors’ residences and is home to many Indonesian government officials. - Facilities: shopping malls, government officesTypes of properties - historical colonial homes, apartments - Advantage - proximity to business district |
| Kebayoran Baru (South Jakarta) | - Encompasses the busy Blok M and Panglima Polim shopping areas. This area also popular with many government officials - Situated conveniently between the downtown area and Kemang - Plenty of supermarket and restaurants in the area - Commute Time to Business District 15 to 25 minutes (depending on the traffic) - Closest international school: Jakarta Intercultural School Pattimura Elementary Campus - Types of Properties - Homes, some apartments - Advantage - midway between business district and schools. |
| Permata Hijau/Simprug (South Jakarta) | - Very close to the large Senayan Sports Stadium. Wide, quiet streets and particularly good access to sports facilities - A few of restaurants and supermarkets. Close to Plaza Senaya and Senayan City shopping centres - Types of Properties - Homes, apartments - has a wide variety of homes - Not too far from the downtown area. - Closest international school: Jakarta Intercultural School Pattimura Elementary Campus - Commute Time to Business District 15 to 25 minutes (depending on the traffic) - Advantages - Close to business district |
| Kuningan (Central Jakarta) | - Best be described as a residential area within the business district. - Commute Time to Business District 10 to 15 minutes (depending on the traffic) - Closest international school: Jakarta Intercultural School Pattimura Elementary Campus - A few of supermarkets and some restaurantsTypes of Properties - homes and apartments - Advantage - Proximity to business district |
| Bintaro (Tangerang) | - Bintaro, or Bintaro Jaya, is an area on the outskirts of Jakarta comprising newer, middle class housing developments and private homes. - There are few amenities aside from a shopping plaza and basic supermarkets. - The British International School is located here on a large new campus, and the Japanese International School is nearby. - Commute Time to Business District 40 to 60 minutesClosest International School British International School (BIS)Japanese International School - A few of supermarkets and restaurants - Types of Properties - homes, housing developments, apartments - Advantage - Proximity to British and Japanese Schools |
Options for residences in Jakarta
| Kuningan | - One value for money, longer term option is the Taman Rasuna Apartment complex. One, two or three bedroom furnished or unfurnished apartments can be rented on a monthly basis. This includes more than 18 towers such as: Taman Rasuna Apartment, Aston Rasuna Residence & the 18th Residence - Sommerset Grand Citra |
| Cipete, Pondok Indah | Krystal Apartments in Cipete are suitable for families and within walking distance of the JIS (Jakarta International School). |
| Menteng | - Menteng Executive - Menteng Regency is also comes highly recommended. These are spacious and luxurious serviced accommodations in the heart of the city's business and shopping district and close to various UN offices. |
| Thamrin | - The Ascott Residence - Thamrin Residence |
| SCBD | Shangrila Residence |