Before you relocate to the Big Durian, here is a quick lowdown on the top neighbourhoods in Jakarta - from Menteng and Kemang, to Tangerang and beyond.
Thinking about moving to the Big Durian, AKA Indonesia’s capital city? A fact of life here is the traffic, so finding a place to live is a priority. Depending on your lifestyle, needs and priorities, living in Jakarta can mean many different things. To help you before your next big city move, we’ve rounded up some helpful tips about the most popular neighbourhoods in Jakarta – the pros and cons to consider and what to expect from each area.
Top neighbourhoods in Jakarta
1. Menteng
Menteng is located in the middle of Jakarta making it one of the most convenient places to be if you’re working here in a number of international and national industries and businesses. Enjoy the city’s best shopping, dining, and nightlife right at your front door. And if you’re thinking of settling down in a house, Menteng is known for its beautiful, historic architecture and charming tree-lined streets.
Pros: You would be in the centre of the city and close to most of the cosmopolitan features of Jakarta.
Cons: Be prepared to pay a premium price for almost everything from rent to dining. And don’t underestimate the rush-hour traffic…
2. Kemang
This southern Jakarta neighbourhood is popular amongst expat families, thanks to its proximity to international schools and premium cafes and grocery stores. The streets are small so there is usually a lot of traffic in the area and during the weekends, the bars and clubs add to the hectic roads, but Kemang does Sunday brunch really well! Just a word of warning, during the rainy season, the area floods heavily and frequently.
Pros: A walkable neighbourhood feel.
Cons: The small streets almost always guarantee traffic and flooding.
3. Kebayoran Baru
Encompassing Senayan, Simprug, Wijaya SCBD and Blok M, Kebayoran Baru makes up a large swath of the Southern Jakarta. During the day, Kebayoran Baru is really convenient for travelling into the centre of the city and in the evenings, it has been the place to go if you want a drink, a nice meal, and a boogie.
Pros: The area is one of the most exciting and thriving in Jakarta right now.
Cons: Because it’s so popular, the traffic on these quaint streets can get pretty crazy.
4. Kebayoran Lama
Kemang is a pretty expensive part of town to live in, but if you move just a little bit further south to the neighbourhoods of Kebayoran Lama, you’ll find international schools, great dining, new high-rise apartments, and homes with yards – at a fraction of Kemang prices! There’s a lot of neighbourhoods in this area, including Cipete, Cilandak, and Gandaria which is centred around a one-stop mall (Permata Hijau), and a bit further out but still close to the major toll roads is Pondok Indah, home to the rich and famous.
Pros: More reasonably priced than Kemang but with similar amenities.
Cons: Hell-ish traffic in the evenings as everyone makes their way home.
5. Pantai Indah Kapuk
In just the last couple of years, Pantai Indah Kapuk has transformed itself from a far-off suburb filled with new empty shop fronts to Jakarta’s newest culinary hotspot. In addition to all of the restaurants (with new ones opening all of the time), PIK is known for it’s wide, clean and orderly streets. And thanks to the Lingkar Luar toll road, commuting here is less stressful.
Pros: This new neighbourhood is a foodie heaven with easy access to main toll roads.
Cons: Although close to the airport, PIK is quite far from the city centre.
6. Kelapa Gading
On the east side of Jakarta is Kelapa Gading, a well-planned but older area. The expat community isn’t huge here and you might need to go to the central or south to pick up specialty or imported items, or go for a night out.
Pros: The area has a very reasonable cost of living compared to other parts of the city.
Cons: Kelapa Gading is known for its propensity to flood every year during the rainy season.
7. Tangerang
Located in West Jakarta, Tangerang is a sprawling suburb-like region composed of Bintaro, Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD City), Alam Sutera, and Lippo Karawaci. Tangerang has developed really well and now has its own malls, dining, and amenities so you don’t have to go into the city for anything. For more info about what Tangerang has to offer, check out our in-depth guides to the area.
Pros: Lots of entertainment, dining, shopping in the area.
Cons: Commutes to the centre of town average to about two hours during peak periods.
8. Bogor
Moving to Jakarta, but not really a big city person? Consider Bogor in West Java, and you won’t be the only one, the Presidential Palace is located there as well. You won’t totally escape the urban touches, but you will get a huge dose of greenery and a break on rent. To get to Bogor, you can either take a long drive in or take the commuter train.
Pros: Escape the hustle and bustle of Jakarta’s metropolitan area.
Cons: The weekends are packed with city dwellers looking for an escape.
This guide to the neighbourhoods in Jakarta is sponsored by Crown Relocations.
