What do I need to move to Indonesia?

I'm really considering to move there in about 3 months time or next year sometime. Just got a few questions to ppl who can answer.

1. How much money should I take with me for start up to rent a place and find a basic job.

2. Are there realtor companies to help me find a place (like they have here in USA), or would I just go out and search door-to-door.

3. How much is rent typically?

4. Also how could I get citizenship to live there ?

5. I only know English. Will this create any barriers for me?

6. What cities are best for a new-to-the-country American like me and with moderate internet service etc?

7. Doesn't Indonesia NOT have extradition laws with the US..meaning that if one gets charged with spamming or decides to go in business with Bernie Madoff, they can live there without worried that the U.S. authorities will bang down there dooR?

How much do you make from IM per month . I suggest you to make $ 1000/Mo after cost so that you can live relatively comfortable here.

I am Indonesian and I'd say don't give up your US citizenship. Don't and may I know why?

>Are there realtor companies to help me find a place (like they have here in USA), or >would I just go out and

Never heard of

>>I only know English. Will this create any barriers for me?

Depends on where do you plan to live, people in bigger cities know some English ,


What cities are best for a new-to-the-country American like me and with moderate internet service etc?

Probably Denpasar? What are your preferences

One thing to be aware of in Indonesia... and it doesn't matter if you are in Jakarta, Bali, or any major city there - The internet SUCKS. It's expensive, slow, unreliable, and often hard to find.

Gemerally speaking yes but first media broadband is pretty good , I have faster connection than my brother who resides in Singapore. If you need good internet connection, you should use their service.

dizen said:

How much do you make from IM per month . I suggest you to make $ 1000/Mo after cost so that you can live relatively comfortable here.

I am Indonesian and I'd say don't give up your US citizenship. Don't and may I know why?

>Are there realtor companies to help me find a place (like they have here in USA), or >would I just go out and

Never heard of

>>I only know English. Will this create any barriers for me?

Depends on where do you plan to live, people in bigger cities know some English ,


What cities are best for a new-to-the-country American like me and with moderate internet service etc?

Probably Denpasar? What are your preferences

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Hmm thanks for that. Yes, I would def not move if I am not making a decent steady income.

Denpasar...I will look at some info about it now.

I'm looking for somewhere quiet, but with moderately "easy" access to a city.

Regarding English-speaking - I guess it's better for me to
a) Learn to speak Inodnesian OR
b) Look at the bigger cities OR
c) All of the above.

all of the above .. Indonesian is probably the easiest languange in the world. All characters in latin with no grammars and tenses.

but if you only plan to stay here for 3 months then you don't need to learn it/

dizen said:

all of the above .. Indonesian is probably the easiest languange in the world. All characters in latin with no grammars and tenses.

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I've always loved learning languages....and learning a language without conjugation, grammer and tenses sounds too good to be true.

dizen said:

but if you only plan to stay here for 3 months then you don't need to learn it/

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I plan to stay for a while. I plan to move in 3 months or so. I would need to move to a city that has pretty decent internet service since I'll be there for a while.

Many people speak English in Indonesia, but it will still be a bit of a barrier. Bali is filled with English speakers, Jakarta not so much. The language is incredibly simple if you have an aptitude for languages it's very easy to learn.



They don't pay much for anything there. The standard of living is very low unless you're in the upper crust. Education helps a lot, they believe in certificates. You could easily make certificates for yourself, or buy a diploma from a diploma mill for whatever you want and they will believe it. Best to stick to something you know about though. I understand that IM is a big one, but no real experience with that. I would bet that business consultation would be a really good way to go. Fortunately, the world's economic problems aren't as bad there though the currency is in the shits from it. Good for your foreign money though, especially euros and dollars.

I mostly stayed in Bali, so I don't know about living other places, probably a little more expensive to live somewhere like Jakarta though. In Bali you can get a room for $5 a day and up (which includes a small breakfast), and meals cost about $3 - 5 or more for something really nice. Local food is around $1 - 3.

The internet there is about the worst in all of SE Asia. Their high speed is little better than dialup here. Even in Jakarta you will have to deal with very slow internet. In Bali I was lucky to get 100 kbs, and I don't think it's much better in Jakarta. It's worse during business hours after lunch, and starts to get better in the evening. That's because they mostly have access to internet at work, and they actually work in the mornings. At times it's absolutely useless. 100 kbs isn't so bad though, I could still watch videos if I let them buffer for awhile. Hard on uploading videos though. Malaysia is much better, and less likely to have extradition I would think.

No idea about extradition, but I would bet that they would extradite. But, they would have to catch you first, and that's pretty hard because they aren't on top of that kind of thing, mostly my impression here. Mostly this is due to corruption.

There may be realtors to help with rentals, surely for buying. The best thing is to find a place for a while and get to know people. You get a better deal once people consider you a friend, and they will steer you to deals.

Citizenship is hard. You can get a 6 month visa before you leave, but after that it gets a little complicated. But, if you know someone, you just pay a bribe and they take care of you. It's expensive at first, then gets cheaper as they get to know you. ONe guy I met payed about $75 a month to have his visa stamped. Marriage is the best way, but that's complicated too.

Basically, you really need to know someone. The Chinese are the best. They are hated by other Indonesians because they own most of the country and are a very small minority, like 10 percent. But, if you get a Chinese Indonesian friend, then all doors can open. They are all related to someone who can help in some way.

Hi Nemo,

1. How much money should I take with me for start up to rent a place and find a basic job.

--- what type of basic job are you talking about? Basic job here mostly pays less than 500 dollars/month. Expats get paid so much more of course, but only in the high-level management position. But then, if you're one of those BHW members who shove tons of money off the internet, you shouldn't worry to much


2. Are there realtor companies to help me find a place (like they have here in USA), or would I just go out and search door-to-door.

--- Yes there are. My brother happens to be a mortage consultant. He runs his own company. I'm sure he can help.

3. How much is rent typically?
--- Most people here own a house or rent a small house for those who can't afford one. To own one, you can't, cause you're not an Indonesian. But there's always some ways to go around it. To rent a house, it depends. Small houses cost lower but in a somewhat ghetto area. Big and nice houses are around, and can be rented for around $1k/month. If you're looking for apartments, if i'm correct you'd be looking at around $2k and above/month. And apartments here are not like in most US cities (2-story building). Here, apartments are luxurious.

4. Also how could I get citizenship to live there ?
--- why? Try adjusting yourself here for a while. I lived in California for a few years. When I moved back here, the weather and traffic was the real turn off. It took me quite long to readjust myself to those 2 things. It's really hot and humid here in Jakarta.

5. I only know English. Will this create any barriers for me?
--- Most people at least understand english, if they dont speak it. But in Jakarta, most people understand and speak the language, though not as the main language.

6. What cities are best for a new-to-the-country American like me and with moderate internet service etc?
--- Bali (Denpasar is the capitol city of Bali) and Jakarta. Bali, you'll have more western atmosphere cause many 'bule' (westerners) live or go there for vacation. The beaches are nic too. Calmer life there. Jakarta, you'll see traffic every frickin' day, but you get to live a metropolitan life. So it's like New Hampsire vs New York.

7. Doesn't Indonesia NOT have extradition laws with the US..meaning that if one gets charged with spamming or decides to go in business with Bernie Madoff, they can live there without worried that the U.S. authorities will bang down there dooR?

--- I don't know about this. But if you intend to spam the world from using Indonesia's IP address.. then don't come. haha. We're building international trust in the internet industry. So lets help that along

Hope that helps..

Kalidasa said:

The internet there is about the worst in all of SE Asia. Their high speed is little better than dialup here. Even in Jakarta you will have to deal with very slow internet.

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This isn't true. Internet can get really fast if you choose the correct provider and plan. But don't expect lower monthly fees than the one you have in the States. If you really need something fast, look for Biznet. My internet is around 1Mbps. I almost never get a buffer watching youtube.

Basically, you really need to know someone. The Chinese are the best. They are hated by other Indonesians because they own most of the country and are a very small minority, like 10 percent. But, if you get a Chinese Indonesian friend, then all doors can open. They are all related to someone who can help in some way.

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Another mis-leading information. This era has past, like 10 years ago. You can make friends with Chinese or the locals. But it's not a guarantee that your Chinese friend can open all doors.

Wrong, foreigner can now own apartment

3. How much is rent typically?
--- Most people here own a house or rent a small house for those who can't afford one. To own one, you can't, cause you're not an Indonesian. But there's always some ways to go around it. To rent a house, it depends. Small houses cost lower but in a somewhat ghetto area. Big and nice houses are around, and can be rented for around $1k/month. If you're looking for apartments, if i'm correct you'd be looking at around $2k and above/month. And apartments here are not like in most US cities (2-story building). Here, apartments are luxurious.

rannie said:

Hi Nemo,

--- what type of basic job are you talking about? Basic job here mostly pays less than 500 dollars/month. Expats get paid so much more of course, but only in the high-level management position. But then, if you're one of those BHW members who shove tons of money off the internet, you shouldn't worry to much


2. Are there realtor companies to help me find a place (like they have here in USA), or would I just go out and search door-to-door.

--- Yes there are. My brother happens to be a mortage consultant. He runs his own company. I'm sure he can help.

3. How much is rent typically?
--- Most people here own a house or rent a small house for those who can't afford one. To own one, you can't, cause you're not an Indonesian. But there's always some ways to go around it. To rent a house, it depends. Small houses cost lower but in a somewhat ghetto area. Big and nice houses are around, and can be rented for around $1k/month. If you're looking for apartments, if i'm correct you'd be looking at around $2k and above/month. And apartments here are not like in most US cities (2-story building). Here, apartments are luxurious.

6. What cities are best for a new-to-the-country American like me and with moderate internet service etc?
--- Bali (Denpasar is the capitol city of Bali) and Jakarta. Bali, you'll have more western atmosphere cause many 'bule' (westerners) live or go there for vacation. The beaches are nic too. Calmer life there. Jakarta, you'll see traffic every frickin' day, but you get to live a metropolitan life. So it's like New Hampsire vs New York.

Hope that helps..

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Great responce - thanks.
When I say I'm looking for a basic job, I guess something like working in a shop. But, then again, IM will be my primary mode of work - so I'll be doing that full time, actually.

Your brother the realtor, does he have a website where I can find out more information about his company and get in touch with him? Feel free to PM that information to me if you'd like. Or, you can also hit me up on yahoo im.

Also when you say "small houses" vs. "big houses" vs. apartments for rent...can you explain that?
My question is, "small/ big houses" are apartments, aren't they?

Or would "apartments" to you be considered inside of a building (which I fully understand as well.), and like you say, more luxurious. Then would small houses be basically like renting out the basement of an Indonesian's family house?

Say I would like to pay say $500-$1000 per month for rent. Would my search then be limited to small houses in the ghetto?

rannie said:

This isn't true. Internet can get really fast if you choose the correct provider and plan. But don't expect lower monthly fees than the one you have in the States. If you really need something fast, look for Biznet. My internet is around 1Mbps. I almost never get a buffer watching youtube.



Another mis-leading information. This era has past, like 10 years ago. You can make friends with Chinese or the locals. But it's not a guarantee that your Chinese friend can open all doors.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip on Biznet. I will get information on Biznet ASAP, Bali and Jakarta.

NemoTheOne said:

Great responce - thanks.
When I say I'm looking for a basic job, I guess something like working in a shop. But, then again, IM will be my primary mode of work - so I'll be doing that full time, actually.

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I knew it. Well, basic job in the US is not like in here. Basic job there perhaps something like at gas station, working in a shop, you know.. the blue collar jobs (cmiiw). When you do that in the States, you can live a pretty decent lifestyle. But doing that kind of job here, you're lucky to get paid $200/month. See my point? Unless, you work a white collar job like a marketing director or something.

Your brother the realtor, does he have a website where I can find out more information about his company and get in touch with him? Feel free to PM that information to me if you'd like. Or, you can also hit me up on yahoo im.

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He does have one but it's in Indonesian languange. You won't understand. But it's not a property agent or realtor. He's a consultant for house acquiring loan.

Also when you say "small houses" vs. "big houses" vs. apartments for rent...can you explain that?
My question is, "small/ big houses" are apartments, aren't they?

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small/big houses are not apartments here. You guys refer apartments as studios, or a an compound of house units (flat). We refer as the real apartment in a tall building, with shopping mall on the first floor, similar to a hotel.

Small houses/big houses are like townhouses over there. But townhouse (single gate entry) are not too many yet over here. My best advice is to get what we call 'kost'. It's basically like a studio for rent, just like apartments in the US, 2-story building, several units. But that's a studio, not a house. You can get a nice one at around 200-300 dollars/month in Jakarta. The landlord would even have someone wash your car and clean your studio. And you get cable TV and broadband internet access.

Or would "apartments" to you be considered inside of a building (which I fully understand as well.), and like you say, more luxurious.

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Yes..

Then would small houses be basically like renting out the basement of an Indonesian's family house?

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No, it literally means like that. Renting a small house.

Are you seriously moving over here? How old are you btw? Just PM me.

I used to live in Indonesia as an expat and man, language is easy. people are nice and it's basically an inverted version of the philippines. People are nice, and religion is different. but that's basically it.

We in the philippines are 90% catholic and indonesia is roughly the same with islam.

Language is easy learned to speak in a 10 day course in jogja and practiced. probably fluent in 2 months max.


f

dizen said:

Wrong, foreigner can now own apartment

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They can buy and stay there for up to 20 years. But they dont own the apartment. Cause they can't resell it.

this has changed . The govt has just issued a new act on apartment buying for foreigners

It was issued 2 days ago, CMIIW

dizen said:

It was issued 2 days ago, CMIIW

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dizen said:

this has changed . The govt has just issued a new act on apartment buying for foreigners

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Oow sweet.. thx for sharing this.

blackhatcatz said:

I used to live in Indonesia as an expat and man, language is easy. people are nice and it's basically an inverted version of the philippines. People are nice, and religion is different. but that's basically it.

We in the philippines are 90% catholic and indonesia is roughly the same with islam.

Language is easy learned to speak in a 10 day course in jogja and practiced. probably fluent in 2 months max.


f

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Great to know thanks for the input....so Indonesia is 90% islam? Ok...As long as the people or nice - which I always here - I'm happy. Jogja....is that near jakarta? or easily accessable regardless of starting point?

I have an affinity for languages and am looking forward to learning the language and have already begun the learning process. Terima kasih!