In 'Expensive' Jakarta, There's A Place For Everyone

JAKARTA, March 5 (Bernama) -- Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, was ranked among the most expensive cities in ASEAN to live in – according to Mercer's 26th annual Cost of Living Survey 2020. Jakarta was placed 86th out of 209 cities globally and the fourth most expensive city in ASEAN after Singapore (5th), Bangkok (35), and Manila (80) with the higher ranking indicating higher cost of living. Other relatively expensive cities in the region are Hanoi (116), Bandar Sri Begawan (118), and Kuala Lumpur (144). However, after living in this city of almost 11 million people since 2017, I find that Jakarta is ready to accommodate anyone according to his or her budget – never mind if you are an expatriate or a traveller on a budget. I will share with readers the general prices of Jakarta's food, accommodation, and transportation. Talking about food, Jakarta offers a packed and diverse culinary experience beyond the authentic Indonesian cuisine. Diners are spoilt for choice as they could also indulge in Arab, Japanese, Korean, Indian, and other gastronomical delights from all over the world, here. There is such a long list of restaurants and cafes in Indonesia that I have divided it into categories based on what you can expect to spend per visit – street food (Rp20,000 to Rp40,000/RM5.70-RM11.40); canteen food (Rp40,000 to Rp70,000/RM11.40 -RM20); food court and mid-range restaurants (Rp70,000 to Rp200,000/RM20-RM57); Mall restaurants (starting from Rp100,000/RM28), and High-end restaurants (Starting from Rp400,000/RM114). On accommodation, there are various alternatives one can choose in Jakarta, where renting an apartment with full facilities is probably the ideal way to stay comfortably. Take a look at the breakdown of the cost of a fully furnished apartment in Jakarta. For the outskirt of Jakarta, the cost starts from Rp10 million (RM3,000) per month; and for Jakarta's central business area, the cost starts at around Rp27 million (RM8,000) per month. If you cannot afford them, then consider renting an apartment in suburban areas with limited facilities at much lower rental rates. For travellers, the average price for a 3-star hotel in Jakarta is around USD30 (RM120), the average price for a 4-star hotel in Jakarta is USD40 (RM160), and the average price for a 5-star hotel in Jakarta is USD100 (RM420). The figures indicate that they are generally cheaper than most cities in Europe or Asia. On transport, I have to say that Jakarta’s public transportation might not be at par even with Singapore or Kuala Lumpur when it comes to comfort. Using public transportation modes such as the KRL Commuterline or MRT, depending on travel distance, you can spend less than Rp500,000 (RM140) per month. If you want something cheaper, why not try Jakarta's bus system, TransJakarta, which covers vast areas of the city where the fare per ride is around Rp3,500 to Rp5,000 (RM1-RM1.40) and the payment can be made using the electronic card. The other option is also to use an online taxi or online motorcycle taxi that is easily available throughout the city and considered as one of the most efficient transportation. The fare varies on the peak hours and the distance, and I can’t really point out an exact figure as it depends on how much and how far one uses this service. But in general, my expatriate friends set a budget of up to Rp3 million (RM850) per month for the online taxi service. So, despite its reputation as an expensive place, Jakarta is still affordable in many ways for people of every budget. -- BERNAMA