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Before you arrive....use this website!

So you've been told that you are moving to Jakarta. Don't panic!

Jakarta is a great place to live with your family, there are good pre schools, international schools, lots of activities to do (some of which you won’t get the chance to do in any other country) and you can buy the majority of things you are likely to need or want.

We would like to pass on a few tips to you before you move to Jakarta;

The absolute first thing you need to know about Jakarta is DO NOT DRINK THE TAP WATER under any circumstances! See here for more information.

Now that you know that....you will need somewhere to stay when you first arrive in Jakarta and while you are looking for a house for your family. We would recommend that you ask your company to organise a serviced apartment for you rather than a hotel room. That way you will have your own kitchen to use, more space for everyone and it will also be cleaned daily for you. You may be in temporary accommodation for a month or more so you need to be comfortable.

This will be a great opportunity for you to make new friends, there are always a few families that like you will have just arrived, and you can also get good advice from families that are staying there before leaving Jakarta. Ask lots of questions, they will provide you with a wealth of information along with this website!

A popular hotel with serviced apartments available is;

The Hotel Kristal
Tel: (62-21) 750 7050
E-mail: info@hotelkristal.com

Hotel Kristal is very close to Jakarta International School (JIS) but further from some of the other international schools, however all the schools operate efficient and safe bus services and they will collect your child from wherever you are staying.

Our just arrived chapter will help you get started with your search for a home for your family. Housing is varied in style and price and where you choose to live will be affected by where your spouse is working and where your children are likely to go to school. The chances are that you will be in serviced accommodation provided by your company when you first arrive and as much as this is unsettling for the family it is also allows you time to look at different areas of the city and the types of housing available before making a decision. It is not a decision to be taken lightly as it is the norm to have to pay for two years, if not three years rent, up front! Of course in most cases your company will organise this but it means you can’t change your mind.

Staying safe & healthy is a priority wherever you live and what insurance cover you have needs to be confirmed before you arrive i.e. what cover your company provides. It is essential that medical evacuation is included in your insurance cover as it is not uncommon to be sent to Singapore if more complicated tests or treatment if required.  Please visit our staying safe & healthy chapter for more information about hospitals, clinics, doctors, pediatricians, pharmacies, dentists, physiotherapists etc. There are also some recommended vaccinations hat you should have while living in Indonesia. If you child or any member of your family is dependent on a specific medication you will need to make sure that you can get it here so please either ask your company to find out for you or contact one of the clinics listed in our staying safe & healthy chapter direct for advice. It is advisable to bring with you the medicines that you are most comfortable taking and giving to your children. It can be very disconcerting to find yourself or your child sick and having to choose from medicines that you do not recognise. Bring day and night cold medicine, panadol/ibuprofen, diarrhoea medicine, anti histamines, allergy medication, antacid. It is also a good idea to bring your preferred choice of mosquito repellent.

Search our schools & sports chapter for contact details of the international schools and pre-schools to secure your child's place before you get here, some of the international schools will have waiting lists for some year groups.

In our where can i buy chapter you will find information on supermarkets which are well stocked with basic needs such as nappies (e.g. pampers, huggies, mami poko), formulas (inc. lactose free), baby wipes (alcohol free). There is a plentiful supply of fresh fruit and vegetables, meats, fish, dairy etc in the supermarkets frequented regularly by expatriates but you may need to visit more than one of these to get everything you need. There is now also a fairly good selection of organic produce and products but these items do come and go frequently. Examples of non organic items that come and go (and when they go you may not see them again for months) are Marmite, Vegemite, Weetabix (UK brand, but Weetbix Australia brand are generally always available), digestive biscuits. There has been a recent crisis on tinned tomatoes too!

Shopping malls abound in Jakarta, each one more grand than the last. There is not much that you can’t get here for you or your family. For little ones Mothercare have branches all over the city and Early Learning Centre (UK) has also just arrived. Products such as Playmobil, Step2, Little Tykes, and Lego are worth bringing with you as these larger imported items are overpriced here. The range of products available here is not as good as most western countries particularly for older children. If there is something very specific you know that your child wants for their birthday you may want to get it in advance to be sure you have it! Books shops are not on good as you may be used to back home but Amazon deliver here.

If you know that you will be pregnant or close to delivery when you arrive in Jakarta please see our having a baby chapter for more information and so that you can make informed decisions before you arrive here.

www.expat.or.id/info/prepare provides a wealth of further general advice about moving to Indonesia.

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