·7 May 2024

Finding Your Jakarta Nest: A Guide to Expat Residences in the Big City

·
7 minutes read
Finding Your Jakarta Nest: A Guide to Expat Residences in the Big City

Curious about the type of property in Jakarta for your future residence? Find here!

Jakarta, Indonesia’s bustling capital, welcomes thousands of expats every year. Whether you’re here for a corporate assignment, chasing entrepreneurial dreams, or simply seeking a vibrant Southeast Asian adventure, finding the right place to live is crucial.

This guide explores the various types of residences available to expats in Jakarta, helping you choose the one that best suits your lifestyle and budget.

Also read: A Complete Guide to Work in Indonesia as a Foreigner

Types of Property in Jakarta for Expats Residential

Finding the perfect residence for your long-term stay in Jakarta is easy peasy. There are several types of property that you can choose from, ranging from apartments to coliving residential.

1. Serviced apartments: Premium comfort and convenience

Serviced apartments are a popular choice for expats, especially newcomers. They offer a hassle-free experience, ideal for short-term stays or when adjusting to a new city. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Fully furnished: Move in with minimal fuss. Serviced apartments come equipped with furniture, appliances (including kitchenware), and often high-speed internet and cable TV.
  • Hotel-like services: Enjoy amenities like housekeeping, laundry services, concierge services, and sometimes even on-site restaurants and gyms.
  • Security and maintenance: Serviced apartments prioritize resident safety with 24/7 security and take care of any maintenance issues that arise.
  • Prime locations: These apartments are often located in desirable areas with easy access to business districts, shopping malls, and entertainment venues.

Pros: Convenience, comfort, peace of mind, ideal for short stays.

Cons: Higher rent compared to other options, limited space in some units.

Popular expat serviced apartment areas: Kuningan, Sudirman Central Business District (SCBD), Thamrin, Mega Kuningan

2. Apartments: Offering independence and flexibility for long-term stays

For expats planning a longer stay in Jakarta, apartments offer more independence and flexibility. You’ll find a wide range of options to suit your needs and budget. Here’s a breakdown:

  • High-rise condominiums: Located in modern buildings, these apartments offer stunning city views, luxury amenities like swimming pools, gyms, and rooftop gardens. Rents for these can be quite high.
  • Mid-rise apartments: These offer a good balance between affordability and amenities. They may have a swimming pool, gym, and basic security features.
  • Low-rise apartments: Ideal for those seeking a more affordable option. However, they may have fewer amenities or be located further from city centers.

Things to consider when choosing an apartment:

  1. Location: Jakarta is a large city with diverse neighborhoods. Consider proximity to your workplace, favorite hangouts, and desired amenities.
  2. Size and layout: Apartments come in various sizes, from studios to spacious family apartments. Choose one that suits your needs.
  3. Building amenities: Prioritize amenities that are important to you, such as a gym, swimming pool, or parking space.
  4. Security: Make sure the building has proper security measures like CCTV cameras and security guards.

Finding apartments: Online platforms like Rukita can help you search for apartments. Local property agents can also assist in finding suitable options.

Pros: Affordable options available, flexibility in layouts and locations.

Cons: Requires more effort to set up (furniture, internet), may need to deal with maintenance issues yourself.

Popular expat apartment areas: Senayan, Kemang, Setiabudi, Pondok Indah, Permata Hijau

3. Co-Living: A social and cost-effective option for young expats

Co-living spaces are gaining popularity among young expats. They offer a vibrant and social living environment with shared amenities at a competitive price point. Here’s what co-living offers:

  • Shared living: You’ll have your own private room, but share common areas like kitchens, living rooms, and sometimes co-working spaces with other residents.
  • Furnished rooms and amenities: Expect basic furniture, high-speed internet, and sometimes housekeeping services included in the rent.
  • Social interaction: Co-living spaces foster a sense of community, perfect for those seeking to make friends and connections in a new city.

Pros: Affordable rents, social atmosphere, no need to worry about furniture or utilities.

Cons: Less privacy compared to other options, may have limitations on guests or noise levels.

Finding co-living spaces: Online platforms like Rukita can help you find co-living spaces.

Popular expat co-living areas: Kelapa Gading, Kuningan, Setiabudi, South Jakarta

Also read: 15 Tips on How to Save Money While Living in Indonesia as an Expat

4. Homestays and kost: Budget-friendly options for budget-minded expats

Homestays and kost (boarding houses) offer the most affordable living options in Jakarta. However, they come with some limitations.

Pros: Affordable rents, social atmosphere, strategic locations.

Cons: Less privacy and spacious compared to other options, may have limitations on guests or noise levels.

Finding homstays and kost: Online platforms like Rukita and Infokost can help you find the right kost coliving spaces at an affordable price.

Popular expat co-living areas: Kuningan, Setiabudi, Pasar Minggu, Slipi, Pluit

5. Property in Jakarta: House rentals

This is an option for expats looking for the comfort and warmth of home while away from their country. You will get the whole house and a spacious room for yourself with a monthly or yearly rental.

Pros: Affordable rents, feel-at-home vibes, more privacy.

Cons: You will have to deal with a noisy neighborhood.

Finding house rentals: Online platforms.

Popular expat house rental areas: Permata Hijau, Kemang, Cipete, Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta

Live Better at Rukita with Top-Notch Facilities for Expats in Jakarta

Need your team close to the action in Jakarta’s bustling center? Or maybe a serene escape to boost creativity? Rukita offers flexible locations across Indonesia to perfectly match your company’s vibe.

Rukita stands out as a reliable solution for corporate housing, offering a range of residential options tailored to meet the diverse needs of businesses. Whether it’s accommodating employees near the work site or creating a custom coliving space for a company, Rukita provides complete and comfortable housing solutions.

With a focus on hassle-free living, Rukita simplifies the entire process by bundling housing, resident services, and renovations under one roof. This streamlined approach ensures that companies can focus on their core activities while Rukita takes care of the intricacies of employee housing.

One of Rukita’s key features is its flexibility in location selection throughout Indonesia, allowing businesses to choose the most suitable places based on their operational requirements. Whether situated in bustling urban centers or more serene locales, Rukita’s corporate housing options cater to a wide range of preferences.

Additionally, Rukita’s commitment to transparency is evident in its billing system, ensuring straightforward financial transactions for both residential reimbursement and corporate accounts. The comprehensive facilities, including amenities such as AC, Wi-Fi, laundry, and cleaning services that can be tailored to specific needs, further contribute to Rukita’s appeal as a top-notch provider of corporate housing solutions in Indonesia.


The right residence is the key to your productivity when you have to live and work in Jakarta as a foreigner. After reading the pros and cons of each property in Jakarta above, you can choose the perfect one for your long-term stay. 

Want to find a comfortable, modern, and strategically located apartment to stay inRukita offers many kinds of apartments that you can rent to live a more comfortable life.

Don’t forget to download Rukita app via Google Play Store or App Store or visit www.rukita.co. Follow Rukita’s Instagram account @rukita_indo, Twitter account @rukita_id, and TikTok account @rukita_id to get the most recent information and other interesting deals!

Find your coliving in Jakarta here:

Bagikan artikel ini