According to Gene Sugandy from real estate provider Colliers International, the main areas that expat families tend to move to are Kemang, Cipete, and Pondok Indah.
- Kemang: An older area of Jakarta, Kemang became popular in the 1970s and 80s when there was a huge oil boom in the city. Most people at the time wanted grand houses on large lots with swimming pools and gardens. The drawback was that area wasn't well- planned, so it can be confusing with narrow, curvy streets and numbers not in order.
- Cipete: Similar to Kemang, this area is popular for the large size of its lots and its proximity to nearby international schools. Like Kemang, infrastructure around the area is not well-developed, so there are small stores on the side of the road, as opposed to malls.
- Pondok Indah: This is a newer part of Jakarta that has only been around for the past 20 or 25 years. It was developed with a master plan in mind. Infrastructure was established first and then building began afterwards. The houses are generally smaller and any larger houses have very little outdoor space. The area is within close proximity to major malls.
Rent is expected to be paid a full year in advance. This means that often companies will make the payment on behalf of their employee. For a house with a plan of around 800 square meters, you can expect to pay $3,000–5,000 per month. An apartment of around 200 square metres will cost around $2,000–$4,000 per month.
