THE STORY

Like most of you relocating to Jakarta, the first thing I did was Google “expats living in Jakarta”. I was determined to do my home work, finding out everything there is to know about the city that was going to be our new home. And though I found a few sites and forums with expat information, I still had very specific questions regarding the move such as: cost of living, questions about furnishing a house, and best areas to live in.

This was the second time we arrived in a country with nothing but a couple of suitcases, filled with clothes and some of our personal belongings. It has been fun, looking for a house, shopping for furniture and other household items, hiring a maid etc. But at times, the settling in period has also been frustrating. One thing for sure; whether it is a friend or a colleague or a professional organization, it makes life a lot easier if you can; call a friend.

I was fortunate enough to have friends in Jakarta that have lived here for a while, whom introduced me to their friends who referred me to this club or that store and before I knew it; I had my own social circle, even telling my driver to go “Kiri (left) or Kanan (right)” on route to another mall, store, salon, spa or restaurant to check out. Very importantly, I haven’t once felt out of sorts or suffered from the four wall syndrome (as one expat lady called it).

It’s what you make of it, right? I am happy to report that I’m not just “making” it but living and loving life in yet another foreign country and I hope you will too!