Digital Nomad Life in Indonesia

"Activities - Golf, road trip, Bazaars, Clubs - AWA, BEA, BWA, AWC, PWA (also, huge community of Latinos) and lots more. Whatever nationality they are, they will surely find their own country having their own organizations," explained one expat living in Jakarta, Indonesia.

"Travel, Java Lava mt hiking club, BIS PTA, Cub scouts (either British First Kemang or American scouts) and the various artist groups," said one person in Jakarta.

"The local's lives revolve around work, getting to work and family affairs, photography and facebook but beyond that I can't comment. Expat lives revolve around work and family too of course but the family bit comes and goes. Many seem to let the nanny's take over and participate in a lot of Golf or women's organizations, and football/rugby. For us we travel, throw house parties, and participate in school activities," remarked one member in Jakarta.

"The company has a Family Liason Officer that assisted us along with 2 respresentatives from Expat Relocation. All of them assisted us from finding a home, leased furnitures, picked fabric (from curtains to sofas) and decorate," said one expat in Jakarta.

"Finding a place to live in Indonesia depends largely on your budget and preferences. Consider if you prefer to rent or buy a property and in what type of city or area you would like to live in. Research the options available for rental or purchase in various regions - for example, property rental websites, real estate agencies and newspapers. Due to the large population in Jakarta, there are many housing options available in the capital city. Consider if you would like to live in a city centre or outskirts and narrow down your search accordingly. Alternatively, if you have a specific area in mind, contact local estate agents and ask for advice. If you need assistance in viewing properties, you can find a property viewing service online," remarked one member in Indonesia.

"Expats considering retiring in Indonesia should familiarize themselves with the country's unique visa requirements and residence permits. They should also take into account the cost of living, healthcare and other important areas such as availability and quality of education. It is advisable to research the various areas in which one is looking to live and to check for any civil unrest or areas known for high crime rates. Additionally, expats should investigate what cultural customs and habits are observed in Indonesia in order to get a better understanding of the local culture and way of life," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Indonesia.

"Don't worry too much. It's pretty easy life here but will require patience a plenty. Traffic is horrible! But I get lots of reading done in my Mitsurbishi Grandis. Good staff are very important and should be rewarded with your trust and better than average pay if you find good ones. We love ours. Finally, as usual, a little bit of the local language goes a long long ways. Vocabulary is the key here b/c the rest of the language is easy," explained one person living in Jakarta, Indonesia.

"Don't drink tap water. Eat only at restaurants that are recommended and tested by others. Learn the language. Have patience, therefore one can adapt accordingly. Don't expect too much from the people," said one expat in Jakarta.

"The nationals in the area have been very warm and receptive. Naturally, the vendors have a vested interest as we provide them with a living. My husband's co-workers have been very kind to him in helping him understand cultural nuances. Unlike most of the expats here, we entertain nationals as well as other expats. We have even hosted a large holiday party in which all of the food had to be cooked halal due to the majority of nationals being Muslim," said one person in Duri/Simpang Padong, Riau, Sumatra.

"Expatriates in Indonesia often appreciate the country's unique cultural diversity and warm hospitality. They admire the Indonesian people’s respect for religion, traditional values, and customs. They also enjoy the local cuisine, which is refreshingly different from the flavors they may be accustomed to in their home country. Additionally, the country boasts stunning natural landscapes, such as its vast beaches, lush rainforests, and stunning volcanoes. Whether it be exploring the local culture, imersing in the vibrant cities, or discovering the diverse wildlife, expats find something to love about life in Indonesia," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Indonesia.

"For me, I found corruption a challenge. Police in Indonesia actually buy their jobs, and because the jobs pay very little, the only way they can earn enough money to live is thru bribery," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Indonesia.

"If you wish to stay in Indonesia for an extended period of time you will need to apply for a long-term residence visa from the Indonesia Immigration Office. Depending on the length of stay and your purpose, you may be required to obtain other visas such as a working visa or study visa before you can apply for the residence visa. Depending on your nationality and the type of visa you need, you may have to submit a valid passport, recent photographs, and a letter of invitation from an Indonesian organization as part of the application process. Furthermore, you may also need to provide an endorsement by a sponsoring organization based in Indonesia and/or financial documents showing you have sufficient funds to support yourself while in the country," explained one person living in Indonesia.

"It is important to be mindful of cultural etiquette when visiting a foreign country such as Indonesia. It is important to be respectful of the local customs and remain open-minded to their traditions. It is best to avoid any public displays of affection, such as kissing, hugging, or hand-holding. Refrain from making negative remarks about the country or its culture, as this can be perceived as rude and insulting. Refrain from wearing revealing clothing, as it can be seen as disrespectful. It is also important to remove one’s shoes when entering religious sites like mosques or temples and to avoid eating with one's left hand. Lastly, it is also important to be mindful of the fact that Indonesians tend to use last names to indicate respect," remarked one member in Indonesia.

"I do not require my household help to cook much during Ramadan since they are fasting. Near the end of Ramadan this month, I had made a new recipe and my helper was in the kitchen drying dishes. She was asking questions about the recipe, when I evidently had brain-fade and said, "Here, taste it and let me know what you think." She just laughed and said, "Mem, it Ramadan!"," explained one expat living in Duri/Simpang Padong, Riau, Sumatra, Indonesia.

"It's very important to have health insurance and if you're on an international scheme, then have the documents on the ready to give proof. If you don't have healthcare insurance, be prepared to pay a pretty penny when sorting health bills," said a member in Bali.

"Healthcare services in Indonesia are provided by both public and private institutions. The public healthcare system is funded by the government and is available to all citizens. The quality of public healthcare varies depending on the region, but generally it is considered to be of a lower standard than private healthcare. Foreign residents are able to access the public healthcare system, but they may need to pay for some services. Expats in Indonesia often use the public healthcare system for basic medical needs, but they may opt for private healthcare for more specialized treatments," explained one person living in Indonesia.

"Housing costs are very reasonable. I can easily get everything I need delivered to my door, and pay with bank transfer directly. The terms of rentals is sketchy, as it is generally month to month, with no real requirement to give notice, but which also makes it hard to move from one rental to the next when day of occupancy is usually NOW. Means you might lose money to move, if you have to move out early. Many rentals prefer tourists to long term, which puts pressure on long term rentals to locate something in an increasingly competitive market for long term rentals. There is no real niche being developed in the tourism profile for long term renters per se, as it is assumed that short term tourist turn overs can be much more lucrative. There is no long term planning in Bali for accommodating the capacity of the country to sustain the level of tourism that the country is experiencing going forward. Government is considering different kinds of visas for people who are like digital nomads. Visas are expensive. . My retirement visa costs $600 a year, and I use an agent. It is less expensive if you do it yourself, but also the Immigration Beaurocracy can be tricky. Important to get clear about what can and cannot be imported into the country. I bought a renewed phone from the United States and it is still sitting in Customs after over 10 weeks, and since they won't let me have it because it's used, I am subject to the whims of a beaurocracy that does not seem to want to return it but to run out the clock and confiscate it. On health issues, I have decided that I am no longer wanting to live in the tropics as my immune system is not strong enough to handle the level of exposure to parasites that I encounter. I as given inatravenous antibiotics during a nominal procedure at a hospital, and now my gut micro biome is destroyed and I have a horrible case of worms that no one seems to know what to do about. There is no one in Bali who can do a comprehensive stool test, and they cost $500 to be sent to Jakarta and back which takes over a month. The response to protocols for Covid is a huge issue, as Balinese don't understand social distancing, do not bother to use masks much of the time, etc. Despite the rules issued by the government. Being in a third world country during a pandemic, is dicey, and the government struggled a long time to frame a response and also rushed to acquire vaccines way too early in the phase of evaluating the vaccine's success rate. Also, the plan for how to vaccinate westerners is still vague and undeveloped and changing as Westerners will not be able to get the vaccines available from the government for Indonesians, and how and who and whether private companies can purchase vaccines that are not earmarked for Indonesians has still not been worked out," said one digital nomad in Bali.

"Expats and digital nomads often appreciate the low cost of living in Indonesia, as well as the friendly and welcoming people. They also enjoy the diverse culture, the beautiful beaches, and the delicious food. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads may find the traffic and pollution in some cities to be overwhelming, and the bureaucracy and paperwork associated with visas and permits to be tedious. Additionally, the language barrier can be a challenge for some," commented a person living in Indonesia.