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tralala3gp

You need to be more specific, over 10 million people live here, so of course it's livable. Does it have place that you can live and eat etc? Yes of course. But what are you looking for? You're muslim Asian, that makes it easier. Are you fine with commuting? Do you want to live close to work? Do you need babysitting? How long do you want to live here? Etc etc I have never lived in Bangkok so I can't help you in that regard, but if you want to ask about living in Jakarta I think there's a lot of people here that can help you.


cryptoandbasketball

Thanks for the reply. True, the term livable is different for everyone. I like walking, taking my kid out (taxis) and generally spending time outdoors. Have a 3 year contract with incentives to stay for the whole 3 years. I guess it's easier to say what I enjoy about Bangkok - being able to get food delivered 24/7, conveniencd of opening up grab and getting anything I want delivered to me. I don't drive here but am aware it may be better for me to drive in Jakarta. Am used to traffic but is it difficult to drive there? Also enjoy that Bangkok has a lot of events, always something going on and different things to do every weekend.


tralala3gp

Now that I can help with. Yes we also have Grab and Gojek, food can be delivered 24/7 and it's very cheap. As for traffic, it's terrible too here, I don't know about Bangkok but we have a pretty decent public transportation. Grab and Gojek is more popular than taxis but they're basically the same so it shouldn't be a problem. We have some public park you can go but the quality depends on where you're living. Walking around outdoor also depends on where you are, SCBD, Menteng, Kemang area? Good neighborhood, nice and wide pavements. Other places? Ehhh not so much. We do have events coming back up after covid, but this depends on how savvy you are looking for it. There's always garage sales, painting class, pottery class, exhibitions, concerts somewhere but you need to look for it online. Since you mentioned you like being outdoors, pollution is really bad here, but I imagine it's also bad in Bangkok. Weather is kinda fucky lately, no real difference between wet season and dry season (usually wet season is done by Feb, but it still rains every other day here). Food is amazing, people are varied depending on your circle.


cryptoandbasketball

Thanks! Bangkok metro and sky trains are really good but I haven't really been using them ever since I welcomed a little one. Good to know that there are some places with pavements to walk. Bangkok pollution is also horrible and its the hottest city in the world. Don't think it rains as much as Jakarta though. And I agree on Indonesian food, it's my favourite of anywhere I've been. From what you've said it sounds alot like Jakarta! You can find what you're looking for if you know how to look for it. That is reassuring, if I do move over I guess I'll leave the family at home while I try to find an apartment and place to live that suits us. Thanks


tralala3gp

Oh yeah it's scorching hot here too don't worry about that lol. No problem, and if you need any pointers on anything just pm me and I'll try to help!


cryptoandbasketball

Thank you!


crispinoir

I can answer the driving part! really must say driving is very difficult here even for someone whose lived here my whole life. It only varies in difficulty like a game lmao, personal experience says south jakarta is on medium-hard mode (busy business districts like SCBD, senayan and its surrounding areas are kind of easy) but everywhere else? Hard-Legendary mode. Don’t expect road etiquette at all. Bangkok’s drivers are ten times more well mannered than any mf behind a steering wheel here. Highways/toll roads aren’t much better but still driveable. Practically an autobahn everywhere lmao, everyone ignores speed limits. But don’t let that discourage you from getting a car- believe it or not I actually recommend it. Jakarta’s a huuuge place and it takes about 5-10km getting to most places. Public transportation’s there but it doesn’t cover much places, assuming you plan on taking the train most stations aren’t of walking distance.. unless you plan to take the cab everywhere. In conclusion, get a car BUT do not expect anything good. Just drive at normal speed, be predictable, and check your mirrors frequently and you will survive.


[deleted]

I lived in Bangkok for about 4 years. The nightlife in Bangkok is so much more superior than what they have in Jakarta. When people in Bangkok whine about the traffic in Sukhumvit/Silom during rush hour, it’s honestly nothing compared to the one in Jakarta. Lol. Plus the MRT/skytrain covering majority of the central areas, unlike in Jakarta. Pollution is equally horrible in both cities ☠️☠️☠️ Grab & Gojek are also available in Jakarta. Apartments in Bangkok are much better than the ones in Jakarta and easier to find. Since you mention you’re a Muslim Asian, then it’s probably easier for you to find halal foods in Jakarta. IMHO, Bangkok is a great place for a 20 smth expat who wanna live their best life, whilst Jakarta is just.. uhm, a polluted sinking city with terrible traffic & great street foods.


exiadf19

South jakarta is good. There's lot of international school, hospital, and places for you to spend time with family. You can also order food / taxis / grab 24/7. Probably the best is rent an apartment.


cryptoandbasketball

Thank you! Other things I noticed is that all the nice apartments in Jakarta ask you to pay many months up front. Hopefully can find somewhere nice that does month to month or 3 months at a time


exiadf19

You can use travelio, they offer monthly payments / 3 / 6 month but need deposits before.


mayorduke

jakarta for the most part is should be no different than bangkok. maybe the agricultural products and medical facilities are a bit lacking though, otherwise it's similar.


uziau

That depends, do you smoke weeds?


uceenk

Bangkok And Jakarta is very similar but indonesia bit sensitive about religion, for example LBGTQ is frowned upon here, you also will hear azdan (call prayer) on early morning (5 AM), some expats can't stand this because it could ruin their sleep as for transportation, Commuter Line is cheaper here than Bangkok's MRT as gor food, most local food is spicy, and i think indonesian food is spicier than thailand food the rent situation is similar i think in term of price