Groups
The American Women’s Association of Indonesia is a vibrant organization that connects women with a supportive network of fellow expatriates, cultural integration, charitable works and plenty of fun activities. The group is inclusive and welcomes newcomers of every nationality. https://www.awajakarta.org/
The American Club is a quiet haven for families to relax and escape the hectic bustle of Jakarta The world class tennis facilities are a highlight, with three floodlit tennis courts for member use. http://americanclubjakarta.org/americajkt/
The Australia and New Zealand Assocation (ANZA) Jakarta was established in 1970 for expatriate Australians and New Zealanders to meet and share their experiences of living in Indonesia. It is a friendly, inclusive association and welcome members from all over the world.
https://aanzaj.wildapricot.org/
Websites
Expat.or.id is an expat focused website full of practical information for expats planning to move or already living in Indonesia with more than 1,000 article on a range of topics.
http://www.expat.or.id/
WhatsNewJakarta.com includes an events calendar, tips, guide and recommendations about living in Jakarta to the growing expat population. https://whatsnewindonesia.com/jakarta/
Meetup allows members to find and join groups unified by a common interest, such as politics, books, games, movies, health, pets, careers or hobbies.
https://www.meetup.com/
Clothing
It may seem obvious to some but clothes in Asia tend to cater towards Asian consumers. With Indonesian people tending to be quite slight, it can be difficult to find larger sized clothing. Even large international chains like Mango and Zara often only ever have clothes that go up to size 12. Shoes and bras in larger sizes can be especially challenging to find in Indonesia so be sure to make sure you have enough clothing to get by if you have specific requirements.
Cost Of Living
The cost of living in Jakarta can come as a surprise to many people. Despite being a developing country, many items you take for granted can be very expensive relative to Western countries. Any imported products will consistently be more expensive than at home and some items are frustratingly, simply unavailable for weeks or months on end.
Buying from local stores, known as ‘warungs’, is the most affordable way to eat. You will be charged more than a local purchasing the same items but this is generally accepted due to the wage disparity between international workers and locals. Local markets will have a larger range and are a great place to buy fresh produce.
Western style supermarkets are the most expensive places to purchase food. Many locals shop at Hero and also stock a range of imported products. Sogo Food Hall, Ranch Market and Carrefour all cater towards Western tastes and have a number of items aimed towards foreigners.
Many that move to Jakarta take advantage of affordable domestic help to provide assistance around the house. Large properties can be difficult to maintain and expats often find that the relatively cheap cost of hiring local help is worth the expense.