Usually close to the top of many prospective expats dream destinations, this unbelievably beautiful Southeast Asian nation, with the fourth largest population on Earth, is truly an enigma, as there are many pros and cons to living in Indonesia that one must consider before truly taking the plunge. With one of the most diverse landscapes on the planet, made up of over 17,508 islands which comprise the largest archipelago in the world, each region of Indonesia is truly unique in its own right – and each poses its own challenges and rewards for a foreigner wanting to call this nation their new home.
Although it would take far more than a seven-part novel series to dive deep into what is good and bad about every island in this incredible country, I’ve tried to summarize my feelings as whole about what things seem to on the whole tie Indonesia together – the things that almost any expat will experience when coming to move to this island nation, no matter which region of the country they choose.
With all that said, here are my top 10 pros and cons to living in Indonesia that every prospective expat should know, if they are seriously considering living in what might just be the most beautiful, frustrating, but ultimately enlightening place on Earth!
PROS: So Many Islands to Choose From
Although the ever popular Bali takes up most of the headlines and attention when it comes to people either visiting or living in Indonesia, you’d be mistaken if you believed that the small island in Indonesia’s south was all there was to see in this massive country. Bali does of course have its benefits, which is of course why its become extremely attractive to many people, however there are plenty of islands that are just as good, if not better, that can offer different strokes to different folks, giving plenty of options to any expat looking to settle down in Indonesia.
From the busy cityscape and bustling, business-first lifestyle of Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital on the island of Java, to the incredibly relaxing, mellow islands of Gili Air and Lombok, to the party-wise island of Gili T, to even the adventurous islands of Komodo, Flores, and the distant but brilliant Raja Ampat, this Southeast Asian nation truly offers a lifestyle for every personality and age group, and the islands I mentioned are just the tip of the iceberg!
PROS: Amazingly Friendly, Authentic People
One of the most striking things I noticed about Indonesia was that despite the high levels of tourism I saw there, the people of the nation still seemed on the whole very warm, kind, and genuine in every interaction I had. Standing in startling contract to some nations like Thailand, where most people I noticed unfortunately seemed far more saccharine and superficial in their dealings with foreigners, making it very hard to get to know the locals on any real personal level, Indonesians are the polar opposite when it comes to connection between cultures.
Case and point – even in places like Bali, which are overrun run with tourism in most spots, you can still find genuinely smiling, helpful, kind people, whom with the exception of the local taxi mafia (!) haven’t lost their down-to-earth charm. And I will never forget being on some random Indonesian beach, where we were stopped by a whole crowd of locals just so excited to talk with foreigners in a beautiful cultural exchange. Indonesia hands-down has some of the most amazing people in Southeast Asia, and you will soon discover the friendliness for yourself, if you choose to move to this lovely nation.
PROS: Incredibly Good Food
Another massive plus for Indonesia is the incredible cuisine that the nation has to offer! Ranging from local Indonesian fare, which is similar in flavor to that of Malaysia (a food capital of the world in its own right), to some of the best Mexican, Chinese, and Indian food….heck, even the best chocolate cake I’ve ever had – Indonesia’s food culture is truly something to behold.
Oh, and for all you vegetarians and vegans out there, there might not be a better spot in all of Asia (with the possible exception of India) where you can find better tasting, quality dishes than here in Indonesia – even a meat eater like myself has to admit that I half considered going vegan while here, because the food offerings here are really that good! A melting pot of cultures and cuisines, Indonesian food will always leave you satisfied, though always craving for more.
PROS: Surprisingly Very Affordable
One of the nice things about Indonesia is that despite the rise of prices in places like Bali, where expensive accommodation, rentals, real estate, clothing, food, and just about everything in between is now the unfortunate norm, most everywhere else in the country is remarkably still very affordable, for expats and tourists alike.
Amazing deals on rentals and real estate alike can be found all over the country, and if you’re willing to be a bit more adventurous and go where tourists are more unlikely to visit, you can truly buy great properties for pennies on the dollar on islands like Sulawesi and Sumatra. Costs of living are also very low once you forgo Bali, although a Bali lifestyle can easily be had for far cheaper just about anywhere else in Indonesia – giving even the eternally affordable Malaysia a run for its money!
PROS: Lots of Job and Business Opportunities
But perhaps one of the best things about living in Indonesia is the availability of job opportunities and business growth that is possible in one of Southeast Asia’s fastest growing economies. While Indonesia has for a long time lagged behind its more affluent neighbors such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, there is a growing perception that Indonesia is at the cusp of finally breaking through to join their neighbors as a fellow ‘Asian Tiger’, to truly rival them well into the 21st century.
The breakneck speed of which growth has been occurring in Indonesia is obvious – as even the nation plans on building a brand new capital on the island of Borneo, with the hopes of it’s completion sometime in the 2030’s. With all this sudden spurt of growth, comes an endless sea of opportunity, and if you are a prospective expat looking at moving to Indonesia, and potentially opening a business, or getting a job of any kind, than look no further – the possibilities are plentiful, and the opportunities are real.
CONS: A Bit Too Over-touristy and Overpopulated
One issue that Indonesia unfortunately faces is that its beauty has not been overlooked by scores of tourists and expats who have already chosen the nation as one of their top destinations to travel to and live as well.
Islands that used to be a pristine oasis like Bali are now overrun in most areas with foreigners – to the point where it feels more like an Australian version of a Florida spring break, with all the crazy that goes along with it, than anywhere remotely relaxing (with the exception of course of Uluwatu and Ubud). In fact, some would even say that Bali itself is quite overrated, though I explore this claim in greater detail in my in-depth article on the topic here.
Overpopulation is also a pressing problem in mega-cities like Jakarta, which comprises one of the largest conglomerations of human beings on the planet, at roughly 11 million individuals strong, which has led the city and its outskirts to have some of the worst traffic problems on the planet. That said, if you get away from most of the well-known places in the country, such as the Bali’s and Jakarta’s, the nation does become a bit easier to settle down into, and do so away from the crowds, foreign or local!
CONS: Immigration Can Be A Hassle
But moving to Indonesia, despite being a dream that many would like to see a reality, is unfortunately made a bit harder to do by the relatively strict requirements being upheld by the Indonesian government. And although many would say that the best way to overcome this hurdle would be to keep doing one of those the infamous ‘visa runs’, which happen to be very prevalent in this part of the world, the reality is that governments all over Southeast Asia have been cracking down on this practice much harder as the years have gone along, making it very difficult to use this method as a long-term option for immigration.
The best way to move to Indonesia is of course by following the rules and regulations, and first obtaining a Temporary Residence Permit, or ITAS/KITAS, which lasts for 2 years, and can be extended 3 times (6 years in total). After 5 years, you can apply for the Permanent Residency Permit, or ITAP/KITAP, which lasts 5 years, and can be renewed 5 times (25 years in total). More details on what requirements are needed to acquire each visa permit will be coming soon!
CONS: Many Areas Still Underdeveloped
Unfortunately, as a result of the many decades long dictatorship under Suharto, as well as a plethora of political squabbles over the years, Indonesia is not nearly as developed as its neighbors, and is definitely still a step behind when it comes to the overall quality of infrastructure that nations like Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand can all offer at this point in time.
Although opportunities for growth are truly beginning to pick-up steam, and modern conveniences can be had in Bali and Jakarta, the truth remains that Indonesia is still a developing nation (albeit rapidly), and as such expectations must be tempered if you are planning to move here, as the similar kinds of struggles you might expect to find in countries like Cambodia and Vietnam, are also going to be quite prevalent here for the foreseeable future.
CONS: Environmental Hazards During Some Seasons
One pressing issue that faces modern-day Indonesia’s growing economy is the unfortunate toll it is taking on the nations biological riches, leading to unforeseen consequences that could make life a bit hard to handle at times for the prospective expat, looking to make this Southeast Asian island nation their new home.
In the dry season, ranging from July to October, farmers begin burning vegetation in order to clear the way for cash crops like palm oil trees, which is a major economic export for the country, and in so doing this the sky can get dark, filled with smog, and make it very hard to breathe.
In fact, its actually a quite regular occurrence for the smoke to be so great, that it even blows over to Malaysia, affecting the city skyline of Kuala Lumpur all the same! Unfortunately, this practice doesn’t look like abating anytime soon, so if you choose to move to Indonesia, it is something you’ll simply have to get used to.
CONS: Most Desirable Lifestyle Options are Expensive
One negative aspect of Indonesia, that can be attributed once again towards its massive tourism industry, is the unfortunate reality is that life in Indonesia can often feel too pampered, too resort-like in a way, and all the costs that go with it suddenly start applying as well.
Although most of the country is quite poor and under-developed, the vast majority of expats and tourists alike will always be shuffled off to more developed neighborhoods, aimed at constructing a more western lifestyle for their target audience, and thus will usually be facing an up-charge in prices that can be as much as 4 times the local rate on quite literally everything.
And although if indeed what you are looking for is a fully-catered lifestyle experience (and there is no judgment there!) the bottom-line remains that the costs associated with such a lifestyle in this country are unfortunately incredibly exorbitant. As such, most expats moving to Indonesia who do not fall into the millionaire category and above will soon find that the promises of living life like a king in Southeast Asia are unfortunately nothing more than fantasies if you choose to move here.
Ultimately, if you’re set on moving to Indonesia, then it is still definitely doable for any budget, but expect that life will be a bit more primitive than life back home unless you’re willing to pay a pretty penny, so plan accordingly.
DESTINATION: Indonesia, A Rapidly Developing Tropical Oasis
There are few places as dramatically breathtaking on this entire planet than the beautiful nation of Indonesia – a land of intrigue and wonder, developing into a potential world-beater on the economic front, as well maintaining its image as the premier destination for island hopping adventures. Of course, being a developing nation gives Indonesia its many quirks, as does its cultural differences from island to island, some embracing a more conservative lifestyle approach, while others are far more liberal.
However, despite the various downsides of moving to Indonesia, on the whole this nation still has so much to offer the prospective expat looking for a great investment, in a safe, tropical place, with some of the best food and friendliest people you can possibly find in the part of the world. All in all, despite the many years of growth in infrastructure, economy, and environmental reforms that need to still take place, Indonesia remains near the top of my ultimate recommendations as a place to live in Southeast Asia, and I heartily hope you come visit and live here one day too, so you too can enjoy getting lost in the azure blue waters of these majestic islands.
So there you have it – my top 10 pros and cons to living in Indonesia! Have you ever been to or lived in Indonesia before? What was your experience living in Indonesia, or dealing with immigrating? Tell us your story in the comments below – we’d love to hear from you!
If you’re interested in reading more about Indonesia, or about where I believe the best places in Southeast Asia for an expat to move to right now are, feel free to read my in-depth article on the topic right here!