13 Best Places To Live In Indonesia

Indonesia is a country in South Asia, located between the Indian and Pacific oceans. The country consists of over 17,000 islands and is famed for its stunning natural beauty and variety of landscape and environment types.

Indonesia has plenty to offer and its different islands and cities provide many different types of experiences and cultures. If you’re hoping to relocate to Indonesia, then this

Let’s take a look at the best places to live in Indonesia.

Sections

Best Places To Live In Indonesia

City	Reason
Jakarta	Best for work
Surakarta	Best for affordability
Bandung	Best for families
Semarang	Best for immigrants
Uluwatu	Best for retirement
Yogyakarta	Best for young adults
Yogyakarta, Malioboro	Best for students
Jakarta	Best for food and nightlife
Jakarta, Kemang	Best for singles
Bali	Best for the LGBT+ community
Lombok	Best for weather
Bali, Kuta	Best for beaches
Flores	Best for mountains

Best Places To Live In Indonesia for Work

Finding work in Indonesia can be challenging as there are rules on what kinds of expatriates can be hired and for what profession. In most cases, having a company sponsorship is essential for those hoping to work in the corporate field.

A special work permit is required for long-term employment, though a short-term work assignment is allowed with a business permit.

Jakarta is Indonesia’s capital and is located on the northwest coast of the island of Java. This sprawling city is known as the economic hub of Indonesia and the main industries are technology, healthcare and finance.

There are also job opportunities for those interested in the tourism industry or who are hoping to teach English as a foreign language, though these jobs will still require a special work permit and company sponsorship.

Surabaya, the second largest city in Indonesia, is a port city in Java that also offers diverse work opportunities for those with company sponsorship.

Cheapest Places To Live In Indonesia

Indonesia is known for being a very affordable country, both to travel to and to live in. There are several cities which have affordable living costs, but one of the most affordable is Solo.

Surakarta (also known as Solo) is a city in central Java. It is a city with a long history and, along with Yogyakarta, is a hub of Javanese culture with a distinctly authentic atmosphere.

Accommodation costs and food costs are very affordable in Surakarta. Living costs for a month are estimated at around IDR 2,000,000 which is equal to 200 USD.

Transportation costs are also very low making it easy for a single person or family to live comfortably in Surakarta. There are also many tourist opportunities in the city, as well as the existing culture and natural sights to enjoy.

Close to Surakarta is its neighbouring city Yogyakarta, which has long been named as one of the cheapest cities to live in Indonesia. Yogyakarta is slightly more modern than Surakarta, with a strong tourism industry.

Best Places To Live In Indonesia for Families

Those looking to relocate to Indonesia with a family will need to take into consideration the accommodation opportunities, the access to transport and the healthcare provided.

Bandung is the capital of West Java province and is a cooler climate than other Indonesian cities while remaining close to Jakarta. The city has many tea plantations and is also famous for its surrounding volcanoes.

Not only is Indonesia an affordable country, but it is rife with tourist opportunities, leaving families with a whole host of options when it comes to entertaining their children.

Bandung has a lot of culinary choices when it comes to restaurants as well as lots of family-friendly attractions. The healthcare facilities are high-quality and affordably priced.

Bali is another popular choice for families due to the international schools and beautiful landscapes.

Best Places To Live In Indonesia for Immigrants

Immigrants hoping to live in Indonesia will be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a location due to the natural beauty of the islands and the low cost of living tied to many of them.

However, Semarang, located in the central part of Indonesia is the perfect choice for immigrants looking for a modern and well-connected Indonesian city.

There is an existing expat community in Semarang with great schools for children and the city is full of culture and history; the Old Town is well-loved for its colonial Dutch architecture and there is a bustling Chinatown with outstanding street food.

The accommodation in Semarang is affordable compared to Jakarta or Bali, and the city also has a well-developed healthcare system with modern hospitals and doctors – though keep in mind that English is not a given in all Indonesian medical facilities.

Surabaya is another popular location for expats moving to Indonesia as there are good job opportunities and the city has convenient modern amenities that provide a good quality of life.

Best Places To Live In Indonesia for Retirement

Indonesia is a popular country for retirees due to the spectacular landscape, warm climate and low costs of living. Bali is one of the most well-liked retirement destinations in Indonesia; Uluwatu is located in the southwest of Bali and is famous for its beautiful beaches and laid-back atmosphere.

English is widely spoken in Uluwatu as it is a popular tourist destination, particularly with surfers. There are plenty of gated communities in Uluwatu for those with safety concerns, though Bali is commonly rated as one of the safest Indonesian islands.

Uluwatu has good healthcare facilities and a range of delicious beachside restaurants to relax in during the evening. There are also plenty of famous beaches around Uluwatu for those who love the water.

Sanur is also located in Bali and is a popular retirement location with an existing expat population.

Best Places To Live In Indonesia for Young Adults

Yogyakarta is one of the best Indonesian cities for young adults – the city is not only beautiful but there are plenty of cool neighbourhoods for young adults to explore and enjoy.

As Indonesia is a popular tourist destination, Yogyakarta has its own share of digital nomads and travellers, offering young adults the chance to form new connections and have fun experiences.

For those looking to soak in the culture, heading to the Sosrowijayan district gives you a chance to meet with the locals and explore some of the quirky, authentic shops and restaurants in the area.

Bali is another popular location for young adults, with different areas of the island offering different experiences and opportunities depending on individual interests.

Best Places To Live In Indonesia for Students

As mentioned, Yogyakarta is an ideal location for young adults, and, similarly, it is one of the best cities in Indonesia for students. Named the ‘City of Students’, Yogyakarta has ample opportunities for foreign students to take advantage of.

Two renowned schools are Yogyakarta Independent School and Yogyakarta International School, which have an existing community of foreign students who enjoy the integrated approach to curriculum, studying classes such as maths and language.

Yogyakarta has a distinctly relaxed and laid-back atmosphere, with very welcoming locals, which cultivates a very productive environment for learning, as well as a rich history and culture.

Students in Yogyakarta can take advantage of stunning historical sites such as the Borobudur Temple and the Prambanan Temple, which are both UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Yogyakarta also has a distinct and vibrant arts and music scene with various festivals throughout the year, as well as being a haven for book lovers.

Yogyakarta is also an affordable city, with lower living costs than Jakarta or Bali. Malioboro Street is often called the core of Yogyakarta as it is active 24 hours a day with lots of stores, restaurants and street vendors.

Jakarta and Malang are other student-focused cities with international schooling options and mixed culture of work and fun. Jakarta is likely to be more busy and fast-paced than Malang, though Malang has the prestigious Brawijaya University and Malang State University.

Best Places To Live In Indonesia for Food and Nightlife

Indonesia is mostly formed of distinct regional cuisines, and island hopping is likely to give you the most authentic taste of all Indonesian cuisine. When it comes to the best place to start – you can’t go wrong with Indonesia’s capital Jakarta.

The most predominant exterior influences on Indonesian food are Middle Eastern, Indian and Chinese, while Javanese cuisine is indigenous. Indonesian cuisine makes use of complex flavours, mixing sweet, sour, salt and spice to create a flavourful and dynamic taste.

Jakarta is packed full of authentic and blended restaurants which offer some of Indonesia’s most classic and well-loved dishes such as Nasi Goreng (Indonesian Fried Rice), Bubur Ayam (Chicken Congee) and Martabak (Stuffed Pancake).

Badang is also noted as being a foodie’s heaven with various restaurants serving up some iconic dishes such as Batagor and Siomay which are fried/steamed fish dumplings.

Indonesia is also famed for its nightlife, with each island providing a different partying experience by mixing modern and old traditions. Again, Jakarta is one of the best cities for Indonesian nightlife.

There is a wide range of party houses, pubs, and clubs with many spots open until the early hours of the morning. The SCBD (Sudirman Central Business District) is renowned for its nightclubs. Kemang is also a district with plenty of Western restaurants and affordable bars and nightclubs.

South Bali is also noted as a good stop for nightlife lovers – in particular, the seaside towns of Canggu and Kuta are recommended for their spectacular beaches and party scenes.

Best Places To Live In Indonesia for Singles

Jakarta is one of the best cities in Indonesia for life as a single person. The metropolitan city has all the convenient amenities of modern-day life, while still honouring its traditional culture.

Accommodation in Jakarta is more expensive than in other Indonesian cities, but the cost is relative to living in such a large city. There is an existing expat community in Jakarta, which is ideal for single people looking to make new friends or deeper connections.

Most immigrants in Jakarta live in districts such as Kemang, SCBD, or Senopati and there are more expensive options in Central Jakarta for those with a larger budget.

Kemang, in particular, is a trendy neighbourhood that can feel like a home away from home for many expats in Jakarta. There is a wide range of restaurants and facilities here for foreign immigrants and the locals are friendly and welcoming.

For singles looking for a quieter and more detached location, the town of Ubud in Bali is a great choice. Ubud attracts many single travellers and nomads due to its peaceful beauty.

Best Places To Live In Indonesia for the LGBT+ Community

Members of the LGBT+ community should be prepared to exercise caution when it comes to LGBT+ rights in Indonesia. There are many challenges facing the LGBT+ community and, some cities such as the ultra-conservative province of Aceh and the city of Palembang in South Sumatra should be completely avoided.

Anti-LGBT+ measures are actively in place throughout the country, with increasingly conservative rules being put into place in the more conservative cities.

Discretion is advised as a general rule of thumb when visiting Indonesia, though some areas of Bali are accommodating and welcoming to LGBT+ residents. Gay bars can be found in and around Seminyak and BaliJoe Bar is one of the most famous spots.

Best Places To Live In Indonesia for the Weather

Indonesia has some spectacular weather, though the humidity can be oppressive in some of the cities during the warmer months.

Lombok has some of the best weather year-round in Indonesia. Lombok is an island east of Bali that is part of the Lesser Sunda Island chain. Lombok is famous for its fantastic beaches which are extremely popular with surfers and those who enjoy swimming and snorkelling.

As it’s so close to the Equator, Indonesia is hot for the majority of the year, with the rainy season sweeping in between November and March. The sunny season is between May and August which aligns perfectly with European summer holidays – the islands are likely to be busier with tourists and travellers during this period of the year.

Bali is another island that has wonderful weather all year round. Staying near the beaches is ideal for those who might find the heat overwhelming and require some active wind or dip in the water to cool off.

Best Places To Live In Indonesia Near Beaches

Bali is famous for its beaches – the island offers a magical blend of the spiritual and modern. Bali’s beaches offer an escape from the cities and are visited by hundreds of tourists and travellers every year.

Kuta and Canggu are noted resort towns that are perfect for those hoping to unwind close to the water. Kuta is specifically a tourist village and is created for surfers and beach lovers.

Canggu also has a strong surfing scene as well as a more spiritual environment with delightful rice fields, fresh, healthy produce and relaxing cafes.

As well as Bali, Lombok’s Gili Islands – a group of 3 tiny islands – Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air – are much loved and also have some outstanding beaches.

Best Places To Live In Indonesian Near Mountains

Indonesia does have lots of beautiful mountains and various cities are even nestled at the foot of some. Flores is one of the Lesser Sunda Islands and is known for its stunning hiking trails and the Komodo National Park.

There are more than 17 volcanoes on the island and the main mountainous regions are Ruteng, Bajawa and Moni.

As well as the wonderful mountain trails, there are areas for diving or exploring the lush surrounding wildlife.

Java is another fantastic choice for mountain lovers. The island lies between Sumatra and Bali and is dotted with volcanoes as well as being home to the capital city of Jakarta.