| Indonesia, a sprawling archipelago of thousands of | | | | coming local and international artists have made |
| islands, is known throughout the world for its | | | | great effort to broaden Jakarta's cultural horizon |
| biological diversity and Balinese beach getaways. | | | | and sponsor annual events such as the Jakarta |
| As culturally diverse as it is biologically, the capital | | | | International Film Festival and the Jazz Festival. |
| city of Jakarta is a melting pot of roughly 10 | | | | Embassies and Consulates also bring in talent |
| million people. Home to numerous expatriates | | | | every month which include pianists, operatic |
| from all corners of the earth, Jakarta has | | | | performances, and chamber music. For athletic |
| everything any cosmopolitan city has to offer - | | | | types, whether children or adults, there are |
| but you might just have to dig a little deeper to | | | | numerous intramural teams who are very |
| find it. While your first impression might leave you | | | | welcoming to newcomers, such as the football |
| choking on fumes from the ubiquitous Metro Mini | | | | teams and Ultimate Frisbee leagues. If your idea |
| public buses that leave a trail of grey exhaust | | | | of athleticism is lifting a Starbucks while you |
| along the main thoroughfares, Jakarta quickly | | | | contemplate whether or not to buy that cute |
| compensates with its high end shopping malls, | | | | Kate Spade bag - Jakarta will not disappoint. With |
| excellent cuisine, and smiling faces. Known as the | | | | new shopping malls springing up every year, |
| "Big Durian" after the notoriously stinky Southeast | | | | Jakarta is quickly becoming a shopping haven to |
| Asian thorny fruit, Jakarta certainly makes an | | | | rival the nearby retail center of Singapore. With |
| impression on all who have counted themselves | | | | numerous high end stores such as Bulgari, |
| among Indonesia's bule gila (crazy foreigners). | | | | Valentino, and Gucci as well as moderately priced |
| If you are relocating to Jakarta, the first challenge | | | | chains like the U.K.'s TopShop, there is something |
| you might find yourself up against is the hunt for | | | | for everyone. |
| accommodation. While short term needs are easily | | | | If you find yourself missing home while in Jakarta, |
| met by any of the international or national hotel | | | | you don't have to go far to find a taste of |
| chains in the city, longer term accommodation can | | | | comfort food, whatever it might be. Be sure to |
| be trickier. The decision usually boils down to a villa | | | | check out Scusa at the Intercontinental for Italian, |
| or an apartment. For those of more modest | | | | C's for steaks and seafood at the Grand Hyatt, |
| means, there are also communal living | | | | and of course the place to see and be seen for |
| arrangements called kost that include a private | | | | Sunday brunch, Seasons Café at the Four |
| bedroom and bathroom with shared living area | | | | Seasons. If hotels aren't your thing - don't worry - |
| and kitchen. The area in which you choose to live | | | | there are more than enough International |
| is usually decided by your particular needs. Families | | | | restaurants tucked away in a neighborhood near |
| often opt to live in Jakarta's southern | | | | you. Try the persistent favorite, Koi with mouth |
| neighborhoods in order to have a larger house | | | | watering desserts or line up for freshly flown in |
| with a yard and easy access to Jakarta's | | | | mussels at Cassis every Tuesday. For |
| international schools. Kemang is an area of town | | | | consistently good Indian, try Kinara in Kemang. |
| most known for its expat population and as such | | | | The newly renovated Blowfish is the trendiest |
| has numerous boutiques, cafes, restaurants, and | | | | place for sushi these days, and the attached club |
| bars within walking distance. Singles and couples | | | | gets going by 11pm making a late dinner transition |
| often live in Kemang or opt for the more | | | | into drinks a step away. If you have a hankering |
| centrally located apartments that can be found in | | | | for dim sum, you will not be disappointed in the |
| and around the central business district. Centrally | | | | consistently high quality of Din Tai Fung in Plaza |
| located apartments are often on the higher end | | | | Senayan Arcadia. And if you stay long enough - |
| of rental spectrum as they offer a host of luxury | | | | there are bound to many new restaurants |
| amenities such as on site gym, security, and pool. | | | | popping up as the city's economy continues to |
| Jakarta has much entertainment to offer both | | | | recover. |
| young and old throughout the year. The up and | | | | |