Apartments home and abroad for the taking

Many of us are putting aside our misty dreams of the three- bedroom colonial with the white picket fence, and instead having a long, hard look at the reality of what apartments have to offer.

In a streamlined, downsized world, apartments are at center stage. No need to worry about the hassle of cleaning all those cavernous rooms, mowing an endless expanse of green or fretting about the alkaline content of the pool. And nosy neighbors peering over the backyard fence can be a thing of the past.

In serviced apartments, all those concerns are taken care of for tenants. Today, consumers are not limited to dingy holes in the wall with cockroaches staking out their territory and rising damp creating a modern mosaic.

Today's range of apartments in Jakarta and other major Indonesian cities seems to get bigger and better every year. For those looking to foreign shores, some local property consultants are offering apartments abroad, including in the peace of glorious New Zealand.

Here are some of the top choices.

Kempinski Apartments: The apartments, as part of the Kempinski Hotel and MidPlaza superblock in the heart of the city, offer supreme added value. Residents vouch that they often do not have to step out of their homes because their needs, from groceries to restaurants to entertainment centers, can all be found within the secure compound. Set far enough back from the main Jl. Sudirman thoroughfare to impart a sense of tranquility, but it has outstanding accessibility to all points within the city.

Menteng Apartments: With 240 various sized furnished and unfurnished units, Executive Menteng Apartments can satisfy all needs and tastes. Each floor houses only four or five apartments, ensuring all residents the privacy and serenity they desire. Tasteful and modern furnishings, with features including ample storage space, a fully appointed kitchen and a full range of regular and satellite television stations. They are only five minutes from the Central Business District.

Kuningan Apartments: Occupies a prime spot in the middle of Jakarta's Golden Triangle. Prospective residents can choose from a selection of different room layouts, and one, two or three bedroom apartments. Its list of facilities reads like that of a top hotel. Tight security round the clock; its on-site shops include a travel agent which can arrange visas and tickets to destinations around the world.

Puri Casablanca: Only minutes from the throbbing pulse of diplomatic and commercial center of Kuningan. Beautiful, spacious apartments provide stunning views of the city. Excellent facilities, security and accessibility. Minutes from major malls, main thoroughfares and entertainment spots.

Allson Residence: Offers 155 serviced apartments only a short stroll from the Atrium shopping center and within easy reach of other major commercial and industrial areas. All apartments feature individually controlled AC, color TV with satellite programming, security access key card, security video phones and fully appointed kitchens. Also on site are a business center, swimming pool, jogging track, mini market, day care center and playground, medical center, beauty salon, laundry and free underground parking.

Plaza Senayan: Ultramodern apartments set in the heart of Jakarta but comfortably distant from major roads. Ringed by a hotel, offices and the Plaza Senayan Mall. Full range of facilities and amenities on site. Understated comfort in a well- protected and maintained location.

Graha Residen Surabaya: The East Java provincial capital's outstanding serviced residence. Features compact, low-rise houses set in a majestic landscaped backdrop, the residences are an ideal home for single professionals or families. Full range of sports facilities, a supermarket, 24-hour security and a secure location in a modern residential area.

New Zealand: Exciting opportunities to buy apartments in New Zealand are located in the beautiful city of Auckland, which will be the site of the America's Cup next year. The Hilton on Princess Wharf is part of a total redevelopment of the waterfront area of the city. The area will include hotels, apartments, restaurants, shops and a working wharf. Apartments in the area include both serviced apartments and owner-occupied units.

A major new addition to the market is the Metropolis, a five- star serviced apartment hotel surrounded by some of Auckland's most beautiful parks and greenery. At 40 stories, it will be the largest building in the city with views over the harbor, toward the city and across the park. It will be managed by the Liang Court Hotel Group. Prices start from US$130,000 (Bruce Emond).