Rooms with a view: Apartment living in Jakarta

Rooms with a view: Apartment living in Jakarta

Toto finally made a break from his parents and moved into a
serviced apartment building in August.

The 31-year-old real estate broker and antique shop owner had
lived with his family all his life in South Jakarta.

Life at home was easy and inexpensive but, after the security
threat of the May riots and with increasing pangs for
independence, he decided to try the convenience of apartment
living.

"I wanted to have a little independence and the apartment
building seemed right," he said. "It had everything I wanted, and
I was already a member of the fitness center."

For a busy young executive like Toto, an apartment provides
all the conveniences of residential living without the concern of
having to drop off laundry at the laundromat or worry if the
house is clean when unexpected guests arrive.

It can serve the same purpose for families, particularly in
security aspects.

Apartments offer secure compounds with 24-hour security
guards; many boast state-of-the-art networks and facilities
throughout their buildings and grounds.

This was of particular importance for Toto in making his
choice of apartment.

"For a few days after the May riots, I could not go anywhere
and everybody was so fearful about their safety," he said. "I
wanted to make sure that I would be in a place which was
protected no matter what happened."

Most have additional draws of full on-site facilities, such as
restaurants and health clubs, in which residents can indulge
their every whim.

Toto said he can pump some iron to unwind at the end of the
day, followed by a light meal ordered from the excellent chain
restaurant located on the apartment building's ground floor.

"There is a shopping mall just a few hundred meters away, but
there is no need for me to go out unless I really want to.
Everything is taken care of here."

Of course, there are those who dismiss the idea of living in
apartments because they fear the space will be cramped and lack
privacy.

The truth is very different. Apartments usually provide
separate entrance facilities, elevators exclusive to residents
and spacious corridors.

Privacy is respected and residents go about their business
unhampered.

The latter was one of the main reasons Jake, a 26-year-old
expatriate, decided to opt for apartment life.

Juggling two jobs, he was fed up with having to brave the
local security guards and their inquiries on his way to his home
in a Central Jakarta neighborhood.

The situation became intolerable, and he began to consider
moving out.

After weighing the options of moving to another area or
settling for an apartment, Jake opted for the latter.

He moved into an apartment building with convenient access to
his workplaces and his usual hangouts.

Jake said the privacy and convenience afforded were what
sealed the deal for him.

"Best of all is the absence of nosy neighbors and the
veritable battalion of security guards from my old neighborhood,"
he said, adding quickly that "it's no joke".

"I always felt under scrutiny and unnerved by that vigilante
kind of mentality of the neighborhood security patrols and the
use of their authority to pry."

Apartment living fits in ideally with his "young bachelor
lifestyle".

"It is easy to live in the apartment. It has everything taken
care of, including modern furniture, so there is nothing to worry
about. It is very low-maintenance."

A convenience store downstairs rounds out the benefits for
someone who is constantly on the run.

"The shop sells fresh produce, milk, coffee and bread. I can
just go downstairs and get some when the need arises."

The tennis courts, swimming pool and other amenities in the
complex are added benefits.

"It is very nice having a swimming pool, although I don't get
to use it much. The restaurant is good, too, because I can order
something up if I don't feel like cooking or going out."

Except for work, Jake said he could easily while away a day in
his apartment without every having to step out into Jakarta's
hubbub.

"There are also washing machines and dry cleaners downstairs
if you need to do laundry."

Jake has yet to formally meet his neighbors, which he
describes as fine by him.

"That and that alone is an enormous plus to me. People are
friendly but you can choose to ignore them if you want. You are
left to your own devices.

"And it is good to have a band of professional security
guards."