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."