🇮🇩 Indonesian Housing, So Different from Korea!
One of the things that people who are coming to Indonesia for the first time are most curious about is "What kind of house will I live in?".
Because the living environment and contract methods are completely different from Korea, it may seem unfamiliar at first.
Today, we'll summarize the information you need to know when looking for a house in Indonesia.
🏡 Types of Housing in Indonesia
Indonesia has various types of residences, such as apartments, kost (Kost), detached houses, and villas.
1️⃣ Apartments (Apartment)
- Mostly high-rise tower structures (there are hardly any slab-type apartments like in Korea)
- Located in urban areas where many foreigners live (Jakarta, Surabaya, Bali, etc.)
- Many have convenient amenities such as swimming pools, gyms, and security systems
- Often require paying one year's rent upfront when signing a lease
- Electricity and water bills are charged separately → Check before signing the contract
- Often have separate entrances for helpers (Helper) and service elevators
2️⃣ Kost (Kost) – Indonesian Style Studio
- Dormitory-style studio, often used by students or single working people
- Some have private bathrooms, while others use shared bathrooms
- Prices vary depending on whether air conditioning and internet are included
- Short-term stays are possible, and it's cost-effective
3️⃣ Detached Houses (Rumah)
- Typical family homes with varying sizes
- Distinguished between high-end housing complexes (Cluster) and ordinary houses
- Security is tight in cluster developments, which often have many foreign residents
- Many houses have gardens, and air conditioning is essential
4️⃣ Villas (Villa)
- Popular in tourist destinations like Bali
- Often have private swimming pools and spacious yards
- Available for short-term rent like hotels, and long-term stays are also possible
🌞 Preferred Directions in Indonesia?
While south-facing is preferred in Korea, in Indonesia, the direction with good ventilation is more important.
✅ East & North Facing Preferred
- East facing: Morning sunlight enters and it's cool in the afternoon
- North facing: You can avoid strong direct sunlight
❌ West Facing Avoided
- Strong afternoon sunlight enters, raising indoor temperatures
- It can be even hotter if there are large windows
💡 Tip!
Because Indonesia has a hot and humid climate, good ventilation is important.
Be sure to check the window placement and ventilation.
📏 Floor Preference & House Structure
✔ High floors preferred: Good views and fewer insects
✔ Low floors preferred: Less elevator use, and less inconvenience during power outages
🔹 Unique Points
- Avoidance of 4th, 13th, and 14th floors sometimes occurs
- Chinese cultural influence: 4 sounds similar to 'death' (死) and is avoided
- Western cultural influence: 13 and 14 are considered unlucky numbers
- Some apartments skip to the 15th floor after the 12th
- However, not all buildings are like this, and recently, many apartments are numbering floors consecutively
- Many houses have high ceilings, creating a sense of spaciousness
- No heating → Air conditioning is essential
🏠 Housing Culture Different from Korea
- Many houses lack washing machines → Using laundromats (including laundry and ironing) is common
- Kitchens tend to be small → Developed dining-out culture
- Water heater system → Individual water heaters are used instead of boilers (water temperature may not be constant)
- Many insects and ants → Mosquito nets, ant poison, and mosquito coils are essential items
- Electricity bills can be more expensive than in Korea → Electricity rates vary by apartment complex (check carefully)
✅ Things to Check When Looking for a House in Indonesia!
✔ Air conditioner condition (hot all year round) / Leak check
✔ Security (CCTV, guard presence)
✔ Nearby amenities (markets, hospitals, schools)
✔ Traffic situation (check for traffic congestion during rush hour)
✔ Electricity & water bills (rates vary)
Although housing in Indonesia is different from Korea in many ways, you can have a more satisfying life if you choose according to your lifestyle.
Leave a comment if you have any questions! 😊
