Retirement planning requires a lot of thought and commitment. Planning need not only include the decision of how you will live once you retire. Where you will live is also an important decision to make. Getting started may be the hardest part of any retirement plan, and quite a few retirees give little or no thought to decide the place that will be best suited for them to live after they retire. Some may never think of leaving home but if you are adventurous and have an interest in starting a new life in a new place after your retirement then Indonesia comes across as a wonderful option for you.
Indonesia, famous for its national motto of unity and diversity is a dynamic and attractive south East Asian nation. Mist-shrouded volcanoes and mountains, rain forests, beautiful beaches and a dazzling abundance of wildlife make Indonesia an ideal destination for anyone who wants to be around nature. Marked by wide religious tolerance and famous for its emerald islands, Indonesia literally means “indos nesos”, or islands close to India. One of the many picturesque countries in Asia and the largest archipelago in the world, Indonesia has around 17,508 islands inhabited by tribes with diverse culture and languages to boast of. Seemingly hot, as its wrapped around the equator, the country is a pleasant abode for millions. Since a decision to change the place where you live is very important, there are factors that should be looked into that may help you decide if the place suits you or not.
Cost of living in Indonesia
The Indonesian form of currency, the Rupiah, is cheaper than the US dollar. Words like “inexpensive” and “amazing” are frequently used to describe summarize living in Indonesia, although one would have to compromise on the quality of goods and services. On a meager amount of money and little resources, a small family can easily lead a decent and inexpensive lifestyle. The telephone, electricity and water rates are exceptions, due to a dearth of resources.
Housing
There has been a significant growth in the real estate industry over the last few years. Rents range from US$600 per month for a decent apartment, to US$5,000 for mansions. There are planned communities in most of the major cities and towns in Indonesia. Real estate developers monitor security and maintenance. Situated on the outskirts of the cities amongst a nature friendly environment, these communities have both entertainment and recreational facilities. Water, electricity and other utilities are taken care of and public utility services are used for backup. Away from the commotion and chaos of the main cities, these complexes are peaceful places to live in, especially for retirees.
One beautiful place to live and retire in Indonesia is Bali. You should really take a look at this beautiful province.
Transportation
Indonesia has different modes of transport such as bus, rail, taxi, motorcycles, the becak (a tricycle), horse carts and even traditional canoes and fishing boats.
Bus
The bus is a common mode of transportation and there are buses connecting most cities. The schedules are not set, but the routes and fares are. There is a note on the back of every bus with the route, fares and the name of the beginning and destination points. Depending on the type of bus, on an average there is seating for about 25 to 40 people. Mini vans (or Mikrolets) for 9 to 12 people are also available.
Bajaj
A bajaj, or the rickshaw, as it is called in places in Asia, was imported from India. This is a popular form of transport and has seating for 3 to 5 passengers. The routes are limited, as the bajaj is not allowed in all areas of Indonesia.
Horse-Drawn Carriages
The horse driven carriage, also called the Delman, is the only transportation which is said to be traditional. Now, they are mostly used for entertainment purposes and people rent delmans only for fun rides.
Train
To travel inter-city on a good budget, trains are the best option. Even though they are infamous for being dirty, there are different class services available – the executive and business class the best and the most comfortable, while still being affordable.
Becak
With a seating arrangement of two or three passengers at a time, these hand- driven carriages are a rare sight. They are only meant for short distances. Due to the plight of the drivers pulling the carts, the government has banned them.
Taxi
The Indonesian government issues licenses to a large number of taxis every year. They can be flagged from the street or booked from taxi queues at hotels and malls. You can also contact the taxi company, and they will send a taxi to pick you up right from your doorstep.
Private Car and Bike
Private cars and bikes can be hired as well. Most affluent Indonesians, non-residents and expatriates resort to professional driven cars, as road safety awareness is generally lower in Indonesia than in the United States. Driving is on the left side like in Britain, so hiring a local driver is recommended if you are not accustomed to driving on the left. Additionally, one should use care when driving at night. Riding bikes can be a risky affair, especially at night.
Food
Being an island country, the staple diet of Indonesia is rice, while fresh turmeric ginger and garlic are the dominant spices. Chinese delicacies are a common sight in the Indonesian markets. Dishes made with noodles are sold not only in the restaurants, but also by street vendors. Common seafood available is scallops, shrimp, oysters, mussels, crab and squid. Traditionally cooked meat, be it beef lamb or goat, is eaten in soups or salads or grilled and marinated on skewers. Quick meals are available from a kaki-lima (cart) vendor or a warung, a bench seating open eatery. A decent meal approximately could cost one anywhere around 2,000 RP (Rupiah) and 8,000 RP (One U.S. dollar).
Medical facilities
To be cautious, before leaving for Indonesia, or to any country for that matter, you should stock up on your medicines. In the event of a family member falling ill it is advisable to contact a local doctor immediately. All major cities have routine medical services, although sometimes one may have to go to nearby Singapore for better treatment. However, one can get good medical treatment in Indonesia.
Retirement in Indonesia is one of the most affordable in the world. Many retirees from the United States have relocated to Indonesia to take advantage of the very low cost of living, ease of travel and convenience. Eventually, leading the rest of your retirement life in a pleasant environment like that of Indonesia can add a little more life to living.
Exchange rate (August 2012)
$1.00 US Dollar = 9,460 Indonesian Rupiah
1.00 USD = 9,460.00 IDR
Learn more about visiting, moving and possibly retiring in Indonesia:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/id.html