Jakarta: The Hardship Posting Everyone Pretends Isn’t One

Jakarta is not Bali, not easy, and definitely not for everyone. Uncover the myths expats tell themselves before everything falls apart.

There’s something circulating in the air lately, and it’s not just the seasonal haze. It’s the rising cloud of international delusion drifting in from LinkedIn, manifesting as status updates that read: “Excited to announce I’m relocating to Jakarta!”

You’ll recognize them instantly. Usually mid-30s, armed with a business degree, a podcast no one listens …