The modern Village in kemang, jakarta
The Kemang area is located in the Bangka subdistrict, Mampang Prapatan district, South Jakarta.
No other area in Jakarta is as unique as Kemang with its touches of international lifestyle. It is an area that is most popular among the expatriate community.
Take a walk in the area and you will spot fair skinned men and women with blond or brown hair dining out in a restaurant or browsing in one of the many art galleries or boutiques found there. No other area in Jakarta is as unique as Kemang with its touches of international lifestyle. It is an area that is most popular among the expatriate community.
Take a walk in the area and you will spot fair skinned men and women with blond or brown hair dining out in a restaurant or browsing in one of the many art galleries or boutiques found there. It is home to some 18,000 Indonesians and more than 1,600 foreigners, mostly Australian, Korean, Japanese and European. Among them are 28 permanent residence cardholders.
According to official data, some 36,000 foreigners lived in Jakarta in 2004. Many of them lived in South Jakarta. Before the economic crisis, Kemang had the highest number of expatriates in the mayoralty, but today more expatriates live in Pondok Indah.
The past few months, however, saw a slight increase in the number of expatriates. In January, for example, the subdistrict registered 155 newcomers, in February 141 and in March 81. Sodikin estimates that about 200 expatriates left the subdistrict in the same period.
Even though many expatriates have not returned to the area, business is running well.
Amigos restaurant, for example, continues to attract many dinners. The difference is that before the economic crisis, between 80 and 90 percent of its patrons were foreigners, whereas now the number of foreigners is around 60 percent.
Overall, Kemang is doing great as seen from the increasing number of commercial buildings. The Bangka subdistrict in 1997 registered 180 business outlets. The number increased to 240 in 1999, and now is about 280. Recent data shows that among the commercial facilities are four hotels, 10 apartments and townhouse complexes, six international schools and playgroups, two gas stations, four supermarkets and minimarkets, nine mini-shopping malls, seven office buildings, 10 banks and 62 cafes and restaurants. The number of cafes and restaurants does not include those located in hotels, malls and office buildings.
The growing business has created jobs for about 4,000 people and contributes more Rp 1 billion in outdoor billboard taxes annually. The subdistrict also collects about Rp 14 billion in annual land and building taxes. Along with the rising prices of land and property, rental fees have also increased. The monthly rental fee of a house in Kemang now hovers at between US$1,000 and $3,000.
Living costs in Kemang are also a bit higher than in other places. Even maids’ salaries in the area, especially those working for expatriates, are higher than in many other parts of the city.
But Kemang has its own trademark and somehow people do not mind spend a more money for good food, quality products and a nice atmosphere. Business is thriving; new cafes and restaurants as well as shops and boutiques are opening.
In the 1970s, Kemang was a still a quiet place with lots of big trees and fields. Its serenity and fresh air attracted more and more people, including expatriates. It started to grow and keeps growing until this day. The roads are busy and the bustling area has become a favorite place to live and to hang out for both foreigners and locals from various corners of the city.
In Kemang, expatriates live in harmony with locals, 50 percent of whom are Betawi. Like in many parts of the metropolis, some poor people can be found living in small alleys behind the luxury houses and buildings in Kemang.
Kemang Festival, an annual street fair that was held for the first time in 2001, attracts a huge crowd and created traffic jams in the area. Some 4,000 visitors come every day during the event that features more than 300 stands offering mostly clothes, accessories and food.
The festival is over but business in Kemang continues to thrive and draw visitors, both locals and expatriates who drop by to enjoy the nice atmosphere, shopping, dining or to just hang out with friends and family.
No other area in Jakarta is as unique as Kemang with its touches of international lifestyle. It is an area that is most popular among the expatriate community.
Take a walk in the area and you will spot fair skinned men and women with blond or brown hair dining out in a restaurant or browsing in one of the many art galleries or boutiques found there. No other area in Jakarta is as unique as Kemang with its touches of international lifestyle. It is an area that is most popular among the expatriate community.
Take a walk in the area and you will spot fair skinned men and women with blond or brown hair dining out in a restaurant or browsing in one of the many art galleries or boutiques found there. It is home to some 18,000 Indonesians and more than 1,600 foreigners, mostly Australian, Korean, Japanese and European. Among them are 28 permanent residence cardholders.
According to official data, some 36,000 foreigners lived in Jakarta in 2004. Many of them lived in South Jakarta. Before the economic crisis, Kemang had the highest number of expatriates in the mayoralty, but today more expatriates live in Pondok Indah.
The past few months, however, saw a slight increase in the number of expatriates. In January, for example, the subdistrict registered 155 newcomers, in February 141 and in March 81. Sodikin estimates that about 200 expatriates left the subdistrict in the same period.
Even though many expatriates have not returned to the area, business is running well.
Amigos restaurant, for example, continues to attract many dinners. The difference is that before the economic crisis, between 80 and 90 percent of its patrons were foreigners, whereas now the number of foreigners is around 60 percent.
Overall, Kemang is doing great as seen from the increasing number of commercial buildings. The Bangka subdistrict in 1997 registered 180 business outlets. The number increased to 240 in 1999, and now is about 280. Recent data shows that among the commercial facilities are four hotels, 10 apartments and townhouse complexes, six international schools and playgroups, two gas stations, four supermarkets and minimarkets, nine mini-shopping malls, seven office buildings, 10 banks and 62 cafes and restaurants. The number of cafes and restaurants does not include those located in hotels, malls and office buildings.
The growing business has created jobs for about 4,000 people and contributes more Rp 1 billion in outdoor billboard taxes annually. The subdistrict also collects about Rp 14 billion in annual land and building taxes. Along with the rising prices of land and property, rental fees have also increased. The monthly rental fee of a house in Kemang now hovers at between US$1,000 and $3,000.
Living costs in Kemang are also a bit higher than in other places. Even maids’ salaries in the area, especially those working for expatriates, are higher than in many other parts of the city.
But Kemang has its own trademark and somehow people do not mind spend a more money for good food, quality products and a nice atmosphere. Business is thriving; new cafes and restaurants as well as shops and boutiques are opening.
In the 1970s, Kemang was a still a quiet place with lots of big trees and fields. Its serenity and fresh air attracted more and more people, including expatriates. It started to grow and keeps growing until this day. The roads are busy and the bustling area has become a favorite place to live and to hang out for both foreigners and locals from various corners of the city.
In Kemang, expatriates live in harmony with locals, 50 percent of whom are Betawi. Like in many parts of the metropolis, some poor people can be found living in small alleys behind the luxury houses and buildings in Kemang.
Kemang Festival, an annual street fair that was held for the first time in 2001, attracts a huge crowd and created traffic jams in the area. Some 4,000 visitors come every day during the event that features more than 300 stands offering mostly clothes, accessories and food.
The festival is over but business in Kemang continues to thrive and draw visitors, both locals and expatriates who drop by to enjoy the nice atmosphere, shopping, dining or to just hang out with friends and family.
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