How is life in Yogyakarta in general?
Hello, my name is Javier and I currently live in Europe. My company is thinking about opening an office in either Yogyakarta or Bali. They want to send me to make sure everything is done correctly, meaning that I will have to start a new life and live in this location.
I wanted to ask how is life in Yogyakarta in general? If there is a drastic difference between living in Yogya and Bali. I just want to make sure I make the right decision.
Thank you!
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Hi Javier, I have been living in the town since 2 years ago. The differences are not really significant between Yogya and Bali in terms of how people live and behave. If Bali is crowded by the tourists, Yogya has tons of students coming from all over the country, even from overseas. That's why you will find the living cost in Yogya is just almost half of it in Bali. You will find people are getting used to the western lifestyle in Bali (for ex. wearing shorts everywhere, bikinis on the beaches, ALCOHOL) while in Yogya, I think you have to adjust a little bit to fit into local Indonesian Islamic culture. Yes, most of the people in Bali are Hindus, while Yogya is Moslem. (and Yes, religion is important for Indonesian).
Both cities have no proper public transport (Yogya have city bus though not much using it). Taxi or private transport are the solutions. If your office doesn't consider the accessible of the city, I would prefer Bali. However, Yogya (50mins from Jakarta) is more accessible locally compared to Bali (2H from Jakarta)
Hi! thank you for your reply! :)
Hello Javier! Nice to meet you! I am Aline and i live in Yogyakarta. I'll help to answer.. So, life in Yogyakarta quiet normal like life in another city in Indonesia. But, people in Yogyakarta more consider each other, mostly we are lovely, helpfull and easy caring each other. Cost of living in here enough cheaper than Bali. For example, you can for easy get meal (rice, veggies, chicken & drink) just for €1. For building to rent, depends with the place. More closer with downtown and campuses, there more expensive. I cant give you estimation about that for sure. If i get information about that, i'll update to you soon. Yogyakarta called "study city" and "mini Indonesia". A lot of people from another province in Indonesia, taking school or college in Yogyakarta. So, if you come here, you'll be meet with multicultural people.
If any questions, feel free to ask with me. I'll answer as much as i can and as soon as possible.
Best, Aline
Thank you for your reply!!
Hello Javier!
Yogyakarta is more like Aix-en-provence in France, and Bali is more like Rio de Janeiro.
People in Yogyakarta is very laid back, dare i say kinda slow...(sorry). Prices in Yogyakarta is very cheap if you compare it to Bali. Because Yogyakarta is a University city, there are lots of cafés and bistros with good food and good prices. It gets really crowded in the weekend, and lots of expats in the foreigners street junction. People dress very modestly here compared to Bali. Oh, and to note, the night clubs here close early and lots of locals and prostitute. There are a few bar too, but again, closed early.
Yogyakarta and Bali are very crowded with vehicles, especially motorcycles. Fortunately, Yogyakarta have buses which cost you 2 Cent one-way. There are also taxis, über, and go-jek (kinda like über, but you're getting a motorcycle). For local ride, there is plenty of rickshaw and andong (a 4-wheel cart pulled by a horse).
Do i need to explain more? I think you can get it just by my first paragraph on how difference Yogyakarta and Bali :)
Hi Elizabeth! thank you for your reply. I think with your answer and the other people that replied have made things quite clear for me. The only thing that worries me a bit might be that lifestyle in Yogyakarta might be a bit boring compared to Bali in terms of activities and extra things to do.
Other than that I think I understand completely the differences, thanks again! :)
Hi Javier! You're welcome :) Yeah, in terms of activities, Yogyakarta is quite boring compared to Bali. If you're more of a nature lover and laid back kind of guy, you will love Yogyakarta. Lots of historical temples and mountains to hike. It's all down to your preferences :)
Hi, Javier. It's my 4th year in Yogyakarta. I'm one of thousands students who come to Yogyakarta to study.
Bali and Jogja quite different tho, It's a lot cheaper here, and more conservative than Bali. At First, its hard to ajust because (almost all) people in jogja like to eat sweet food (I love salty food), they were very 'uphold' the manner and politeness. (I almost never bang my motorcycle bell if I dont really need it, pfft kinda exaggerated but its true).
Bali crowded all the time, but jogja are crowded when college entrance test are held, weekend (many student hang out on weekend with all they friend specially on early semester), and long holiday.
Others have already been answered :D
I love salty food! :) thank you for your message!
Dear Javier, I live 2 years as an expat in Yogya and it is very different than in Bali. Jogja is very traditional, as an expat the biggest difference is that it is difficult to keep a western lifestyle. like mentioned before, the bars were they sell alcohol close early, the choice is nice but limited, western food is available but very expensive and you need to know what to get were. The expat scene is present but much smaller than on Bali and mostly consisting of people who came here for a relationship. The housing here is Indonesian style, even if you would have more money to spend, the luxury that is available for expats on Bali is not available here. If you can adjust Jogja is an amazing area to life. It feels like a village in the city, people are slow but that is also relaxing, people are super friendly. If I visit Bali I am always shocked how rude people are. Never had that here. There is an active art scene with events happening, you can go camping around Merapi or at the beaches of the Southcoast. Best transport is the motorbike, but traffic is busy. There are some nice hotels were you can go for swimming, most also have a gym. I know some other expats play football after work. I think it's a great place to life but you need to find a lot before and adjust greatly
Hello Martina! Thanks a lot for your reply, I think it's important to get an insight from an expat. Thing is, if I move there it would be for work and not for a relationship or any other purpose. I already live in a very small city in Europe and I would prefer to move to a more on-going busy city. So maybe Yogya might not be the best choice for me at the moment. But, it's something I still need to think about. Thank you!
I live in Jogja since 8 years ago...What I suggest to you? Come here, and feel the warm, the food, and the east culture. Everything is CHEAP! Eat a lot, and enjoy the city! :)