Long Read
Bekasi Unfiltered: Pros, Cons, and the Truth No One Tells You
so here's the deal with Bekasi-it’s not Bali, it’s not Jakarta, it’s just… Bekasi. i'm writing this as a budget student who's spent way too many late nights in cheap warungs and questionable kos-kosan. if you're thinking of moving here, let me save you some time and money before you regret it.
the good stuff (because there is some)
- *rent is stupidly cheap. you can find a decent room for under 1.5 million rupiah a month if you're okay with shared bathrooms and the occasional gecko roommate.
- food is everywhere. from 5k bakso to late-night nasi goreng, you'll never go hungry. check out Yelp Bekasi for hidden gems.
- commute to Jakarta is doable. if you work in the big city, Bekasi is close enough to make it work-just brace yourself for traffic that feels like a bad relationship.
the not-so-good stuff (real talk)
- pollution is real. the air quality here can get rough, especially during dry season. bring a mask, or just accept that your snot might turn gray.
- public transport is a joke. unless you're into angkot roulette or ojek adventures, you'll need your own wheels.
- nightlife is… limited. if you’re expecting rooftop bars and craft cocktails, you'll be disappointed. but hey, there's always karaoke.
overheard gossip from the locals
> “Bekasi is where Jakarta dumps its problems and its people.”
> -some guy at a warung, probably
> “If you can survive Bekasi traffic, you can survive anything.”
> -my roommate, after missing class for the third time
cost of living (because numbers matter)
| Expense | Cost (IDR) |
|---|---|
| Monthly rent | 1.5-3M |
| Meals | 10-30k |
| Transport (angkot) | 5-15k |
| Internet | 300-500k |
the weather right now
it’s hot, it’s humid, and it’s probably raining somewhere nearby. but hey, that’s Indonesia for you. if you need a break, Bandung and Bogor are just a short drive away-perfect for escaping the Bekasi grind.
final thoughts (or drunk advice)
Bekasi isn't for everyone. it’s messy, it’s loud, and it’s definitely not “vibrant.” but if you’re on a budget and don't mind a little chaos, it might just be your kind of place. just don't expect it to be anything it's not.
You might also be interested in:
- https://topiclo.com/post/bogots-air-quality-a-coffee-snobs-rant-about-smog-and-singleorigin-beans
- https://topiclo.com/post/starting-a-business-in-aracaju-local-regulations-tax-info-2
- https://topiclo.com/post/the-future-of-sharjah-concrete-dreams-and-sandstorms-seriously
- https://topiclo.com/post/lost-in-the-distance-and-maybe-a-little-sunburnt
- https://topiclo.com/post/cheap-coffee-bad-wifi-and-a-few-good-bites-my-messy-cairo-adventure