Best Suburbs in Tasikmalaya for Families and Young Professionals (Don’t Ask Me Why I’m Up at 3 AM)
okay, so like, I’ve been bouncing around Tasikmalaya for a few weeks now, fueled by kopi tubruk and a serious caffeine addiction. it’s… intense. not in a bad way, mostly. it’s just… a lot. the humidity hits you like a brick wall, and the traffic? don’t even get me started. but, you know, I’ve been digging. trying to figure out where the actual people live, not just the tourists and the guys selling gorengan on the corner. and honestly, some of these suburbs are surprisingly chill.
It’s kinda like, the city’s a chaotic drum solo, and these suburbs are the quiet cymbal crashes in between. I’m talking about places that aren’t just crammed with malls and overpriced cafes. I’m talking about… well, places with actual green. and, you know, people who aren’t constantly yelling about football.
Let’s break it down, shall we? I’ve been hitting up Reddit Tasikmalaya (seriously, check it out - r/Tasikmalaya is a goldmine of local gossip) and TripAdvisor, and I’ve got a few contenders. And, let’s be real, I’m not a realtor. I’m a… well, I’m a lot of things, but not a realtor. This is just my take, okay? Take it with a grain of salt - and maybe a double shot of kopi.
*Here’s the lowdown:
*Cimahi: (Seriously, it’s practically a city itself, but it’s close enough). It’s a short bus ride (like, 30 mins max) and it’s got a massive student population. Lots of affordable housing, decent restaurants (way better than what you’ll find in the center of Tasikmalaya, honestly), and a surprisingly good nightlife. Rumor is, the university students throw some epic parties. I overheard a guy at a warung saying, "Cimahi is where the young bloods go to lose their minds." (Source: r/Tasikmalaya - check the thread on ‘best places to party’). Cost of living? Around 2.5 - 4 million rupiah a month for a decent apartment.
*Bumiayu: Okay, this one’s a bit of a wildcard. It’s a little further out, about an hour’s drive, but it’s got this really nice, almost Dutch-colonial vibe. Lots of old houses, quiet streets, and a surprisingly strong sense of community. Apparently, it used to be a popular spot for expats back in the day. I found a review on Yelp saying, "Bumiayu is like stepping back in time. It’s peaceful and beautiful, but you’ll need a scooter to get around." (Yelp link: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bumiayu-tasikmalaya-indonesia). Rent is around 1.8 - 3 million rupiah.
*Sukadiri: This is where I’ve been spending most of my time. It’s a bit more… gritty, but it’s got a real local feel. Lots of small shops, warungs, and families. It’s also close to the university, so there’s a decent amount of foot traffic. My friend, who’s a street artist, told me, “Sukadiri’s where the real art happens - not the gallery kind, but the everyday kind.” (He’s a bit of a pretentious hipster, but he’s usually right). It’s also relatively safe, which is a big plus. Rent is around 1.2 - 2.2 million rupiah.
*Pacar Bulan: This one’s a bit of a hidden gem. It’s a bit further out, about an hour and a half drive, but it’s got this amazing natural setting. Lots of rice paddies, waterfalls, and hiking trails. It’s a great place to escape the city and reconnect with nature. I heard from a local that it’s a popular spot for couples, hence the name (Pacar Bulan = “lover’s moon”). It’s a bit isolated, so you’ll need a car. Rent is around 800k - 1.8 million rupiah.
Cost of Living Comparison (Rough Estimates - as of October 2023):Area Rent (Rp Million) Food (Rp Million/Month) Transportation (Rp Million/Month) Utilities (Rp Million/Month) Total (Rp Million/Month) Cimahi 2.5 - 4 1.5 - 2 0.5 - 1 0.3 - 0.5 4.8 - 6.5 Bumiayu 1.8 - 3 1.2 - 1.8 0.7 - 1.2 0.3 - 0.5 3.8 - 5.8 Sukadiri 1.2 - 2.2 0.8 - 1.2 0.3 - 0.6 0.2 - 0.4 2.5 - 3.8 Pacar Bulan 800k - 1.8 0.5 - 0.8 0.8 - 1.2 0.2 - 0.4 1.5 - 2.6
Honestly, the traffic is a nightmare. Seriously. I spent three hours trying to get to the mall last week. Three. Hours. And the rain… it just never stops. It’s like a constant, low-level drizzle. But, you know, it’s… charming? I think. Or maybe I’m just delirious from lack of sleep.
Pro-Tip: Learn a little Bahasa Indonesia. Seriously. It’ll make your life so much easier. And always, always haggle at the markets. Don’t be polite about it. (Reddit Tasikmalaya thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/Tasikmalaya/comments/13q892k/tips_for_newcomers_to_tasikmalaya/)
Overheard Gossip: I was chatting with a woman at a warung the other day, and she said, “Don’t trust anyone who says Tasikmalaya is ‘perfect.’ It’s chaotic, but it’s real.” (Source: Pure gossip, but it resonated).
Another Overheard Rumor:* Someone told me that the best nasi goreng in Sukadiri is at Warung Pak Budi. I haven’t tried it yet, but I’m adding it to my list. (Seriously, if anyone knows where to find good nasi goreng, let me know).
Okay, I’m going to go lie down. My brain hurts. And I need more kopi. Seriously, someone send help (and maybe a decent mattress).
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