Depok Diaries: Rent vs Buy? Yeah, I'm Still Sorting This Out
hey, just spilled the tea on the depok housing scene as a freelance photographer trying to chase that perfect light. i’ve been couch‑surfing between three neighborhoods, and the rent vs. buy debate is basically a coffee‑stained doodle on my notebook.
> "i heard the rent's gonna jump again, man. some landlord said they’re raising rates after the new mall opens."
> "someone told me the new coworking space near pancoran is a goldmine for creatives."
the weather’s that sticky humid drizzle that makes your camera lens fog up, but it’s just a short drive away from bogor and bandung, so you can pop over for a quick coffee or a street‑food bite.
i paid around 1.3 million idr for a one‑bedroom in pancoran, but if you go a bit south to ciater it drops to about 900k, and the safety? honestly, it’s chill, but keep your bag zipped near the market stalls. the job market’s a mix of universities, tech startups, and some factory gigs - so there’s always something buzzing.
i’ve been grinding on the market for a few weeks and found a spot that feels like it could be home, but the numbers keep pulling me back. here’s a quick snapshot (pretend it’s a table, i’m too lazy to format):
- rent (city centre, 1br): ~1.5 million idr/month
- rent (suburban, 1br): ~1 million idr/month
- buying a modest studio: starting around 150 million idr
- average salary for entry‑level creatives: 4‑6 million idr
so, do i rent or buy? honestly, i’m still figuring it out, but the vibe of depok’s cafés and cheap co‑working spots makes the rent feel less like a prison.
check out these spots for more intel:
TripAdvisor Depok hotels
Yelp Depok
r/Depok
TimeOut Jakarta
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