Is Tasikmalaya a Good Place to Live? 2026 Honest Review
so here's the deal-tasikmalaya isn't exactly on everyone's radar, but if you're a freelance photographer looking for something raw and real, it's got a weird charm. rent here? dirt cheap. you can snag a decent one-bedroom for around 1.5 million rupiah a month (about $95 USD). that's less than what i spend on camera gear in a month back home. safety-wise, it's mostly chill, but like any mid-sized indonesian city, you gotta watch your pockets in the pasar (market) area-heard from a local that pickpockets love the chaos there. the weather? hot, humid, and sticky-like walking through a sauna with a side of rain. but hey, that's java for you. nearby, you've got garut (famous for dodol, a sticky sweet) and bandung (cooler, artsy, and full of cafes) just a short drive away if you need a break.
here's the messy part: the internet can be a nightmare. i've had days where my fiber connection drops faster than my motivation to edit photos. but when it works? boom-uploading to instagram is smooth. food is insane-nasi tutug oncom (rice mixed with fermented soy) is a local staple that'll blow your mind if you're into bold flavors. and the people? super friendly, but they'll stare at your camera like you're from another planet. overheard a guy at a warung saying, “this city is sleepy, but the light here? golden.” he wasn't wrong.
cost of Living in Tasikmalaya (2026):
| Item | Cost (IDR) | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bed apartment (city center) | 1,500,000 | $95 |
| Meal at local warung | 20,000 | $1.25 |
| Monthly groceries | 800,000 | $50 |
| Internet (decent speed) | 300,000 | $19 |
| Scooter rental/month | 500,000 | $31 |
pro-tip: if you're shooting street scenes, hit the pasar cikurubuk early morning-the light and chaos are unreal. and don't skip the tea plantations in gunung galunggung; they're a 30-minute drive and perfect for moody landscapes.
random overheard gossip from a barista: “the city's growing fast, but the traffic? it's like a slow-motion car crash.”
would i live here long-term? if i was chasing cheap rent and unique vibes, absolutely. but if i needed rock-solid internet and a bustling creative scene, i'd bounce to bandung. tasikmalaya is messy, unpredictable, and weirdly photogenic-just like my editing process.
check out more on TripAdvisor or ask the locals on Reddit's Indonesia community.
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