How Long Does the Honeymoon Stage Last – Jakarta, the lively capital city of Indonesia, is a fast-paced city that is always waking up. The colorful array of cultures, languages, and customs lends itself as an exciting draw for newcomers in particular expatriates and movers from other parts of Indonesia or outside of Indonesia. When one first arrives in Jakarta, there is much to be excited about in their new life in one of Southeast Asia’s most lively cities. The excitement of new places, new faces, and the energy of the city can feel like a honeymoon phase with the feelings of excitement and wonder.
But, as time goes on, the reality of city living sets in. The frenetic pace of Jakarta can feel overwhelming to some, and soon, the excitement is dissipated, leaving you only with the realities of everyday living. This is the stage that many refer to as when the “honeymoon stage” is over. Removing the excitement period of adjusting to normal life could be particularly hard, but this is part of life in Jakarta.
In this piece, we’ll talk about what happens when the honeymoon phase is over and how people can adapt to life in Jakarta, dealing with the challenges while taking advantage of some of the quirks of the city.
1. The Honeymoon Phase: The Thrill of Discovery
When you first arrive in Jakarta, everything seems fresh and new. The food, the culture, the people—all of it feels exciting. You’ll likely spend the first few weeks or months exploring, meeting new friends, and discovering places that are both familiar and foreign. In many ways, this is the “honeymoon phase” of your time in Jakarta. The thrill of the unknown keeps you energized and curious. Here’s what it might look like:
- Joy in Trying New Things: You’re amazed by the endless possibilities for food, be it through the exciting street food or upper-end dining. You may be fascinated by traditional markets like Pasar Baru along with modern malls like Grand Indonesia.
- Making New Friends: Meeting new friends is a fun experience! Expats socialize with peers in the expat community, making friendships in the community, but being friendly provides a unique glimpse into their culture, world, and lives.
- Cultural Exploration: Jakarta is a vivid depiction of Indonesia’s rich historical past. The combination of Javanese, Sundanese and Betawi cultures forms a layering of old and contemporary aspects of the city that present a genuine effort of history, architecture and art to explore.
- Getting past the early obstacles: The traffic jams, high humidity, and noise are viewed as trivial annoyances that are easily ignored due to the excitement of the novelty you are surrounded by.
Read also: 10 Steps How to Overcome Culture Shock for Expats in Jakarta
2. The First Signs of Adjustment: Cracks in the Perfect Image
But wait! Just a few months later, reality sets in – you have burnt off the initial excitement of discovering Jakarta, and the realities of being in a fast-moving, sprawling city start becoming more apparent. So here are some of the initial signs that the honeymoon phase is coming to a close:
The Traffic Nightmare
If you’ve ever lived in Jakarta, you know traffic can be one of the biggest challenges in the city. It is easy to dismiss it at first, but soon you’ll find yourself complaining about it! Long periods of time stuck in traffic can affect your schedule, productivity and sanity. It can be tiring to sit in your vehicle during long commutes to work, going to see friends or doing errands.
Jakarta’s roads were made for a much smaller population than the number of people currently living there, and although there is an attempt to improve public transportation, it is still nowhere near as advanced as that of other large cities, while traffic jams will always be a part of everyday life. After a transition period of being excited about getting acquainted with the city, you don’t find traffic jams to be tolerable anymore.
The Noise and Pollution
Jakarta is alive with its rhythm, noise, and buzz. But after a while of that overwhelming noise of cars, motorbikes, street vendors, or construction sites really drains you. The unending loudness in Jakarta is not just annoying, it’s also a source of stress and anxiety. You can’t ever escape the sound of horns beeping behind you and so many are honking and beeping all day. It becomes the background white noise to the life in Jakarta and what becomes so unbearable particularly when you try to focus or just relax.
In addition to all that noise, you’re gonna have pollution. Jakarta ranks high on the world’s most polluted cities list. Its air quality can be hard on your lungs when it’s dry outside. The locals just got used to it, but it’s not unusual for expats and newcomers to experience sensitivity to smog that might cause respiratory challenges or discomfort in general.
The Cost of Living
Jakarta’s an economic center, and while there’s a lot of opportunity, the cost of living can be expensive. Items or services that you think are inexpensive elsewhere in Indonesia, can be much more expensive in the capital city. Housing can be especially surprising. While there are a number of housing options, expats tend to lean towards the expensive apartments in a central location and they definitely can be high in rent. Utility bills, food, and entertainment can also be higher than you think.
The cost of living can feel very much at odds with the happiness of the honeymoon phase. As your living situation stabilizes, it can become apparent that creating the exact lifestyle you imagined might be pretty difficult. This can cause financial strain for you and can add to what feels like bitterness.
Explore the detailed breakdown of Jakarta’s cost of living for expatriates here, including housing, utilities, and lifestyle expenses, to plan your move effectively
Dealing with Culture Shock
Cultural differences can make it harder for people to become accustomed to life in Jakarta. There are so many traditions in Indonesian culture that the expatriate may be surprised by a number of cultural practices as well. Family, religion, and hospitality can seem to overwhelm newcomers because of imaginary talk of the diversity in Jakarta. To understand more about the Indonesian’s cultures, you better to know about Cultural Do’s and Don’ts in Jakarta here.
One person who moved to Jakarta came from a very individualistic culture. When she moved to Jakarta, she faced the reality of a different culture and the weight and impact of those cultural assumptions she had experienced. She adjusted to life in a collectivist society where family dependency and social interactions stem from a communal atmosphere. She was overwhelmed many times with obligations to socialize often with people from the community and the pressure to always respect local customs. But through time, she learned to appreciate the warmth and generosity of the Indonesian culture. Throughout the adjustment process, these social connections provided her with support.
Read also: Living in Jakarta as an Expat: What We Need to Know Before Moving
3. Coping with the End of the Honeymoon Stage
Once the excitement fades, the next phase is coming back to earth in Jakarta. The challenges will start appearing but so too, will the opportunities to change and thrive. How do you transition out of the honeymoon phase and start working towards creating a more sustainable, meaningful life in Jakarta? Here are some ideas:
Find a Balance in the Chaos
Jakarta can be hectic and it can be easy to feel like you are engulfed by its frenzy, but part of adapting to your new home is learning how to navigate that frenzy in a way that is right for you. You are going to want to find some equilibrium between your work and personal time, especially as the commute and noise pollution begin to take a toll on your own mental health. It is possible you want to shift your work time, or get creative in your routing to avoid the worst times on the road.
A lot of expats find it helpful to get involved in social groups or communities. These groups will give you the ability to find purpose and calm. This could be through sports, hobbies, or culture! Finding routines that help you respect the positive aspects of your city while avoiding burnout is critical to settling in.
Learn to Love Jakarta’s Quirks
You don’t have to view Jakarta’s fast pace and missed appointments as adversities. Many expatriates eventually come to appreciate the unique features of the city. You’ll find that Jakarta’s urban busyness is part of its appeal, you may find that the unpredictable traffic helps you learn the incomparable skill of patience. While, what some call noise is a city’s pulse always in action. Working on to adopt these characteristics will wellness and ease of a city.
Build a Support Network
Having a solid support system is really important for an expat moving into their new life. Maybe it’ll come from local friendships, or meeting other expats socially, or even joining online groups; whatever it is you need to create some connections with people who understand your struggles and can provide you with advice or be emotionally supportive. The warmth and hospitality of the Indonesian culture is second to none with many locals wanting to lend a hand to help newcomers adjust.
Take Care of Your Health
Given the pollution and pressures of city life, it’s essential to care for your emotional and physical health. Regular physical activity, good nutrition, and techniques for managing stress like yoga or meditation can help adapt to the emotional and physical stress of life in Jakarta. Make sure to see a medical doctor regularly for preventive health care given the pollution of Jakarta’s air and the heat.
To take care of your health in Jakarta, we have a list of Healthcare Facility and Service’s recommendations in Jakarta for expats, please take a look the article here.
Explore New Interests
A good way to keep enjoying Jakarta after the honeymoon phase is to just dig a little deeper into the parts of the city you enjoy most. Whether that’s visiting new areas, picking up a few words of Indonesian, or getting engaged in local cultural events, by pushing boundaries and exploring new layers of Jakarta, you’re going to keep things fresh and interesting. The longer you stay, the more you realize Jakarta is a pot of riches…more than meets the eye.
Read also: Benefits Living and Working in Indonesia as an Expat
Statistical Data on Jakarta’s Growing Population
Jakarta has really exploded as a hub of urban growth. The Greater Jakarta area, including nearby cities, has surpassed 30 million people. Population density is among the highest in the world – around 15,000 people per square kilometer in the heart of the city. This population boom has stretched the infrastructure of the city, and caused overcrowding in public areas, transportation, and housing.
Tons of migrants come to Jakarta every year, too. Each year a lot of people move to Jakarta from all throughout the country, looking for better jobs and education. As a result, urbanization continues to grow in Jakarta too, making it an exciting yet difficult place to live.
Jakarta’s population has experienced significant growth over the years. In 2025, the metro area population is estimated at 11,634,000, reflecting a 1.73% annual increase from 2024. This growth includes both local residents and expatriates, contributing to increased competition for housing and services. This rising population adds to Jakarta’s diverse culture; nevertheless, it also creates competition for resources, such as housing, as well as health care other services.
How Long Does the Honeymoon Stage Last
Usually, expats experience the honeymoon phase 3 to 6 months, but that can be unique to each person and place. In this phase everything is fresh and thrilling, and the adjustment to a new culture, place, and way of life can be viewed very optimistically. After this phase, the realities of everyday life and the honeymoon phase starts to fade, and some challenges will arise, such as culture shock, homesickness, and anger due to logistical issues.
Some expats move their “reality phase” sooner than others, and others may have a longer honeymoon phase, when they feel more comfortable and more connected. Don’t worry, we have some tips to overcome culture shock for expats in Jakarta that you can read here.
Embracing the Jakarta Lifestyle
Getting used to Jakarta doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying yourself. It just means you will engage with the city differently. Once you’re past the honeymoon stage you will start to get an understanding of what Jakarta is all about – the good and the bad. The trick to surviving long term in Jakarta is accepting that it is a city just like any other, with ups and downs. You have to get used to the different problems that they have living in Jakarta but still, find the things to help you grow, like community and discoveries.
As you’re getting used to life in the capital, you’ll learn to appreciate the tenacity of the people, the hustle and bustle of the city, and Jakarta’s ability to challenge people to stretch themselves. If you’re working to develop a sustainable lifestyle, thinking about your wellness, and putting yourself in situations to try new things, you’ll have no problem flourishing in Jakarta after the honeymoon phase.
In the end, Jakarta is a place that pushes your patience, flexibility, and open-mindedness. But, once you figure out how to tackle it, you really can live a life of unique experiences, richness of cultural experience and endless adventure.
Read also: Survival Guide for The Expat’s in New Country
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FAQ
The honeymoon stage is the initial period of excitement and fascination experienced by expatriates when they first arrive in a new country. This phase is marked by enthusiasm and curiosity about the new culture and environment.
For most expatriates, the honeymoon stage lasts between 3 to 6 months. During this time, they are captivated by Jakarta’s vibrant culture, food, and lifestyle before transitioning into other phases of cultural adjustment.
After the honeymoon stage, many expats experience culture shock or frustration as they adjust to the realities of daily life in Jakarta. This includes challenges like navigating traffic, adapting to local customs, and managing language barriers.
Expats can prepare by learning basic Bahasa Indonesia, joining expat communities for support, and familiarizing themselves with Jakarta’s infrastructure and services. Building a routine and staying open-minded can also ease the transition.
Common challenges include heavy traffic, finding suitable housing, adapting to local food and climate, and understanding cultural nuances such as social etiquette and communication styles.
Yes, there are various resources such as expat forums, local guides, language classes, and relocation services like EZPZ Jakarta that can assist with housing, healthcare, and cultural adaptation in Jakarta.