SMILING HILL is being developed as a GATED community run by expatriates for expatriates
as a “home away from home” and is the ONLY residential development on Batam purpose-
standards, comforts and facilities.
MOST Smiling Hill residents are Western expatriates working in Batam’s industries
or rotating to offshore oil industry jobs, consultants, representatives or self-
Smiling Hill offers a secure but relaxed and easy-
The project is more like a very affordable long-
Expatriate residents can live inexpensively in comfort and feel at home in Western
standard accommodation while mixing with like-
All residents are tenants but some also are investor-
The Founders of Smiling Hill recognised that local Indonesian developers generally
did not understand the different needs of this growing expatriate market segment
or were choosing to ignore it. The predominantly Indonesian-
Indonesian housing typically comes without a kitchen, with unfinished bathrooms,
often with cramped spaces, with an absence of outdoor living areas, without air conditioning,
with insufficient electricity supply, limited water supply back-
The developers of Smiling Hill understand the different needs and expectations of
tenants accustomed to living in a contemporary Western environment and are creating
the kind of apartments and houses that Western renters want and expect -
The Smiling concept is to create an apartment or house where the tenant can arrive with his clothing, his laptop and personal effects and immediately move in and feel at home.
At the same time the project has given a high priority to community facilities with an attractive pool complex, bar, restaurant and clubhouse (pool table, large screen TV for sports events etc) where residents can meet and relax, plus reliable security, maintenance and other services.
- Who Does Smiling Hill Suit?
- RENTAL TARIFFS
- WESTERN EXPATRIATE WORKERS
- SOHO BUSINESSES, CONSULTANTS
- EXPATRIATE RETIREES
- NON-
WESTERN EXPATRIATES - Why Choose to Live in Batam?
- Batam -
A New Frontier - Personal Safety and Security
- Cultural Differences
- Social Life and Relationships
- Marriage
- Driving Yourself
- Education and Health
Rental charges for apartments range from SGD$975 a month for a fully furnished one-
Long-
Rentals for apartments cover maid service (six days a week), full security (night patrols, closed circuit TV security cameras etc), waste collection, gardening and maintenance, and complimentary pool and clubhouse membership.
Tenants pay for phones, Internet and satellite TV together with water and electricity utilities at cost.
There are no utilities charges for long-
The response to Smiling Hill demonstrates that there is a strong demand for the accommodation being offered. Tenants see the total package and its convenience as value for money.
The four main renter groups at Smiling Hill are:
BATAM’S emergence as a manufacturing and fabrication base is attracting increasing numbers of skilled expatriate managers, specialist tradesmen, supervisors, consultants and other professionals earning high salaries and receiving generous living allowances.
They want somewhere secure, comfortable and competitively priced to live and they represent one of the key groups being attracted by the Smiling Hill Estate.
To date expatriates taking up contracts in Batam have had to live mainly in hotel
rooms and a handful of apartment blocks. Expats typically pay around SGD$1,800 a
month for long-
Bed-
These rates and the limited facilities elsewhere mean that the Smiling Hill apartments are very good value indeed.
Expatriate consultants and SOHO businesses
CONSULTANTS and operators of Small Office Home Office businesses (web designers,
graphic artists, draftsmen, engineers, traders and buyers, software developers, on-
Batam and Smiling Hill offer most of the conveniences of Singapore as a consultancy
home office location but at a FRACTION of the cost. At the same time it also offers
a relaxed and easy-
Reliable and competent English speaking staff is readily and inexpensively available and communications services (Internet, international direct dial telephones) are already adequate and rapidly improving.
It is not uncommon for employees, associates or sub-
Depending on the structuring of their business, it usually is possible to operate
under a multiple-
Bearers of passports from many countries of the Asia Pacific Economic Co-
Expatriate retirees
BATAM is an affordable and attractive relocation alternative for people (particularly
men) from Western countries planning for retirement or semi-
Many baby boomers from Western countries are looking to relocate to secure, affordable, convenient, and interesting overseas places in the sun. In fact some commentators have labelled the accelerating trend towards International retirement and living as a stampede!
In the recent past places like Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, the South
of Spain and the Mediterranean have been the low-
But the very popularity of these locations has stimulated rising real estate prices and living costs, putting many of these previously preferred regions out of reach for many of today’s generation of retirees.
Asia is rapidly emerging as a favoured and more affordable alternative. Growing numbers from the UK, Europe, the USA and Australasia are relocating to places like Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia. In Indonesia the popular destination has been Bali.
So much so that some of these countries (such as Malaysia and Thailand) have introduced special visa arrangements and are actively promoting retirement living (e.g. the “Malaysia My Second Home” program).
As a consequence prices for condominiums, villas and other properties are now also rising rapidly in the favoured Asian locations.
As Batam becomes better known it inevitably also will emerge as a favoured choice, mainly because it is so close to Singapore and so relatively inexpensive.
Smiling Hill is “a natural” for any relocating retirees who like the idea of third world costs but wants Western comforts, easy access to first world amenities and the support of an existing expatriate community of people who can guide them through the pitfalls of a new and different culture.
BATAM’S industries also are attracting increasing numbers of Indian and Philippines
professionals and trades people plus other expatriate owners, managers, sub-
In some instances Indian, Philippine and Singaporean specialists are assuming roles that previously would have gone to Westerners. This is a reaction to a shortage of qualified Westerners and the high rates of pay and allowances international Western specialists are now able to command.
It also reflects a tightening of Manpower Department regulations seeking to promote employment of locals at more senior levels by limiting expatriate positions. Expatriates from ASEAN countries can be advantaged under these regulations.
Rates of pay and allowances for non-
Smiling is catering for this group by designing 2-
Smiling also is undertaking basic interim upgrading of stockpiled houses and offering them as “Mess” premises to be shared by groups of four to five employees. These properties are let at from SGD$1,750 per month plus outgoings.
SMILING HILL is all about creating a community
These interiors and balcony are from newly let 2-
Click on photos to enlarge
IF YOU are looking for a place to live overseas – somewhere warm, safe, more relaxed, less regulated, much less costly and infinitely more interesting – then this fascinating corner of Indonesia is one of the places you should check out.
It is still a work in progress and much of it looks like a giant building site. But it has the communications and other services you need to set up a home office and work the world (or at least the region) from your computer and Blackberry, plus the amenities and facilities you need for comfortable living.
Batam is a warm, welcoming, relaxed, colourful, interesting and cosmopolitan community with increasingly modern facilities and services.
Its strong economy and business and employment opportunities have made it a magnet for newcomers and a melting pot of ethnic groups. There are people from just about every region of Indonesia plus Chinese Indonesians, Asians from all over (Singapore, India, Japan, Korea, China, Philippines, Taiwan) and Westerners.
The climate is pleasant, costs are low and it is an ideal base from which to explore the fascinating South East Asian region.
Batam has five championship standard golf courses, all with excellent facilities
and modest fees. There also are several major resorts and two marinas. The island
is surrounded by extensive waterways and interesting island communities (many of
the ‘kampung’ people still live semi-
There are plenty of restaurants (many offering International foods) plus many pujaseras (traditional open air “food courts”) where you can enjoy inexpensive and delicious Asian foods and cheap beer under balmy evening skies (seafoods are a specialty).
As in most of Indonesia, the local people are hospitable, tolerant and generally welcoming and helpful towards Westerners. Newcomers who attempt to speak some Indonesian are particularly well received.
House prices, rents, local food, clothing, cars, transport, appliances, household
goods, personal services (hairdressers, massage, medical, pharmaceuticals etc) are
cheap. A man’s haircut will typically cost around US$2 to $3, a one-
Large, modern, conveniently located and well stocked shopping centres are already operating and more are being built.
Domestic help costs are low. A live-
Batam residents have easy access by modern fast ferry to the medical, financial,
commercial, shopping and cultural facilities of Singapore, one of the world’s great
cities. They also are only about an hour and a half from Changi airport – South East
Asia’s major and busiest hub and regularly voted the world’s most user-
They can fly with cheap budget carriers to Asian cities and easily reach just about anywhere else in the world within a few hours (the flipside is that it’s just as easy for friends and family to visit).
Expats can also easily and cheaply explore the fascinating Indonesian archipelago from Batam’s modern (and still expanding) Hang Nadim airport.
Hang Nadim boasts one of South East Asia’s longest runways (4,025 metres) and offers a busy schedule of domestic jet services throughout Indonesia. Most flights are to Jakarta but there also are direct services to Pakenbaru, Medan, Padang, Jambi, Dumai, Pontianak, Palembang, Matak (Natuna), Dabosingkep (southern Riau Islands), Bandung and Surabaya. There is also a direct international service between Batam and Kuala Lumpur.
DESPITE its convenience and steadily increasing sophistication, Batam retains a spirit of being young, brash, and new and has many of the elements of a modern “Gold Rush” (or should that be “Oil Rush”) town. Extensive building and development works are continuing and much of the island is inevitably unfinished, unkempt and messy.
Until recently Authorities have struggled to keep up with infrastructure services
(electricity connections increased by an average of 29% year on year from 1993 to
2003 and new water supply connections exceeded 15,000 over the first five months
of 2009). Consequently many businesses install back-
Heavy industry and construction traffic (plus periodic tropical downpours) mean many of the roads often are broken up and in a seemingly perpetual state of disrepair.
In short, Batam is still emerging from a “third world” look and feel and sometimes experiences interruptions to power, water and telephone and Internet services (though progressively less so).
Yet more and more areas of leafy suburbs and substantial public buildings are emerging, providing a hint of the Batam of the future, particularly in established downtown areas. Long time Western residents invariably comment on the rapid improvements over the past five to 10 years and sometimes draw comparisons with the Singapore of 30 or 40 years ago.
BATAM Island has an utterly undeserved reputation in some quarters for being a “dangerous hotbed of crime, commercial sex, drugs, gambling and general lawlessness”.
Much of this impression has been created by sensationalist reports in the Government
controlled and directed media of sanitized Singapore where some of the Powers That
Be look disapprovingly at having a full-
There also is a view in other parts of Indonesia (particularly among those with conservative Muslim moral values and who have never visited Batam) that the island is a “loose” and “dangerous” place.
The reality is that serious crime probably is much less than in most comparable cities
in the so-
There are seedy areas and a few no-
But overall Batam is much less dangerous and frightening than the inner areas of many of the cities of the United States, Europe other Asian countries and even some other Indonesian cities.
A mugging here will make front page news. Can you imagine a minor street crime making the front pages of a newspaper in Washington DC, New York or even Sydney?
Harsh penalties and ruthless policing ensure that even the illegal drugs scene generally is less pervasive than in many Western cities.
Batam is hardly an ideal environment for would-
Petty and opportunistic theft is an issue, which is only to be expected in a society where many of the population struggle with poverty.
Some prospective first-
Newcomers will quickly learn, however, that corruption, influence peddling and nepotism
are a fact of Batam (and Indonesian) life. As in many other Asian locations Westerners
are likely at some stage to run up against attempts at petty extortion from Police
and officials though the climate is slowly improving as the Central Government intensifies
its anti-
But Westerners who exercise common sense, courtesy, care and prudence are seldom if ever affected by crime or need to feel threatened in Batam or most regions of Indonesia.
IF YOU are someone who wants everything to always be predictable and to have ALL the conveniences that you enjoyed in your home country then Batam and Indonesia are probably not a good idea for you, except perhaps for a brief visit.
Indonesia is a very different culture with different ways and as a Western newcomer you need to be able to accept that there is no way that this is going to change just to suit you.
Indonesia is 88% Muslim. It has a rich and diverse cultural heritage across its many islands and peoples, most of it unknown and a complete mystery to people brought up in the Western “developed” world.
Remember that no matter how long you are in Indonesia you will remain a guest in a new country. You are expected to abide by and respect the norms, laws, and practices of your host society just as you would expect from a newcomer to your home country.
If you make an effort, show some interest, bring an open mind and, most importantly, be very patient you probably will find much that is fascinating and absorbing (if at times frustrating) about living in Batam or any other Indonesian region.
The odds are that you will learn much and see many opportunities for business, travel, leisure pursuits and perhaps even worthwhile and satisfying projects to help the local community.
DESPITE the majority Muslim faith and a public face of prudery and conservatism (for
example, public displays of affection like kissing or holding hands may be frowned
upon), Indonesians living in major Indonesian centres like Batam seem to privately
hold very pragmatic, moderate and relaxed ideas of social interaction, sexuality
and relationships with fewer “hang-
These relaxed social norms together with Batam’s proximity to Singapore, convenient ferry connections, low prices, cheap golf courses and a lively nightlife have made the island a weekend playground for visitors from Singapore and Malaysia (despite some official disapproval from puritanical Singaporean authorities)
Batam has more than 10,000 hotel rooms (with more coming on stream), several major resorts, more than 60 karaoke bars and massage parlours, several nightclubs and several large, loud, dark and very popular discos. Most are located in and around the Nagoya area, Batam’s main commercial and retail district.
Around 25 Western-
The Singaporean and Malaysian weekend visitors (mainly men) visit Batam to get away to an anonymous place and have good time for a fraction of what they would pay at home.
Gambling was a major attraction until February 2006 when the then new Indonesian
Government enforced anti-
Now the weekend influx come to let their hair down in the karaoke bars, eat at the outdoor food courts, strut their stuff at the discos or indulge in cheap sex with Batam’s attractive working girls.
A visitor to Batam can “book” a girl from a karaoke or bar or pick up a “freelance” girl from a disco or bar and typically pay around US$35 to $50 for her to spend the night with him at his hotel. Or he can have an hour or two of indulgence at a massage parlour or hotel karaoke establishment for little more than half that amount.
The Freelance girls often hold down low-
Many Singapore and Malaysian regulars take up with Indonesian girls and maintain them as “second wives” in Batam, coming for visits every other weekend. Some proceed to formal (and very often enduring) marriages.
Until relatively recently, Batam and its nightlife were unknown to most Westerners other than those who travelled to the island for work or business. It is now becoming more widely recognised as an easy, safe and affordable option for Western men who want that scene.
Most of the nightlife action is largely confined to a small area of Nagoya known as NED (Nagoya Entertainment District) where it operates openly but with a low and subdued profile compared with the nightlife scenes of the Philippines, Thailand and locations in Central and South America or the Caribbean. It would be easy to spend extended time in much of Batam and barely be aware this steamier side exists.
IF YOU are single or divorced male or a widower thinking of perhaps finding a wife
or long term partner in Batam then for goodness sake don’t speak too loudly -
Though a few Western families have relocated in Batam for work or business reasons
it remains a “man’s world” with few resident Western women. The expatriate population
consists mainly of transient male technical specialists, professionals or consultants
on short-
It is fair to say it is easier for Western men to enter into short or long term partnerships or marriage with young, attractive and caring Indonesian women than it is to NOT do so!
Westerners are perceived as being (relatively) “rich”, making them very desirable partners. They also are perceived as generally being more “romantic”.
Girls come from throughout Indonesia to work in Batam’s factories creating a surplus of young women. Many quickly come to prefer the faster lifestyle of Batam and a paying job to the structured kampong (village) life back in rural Indonesia.
They see a relationship with or marriage to a Westerner as an escape to a new, secure, different and more affluent way of life and a means of securing financial support (from the partner or husband) for their families.
Many Western men find long term partners from among the part-
Indonesia is a poor country with no government funded social security system. The kampong or extended family networks are the main support system and there is a strong obligation for children, particularly girls, to help support families and siblings by regularly sending money home.
Families from some poorer regions turn a blind eye or even enter into contracts under which elder daughters travel to the bigger centres to spend time as working girls to help support the family or pay education and other costs for younger siblings.
For young unmarried mothers there are no pensions, few jobs and little other support
-
The story is similar for attractive young mothers who have married in their (often early) teens and had a child or two in the kampong only to separate or divorce, often having been deserted.
Their prospects of remarriage in the kampong are poor to negligible. The children are left in the care of extended family while the girls head to the major centres to make money to be sent home as support. Some also try to save enough to later buy a small house or establish a small kampong business.
Spending time as working girl is widely accepted or tolerated and seems to carry
little stigma across a wide cross-
Given the chance many of these young women make caring and loyal partners or wives. They are accepting of older men and value kindness, consideration and a partner’s capacity to offer financial security over good looks. In fact they often are suspicious of younger, good looking men expecting them to be inconsiderate and potential “playboys”.
Their dream is to be like to be Julia Roberts in “Pretty Woman” and they don’t really care too much if you look more like Vincent Schiavelli or Pete Postlethwaite than Richard Gere (if you don’t know those faces then look them up on the Internet). Many if not most will gratefully accept the new life you are offering and do their very best to make it work.
At the risk of alienating every feminist within earshot, it has to be said that Indonesian women generally are warm, soft and responsive. Their cultural background means they tend to support, follow and serve “their man” provided always that he keeps his end of the unspoken bargain and does not make them feel insecure.
Indonesia has a culture of extended families and inter-
There are important cultural, financial and other issues that Westerners should take
into account if they plan to marry Indonesian girls and sometimes those who disregard
them find they have been taken for a ride -
For example pre-
VISITORS or newcomers typically take one look at the chaotic traffic flows and systems in Batam and shy off driving themselves. Fortunately there are plenty of inexpensive transport options.
However, once you have lived on the island for a few weeks and have had time to see how the traffic works and learn the decidedly unusual road systems you probably will want to consider buying a vehicle and driving yourself.
If you decide to do so then you will need an International Driving Licence or a local licence. Generally it is prudent to ensure you obtain an International Licence from your national motoring association before coming to Batam – it can be quite difficult to obtain them online after your arrival in Indonesia.
A local driving licence is technically only obtainable only if you have a work permit (KITAS) but if you find the right “agent” and pay an “administrative fee” of about 600,000 rupiah you may be able to obtain a licence regardless of visa status.
There is no driving test or road rules theory test – in fact it is doubtful there is any published version of the road rules, such as they are.
A local licence will be valid for only one-
Many Westerners engage a full-
There are firms specialising in renting vehicles to long-
There are really no facilities for short-
Click on photos to enlarge
Batam’s Hang Nadim Airport The airport handles more than 3 million passenger movements a year.
Click on photos to enlarge
THE GLOBAL International School at Batam Centre provides private school education
services from lower primary to high school grades for the children of expatriates
and well-
A smaller international school at Rosedale near Batam Centre caters for pre-
Relatively high standard health services are available for those who have the resources
(or the insurance cover) to pay. The modern and well-
Specialist services are limited but complete services are available in Singapore or from nearby Malacca in southern Malaysia.
.JPG)
Batam Ploytechnic Stage 1 (above) and Global International School (Right).
(Click on photos to enlarge)
PARTNERS and wives of Expats at a birthday gathering. Many expats marry Indonesian girls and raise new families. We expect many will be part of the Smiling Hill community.
EXPAT partners at birthday party with caps provided by Batam beer brewery.
MANY ATTRACTIVE, intelligent, stylish and supportive young women move to Batam from throughout Indonesia to seek employment and many of them also are hoping to form relationships with or marry Westerners or other expats. In many cases they are unmarried mothers or girls who married very young in their kampung and have been divorced. They often are sending money home to support families or siblings or to pay for the support of a child. If they find a kind and considerate Western husband they will usually reciprocate with loyalty, support and affection.
VISITORS and residents alike enjoy the open Bali-
PAVED OUTDOOR terraces and balconies usually shaded by cool, traditional thatching are incorporated into all Smiling Hill renovations. The climate on Batam is ideal for outdoor living and relaxing, especially the mild and balmy evenings.
MODERN KITCHEN in renovated Smiling Hill house. Creating kitchens and bathrooms to contemporary Western standards is a routine part of Smiling Hill renovations. Indonesian houses often have only very basic kitchen and bathroom facilities.
KITCHEN and living area of pleasant one-
LIGHT AND AIRY study and office area in renovated Smiling Hill house occupied by Western expat and Indonesian partner.
WESTERN EXPATS who hanker for a taste of home are well catered for with McDonalds
(at least three outlets), KFC and Pizza Hut franchises operating in Batam. (Be aware,
however, there are no pork products at the Pizza Hut meaning no real ham or pepperoni).
Western fast foods are very popular among Indonesians even though local take-
