Mahisworo "Ninis" Niskalawati, 25, living in a high-rise apartment in Central Jakarta has changed her view of what an ideal neighborhood should be like.
Having lived at the Sudirman Park Apartment block, just off the capital's main thoroughfare of the same name, since last year with her husband, Ninis says she has never had security concerns, despite not mingling much with other residents.
"There are a dozen *apartment* or so units on my floor, but we only know one family quite well," she tells The Jakarta Post.
"I think such situations are normal because almost all the people here are busy."
Ninis, too, works a packed schedule at an accounting firm. She says she leaves her apartment early in the morning and comes back in the evening, sometimes late at night.
Ratih Astria Nurdin, 22, who lives in the Margonda Residence apartment block in Depok, south of Jakarta, shares a similar experience.
Having lived there for almost two years now, Ratih, who just graduated from the nearby University of Indonesia, says much of her interaction with her neighbors never goes beyond more than a cursory "Hello".
"How are we supposed to be well acquainted when all we see in the corridor is a long line of closed doors?" says Ratih, who lives with her working elder sister.
In a city as busy and stressful as Jakarta, a lot of people, especially in the middle- to high-income bracket, live in medium to upscale apartments that allow them quicker and easier access to their workplace.
Such apartments, located mostly in and around the city's business districts and main thoroughfares, also grant their residents something no other residential complex could offer: privacy.
Entry into most apartment blocks is restricted to tenants, usually through access cards used for the main door, elevators and other facilities.
In addition, guests and other visitors are required to report to the front desk before going up.
However, this high level of security leaves tenants largely unacquainted with their neighbors. And when it fails, it does so spectacularly.
Earlier this month, a university student and freelance model was killed in the Mediteranea Apartment block in West Jakarta by her guest, a makeup artist, who struck her repeatedly in the head with bathroom scales.
Her body was found three days later. Her murder was the third this year in that apartment block.
The seclusion provided by apartments and more affluent housing complexes has also been exploited by drugs syndicates producing and distributing their wares away from the prying eyes of neighbors.
In May, police raided a room at the Puri Kemayoran Apartment block in Central Jakarta, arresting a suspect and seizing 133 grams of raw ingredients for crystal methamphetamine.
In January, the National Police's narcotics unit raided an apartment in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, reportedly being used to manufacture crystal meth and Ecstasy.
University of Indonesia criminologist Adrianus Meliala says urging residents of apartments to socialize more with their neighbors is a lost cause: most of them are paying higher rents just for the seclusion.
"What's more, most apartment residents are relatively successful and financially independent young people," he says.
"They tend to see their success as something they're unwilling to share with others."
Psychologist Ratna Djuwita agrees, but urges apartment developers and managers to take the first step in trying to establish social organizations and activities for the residents.
"Relying on technology *in the apartment's security* is not enough," she says.
"In addition to that, people have to establish strong social control through regular interaction with others."
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