T

hey came to Jakarta decades ago for various reasons. And as the years go by, they are still living here, witnessing the changes in the city and experiencing how the city has changed them as a person.

Coming to Jakarta 11 years ago, Claude Lavalle’s main reason for relocating from Belgium was her husband’s job.

“My husband was accepted by a company here. But I love living in Jakarta. It’s a friendly city compared to Europe. It’s so sad there,” Lavalle told The Jakarta Post.

Although street crime in Jakarta has been increasing, according to the Jakarta Police, Lavalle, who loves walking, said she never experienced anything bad on the city’s streets.

“I somehow feel safe. The only insecurity I feel is when I become a pedestrian,” Lavalle, a photographer, said.

She said she found it difficult when she wanted to cross the street, as motorists dominated the roads and sidewalks were not friendly for pedestrians.

Jakarta has few proper and safe sidewalks. Motorists even drive on the sidewalks and harm the pedestrians.

Pedestrian rallies have become increasingly common after a horrific car crash killed nine people and injured four in Gambir, Central Jakarta, in January.

A group of pedestrian advocates have been campaigning for Jan. 22, the day of the accident, to become “Pedestrian Day”.

However, Lavalle said, a lack of sidewalks has not stopped her from going around the city by public transportation or Transjakarta to visit some of the city’s attractions.

“I went to Pasar Ikan [North Jakarta] and visited some kampungs too. It was fun. I took photographs and could practice my [Indonesian] at the same time,” Lavalle said.

According to a report published by Bank Indonesia in 2010, there were 46,226 foreign workers in Indonesia as of September 2009, 29,190 of which, or about 60 percent, were in Jakarta.

Another expatriate, Australian Marilyn Ardipradja, said she had witnessed many changes in the capital in her 36 years here.

“The most significant changes are the number of buildings and traffic. I cannot stand the traffic, but luckily, I have someone who can drive me around,” Marilyn, the wife of an Indonesian architect, said.

Although traffic was an issue for her, local culture had always been captivating for Marilyn.

She said she engaged in many local events and surrounded herself with as many Indonesian friends as possible.

“I’ve been here so long and I may eventually go back to Australia. For now, Jakarta is my home,” she said.

Just like Marilyn, Lavalle thinks of returning to Belgium when her husband retires.

However, she said, she knew she would hate it in Europe.

“It’s going to be very hard to adjust to a new culture as I’m a different person now. I’ve changed and adjusted to the local culture here,” Lavalle said.

A British citizen, Michael Nicholson agreed, saying he planned to spend the rest of his life in the city.

“I don’t think I want to go back. My life’s all here, I like it here,” he said, adding that he decided to move to Jakarta as he realized the economic potential it holds.

The economic potential and low living costs in Jakarta are among the reasons that put Jakarta on the list of top 20 cities to emigrate made by the UK’s Daily Telegraph.