Who Wants to Live in the City?

Luxury homes in major cities remain the dream for many. Advertisements promise spacious living rooms, high windows, small gardens, and a short commute to the business center. 

On screen, cities appear as places to build a future. However, for new workers, the question that arises is much simpler: where can they sleep safely, arrive at work on time, and still have money to live until the end of the month?

Cities attract people due to jobs, education, healthcare, and opportunities to connect with a broader world.

A recent graduate might arrive with a suitcase and the hope that hard work will lift them up.

They soon learn that opportunities in the city come with an entry fee. Before enjoying an income, they must pay for housing, transportation, food, utilities, and various recurring small expenses.

Their housing choices often feel limited. Rooms near their workplace are too expensive. Cheaper accommodations are far from the office, meaning the savings on rent are eaten up by travel costs and time.

Another option might be a room in a crowded hallway: just enough space for a mattress and clothes, but lacking light, ventilation, or privacy.

At this point, the city that promises social mobility actually asks workers to trade their health and time just to remain employed.

Data shows that urban housing problems cannot be read merely by the number of houses available. The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) recorded that 39.36 percent or 1.2 million households in Jakarta in 2026 faced ownership backlog: they occupy homes that are not their own and do not own another residence elsewhere. 

This figure illustrates the pressure of home ownership, but it does not mean that all these households live in poor conditions.

Renting can be a good option if the accommodation is decent, affordable, and provides security. Problems arise when such choices are hard to find close to work. 

Therefore, housing affordability cannot be calculated solely based on rent or mortgage payments. Cities need to look at the total cost of living: how much is paid for housing, how much is spent on commuting, and how many hours of life are consumed during travel.

In fact, many workers in Jakarta end up seeking housing in Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi, trading lower property prices for longer commutes. 

Discussions about housing usually begin with sales prices and the ability to afford mortgages.