Shipping my life from Jakarta to Manila

Posted on 16. Apr, 2009 by in Expat Experiences, Manila, Philippines

I’ve begun seeking quotes for shipping my belongings from Jakarta to Manila. It’s not easy to figure out what to bring and what to leave after 7 years.

I arrived in Indonesia with two suitcases and a smile – I’m leaving with 12 cubic meters of ‘stuff’. (well, and Novita) I’ll have to sell and give away many items just to reach 12 cubic meters (most of my friends ship less than 4); any thoughts on how to best sell/advertise these items in Jakarta? I’ve considered setting up a temporary site via my blog from which to list items and photos of what I’m selling. Things like Craigslist aren’t so hot over here – seems to be loaded with primarily spam.

I’m thinking I’ll just bring most of my electronics into Manila (HDTV, stereo, hard drives, etc) because I’ve seen some high prices on items there. If anyone wants to suggest online sites for price comparisons I’d welcome the advice, but thus far a 40″ HDTV in Manila seems to be around $1600 whereas in Jakarta it’s around $1000.

The biggest item to sell is my car; prefer to do that sooner than later. Surely I’ll lose a lot on it since the Rupiah was 8,900/$1 when I bought it and a now is at around 11,000/$1.

I’ll be shipping our items around the 2nd or 3rd week of June and will have a very empty and boring house for a month or so thereafter. I also may have to wait 2-4 weeks on the Manila side AFTER I arrive, so I’m looking at around 2 months without my stuff.

Good chance to catch up on reading and exercise!

Tags: , , ,

  • http://fajarjasmin.com Fajar Jasmin

    The easiest and fastest way to sell your car is to drive around in Kemayoran showroom complex, and have your car bargained on the spot. But you might need help from a local friend for that :)

  • http://fajarjasmin.com Fajar Jasmin

    The easiest and fastest way to sell your car is to drive around in Kemayoran showroom complex, and have your car bargained on the spot. But you might need help from a local friend for that :)

    • javajive

      Do they hand me cash on the spot in a brown paper bag?

      • http://fajarjasmin.com Fajar Jasmin

        No, but a close equivalent. They usually will take you together to the ATM and transfer the amount to you ( There is a BCA ATM in the complex )…

  • http://www.salsabeela.com Ollie

    Interesting! Don't forget to let me know :D

  • http://www.salsabeela.com Ollie

    Interesting! Don't forget to let me know :D

    • javajive

      Let you know… what? Oh, you mean let you know about items we'll sell?

      • http://www.jakartadailyphoto.com Ollie

        Yeah!

  • LaoOcean

    When I moved in Korea, I set up a temporary Posterous account. I did so because I didn't want my bosses (who I gave the temp website to) to stumble upon my blog, so I kept everything separate.

  • LaoOcean

    When I moved in Korea, I set up a temporary Posterous account. I did so because I didn't want my bosses (who I gave the temp website to) to stumble upon my blog, so I kept everything separate.

    • javajive

      You mean in relation to selling my stuff? Yeah, probably better that I set up an anonymous site just for that stuff. Gotta get crackin – time is fading like a fart in the wind!

  • http://spruiked.com/blog Brett

    My advice (as someone who's moved countries a couple of times): take everything! Unless you're paying for it, that is. Each move I have made, I have regretted leaving stuff behind. Shows that my brain is the size of a walnut, because I haven't learned from past mistakes :)

  • http://spruiked.com/blog Brett

    My advice (as someone who's moved countries a couple of times): take everything! Unless you're paying for it, that is. Each move I have made, I have regretted leaving stuff behind. Shows that my brain is the size of a walnut, because I haven't learned from past mistakes :)

    • javajive

      They'll pay a significant portion. I'm most likely going to pare things down to the point that I don't have to pay out of pocket for any of it. I'm not that attached to most of my furniture, although Novita REFUSES to give up our nice mattress. Maybe cause it took her 3 years to convince me to buy one. (but I now agree that it's well worth the cost!)

      Still keen on your Apple TV whenever we meet up again. ;)

  • javajive

    Do they hand me cash on the spot in a brown paper bag?

  • javajive

    Let you know… what? Oh, you mean let you know about items we'll sell?

  • javajive

    You mean in relation to selling my stuff? Yeah, probably better that I set up an anonymous site just for that stuff. Gotta get crackin – time is fading like a fart in the wind!

  • javajive

    They'll pay a significant portion. I'm most likely going to pare things down to the point that I don't have to pay out of pocket for any of it. I'm not that attached to most of my furniture, although Novita REFUSES to give up our nice mattress. Maybe cause it took her 3 years to convince me to buy one. (but I now agree that it's well worth the cost!)

    Still keen on your Apple TV whenever we meet up again. ;)

  • http://indahs.zenfolio.com/ indahs

    Congratulations! I think both of you will enjoy Manila, and more importantly, it is still close to Jakarta. Yup, I agree with Brett – bring as many stuffs as you could – you would never know where the next destination will be after Manila ;)

  • http://indahs.zenfolio.com/ indahs

    Congratulations! I think both of you will enjoy Manila, and more importantly, it is still close to Jakarta. Yup, I agree with Brett – bring as many stuffs as you could – you would never know where the next destination will be after Manila ;)

    • javajive

      Thanks Indahs – I hope Novita won't feel too lonely away from friends and family. I'll bring a decent amount, but the housing is already provided and furnished, so not sure how much I wanna bring. Yeah, you're right – never know what's next after Manila! But knowing me, it'll be home for a while. ;)

  • javajive

    Thanks Indahs – I hope Novita won't feel too lonely away from friends and family. I'll bring a decent amount, but the housing is already provided and furnished, so not sure how much I wanna bring. Yeah, you're right – never know what's next after Manila! But knowing me, it'll be home for a while. ;)

  • http://www.jakartadailyphoto.com Ollie

    Yeah!

  • nico

    Hey Brandon,

    first, I want to congratulate your moving, it's such a bold moves. But, it's really sad to hear you move. I don't know why. It's always fun to see the city I grew up in through somebody else eyes. When I miss Jakarta, I always turn to your blog, I don't know why. Maybe because of the photos, maybe not. And now you're leaving, it feels like I have to leave the city once again. But, hey, I hope you have a wonderful time there :)

  • nico

    Hey Brandon,

    first, I want to congratulate your moving, it's such a bold moves. But, it's really sad to hear you move. I don't know why. It's always fun to see the city I grew up in through somebody else eyes. When I miss Jakarta, I always turn to your blog, I don't know why. Maybe because of the photos, maybe not. And now you're leaving, it feels like I have to leave the city once again. But, hey, I hope you have a wonderful time there :)

    • javajive

      @ Nico, Sorry for the late reply – I wasn't online much in April. (but I do read all these comments via email as soon as they come in)

      It is a bold move for me; it's been a long time since I've been 'new' somewhere. It won't be easy. As far as enjoying the images from Indonesia, I have about 50,000 digital photos still on disks that have never been posted. I'll continue to post and reflect on Indonesia even after I leave. Also, Novita and I will surely visit a couple of times per year, so new material should be easy to post.

      Thanks for the heartfelt comment. That's the type of thing that makes all this blogging stuff worth my time these past 7 years.

  • http://fajarjasmin.com Fajar Jasmin

    No, but a close equivalent. They usually will take you together to the ATM and transfer the amount to you ( There is a BCA ATM in the complex )…

  • http://esszee.deviantart.com/ susaan

    Sorry to see you go,
    but glad things are working out for you,wishing every success,and looking forward to seeing your photos from Manila.
    – I've been sending friends your blog for ages when they ask about life over here.
    -If you have camera stuff for sale that fits my 40D,(zoom needed) plz email.
    (Yeah,finally settled with a new camera – totally in love and can;t wait for first light,each day.now shooting rice harvests behind my house)

    PS “Manila Vanilla” comes to mind….

  • http://esszee.deviantart.com/ susaan

    Sorry to see you go,
    but glad things are working out for you,wishing every success,and looking forward to seeing your photos from Manila.
    – I've been sending friends your blog for ages when they ask about life over here.
    -If you have camera stuff for sale that fits my 40D,(zoom needed) plz email.
    (Yeah,finally settled with a new camera – totally in love and can;t wait for first light,each day.now shooting rice harvests behind my house)

    PS “Manila Vanilla” comes to mind….

    • javajive

      @ Susaan, thanks, things indeed to seem to be falling into place quite well.

      I'm glad you've found this site to be helpful for friends asking about Indonesia. I hope they can plow through all the junk to get to some decent finds. ;)

      I think I'll be keeping my camera gear, but I have a car, a washer, and some bikes to sell if you're keen!

      Manila Vanilla – pretty sure I'd get my arse kicked for that one. ;)

  • javajive

    @ Nico, Sorry for the late reply – I wasn't online much in April. (but I do read all these comments via email as soon as they come in)

    It is a bold move for me; it's been a long time since I've been 'new' somewhere. It won't be easy. As far as enjoying the images from Indonesia, I have about 50,000 digital photos still on disks that have never been posted. I'll continue to post and reflect on Indonesia even after I leave. Also, Novita and I will surely visit a couple of times per year, so new material should be easy to post.

    Thanks for the heartfelt comment. That's the type of thing that makes all this blogging stuff worth my time these past 7 years.

  • javajive

    @ Susaan, thanks, things indeed to seem to be falling into place quite well.

    I'm glad you've found this site to be helpful for friends asking about Indonesia. I hope they can plow through all the junk to get to some decent finds. ;)

    I think I'll be keeping my camera gear, but I have a car, a washer, and some bikes to sell if you're keen!

    Manila Vanilla – pretty sure I'd get my arse kicked for that one. ;)

  • http://notyettrulyasia.blogspot.com erica

    I just found this blog now… and I;m sorry for my bat english…
    But i write you because I live in Central Java and is quite difficult to find every kind of stuff here… what do you need to sell? Maybe me and the expat in here we need some…
    Have a great time in Manila,
    Ciao,
    Erica

  • http://notyettrulyasia.blogspot.com erica

    I just found this blog now… and I;m sorry for my bat english…
    But i write you because I live in Central Java and is quite difficult to find every kind of stuff here… what do you need to sell? Maybe me and the expat in here we need some…
    Have a great time in Manila,
    Ciao,
    Erica

  • arif

    hi there, have you sold your car?? can i know your car's type, if you are going to sell it. because i am looking a car here in Jakarta

  • nurceyiz
  • vgb

    I live in Manila 2 weeks 3 day eat in restutants and any time cook in home, it coast me 500$

  • vgb

    I live in Manila 2 weeks 3 day eat in restutants and any time cook in home, it coast me 500$

  • Lyn2799

    hi im living here in jakarta i like to send my all things like clothes, toys and anything to my country (phillipines) how can i send what agency i need and how much if 1 big box i need thanks pls anybody answer me… thank you…

UA-176554-2