Surabaya - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Very few American citizens outside the consulate, and aside from a sizable Korean, Japanese, and Chinese community, very few expats of any kind. Japan, China, Australia, and Taiwan all maintain consulates in Surabaya. - Nov 2018
Very small western expat community, can't be more than several dozen in the whole city of 3 million. Very large Taiwanese, Chinese, Korean expat communities. - Oct 2015
Small expat community, with about 10 Western nationalities represented - U.S., Dutch, English, German, Austrian, Australian, New Zealanders, Brazilian, Mexican, French, and Canadian. There is one expat-owned pub that serves as a gathering point for a good cross-section of Westerners each weekend. Morale depends on a lot of factors. Many expats who have married Indonesians really like it here. The company you keep and whether your interests and hobbies can be addressed are huge factors. - Apr 2015
Small in Surabaya, as the desired expat experience is not available in Surabaya (bars, nightlife, beaches, tourist sites), and because of the relatively small number of foreign businesses. - Oct 2012
Not very big. Sometimes it could feel suffocating because you saw the same people all of the time. Getting away every once in a while is a good idea. - May 2012
Expant community is relatively small, and most of what is in Surabaya is business-related. More often than not I would be the only caucasian in a large mall. - Oct 2010
Hard to judge. Probably hundreds, certainly not thousands. Very few Americans, more Australians, a handful of Europeans, more Koreans and Japanese. Lots of Chinese. - Aug 2009
