I really need an extra income because my monthly salary wont cover all of the bills and spendings for a month. Are there any recommended side hustles for a 8 - 4 office worker like me?
If you’re planning a move or trip to Surabaya, understanding the city’s layout is key. Sprawling across East Java, Surabaya isn't just one monolithic city—each zone has a distinct personality, lifestyle, cost of living, and appeal depending on whether you're an expat, student, digital nomad, or tourist.
Here is a full breakdown of WEST SURABAYA
Pakuwon Mall Mega Complex. Sumber: Pakuwon Jati
The Vibe: West Surabaya is sleek, modern, and noticeably planned. Often nicknamed "The Singapore of Surabaya," this side of town is defined by massive gated townships, master-planned residential estates (like CitraLand and Graha Famili), championship golf courses, and towering luxury condominiums.
Unlike the historic density of Central Surabaya, the West offers wider roads, cleaner air, manicured green spaces, and a heavily westernized infrastructure. It is by far the most popular district for long-term foreign expats and high-income families.
Who Should Stay or Live in West Surabaya?
📍 Places to Go:
🍜 Culinary Highlights in West Surabaya West Surabaya blends high-end international dining with thriving local food strips:
⚖️ Pros & Cons of Living in West Surabaya
Pros:
Cons:
💬 What's your favorite spot in West Surabaya? If you live in or visit the West, where’s your favorite place to eat, grab coffee, or unwind on the weekends around Pakuwon or CitraLand? Share your recommendations below! 👇
When people think of Indonesia, their minds usually jump straight to the beaches of Bali or the sprawling concrete jungle of Jakarta. But nestled on the eastern coast of Java lies Surabaya—Indonesia’s vibrant second-largest city and one of Southeast Asia's best-kept secrets for expats, international students, and travelers.
Known affectionately as Kota Pahlawan (The City of Heroes), Surabaya is a place where high-tech modern infrastructure, massive shopping districts, and lush urban parks blend smoothly with rich Javanese heritage and incredible local warmth.
If you’re new here, welcome! Here is a quick introduction to what makes Surabaya special.
Surabaya is vast, but most activity for foreigners, expats, and students centers around three main zones:
Surabayans take their food seriously. The city is famous for rich, savory flavors that you won't find anywhere else:
Living in or visiting Surabaya means having some of the world's most incredible natural wonders right in your backyard. The city serves as the main transit hub for:
Whether you’re moving here for work, studying at a local university, looking for advice on finding accommodation, or just passing through on a travel itinerary, r/TravelingtoSurabaya is your hub.
Drop a comment below and introduce yourself: Are you already living in Surabaya, or are you planning a trip here soon? Let us know what brings you to the City of Heroes! 👇
Hey everyone! If you’re planning to move to Surabaya or stay here for a few months, you might already know that finding accommodation can be a little tricky, especially if you’re not familiar with the local rental market.
There are actually quite a lot of options around Surabaya, but many of them aren’t advertised on the usual international rental websites. A lot of properties are listed through local agents or word of mouth, which can make the search pretty difficult if you’re new to the city.
I’m based in Surabaya and have connections with several local property agents, so I’m happy to help if anyone is looking for a place.
I can help you look for options around Surabaya and nearby areas, from the city center to places like West Surabaya, East Surabaya, and the surrounding satellite towns.
As a rough guide, budgets around Rp5 million–15 million/month can get you quite different options depending on the area, property type, and your preferences.
If you’re looking, just DM me with:
📍 Preferred area
💰 Budget/month
🏠 Apartment/house/other
📅 How long you’re planning to stay
👥 How many people
I’ll see what I can find or recommend based on your requirements. No guarantees that I’ll find the perfect place, but happy to help connect you with local options if I can.
Welcome to Surabaya! 😄
