A perfect 5.0 on Google with only 1 review? I'm exposing this Kost in Bintaro, Jakarta

I was helping a friend look for a place in South Jakarta recently, and Google Maps almost drove me crazy.

I was scrolling through the Bintaro area and came across a place called Riza Kost, a totally ordinary boarding house, but its rating was a perfect 5.0! Mantap! I thought to myself, what kind of magical place is this? But then I took a closer look, and the number of reviews was: 1. 😅

It felt like opening a blind box—it could either be a hidden gem, or the landlord themselves left a five-star review. I just had to go check it out!

Live from the Scene: What's It Actually Like?

I hopped on my little scooter and zoomed over. The location is on Jl. Mulia Bhakti, and I gotta say, the Bintaro area is really Chill. There's a lot of greenery on the streets, it's not too crowded, and the living vibe seems pretty good.

I found the house number, and well, it was just a new-looking, standalone little building with white walls and grey roof tiles—a very typical modern minimalist style. The entrance was swept clean, but there was nothing special about it. I didn't want to be rude and just barge in, so I bought a cup of Es Teh across the street and pretended to Nongkrong while observing for ten minutes. How should I put it? It's just a quiet Kost. Go-Jek drivers came and went from time to time, and everything seemed normal.

So... What's the Truth?

So, is it really worth a perfect 5.0 rating? Anjay, what a question...

This whole thing taught me a much bigger lesson than the Kost itself. 😂

【Jakarta Apartment Hunting: How to Avoid Traps】

For all the folks drifting in Jakarta and getting ready to find a place, here's a heads-up:

What kind of traps have you all fallen into while apartment hunting in Jakarta? Share your stories in the comments and help our friends who come after us avoid the same mistakes! 👇

#JakartaLife #RentingInJakarta #KostJakarta #IndonesiaLife #Bintaro

• 1. Don't just look at the score, look at the number of reviews! A place with a 4.5 rating from 200 reviews is definitely more reliable than a place with a 5.0 rating from just 1 review. Sample size is everything!
• 2. Visit in person! Survei Langsung! No matter how beautifully photoshopped the pictures are, it's not as good as seeing it for yourself. The lighting, soundproofing, neighbors, and surrounding environment—these are things you'll only know when you go there in person.
• 3. Cross-reference on multiple platforms. Besides Google, check out local apps like Mamikos, Cove, and Travelio to get more comprehensive information.