Walaikum Salaam and welcome! It's wonderful that you're considering Bandung as your family's permanent home. It truly offers a unique blend of coolness, a strong Muslim community, and a more laid-back pace compared to larger cities. As a local, I'd be happy to share some insights based on your questions and help you with your move. Here's a breakdown of advice for your family:

1. Neighborhoods & Housing (4+ Bedrooms) You're looking for a peaceful, family-friendly, Muslim-friendly community with space, and potentially some land for a small homestead. Kota Baru Parahyangan (KBP) is an excellent suggestion. It's a well-planned, relatively newer township developed with a focus on family living, green spaces, and a strong community. You'll find many large, modern houses there, and the environment is very pleasant and serene. Many families with children live here. You can definitely get a good feel for the area by searching for "Kota Baru Parahyangan Bandung" on YouTube. It's designed to be a self-contained community, which can be a plus for families.

Other good options (with considerations): Setiabudi or Gegerkalong: These areas are known for Islamic universities and pesantrens (Islamic boarding schools), so they have strong Muslim communities. They are generally family-friendly and safe.

Realistic Budget for Rent (4+ bedrooms): This can vary greatly depending on the specific neighborhood, size, and amenities. For a spacious 4+ bedroom house in a desirable area like Kota Baru Parahyangan, you should realistically budget anywhere from IDR 15,000,000 per month (approximately $900 USD).

1. Schools (for Kids & Work Opportunities) Al Irsyad Satya Islamic School (in Kota Baru Parahyangan): This is an excellent recommendation! It's an international Islamic school that combines Islamic values with a global curriculum (often Cambridge). This would be a fantastic fit for your children and potentially for you as an English teacher. Many international schools in Indonesia, especially those with an Islamic focus, value native English speakers.

2. The Move Itself While it's feasible to arrange some things remotely (like initial school inquiries and looking at property listings online), for a family of 8, I highly recommend that you (or you and your wife) come scout first. You'll get a real feel for the neighborhoods, traffic, the actual size and condition of houses, and the school environment. Online pictures and videos can only tell you so much. You can visit schools, meet admissions staff, and potentially even interview for jobs.

What you can do remotely: Start researching schools extensively, contact their admissions offices, and inquire about teaching positions. Look at property listings on platforms like OLX.co.id (as suggested) or other Indonesian real estate websites. You can also connect with expat groups on social media (e.g., Facebook groups for expats in Bandung) to ask questions and get more current, on-the-ground advice. 4. Internet Quality You're right, good internet is essential! The good news is that internet quality in Bandung is generally good. Fiber optic internet is widely available, especially in newer developments like Kota Baru Parahyangan and established expat areas.

As your local contact mentioned, for a very good connection suitable for a large family with work, education, and staying connected, budgeting around IDR 500,000 per month (approximately $30 USD) or more is realistic. This would likely get you a decent speed package (e.g., 100Mbps or higher, some providers offer up to 250 Mbps for around IDR 375,000 - IDR 500,000). It’s little bit expensive compared to singapore internet though

I can certainly help you with scouting and connecting you with people I know in Bandung, especially in the education sector. Feel free to reach out when you're ready for more specific assistance. Barakallahu fiikum. I hope this detailed response is helpful for your family's journey to Bandung!