Expat Life in Bali: What to Expect
Living in Bali offers expats a mix of affordable island living, vibrant culture, and natural beauty. The tropical climate, welcoming locals, and strong digital nomad infrastructure make it a top choice for freelancers, retirees, and remote workers.
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While Bali has plenty of perks, it’s not without challenges. Limited public transportation, visa complexities, and scooter safety issues can impact daily routines. This Pacific Prime guide explores the realities of life in Bali, highlights the importance of securing international health insurance, and helps you decide whether the island suits your lifestyle and long-term goals.
Top Benefits of Living in Bali as an Expat
From its tropical environment to the low cost of living and beyond, you’ll be glad to know that there are numerous advantages of living in Bali. It’s no wonder that the island is a popular destination for expats.
Let’s explore the pros of living in Bali in further detail.
1. Stunning Natural Beauty and Island Lifestyle
With its gorgeous beaches, lush forests, and iconic rice fields, Bali will take your breath away. Imagine calling this island your home. You’ll feel like you’re always holidaying! Spend your days taking long walks, swimming, and sunbathing, as well as enjoying fresh seafood and Balinese cuisine.
2. Affordable Living Costs in Bali
Earning in dollars, euros, or pounds? With Bali’s relatively low cost of living, you’ll need less money to live comfortably. In fact, you can even splurge on things that you could never dream of doing back home. Think pool villa, cleaning services, and more!
Curious how much money you’ll need to live in Bali? Check out our article comparing the cost of living in Bali to the US.
3. Why Bali Is Ideal for Digital Nomads
For freelancers, entrepreneurs, and other categories of digital nomads, it’s important to have an excellent internet connection and access to co-working spaces. Fortunately, Bali has both. Not only will you get a comfortable place to work, but you’ll also get to network with like-minded individuals.
If you’re looking to obtain a digital nomad visa for Bali, you’ll find our article explaining how the visa works very helpful.
4. Bali’s Active and Supportive Expat Community
With so many expats attracted to Bali, the island is also home to a thriving expat community. There are Facebook groups like Uluwatu Community, Canggu Community, Ubud Community, and Bali Expats & Community you can join (even before moving to Bali) to ask questions, make friends, and socialize.
5. Warm Hospitality from Balinese Locals
But don’t just stay in your expat bubble. Balinese people are extremely friendly, not to mention kind and considerate. You’ll feel welcomed with their big smiles and generosity, and befriending them will help you integrate into the local culture.
6. Travel Hub for Exploring Southeast Asia
Living in Bali also puts you in the heart of the South East Asian region. You can easily use the island as a base to explore the rest of Indonesia or even fly to other countries like Thailand, Singapore, Laos, and more!
Common Challenges of Living in Bali
While Bali is often referred to as a tropical paradise, the island isn’t without drawbacks. Whether you feel isolated from your friends and family back home or can’t get used to life on the island, don’t be surprised if you find that living in Bali isn’t for you.
Here, we’ll delve into some common cons of living in Bali:
1. Feeling Isolated While Living Abroad
Being far away from your loved ones back at home can feel pretty isolating. Even though there are plenty of expats and foreign tourists in Bali, they tend to come and go. This means that the people you meet and the friends you make may end up leaving.
2. Lack of Public Transportation in Bali
Getting around in Bali can also be a tad frustrating at times as there is a lack of a public transport system. If you don’t want to ride scooters, you have to rely on ride-hailing apps like Grab and GoJek.
3. Safety Risks When Riding Scooters in Bali
Choosing to ride a scooter can be unsafe due to poor scooter safety standards. Roads are congested and drunk driving isn’t always monitored, which makes riding scooters dangerous – especially between different parts of the island and at night.
4. Dealing with Stray Dogs on the Island
Wandering around the island, you’ll see a lot of stray dogs. Be careful and make sure you’re vaccinated against rabies in case you’re bitten. It’s an unfortunate aspect of life in Bali. Many expats find themselves adopting stray dogs or donating to organizations that help stray dogs.
5. Staying Alert Against Petty Theft
As far as tourist destinations go, Bali is fairly safe. With that said, there are petty crimes that you need to be mindful of. Pickpocketing, bag snatching, and money-related scams can and do happen – especially in crowded areas that are frequented by tourists.
6. Navigating Bali’s Complex Visa Rules
While it’s possible to obtain a visa for Bali, the process can be bureaucratic and stressful. The alternative is to go on visa runs or leave the country and re-enter, which is just as cumbersome to deal with.
Find out all you need to know about visas on arrival in Bali by checking out our guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bali a popular destination for expats?
Bali is a very popular destination for expats mainly due to its relatively low cost of living. Whether you have an established online business or are just starting out as a digital nomad, you can get more value for money by living in Bali.
Where do most expats in Bali live?
Expats in Bali typically live in Canggu, Ubud, and Uluwatu. Canggu, in particular, is a digital nomad hotspot. It’s a very lively area with plenty of partying opportunities, so it’s not for expats looking for peace and quiet.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Bali?
The amount of money you need to live comfortably in Bali will depend on your unique lifestyle. But generally speaking, the average person will be able to live comfortably on USD 700 per month.
Is English widely spoken in Bali?
After Indonesian and Balinese, English is the third most widely spoken language in Bali. Most locals can speak English on a basic level, while English tends to be the lingua franca in the expat communities.
What is the best time of the year to live in Bali?
Bali’s dry season, from late May to September, brings sunny days and less humidity. It’s a busy time with lots of activities. Despite the bright sun, it often feels cooler than the wet season because the air is less damp.
Conclusion
Ultimately, every place has its pros and cons. Bali, of course, is no different. So you’ll need to seriously weigh the pros against the cons, consider your lifestyle, and decide whether or not you should make the island home.
If you do decide to live in Bali, then don’t forget to secure health insurance for your time on the island. In the event that accidents or illnesses occur, you won’t have to worry about access to good medical care or the cost of treatment as it will all be taken care of.
As a global health insurance broker, with 20+ years of experience, Pacific Prime can help you find the most ideal plan for your needs and budget. We also provide support and assistance throughout your insurance journey.
Contact us today to get started, or get a free quote with our online quote tool!
After obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, International Relations from Mahidol University International College, Veerabhatr has forged his career as a content writer in the travel, lifestyle, and real estate industries, writing in both English and Thai. He now continues to hone his skills as a writer at Pacific Prime, looking to engage and educate the audience by simplifying insurance.
Writer by day, and a DJ by night, Veerabhatr is a staunch music lover, and listens to all spectrums of genres available. He also loves to drink beer (moderately), eat all types of food, go to the beach, and learn about different cultures across the globe. He is also a die-hard fan of football and motorsports.
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How does the education system in Bali accommodate the children of expats, and are there international schools available?
Bali accommodates expat families through a range of international schools that follow globally recognized curricula, such as the International Baccalaureate (IB), British, or American systems. Popular options like Green School Bali, Canggu Community School, and Bali Island School are well-regarded for their multicultural environments, diverse extracurricular programs, and English-language instruction. These schools provide expat children with high-quality education while helping them integrate smoothly into life on the island.
For assistance with securing international health insurance to complement your family’s relocation to Bali, contact Pacific Prime today for free advice and tailored solutions.
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