Thanks to its beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, and rich heritage, Bali is a popular vacation destination that draws tourists from all around the world.
In recent years, the Indonesian island has even become a choice location for expats, especially digital nomads and those who want to escape the city.
Nadia Rose and her partner, Steve Willis, moved from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital, to Bali in July 2022.
It took them some time to adjust to their new lives on the island, and the experience was more challenging than they had expected. Here are three things they’ve learned as expats in Bali so far.
1. Things in Bali take time
Unlike in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia — and other bustling cities around the world — the pace of life in Bali is much slower.
Expect to wait for things to get done, especially for bureaucratic processes and even getting around in traffic, Rose told Business Insider.
“Because I was so used to living in a city, I was so used to efficiency,” Rose said. “Here, you just have to lean back and allow things to unravel, and it will unravel in its own time.”
2. Friendships can be hard to forge
It might be harder to form lasting friendships in Bali than you think. The island can feel like a very transient place, with all the people who come and go from Bali, especially within the expat community, Rose said.
“Many friends that I’ve made six months ago are no longer here, so you feel like you have to build new friendships over and over again,” she said.
Because of that, she had to constantly put herself out there to meet new people, she added.
For almost a year after they arrived in Bali, Rose said they were so caught up in trying to settle down into their new lives that they weren’t able to make any new friends.
“I was like, ‘Oh, it’s too hard. I tried three times, and it just didn’t work out.’ I could have given up on it, but I didn’t. It takes time,” Rose said. “Without being vulnerable and open, it’s just going to be difficult.”
The couple says that Facebook Groups have been a great way to meet new people.
“I sometimes put up a post saying ‘Hey, if you have similar interests, I’d love to meet up at this restaurant.’ People turn up, and we’ll all have lunch together,” Rose said.
The couple also attends events, which they find through Nomeo, an online platform that allows people to set up events for activities they’re passionate about.
“It could be a meet-up for female entrepreneurs, or even for a day of fun at the beach. There are multiple events happening daily, and you just show up,” Rose said.
3. Things in Bali can be as cheap or as expensive as you’d like
There’s a common refrain that things in Bali are cheap — and that’s not necessarily true, Rose said.
“Coming from Malaysia, it is extremely expensive,” she said. “Especially for rent, if you haven’t got a budget in mind, it can balloon, and you’ll end up spending more than you think.” The budget the couple had originally set had to be raised by a few hundred dollars after they realized it was too low.
Real estate prices have spiked in Bali ever since Bali’s borders reopened after the pandemic. According to the latest April data from the Indonesian real-estate platform Rumah123, Denpasar — the capital city of Bali — saw a 17% increase in housing prices year-on-year.
While rent still forms the largest portion of their expenditures, Rose says that there are still many affordable food options, especially if they eat local fare.
A plate of nasi goreng — a traditional fried rice dish — can cost less than $2 at local shops. But with the influx of high-end restaurants, even the price of that dish has been spotted on a menu for over $150, per The Bali Sun.
“So, lifestyle-wise, depending on what you choose, the beauty of Bali is that you have options to meet every budget,” she said.
Areas popular with tourists, such as Seminyak and Canggu tend to be pricier than other parts of the island.
“It depends on where you’re living on the island and what you expect out of it, and this applies to gyms and even homes. You can get all the amenities you desire, but you have to be ready to pay for it,” she said.
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