Finding a house in Ubud area

[Carol]

I’m planning to arrive in Bali in April or May. I’m hoping to spend six months to a year. I’m looking for suggestions for the best way to find a small house to rent during my stay.

So far I’ve been told about the Bali Advertiser, Casa Luna bulletin board, ask around, word of mouth etc. Does anyone have any other ideas for the most effective way to house hunt. I’ve been offered a couple of different houses, which seem fairly well priced at US $250 per month for a long-term agreement. The major draw back on both houses was the seeming isolation and distance out of Ubud, which would require rather long bemo rides to commute to central Ubud or other areas around Ubud. At any rate, I would rather see the house and its location before I commit to renting it. I’ve been told there are quite a few houses for rent so perhaps I will be fortunate in finding the perfect spot for myself.

Anyone have any great or even not so great ideas? Thanks for any and all assistance.

Carol

(empty)

[pongken]

I have been renting houses (for myself) in the Ubud area for the last 15 years, so maybe I can help. If both of you (Carol and DriVer) would be more specific on what you want, I can probably point you in the right direction.

Budget?
Distance to Ubud?
Desired mode of transportation?
Necessities? (like electricity, hot water shower, bathtub)
Amenities? (like a ricefield view, garden (in U.S. English, "yard") quiet)
Luxuries? ( like swimming pool, aircon)

Ken

[pongken]

There are not that many free-standing houses to rent in the Ubud area, but more have been built recently.

Some facts:

*Long term rent = great deals
*Simple accommodation is easier to find.
*Bicycle transportation is cheap and easy (bring your own bike as checked-on luggage)
*The further you are from Ubud center, the cheaper the rent.
*Rock bottom rent if you live in a Balinese home compound
*Generally kitchens are too small and bathrooms are too big

Ken

[Roy]

And the real concern, from your point of view anyway, should be safety. That wonderful bungalow, nestled so quietly in the middle of a sawah may be enticing to the point of intoxication, but I guarantee you, you will be robbed. Your privacy will be something you have to pay a great deal for, but then again, how private is your privacy when you wake up at 3 AM to find three men in your room deciding what to take? Your lap top, your shoes for their wives or girl friends, of course any money, and even your clothes! They may not hurt you, and normally they don’t, but you’ll never feel safe again in Bali. I’m not being dramatic. This is fact, and it is an almost daily occurrence. It has become “soup de jour” around here.

Alternatives? YES. Most assuredly there are alternatives, and safe ones. One is to take a long term (in months anyway) lease at any of the numerous bungalow villages that abound, and surround Ubud. The other is to move into a village, a Banjar, and rent a house surrounded by the village. Less privacy in this case, but a whole lot more security.

Sorry to be blunt, but this “pie eyed, bushy tailed” infatuation with Bali has rendered WAY too many a wayward lassie to tears and heartbreak. Ken may agree or disagree with me, but the fact is, we both mutually know way too many ladies that what I describe has been their “lot” on Bali. Key word: Hati, hati!

[pongken]

Roy is right, but he lives up on the ridge with the rich folk. Better pickin's up there for the thieves. It is difficult access for a bicycle up there, so I wouldn't live there. I'm a south of Ubud guy myself. Give me the lowlands any day. Some thievery down there too, but nothing like the ridge.

Don't freak out with Roy's warning, though. The Balinese are not generally thieves, though they do have a pretty loose concept of ownership. You didn't need that stuff anyway....

Ken

(empty)

[pongken]

DrivEr,

I know dedicated surfers who come to Ubud for a break. I could introduce them to you, otherwise I am useless to you.

I am an Ubudian!

Ken

[Carol]

Good to have all this input relative to the upcoming great Ubud house hunt.

I have been to Bali four times over the past 14 years and I’ve always felt safe there, whether alone or with someone else. Obviously things have changed everywhere Bali included. I didn’t realize that robberies have become nearly a daily occurrence. I don’t want to be paranoid about it but I also don’t want to be stupid. It sounds like a few precautions can go along way to feeling safe for a single woman.

I like your suggestion Roy, one I’ve already given consideration, of being in a bungalow village, a family type compound if the dwelling is separate, or surrounded by a village. I’m a person who appreciates my privacy but I like being sociable too. Having people around is welcome, but a certain amount of quiet would be optimum but I really do want to feel secure.

Ken, I’m hoping to find a place for about US $250 per month. This should include utilities and have what is necessary to function i.e. furniture, kitchen with refrigerator, dishes and utensils, a few linens etc. A shower, bathtub, hot water a must. I admit to being a bit on the picky side, not for a fancy environment but one in good condition and very clean. I hope I am being realistic. I’m interested in renting for at least six months, maybe longer. I will be depending on public transport so access to a bemo route would be necessary.

I don’t think it’s a good idea to try to find a house until I’m actually there. Much will depend on the vibe of the house and the people I will need to negotiate with and live around. I just thought I would throw out the question about housing and get some opinions from those who have gone before me and are willing to share their experience.

Assuming you are me, you arrive in Ubud with a temporary place to stay. What would be your plan to begin your search for a place to live?

Thanks for the help and encouragement.

Hey Roy, I loved the photo of your wife and your boys. Sweet.

Carol

[Roy]

Hey Ken, you’ve got me confused with someone else. I don’t live on the ridge, that’s the village of Sayan, but you’re right, that is definitely upscale living. Robberies are rare there, but having said that, just a few weeks ago a single woman who lives there was robbed during the night. Since most expats who live there pay a rather healthy annual fee to the banjar, the villagers are keen on taking good care of their tamus, so as I say, robberies there are rare.

I live in Bunutan which is just north of Kedewatan. I live in the village in a house built by my brother in law. Bunutan is a great little village with great people, and thus far, we’ve never had any problems. Then again, I am the first Tamu to ever live here, and since I moved here, there has been only one other Tamu. Since we are both married to a Balinese from this village, that probably has a lot to enhance our security.

Ken, I think you’ll agree that the most vulnerable areas of Ubud with regards to robberies is Penestanan and Campuan.

Carol, when you get to Ubud, a good place to make yourself known right off would be Naughty Nuri’s Warung. This expat hangout is located directly across from the Neka Museum. There is a bulletin board there where expats often post regarding house rentals, etc. It is not unusual that a long time expat is going to leave Bali for a number of months. Often they are looking for just a person as yourself, someone to “house sit” in a manner of speaking. Introduce yourself to Brian, or his wife Nuri and make your intentions known to them. A lot of what happens relative to real estate rentals in the Ubud area is done by networking and word of mouth. Good luck. I’m sure Ken will have some great ideas for you.

PS, the best time to make an “appearance” at Nuri’s is on Thursday night, aka, tuna night.

PPS, Carol, thanks for the compliment re Eri and our boys. Thank God they get their looks from their mom! :D