Need help in making a travel decision

[Roslyn]

Hi

I have only recently joined this forum, and I've not been able to spend enough time reading all the fantastic information that is here....but thought I'd throw a couple of questions out anyway....

I am Australian and living in the middle east. I've been given an excellent opportunity to come and work in Bali which I am very excited about! :D My husband and I are coming down over the next few weeks to check things out (as I'm sure things have changed a fair bit since a 7 day holiday back in '01)

Living in the middle east has opened our eyes to another side of the world, so we can deal with maniac drivers and language barriers, heat and bizarre weather, lots of red tape when trying to get things done and the good old "yes no problem"....meaning "no" or "maybe". :roll:

Apart from 'googling' Bali and going around in circles with tourist sites, are there any other good websites that will give us a look at the real expat life there? Or can anyone point me in the right direction for correct and up to date information?

Thanks very much!

[Sanurian]

Hi Roslyn

What information are you looking for?
There's a strong chance that you'll find it here.

:D

[Bert Vierstra]

What kind of expat life are you looking for?

There is "Ku de Ta", ( http://www.kudeta.net/ ) I don't think many of the people here go there, but you find expat life there...

And of course there is http://www.expat.or.id/

But, like Sanurian, I hope you ask your questions here, its not the intention of this forum to tell where the information is, but to be a source of interactive information :D

[Roslyn]

Thanks for the info...I will definately ask questions here!

I have read in another thread that unless you are a teacher, employment is pretty much impossible to get....is that true? My husband will be coming over without a job. We don't have any kids yet and he's not really the 'housewife' type! :) He's in the baking industry if that helps.

[Bert Vierstra]

There are always opportunities for creative and hard working people.... But just don't expect a 9-5 job offer.... Create you own job...

Hmmm the baking industry.....

Probably in the south (and Ubud) there are already good bakeries, and in Lovina we can find some good bread too, but there must be a baking niche somewhere ;)

[Bert Vierstra]

BTW what are you going to do?

[DCC]

Hey Roz

Bert's reccomendation of expat.or.id is good for nuts and bolts info, for some editorial try EscapeArtist.com - go there and search under Country Profiles - hit Nations Listed By Country (ignore the double reference :-)) then hit Bali. Yes it's listed as it's own country! Enjoy.

[DCC]

OOOPS it's under Indonesia now - that's prgress!

[Roslyn]

Hi

Thanks for the info again. So there's no shortage of good bread then? Nothing anyone is craving from home? I know here in the middle east you can't get a loaf to last more than a day without mould or it going crusty, so my husband has played a part in changing ingredients/sourcing new flour etc etc As for creating his own job...he might look into some of his other passions....water sports! As for me, (if everything falls into place) I'll be working in the pearling industry.

DCC-I actually started my search at escapeartist, but thanks!

[Roslyn]

Ok, after reading an overwhelming amount of information on this forum I have an interesting question...

What is the reason that makes most expats leave Bali? Apart from outside influences like better jobs at their home countries or family reasons....is there anything in the lifestyle of Bali that pushes people away??

Don't let this question imply I'm a negative person :) ...the info on this forum is fantastic and full of positive aspects of living in Bali and I'm really looking forward to a beautiful cultural move into a fantastic country!