So we're moving to Bali - questions, questions . . . . .

[imported_MikePage]

Hi Guys,

So barring any unforeseen hitches, my wife, my two boys and I look like moving to Bali for at least a year in May/June. Very exciting for all!

But we are now drowning in dumb newbie questions. If I can prevail on some of you experienced expats to answer some questions (that you have doubtless answered a million times before - sorry!), we would appreciate it greatly (and will happily buy you a beer when we get there!)

Apologies in advance if they are too basic.
1. I will work in Tuban, and the kids will school in Seminyak. We want to live somewhere a little away from the tourist traps, but be close enough to visit shops and so on. On the beach is not necessary, but walking distance would be nice. 3-4 bedrooms, h/w, telephone and pool would be good. From here, Seminyak and Sanur look like reasonably nice places to live (we are lucky to have a decent accomodation budget). Any comments on these two places? Better to negotiate a yearly upfront rental once we get there, rather than over the internet?
2. My wife and I both drive here in Australia, but we are getting mixed signals on whether we should drive in Bali or just hire a driver. There are some real horror stories out there about Bali driving, accidents etc. Is this just to "scare the horses" or is it really better not to drive? Either way we'll have to lease a car I guess (Kijang?). We have heard prices ranging from Rp.2-4 million per month for a late model - sound reasonable?
3. Is it customary/wise to have staff (maid, driver/gardener)? Are they easy to locate and recruit? What is reasonable monthly salary for English speaking staff of this type (obviously there will be a range here, but ballpark would be useful)?
4. Looks like water delivery is pretty much mandatory - is that right? Is it easily arranged?

No doubt there will be more questions with time, but that's a good start.

Thanks for all of your help.

Cheers

Mike

[jill]

Hi Mike

i'll be moving at about the same time from NZ

I have rented an apartment fully furn, for 2.5 mill rp a month to start with, while I find a year contract & give me time to buy bits that I need ... this price is about normal, includes power & staff ,
3 bdr, with air con etc, only 10 min drive fron kuta legian area

if I want this place for a year it's cheaper

the driving not that bad ,no car rage in Bali. Just learn to merge & honk a lot ...

I'm sure the others will be able to help with lots on here. They have been & still are a great help to me

good luck, Jill

[Roy]

Hi Mike, and welcome. On this forum, you can find thousands of posts made over the years in a cornucopia of subjects. So, a little searching can likely help you out a lot.

You write:

Better to negotiate a yearly upfront rental once we get there, rather than over the internet?

YES! While a year is not a long time, it can be if you chose a really bad situation. While you may be busy at work, let your wife and boys do some "nest hunting."

Driving is a personal decision. Try it out for a short while, then make a more informed decision based on your own driving skills, the risk, etc. Those montly lease numbers you quoted, (for a good late model) sound about right.

The "domestic help" issue is difficult right now, especially where you are thinking of living. Ask your Indonesian/Balinese work related sponsor for some help in this regard. To find really good help on the domestic level, you need to be "connected." Good non English speaking donestic help, like a full time pembantu can run 500K a month, but if fluent in English, a big premium, (or incredible luck) will be involved.

Drinking water, yes. You can get 19 liter bottles delivered for about 10k Rp, but maybe a little more in the "Yak." We are a family of five, (three boys) and even with constant in-law family around, consume about two of these a week.

Are your boys of school age? That's another concern if they are...but then again, for only a year, maybe a year off of formal schooling is not a bad idea either.

Trial an error is a great way to learn about life on Bali. Most important is keeping a very good sense of humor. Your year on Bali will be an adventure, of that there is no doubt...but one all of you will never forget.

[Sanurian]

Welcome Mike Page

Although the distance between between Tuban and Seminyak may not look very much on a map (it isn't), somebody will still have to negotiate the silly traffic conditions around Kuta/Legian/Seminyak.

Driving over here is OK if you're really good, with nerves of steel, and all the rest. It's definitely not for the faint-hearted, timid or inexperienced. And mind you, not every local driver is all that good either.

The kind of place you're looking for will probably cost Rp 70-100 juta (million), or more, depending on location and how big the "pool" is. The way things are at present, prices are extremely negotiable.

If you haven't been here before (and even if you have), you might be surprised by current asking prices for things. Nothing to panic about, just become a hard bargainer (overnight, if necessary).

I wish you all the very best in your job, for your family and your stay here.
:D

[Roy]

Excellent points Sanurian.

And mind you, not every local driver is all that good either.

So very true.

The way things are at present, prices are extremely negotiable.

Sadly, also very true, so Mike's timing is excellent.

[imported_MikePage]

Thanks everyone,

Some really good advice here, I'm sure.

Hi Mike, and welcome. On this forum, you can find thousands of posts made over the years in a cornucopia of subjects. So, a little searching can likely help you out a lot.

Thanks Roy - I'm trawling as fast as I can :)

The "domestic help" issue is difficult right now, especially where you are thinking of living.

Is there something "special" about Seminyak that makes this more difficult?

Are your boys of school age? That's another concern if they are...but then again, for only a year, maybe a year off of formal schooling is not a bad idea either..

I'm sure they'd love your suggestion, but their schooling is already catered for (albeit with a few more holidays than they are used to - I'm sure they'll cope :lol: )

Although the distance between between Tuban and Seminyak may not look very much on a map (it isn't), somebody will still have to negotiate the silly traffic conditions around Kuta/Legian/Seminyak.

Is a daily taxi from Seminyak to work a better idea then? Might prove expesive over time though. Hmmmm . . .

The way things are at present, prices are extremely negotiable.

I assume that means that the Balinese are still suffering economically from a tourism downturn? I had thought that it may have started to pick up again. I'm afraid that a lot of the blame probably goes to Australian media who persist in depicting Bali as though it is a war zone - with the smallest research, clearly NOT the case.

And mind you, not every local driver is all that good either.

:lol: In my experience, bad driving is spread rather evenly across most countries that I've visited - Australia NOT excluded. I guess patience and a bit of common sense goes a long way.

Trial an error is a great way to learn about life on Bali. Most important is keeping a very good sense of humor. Your year on Bali will be an adventure, of that there is no doubt...but one all of you will never forget.

Providing that the errors aren't too critical, I'm happy to learn as we go. We have high expectations of liberally sampling the amazing Balinese culture and carrying back a suitcase of memories. We just desperately want to avoid the "ugly tourist" syndrome, but we may well have to wear the "clueless tourist" tag, at least for a while.

Thanks again for your tips. I'd love to guarantee that I won't have anymore "dumb question" posts, but . . . . .

Cheers

Mike

[Roy]

Hey Mike...don't worry about carrying the "clueless" tag. The Balinese are incredibly patient and understanding, and as for veteran expats...well, they all were "just arrived" once before. Your enthusiasm and excitement seems to jump out of your words. It reminds me of my wide eyed "in a candy store" self years ago.

The only reason I wrote that for you it may be a challenge to find good domestic help is because "the Yak" is fairly built up and there are only so many local village areas to draw on for employees. You are competing with a whole lot of other westerners, so, unless you are going to offer a room for your pembatu to stay, (no commute for her), it may not be easy to find someone who you feel is compatible to your family.

That being said, most pembantus love working in homes where there are kids around...so that is a plus, (as I see things).