How Typical?

Tonypadiowsi

Markit

Welcome and good luck. A good place to start out is Ubud as it's pretty much middle of the island and exposes you to all the extremes there are here (mosquitos, tree-huggers, yoga freaks, good food, expensive everything western, nice locals, colorful surrounds, etc, etc). It's easy to travel from there to the various compass directions and see for your self what's what.

JohnnyCool

Hi Everyone, I am a newbie and I think I qualify as a typical 'expat' wanting to retire in Bali, except I'm not really sure what I am going to focus on here... I'm over 55 with a good pension so I can afford to live here and I qualify for a retirement visa but I don't want to vegetate. I am a PADI diving instructor, I like to do a little drawing and painting, writing, take photographs, and hashing (which takes care of the fitness and beer-drinking!). I am going to rent a room in a villa for a few months and see how things settle and I hope to be able to contribute and learn from this forum.[/QUOTE]Hi Tony and welcome here.You don't [I]need[/I] to vegetate just because you retire. Someone suggested Ubud as a place to "start"I disagree. (I lived in and around Ubud for multiple years some time ago. Over time it seems to have degenerated big time, IMHO in various ways. That's [B][I]not[/I][/B] to say that it's no "good" anymore but I'd hate to go there for the first time these days as a newbie.)A better alternative could be Sanur. Close to beaches, stacks of dive companies, easy to get to Nusa Penida/Lembongan, no shortage of amenities, and a trip to Ubud takes about 45 minutes (maybe 30 minutes to Kuta, Legian, etc, [B]if[/B] you wanted to go there). Same with other locations , like West, East or North Bali destinations. Probably even "cheaper" in Sanur compared to Ubud.After all, you could draw, paint, write, take photographs anywhere (to prevent vegetating). Sanur also has HHH depots. No shortage of yoga/health spas. etc.Feel free to send me a [B]PM[/B], when you can. If you have the time, I'd be happy to meet you in person.

Tonypadiowsi

Hi Tony and welcome here.You don't [I]need[/I] to vegetate just because you retire. Someone suggested Ubud as a place to "start"I disagree. (I lived in and around Ubud for multiple years some time ago. Over time it seems to have degenerated big time, IMHO in various ways. That's [B][I]not[/I][/B] to say that it's no "good" anymore but I'd hate to go there for the first time these days as a newbie.)A better alternative could be Sanur. Close to beaches, stacks of dive companies, easy to get to Nusa Penida/Lembongan, no shortage of amenities, and a trip to Ubud takes about 45 minutes (maybe 30 minutes to Kuta, Legian, etc, [B]if[/B] you wanted to go there). Same with other locations , like West, East or North Bali destinations. Probably even "cheaper" in Sanur compared to Ubud.After all, you could draw, paint, write, take photographs anywhere (to prevent vegetating). Sanur also has HHH depots. No shortage of yoga/health spas. etc.Feel free to send me a [B]PM[/B], when you can. If you have the time, I'd be happy to meet you in person.[/QUOTE]Thanks for the input : )

Markit

My only reason in suggesting Ubud (come on, you'all know I hate it) was because it's central to the island and all 4 corners of the compass and Bali are easily and quickly available. The OP needs to travel and get a feel for the various parts and where he/they will best fit BEFORE deciding to live/rent/buy anywhere.