ETA 27th June

IanR

spicyayam

I think you might like Sanur. It should tick most of the boxes for what you described. Up until recently, I have been living in Jimbaran and it is also a nice area and it is quite underrated in my opinion.

AuroraB

I'm arriving in Bali to live for some time towards the end of June 2022. I was planning on heading to Canggu but just seen the thread with the video of the dude talking about it and I think I need to reconsider.So, I am hoping for a steer from some of you.This is me >I am a Scottish man, 56 but still feel young (ish). I've lived in Edinburgh, Delhi India, Sweden and leaving from London now.Just separated from my (Norwegian) wife. We were heading to Bali together with our 12 YO daughter but she has decided that was not a good idea and is heading to Mumbai instead.We own our company and while I would not describe myself as loaded, money is not an issue.I would like to improve an already reasonable healthy lifestyle by more exercise and outdoor activities.Meeting people, the right people, will be high on my priority list when I arrive.I guess the right people will not be backpackers, under 30's or those who have given up on life.I want to be close to nice restaurants and live music but far enough away to not be kept awake all night. A nice restaurant for me will serve fish and veg, with good spices. Japanese, Italian and Indian are also appreciated. What I consider nice other than the food > I don't need a linen table cloth but don't like plastic seats.I've been to Bali a few times on vacation, with 1 month the longest stay, so I have a reasonable grasp of the areas.The plan is to get a hotel for a week, to find a villa for a month, to find where I want to live for the first year.I'm bracing myself for the inevitable cheek but also hope for some constructive suggestions.Thanks, Ia[/QUOTE]Hi there,I live in Sanur due to proximity to a good standard school (Bali Island School). Some of my mental notes after 18 months in Sanur:> East side Jl. Bypass is beachside tourist zone: Entertainment venues like bars, karaoke, are basically allowed anywhere. Beach clubs and outdoor scenes are allowed. [edited based on SamD comment. tx]> West side Jl. Bypass is into local residential / small business area which means regular smoke from burning trash, roosters, motorbikes etc. [edited based on SamD comment. tx]> Along Jl. Bypass: Entertainment like night clubs are allowed.Positives:+ Less popular with backpackers+ 25 min to airport+ Close to Denpasar city with shops, gov offices and good clinics and hospitals+ Jogging / bike track along 5-6 km beach+ Import food supermarket (Grand Lucky)+ Readily available high speed fiber optic internet+ Bali Island School yr 1-12 has a good reputation+ Easy access to Ubud and North East Bali, Nusa LembonganNegatives:- There are quiet spots both sides of Jl. Bypass in Sanur, but watch out for villas located near nightclubs, karaoke, bars, restaurants in the area. Even 200m away from a nightclub can be a problem when standard volume setting is 11! > avoid central part Jl Sekuta (westside Jl Bypass) due to Black Mamba nightclub > avoid proximity to main tourist streets like Jl. Danau Tamblingan, Jl. Danau Poso due to noise, same with Jl. Bypass due to noise > avoid area near major construction sites (Bali beach golf course and Icon Bali) > avoid areas near major outdoor (stadium) venues (Mertasari beach, Matahari Terbit beach) > before commit to long term rental/lease: Check out area at evening/nights during weekends to avoid surprises. Rent for 1-2 weeks first to check it out. Ask local people around about any noise or other problems. > You can search this form for 'noise' OR 'sanur' for more details- Limited supply of modern style villas with western standard kitchen, storage room, closed garage etc. Mostly target short term rental market.- Quite expensive rental, lease due to high land prices. Many villas are in poor condition (need renovation).- Well water often needs filtering due to salt content.- Beach can be crowded and is not really suitable for swimming- Jl. Bypass is plain dangerous road: Risky to cross on foot or bike.In summary Sanur is not exactly a my definition of a tropical paradise, but convenient and necessary due to school. I have stayed in generally more quiet and greener locations in Jakarta!

IanR

Thank you both. I have decided to spend more time living for a few days in multiple locations with an expat hat on rather than the tourist hat I had with previous visits.During previous visits, I had a good feeling in Candidasa; any thoughts on that?

SamD

Pretty much concur with AuroraB on Sanur except I think he has got his West mixed up with his East. Sanur Beach and the main tourist areas are on the east, side of the bypass. Sanur heachwalk is a good place for a run in the early morning or late evening. I pretty much had the place to myself during Covid. If you hate noise, then Bali isn't the place for you unless you can adapt like I learned. Noise is everywhere here, just enjoy the quiet times. Bali has assigned a special day for that called Nyepi but they forgot to tell the dogs. Candi Dasa is OK as a pit stop on the way to Amed. I was there one week ago, it was dead. Some nice places to visit, but living there? Not for me but each to his own. On the bike, it is about 1.5 hours from Sanur. If I could afford it, I would stay beachside in Legian/Seminyak. I just like the area, the beach is better than Sanur and you are close to everything. I lived there for a year, found a great house at an amazing price, but next door was a holiday rental and the all night parties,even during Covid19, got too much for me. Sanur was a good compromise. But it wasn't nicknamed Snore for nothing.

IanR

Pretty much concur with AuroraB on Sanur except I think he has got his West mixed up with his East. Sanur Beach and the main tourist areas are on the east, side of the bypass. Sanur heachwalk is a good place for a run in the early morning or late evening. I pretty much had the place to myself during Covid.If you hate noise, then Bali isn't the place for you unless you can adapt like I learned. Noise is everywhere here, just enjoy the quiet times. Bali has assigned a special day for that called Nyepi but they forgot to tell the dogs.Candi Dasa is OK as a pit stop on the way to Amed. I was there one week ago, it was dead. Some nice places to visit, but living there? Not for me but each to his own. On the bike, it is about 1.5 hours from Sanur.If I could afford it, I would stay beachside in Legian/Seminyak. I just like the area, the beach is better than Sanur and you are close to everything. I lived there for a year, found a great house at an amazing price, but next door was a holiday rental and the all night parties,even during Covid19, got too much for me. Sanur was a good compromise. But it wasn't nicknamed Snore for nothing.[/QUOTE]I really liked the north end of Seminyak when I was there in 2019 so may base myself there to start with. I live in central London just now and when I say I dont like noise, I just want to avoid being awake all night with a rave next door. I really don't want to live in the jungle on my own.

Markit

As someone that does "live in the jungle on his own" I can highly recommend it - you have your peace and quiet as default and if you want some life you know where to go and get it. Trust me anywhere in the above named places you choose you'll get annoyed by the noise, it's a given and the reason most of the sensible people other than SamD live elsewhere. Sanur is ok but a bit "OAP Ozzy" drinking "piss" all day in a titty bar and complaining about how "shit" it all is. Give Candi Dasa a real chance and yes it was dead a week ago but most of the restos and music locals are just opening up after the pandemic. If you want some insider tips on East Bali just drop me a line here. Steer clear of the south whatever you do.

IanR

britoo

I really liked the north end of Seminyak when I was there in 2019 so may base myself there to start with. I live in central London just now and when I say I dont like noise, I just want to avoid being awake all night with a rave next door. I really don't want to live in the jungle on my own.[/QUOTE]based on your original email along the theme of drawn to Canggu but not the people who stay there ... you might want to take a look at Cemagi or even Kedungu as these areas are becoming popular with Canggu refugees and more thoughtful folk yearning for the Canggu of old but driven away by the yahoos. They certainly deliver the things on your check-list, only problem being you likely have no more than a 5 year window before the green is converted to concrete and they go the way of canngu before.I would also concur with everything that's been said about Sanur and while I dont live there I visit a couple of times a week for cycling, walking, live music, dining and enjoying the beach. I would also add from observation Sanur seems to be evolving more thoughtfully and better paced compared to the North Kuta area which is frankly the wild west when it comes to development and this really matters when you have a 10+ year perspective.We departed Canggu in 2018 when our green ricefield surroundings quite unlawfully (green belt land) vanished in a puke puddle of concrete, our neighbour built a party house with the sound system outside - while making our boundary wall his retaining wall after raising the land - and our dead end-road became a major shortcut by traffic volume but not by infrastructure.I also concur with Sam, the area from Padma up past Semniayak feels quite enjoyable now the yahoos have departed. Its just a bit too concrete for my taste but you have everything. Its also fairly stable now as its already mostly developed and I am quite interested to see what will happen down there now the puking childen have made their way up to the "Gu".Only worry is it may become an enclave exclusive to Chinese and domestic travellers (nothing against them) who crave proximity to the airport, the mall, designer shops and VIP clubs but who knows it could gentrify now its party days have faded somewhat.Thats my 10c

SamD

I just prefer to live in the South where it is a bit hectic and take my R&R in places like Amed rather than the other way around. I lived in remote places in Australia for 25+ years and had enough of it. Peace and quiet can be overrated. Having said that, the only real noise I put up with are my neighbour's dogs during the day. Never had a sleepless night here in Sanur because of noise. Maybe just lucky.Markit, where are the "titty bars" in Sanur? I've never found one. It interests me strangely.

SamD

Markit

I just prefer to live in the South where it is a bit hectic and take my R&R in places like Amed rather than the other way around. I lived in remote places in Australia for 25+ years and had enough of it. Peace and quiet can be overrated.Having said that, the only real noise I put up with are my neighbour's dogs during the day. Never had a sleepless night here in Sanur because of noise. Maybe just lucky.Markit, where are the "titty bars" in Sanur? I've never found one. It interests me strangely.[/QUOTE]Try "My Bar" or just up the street towards DPS on the right turn lane, many down there. I've heard...

Balifrog

Sanur is a good ompromise for somebody a bit "old"Plenty restaurants, music bars and good supermarkets.I am 69 so no more disco every night for me.....

PERtoDPS

+1 for Sanur, everyone has pretty much listed my reason above. Also agree it's not perfect these days however as close a mix of city and relaxed life as you can get. My partner stays in Candidasa while I'm away, as Mark IT said all the main stuff seems to re-open though overall still too sleepy and quiet for me.I'm starting to miss Bali a little as the winter kicks in here.

spicyayam

Markit

Well, I am back in Melbourne now and it is freezing. It is nice to see family here but I miss Bali so much.[/QUOTE]Is this the reported "permanent" move? Did you manage to flog this forum?

PERtoDPS

Well, I am back in Melbourne now and it is freezing. It is nice to see family here but I miss Bali so much.[/QUOTE]Yes my friend, the "real winter" part of winter kicked in here in Sydney about a week ago too and I've had some very early morning starts at work, sometimes working outdoors. After nearly 2 years in the tropics most certainly feeling that. It's different isn't it? I must admit when my Mrs talks of visiting here I don't think I'll plan it to be in a winter period!

spicyayam

Is this the reported "permanent" move? Did you manage to flog this forum?[/QUOTE]Yes and yes.

Markit

Yes and yes.[/QUOTE]As I was around at the beginning of your Bali sojourn I have to admit to a certain sadness at the passing of, dare I say it, an era. Pictures from a forum get together in 2010. We were all much younger and prettier then. [ATTACH type="full"]3636[/ATTACH][ATTACH type="full"]3635[/ATTACH]

Markit

Seems like it would be common courtesy for the new owner(s) to introduce themselves too?