mbernier
with my wife and daughter (11 yrs old). We're Canadian but have been living abroad for many years.
I've been in Bali before on vacation for about a month.
My questions to those who have already made the move are:
Was it worth it?
If you had to take the decision again, would you still go?
I realize it's problably been asked before but since it's one of those that time can affect the answer. Of course any comments about difficulties encountered or planning must would be welcomed.
mbernier
Thanks. Will be more than happy to meet once I make it there. Currently considering going over the holiday period to start making preparation.
I'm in a very similiar situation as I'm in Cyprus for business and been here 2.5 yrs. Contract that requires my presence here is finishing (although dragging). Don't have the winter problem but being from Quebec, Canada I know what you mean and even Cyprus is too cold for my taste. Was considering south of Spain but cost of living in warm part of Europe is becoming absurdly high. Beside I much prefer the asian mentality.
Nige
Great
I arrive 9 Jan, currently top of the short list is a house in Nusa Dua. Let me know your plans. Lets have a Bintang together
froggy
I Prob. would have stayed if it wasn't for the kids..... Do find a place that is fully furnished, we bought everything, then turned around and left soon after, big mistake and frustrating... looking back I would have paid for a nicer fully furnished place..... One child will not be as difficult. search the post for more info, have fun Frog.
BaliLife
any good sources for rental places online? i know nothing will come close to an on the ground search, but i'm finding it rather fragmented searching online and most are geared towards foreigners wanting to rent for $25k US plus per year.. any sites would be appreciated..
ct
Nige
Hi mbernier
I've been to Bali 5 times, fell in love with the place and even got married there, now I’m happily divorced and as my contract is coming to an end I have just booked my ticket to Bali, I have a short list of 4 apartments all for less than 1000 USD a month and some even at 500 USD a month. I love the place, I’m going to be out of work for a week, a month or maybe a year, I don’t know. I just know that it will be cheaper and the climate will be better than being out of work in the UK, especially when I have just spent the last 3 years and 3 very cold winters in Moscow. My longest stint in Bali was a month as a holiday maker, I’m not fooling myself that ‘real’ life will not be the same, the Balinese people plus the support that you will get from this forum will help you make the right choice. Let’s keep each other informed and maybe we can exchange some useful information or some useful links
Pa_Yan
Nige
My short list are all from this site
http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/asia#5005. The replies I have had all quoted less than the adverts !!!!
ronb
Hi mbernier,
We visited Bali many times over 16 years for holidays and always included North Bali as part of the trip. It became our favorite spot. Nearly 12 months ago I retired and we re-located from Sydney to North Bali. It has gone well - and yes, if we had a second chance we would still come here.
Last week we had a week in Malaysia, and were always comparing with Bali in our minds. Malaysia has a better highway and transport systems, more English is spoken which makes it easier for me, but in the end it is the Bali people and the culture that makes this place so special.
You ask about difficulties - there has been nothing major - but plenty of minor challenges in making decisions like whether to hire or buy a car, what staff to employ, and other issues like those discussed in this forum.
I hope it equally easy for you.
balijohn
[quote]Denpasar. I wouldn't settle in Denpasar, unless you like a crowded, polluted environment: it's a mess[quote:1kgbr3kp]
I have lived in Denpasar for quite a few years now and if you ever came to my house - which is a two storey four bedroom with two lving rooms, three bathrooms and internal garage that I pay under USD$2000 per year for _ you would not even know you were in a large city.
There are many beautiful parts of DP and very strategically placed for Sanur and Kuta. It takes me just 10-15 mins to get to Kuta Square.
I would also be happy to meet any newcomers to Bali.[/quote][/quote:1kgbr3kp]
tintin
Nige,
The site from which you picked up your possible rentals is a "vacation" site, aimed at the tourist market (Just look a at how the prices are quoted and also look at the prices!). You are in the wrong market.
My advice is that you should first come to Bali and see for yourself, before you commit yourself on anything, even if you must stay several weeks or months in a small hotel or homestay (where you can negociate a real bargain price for a long stay). Then you'll be able to make the right decision at the right price.
I, for one, would never consider a house in Nusa Dua. Nusa Dua is a tourist enclave, far from the rest of the island, almost a "desert," as far as Bali is concerned. There are several housing communities, very "sanitized," geared toward the expat market (employees of the Nusa Dua hotels), which are also expensive and certainly with no Bali "flavor."
balijohn
OOOPS! quoted myself too :oops:
Sorry
BaliLife
thanks folks for the links.. some interesting places i've enquired about..
ct
Nige
Thanks Tintin
Some of the properties are quoted by the month and I thought 500USD with maid was good, am I mistaken. I have seen a place in Denspesar for 250USD I suspect it won't be very good. I can name it but I am not sure if that’s allowed so I'll wait for a comment from a moderator.
I have always holidayed in Nusa Dua and enjoyed it. I know my new life will not be anything like that, but is it really that bad? Any advice would be appreciated.
I though about Ubud, I think a lot of you guys live there is that right? I just thought that it was a bit far away from the coast. What are the amenities like there? As another one of the houses on the short list is located in that area. I don’t need schools as I will be alone.
Mbernie and I have already exchanged several pm so I know I not hijacking his tread as we are both in the same situation.
tintin
Nige,
- A maid in Bali will cost you about 300,000-400,000/mo, plus food (Balinese diet, which includes mostly rice at Rp5.000 – 8.000/kg).
- Denpasar. I wouldn't settle in Denpasar, unless you like a crowded, polluted environment: it's a mess. Denpasar is fun to visit and shop, that's all.
- When I work in Bali, I commute on my motorcycle, from Ubud to Sanur, in about 20 minutes.
- Where you want to be is a matter of taste and life-style, but personally, I don't see how someone could enjoy the Nusa Dua environment on a full time basis. It is not "really that bad," just that, for my own taste, if one is going live in Bali full time, I don't think it's the place. I assume when you were vacationing in Nusa Dua, you were staying in one of the 4* hotels?
- I don't live near Ubud on a full time basis, but you are right that there is a relatively large expat community there. There are many more expats in Seminyak-Krobokan-Canggu area (on the coast). If you need to party, that's the place to be, if you need a much quieter environment, Ubud, and really quiet, the East Coast or North Coast.
JenPen
Hi, reading with interest your post. I am also moving to Bali in April next year- with 2 children 11 & 8 yrs old and my husband!!. Currently wading thru the visa , housing, school organisation, so will probably post lots of questions soon :lol:
BaliLife
i'm heading there without a kitas and will apply from within..
ct
JenPen
Hi BaliLife - are you going in on a one way ticket? We are and not sure if this will be okay. We are going to try and get Social visa before going.
BaliLife
no because the flight is in from singapore, so there's little point, as i need to travel to singapore frequently for business..
ct
froggy
jenpen, sometimes the airlines will not give you a one way ticket without a kitas... I tried in Hong kong, i had to buy another (seperate) one way ticket out of bali , which i went to the office in bali and recieved a full refund,,, it wasnt easy getting my $$ back on the same day from the airlines, it was an ordeal...... only a few airlines offer a full refund, you have to pay full fare with no discounts,,,,, now if you can get a one way- you will slip your friendly airport entry personel a few $$ when he stamps your passport, assuming he even ask for a return ticket!! its no big deal once your there, the guys at theairport are more than willing to accomodate you, even if you want to stay longer,,, they are friendly and there to help you, really.... enjoy Frog
