Not knowing how many time you've been to Bali, your experiencies:
1. Avoid the south
2. Once you find an area you think you like rent for a few months, you then can go elsewhere if not to your liking.
3. You CAN NOT own property, no way no how.
4. No matter what people tell you you can not own property.
5. Learn the language and respect ceremonies customs of the village you choose to live near.
Sherm, you forgot to add some important advice.
Smile a lot. And show adult to adult respect. Both are important and they will garner you secondary support, especially in your village.
I agree to avoid the south. It's always there to visit but why have to put up with it 24 * 7.
The north is too cheap so it's worth buying here.
The east - your choice. Lots of bule are there already but check the weather history for wind, etc. The people who live there seem to like it.
The west - apparently good surfing. But that main road is a total pain in the tush.
The mountains - yes, cooler climates and better fruit/veges and basically the mountains are 'central' to the island. But you'll always have to travel to anywhere. I had a small orange or mandarine on the roadside there once and it was really nice.
Avoid anywhere with steep access roads.
On the beachfront is fine but then you will have the kids regularly leering over your fence (that really ticks me off).
Make sure to be within a reasonable distance of a shopping area, otherwise every shopping trip will be an expedition that you really don't need.
Get a big land so your neighbours aren't an armslength away.
The only way to 'own' property is via a 'nameholder agreement'. The way that works is they actually own the land but you have them stitched up with separate contracts.
If you buy a property you must see the original Certificate for the land and the original IMB for the buildings, before you sign anything. Photocopies are worthless.
All contracts in this country must be in the Indonesian language. English-written contracts don't mean anything to the Courts here.
If you buy in the North, use Farida Andriani as the Notary (property conveyancer) - she has a new building on the main road in Singaraja and she is well regarded by many people.
Pay your bills on time.
Electricity by 19th of the month. Or use 'prabayar' - pre-paid.
Water - I don't know as I have a special arrangement.
You cannot rent your villa out if you do not have a full Pondok Wisata. The IMB shows that.
Make sure the Land Tax is paid up to date at settlement.
I wouldn't rent. You are either gonna live here or you aren't.
Be extra careful driving on the roads. It's largely a 'no rules' thing and can be extremely dangerous. One expat here was driving along and a motor bike rider going the other way somehow became airborne in an accident she had nothing to do with. That rider landed on her car. She did the right thing and took him to the hospital. Later, she had to pay damages. Ridiculous.
It's those things that can happen and you have to be firm with everyone involved and say no, or shut up and pay up.
Bali is not a paradise. The beaches are a disgrace. Corruption is at every level. You can buy your way out of trouble. Their mission is to get the money from your pocket into their pocket.
If you can face up to the challenge then you will enjoy 'all of Bali' and it does have wondrous things. To see the children playing and laughing is beautiful. To see a passing parade (ceremony) is culturally interesting with all the finery they wear. To go to the markets and talk to those wonderful women who sell fruit and veges is really satisfying and I'd love to know them a lot more than I do now. To use herbal remedies for things is great. To see there are 2 prices for everything: local and foreigner, is part of a learning curve. To learn to say No and turn to walk away and they call you back with a better price is joyous. To tell some a$$hole on the beach to f off is dangerous but salutational. (I have done that way too many times and am glad I haven't been knifed yet). To give some money to someone who really is in need is humbling and good for your soul. But the best part is having a laugh and smiles with the Balinese - they love it. They also love to gossip so if you tell them some gossip they love that. And if you ask they will tell you what the people in the house 2 or 3 doors away are doing.
And you can get peace and quiet if that is what you want. That's what I do but I know it's not what everyone wants.
There, that's almost 1% of what you will end up learning. The other 99% is up to you.
Learning the language is really satisfying. And, after a while, you notice different pronunciations among the locals.
In the North, they speak Balinese. They know Indonesian because they have picked it up. But in their homes it is regional Balinese.
