Embark on a smooth transition to the enchanting island of Bali with our top tips specially curated to make your move hassle-free. Here, you will find our collection of top tips specifically curated to guide you through the process of relocating to Bali.
Please keep in mind that the following insights and information are based on our own personal experiences. It is crucial for you to conduct your own research and make informed decisions that are best suited for you and your family.
Why Bali?
While Bali may not be a perfect fit for everyone, it has the potential to be a truly enchanting destination for relocation. Embark on your journey to Bali, where the best of all worlds converge: outstanding schools, opportunities for travel (when circumstances permit), a thriving wellness business landscape, delectable cuisine, breathtaking beaches, and majestic mountains. While there are a few downsides, such as villa prices, mosquitoes, and the absence of snow, the positives far outweigh them.
People come to Bali for various reasons, seeking a transformative lifestyle change away from the monotony of their home countries or corporate jobs. This diverse group includes digital nomads, cryptocurrency enthusiasts, career breakers, expats in search of alternative education for their children, and those pursuing health and healing. The pandemic has also influenced the types of individuals now considering a relocation to Bali.
Bali, known as the Island of the Gods, possesses a spiritual allure. The locals are warm and hospitable, practicing a vibrant Hindu religion immersed in intricate ceremonies and tight-knit communities. The island offers a harmonious blend of pristine beaches, lush jungles, and awe-inspiring mountains. Rest assured, Bali caters to every budget, from the ultra-wealthy to budget-conscious backpackers. Indulge in an array of culinary delights, experience vibrant beach clubs, and embrace the surf culture that permeates the island.
Navigating the initial weeks in Bali can be challenging, as with any relocation. Finding the perfect villa, selecting the right school, and adjusting to life here can leave you feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. Below, you'll find a brief list of considerations to ponder. Should you have further inquiries, feel free to reach out to me directly for more comprehensive information and guidance.
Finding a Home
Contrary to popular belief, renting a villa in Bali is not necessarily cheap. While affordable options are available, many of the lower-priced villas may not be suitable for long-term stays. Issues such as water damage, dampness, flooding during the rainy season, and discrepancies between aesthetically pleasing online photos and the actual condition of the property are common challenges. Additionally, due to the pandemic, the market has limited stock for long-term rentals.
Finding the right villa in Bali can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience. Agents tend to offer the same properties for rent, lacking exclusivity and adding to the challenges of navigation. Personal experiences highlight the unpredictability of the rental process, as even with careful planning, unforeseen circumstances such as property sales can lead to unexpected moves.
Location
Choosing the right location for your stay is crucial, so it is highly recommended that you consider a short-term villa rental (1-3 months) upon your arrival. It's important to note that if you have children attending school, proximity to the school should not be the sole determining factor when selecting a villa.
Popular areas where people typically stay in Bali include Canggu, Berawa, Pererenan, Sanur, and Ubud. However, with numerous options available, it's essential not to rush into a decision. Take your time to explore different areas and find the one that best suits your needs and preferences.
Schools
Green School is not for every child, and there are many great options on the island. Some parents have decided to send their children to different schools depending on their learning styles and needs. The schools range from kindergarten up to high school, and obviously proximity to where we are going to live is important. We should do our research, meet the teachers, and not be pressured by waitlists and marketing! We should be prepared to change if it's not working for our child.
In terms of the Green School, everyone asks us what the academics are like, and that's tricky for us to answer as we have nothing to compare them to! Our children are in middle school, grade 6, and grade 8, and we don't know what those years are like in a different school. My husband and I wanted to give our children a different school experience than the ones we had. We feel that experiential learning, project management, and problem-solving are more important skills to have, and we believe our children are getting that at Green School.
Children's Activities
There are MANY creative and physical activities for our kids on the island, but if they want to excel in a particular sport (excluding surfing), we might want to consider a different place to locate. Our kids do horse riding, surfing, swimming, and scuba diving. They used to enjoy painting, pottery, and silver jewelry making but are currently pursuing more sporting activities.
There are many other options, so we'll just share a few: tennis, football, acro/circus, motocross, archery, painting, pottery, jewelry making, trampoline, art (various mediums), girls & boys groups (for support in navigating tweens/teens), yoga, volleyball, badminton, skating, dungeon and dragons, theatre, dance, the list goes on. There are also many holiday camps available, either daily or residential, for us to explore.
Adult Activities
Bali offers a vibrant array of activities for adults, catering to a wide range of interests and lifestyles. For those inclined towards wellness and fitness, the island boasts numerous yoga studios, fitness centers, and holistic healing retreats. Surfing remains a popular pastime, with lessons and rentals available along the stunning coastlines. Food enthusiasts can indulge in cooking classes, wine tastings, and gourmet dining experiences at top-notch restaurants. The art scene is thriving, with various workshops in painting, pottery, and traditional crafts. Adventure seekers can explore hiking trails, waterfalls, ATVs and diving spots, while nightlife aficionados will find an exciting array of bars, clubs, and beach parties to enjoy. Whether you're looking for relaxation or excitement, Bali has something for everyone.
Health Services
Hospitals
Based on personal experience, we have had excellent encounters with competent and trustworthy doctors in Bali. Even my mother expressed satisfaction with her hospital experience. Many children from Green School have received prompt medical attention, with doctors skillfully stitching, gluing, and restoring their well-being.
While there may be a few unfortunate stories, it is important to note that such incidents can occur in any country, including the UK and other Western nations. Accessing medical care is convenient with various medical centers scattered across the island, and some doctors even offer house calls.
Health Insurance
Navigating health insurance in Bali can be a bit challenging. It is advisable to maintain coverage from your home country if possible. In our case, since Bali has become our new home, we have opted for basic coverage that includes hospitalization and emergency services. Insurance policies can range from $2000 USD to $10,000 and beyond, so it's essential to assess your specific needs and budget when selecting a policy.
Personal Health and Healing
There are a range of holistic healers and healing options in Bali including Reiki (of course), acupuncture, intuitive massage, access bars, breathwork, Chinese medicine, osteopaths, Ayurvedic treatments, Balinese priestess/monk healer, counselors, ecstasy dance, Kirtan, and coaches for every need.
We have retreats, rehabs, detox centers, and some fantastic gyms and yoga studios. Many centers offer cacao (plant medicine) ceremonies, training across various modalities, as well as regular classes. We often joke about becoming spiritual junkies because there are just so many amazing practices on offer. It is easy for us to fill our week with events and sessions and never get any work done!
Visa Options
We can't stress the importance of using a reputable Visa agency. We should tread very carefully as we can get ourselves into some sticky situations if we trust the wrong person. In this instance, the saying, "you pay for what you get" can often ring true. We personally got ripped off when setting up our PMA (company) by choosing cheaper options. We also have a close friend who had a nightmare with someone offering to organize their KITAS visas for them, which led to passports going missing, months of overstaying bills, and heaps of worry and stress.
Currently, our kids have their "KITAS visa school" and "Ganesha visa," and there are only a couple of other companies we personally recommend. Please message us directly for an introduction.
Our journey in Bali has led us to embark on the exciting endeavor of building our own villa. If you are in search of a home in Bali, feel free to reach out to us. We have compiled helpful checklists for renting, buying, and purchasing land, and we are more than happy to share our insights to help ease the process.
Get in touch:
Explore rentals and sales through the following:
CLICK HERE TO SEARCH BY MAP
CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR PROPERTY ALERT WA
📷 IG: @navigate.bali
📘 FB: @navigate.bali
🌐 Website: navigate-bali.com
Comments