Bali is undoubtedly one of the most popular places in Indonesia. This is true both for tourists and expatriates. The island does not lack charm, with its welcoming inhabitants, its rich culture, its relaxed atmosphere, its many activities, its gourmet addresses, and its international schools. For several years now, the Island of the Gods has been witnessing exponential development, especially in terms of real estate. There are now many options for those who wish to settle in Bali, from villas to apartments, houses with gardens, duplexes, and more.
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Bali is the ideal land for expats. This goes for single candidates as well as those who move in with their family since nannies and babysitters' fees are very affordable.
Regarding healthcare, the number of hospitals and medical facilities has increased on the island. Be aware, however, that the public healthcare standards in Indonesia are far from being up to Western standards and that medical services in private clinics are quite expensive.
Therefore, make sure that all members of your family are covered by a solid health insurance.
How to choose accommodation in Bali?
Air-conditioning is available in most of the accommodations in Bali. This is an essential feature, namely for expatriates who find it difficult to adapt to the heat and humidity of the country.
Keep in mind, however, that electric power distribution in Bali tends to be somewhat erratic sometimes. For this reason, it might be wise to check whether your future home is equipped with a generator and an inverter. The same goes for the telephone: check for an existing connection, as it can be quite difficult to get a new landline installed in some Balinese areas, namely those far from the major urban centers.
Renting accommodation in Bali
One can easily find accommodation for all budgets in Bali, even for the tightest ones, without necessarily sacrificing comfort or location. The island has many luxury, Western-style apartment complexes, which will allow you to rent a property, for example, before buying on lease. As a matter of fact, according to local laws, foreigners are not entitled to full ownership in Indonesia.
Most apartments are rented with hotel-like services and offer all the necessary modern amenities. For instance, you could already be equipped with cable TV, a shared swimming pool in some cases, along with cleaning services, an Internet connection, and sometimes even cutlery!
If you are on a tight budget, you can always rent a kost. This is a small apartment with one or two rooms arranged around a central courtyard and is often very modest in size, usually more or less than 9 or 10m 2 . In that case, don't be too picky about the location or the amenities and be prepared to borrow or buy furniture, as most of these units are not rented furnished.
Most kost rentals are to be paid on a weekly basis. Otherwise, you will have to pay the full rental fee for one or two years from the moment you sign the rental agreement, just as is the case for other rental contracts in Bali. But you might also be able to negotiate to make monthly payments. Bear in mind that kost rentals start at around IDR 300,000 per week, but most of the time at such price, these accommodations are very poorly maintained.
For basic monthly rental fees, you should expect to spend at least IDR 500,000. Also, be aware that there are luxury kosts that have sprung up all around Bali in recent years. They are more spacious, more comfortable and fully equipped, and are ideal for single expats. They come with air-conditioning, WIFI, TV, bathroom and water heater, as well as common facilities such as a balcony, kitchen and laundry room. The rent revolves around 2 million IDR per month, and in some cases, even more. Meanwhile, the apartments, which are becoming more and more common in Bali, are usually western style. Most are fully equipped and rented with maid service, Wi-Fi and a small pantry included are available as from IDR 6 million (USD 420) and up per month.
As for the high-end villas and estates that Bali is famous for, they usually offer spectacular ocean views and are leased with pools and staff. These units are, in most cases, one to two-story homes and feature an aesthetically pleasing traditional Balinese design. Rental contracts can vary from one night to three years. For a two-bedroom villa with a pool located near the beach in the Canggu area, expect to pay a minimum of IDR 250 million (about US$17,187) per year. For the most luxurious villas, expect to pay over IDR 500,000 million annually. You should also know that not all villas in Bali are available for long-term rentals. Many are reserved for tourists, and rental is payable per night. However, because of the Covid-19 epidemic in Indonesia, which has reduced the number of tourists in Bali as well as elsewhere in the country, some of the tourist-only villas are now available for long-term rentals at more modest prices.
Keep in mind that in Indonesia, in most cases, you will be required to pay for your rental in advance, or at least part of it (usually half), as per the lease duration. For example, for a two-year contract in Canggu, expect to pay at least US$20,000 before you move in.
Since villa prices are quite high, you can opt for villa sharing. This system consists of renting a room within a shared villa. For this option, expect to pay around IDR 6 to 8 million (USD 400 to 550) per month, depending on the size and facilities offered.
Within the last few years, due to the growing popularity of the startup culture and digital nomads in Indonesia, many coworking spaces have sprung up in Bali. Some of them offer accommodation to their members, based on a mode of living space sharing known as coliving.
For example, the Dojo Bali coworking space in Canggu offers accommodation that includes a private room with an en-suite bathroom, daily cleaning service, clean linens, and unlimited work time for USD 1050 to 1350 per month. As for Hub Bali, a coworking space located in the heart of Legian City, it offers 2-bedroom apartments for rent for unlimited time for USD 1,200 per month. This option is perfect for digital nomads who want to be able to live and work quickly once in Bali.
Choosing your neighborhood in Bali
Kuta
Although Kuta is the tourist center of Bali, very few expatriates have chosen to settle there. As a matter of fact, the area is full of souvenir stores and western restaurants that do not particularly reflect the Balinese lifestyle. Due to its touristy nature, Kuta is very crowded and offers little peace and quiet to its few residents. However, if you enjoy the hustle and bustle and the crowds, this could be your little piece of paradise in Bali!
Seminyak and Canggu
In the vicinity of Seminyak, it is possible to find good restaurants, large houses and protected villas. In Canggu, there are mainly villas, high-end apartments, five-star hotels and some of the finest restaurants on the island. This is probably the most popular residential area for expats in Bali. Inland, you'll find modern facilities and less expensive accommodations.
Sanur south of Denpasar
You will find many places to rent in the Sanur area south of Denpasar. The area has a tranquil environment and is very close to beaches and international schools. Because of its relaxing surroundings and affordable prices, it is a popular area for retirees.
Ubud
Here is another place where you can enjoy life. Ubud is very popular with its residents who cherish its positive energy, artistic atmosphere and proximity to nature. Life in Ubud is much more relaxed, with excellent cafes and yoga studios at every corner.
Uluwatu
Uluwatu is the capital of Indonesian surfing. It is a place of unparalleled natural beauty with impressive cliffs overlooking the Indian Ocean and a huge variety of waves for all surf levels. Many warungs (Balinese family businesses) are perched on the cliffs, sometimes in a rather improbable way. The beaches at the foot of these imposing rock walls are beautiful, especially on the side of Padang-Padang. At the top of the cliffs, you will not only find excellent bars/restaurants such as the famous Single Fin but also other beautiful villas and more affordable accommodation.
If none of these places appeal to you, head north or east of Bali, where there are far fewer expats and where you can enjoy a much more traditional Balinese lifestyle.
Finding accommodation in Bali
If you're still looking for accommodation in Bali, it is strongly recommended that you hire a real estate agent. They will be able to advise you based on your needs and desires, and prepare a list of accommodations to rent that fit your budget. Specialists such as Bali Treasure Property, Bali Villa Management or Ray White (an Australian agency with a branch in Bali) will assist you in finding a long-term villa if you so wish. However, be careful to clearly state your budget so that the agency can provide you with a suitable property. Do not hesitate to visit the offices of the property management companies in person if you are particularly interested in a property.
Otherwise, you can always join Facebook groups and communities, such as Canggu Community, where expats often share information about rooms for rent in their villas. As for The Bali Advertiser, which is published every two weeks and is available for free, it is considered a valuable guide for expats as it contains classifieds and advertisements for properties available for rent or purchase in Bali.
Ask around if you like the concept of homestay. You could then benefit from a night or week's accommodation at a low price.
If you prefer to live away from the city, the beach and areas with a high concentration of expatriates, head to Denpasar, which has an increasing number of modern and affordable kost.
On the other hand, the most luxurious and expensive accommodations in Bali are often found in gated communities. Some of the most beautiful and exclusive gated communities include the beautiful Perum Nusa Dua Hill, Ketut Lunas, Guru Pindekan, Westcome Community, Kwrobokna Townhouse, and Twenty Nine House, to name a few. Most of these controlled access neighborhoods are located around Denpasar, but there are others all over the island.
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