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Bali boasts beautiful beaches, lush rainforests and a rich history. Popular holiday destinations It attracts tourists from all over the world.
In recent years, Indonesia’s islands have become a popular destination, especially for expats. Digital nomad And people who want to get out of the city.
Nadia Rose and her partner Steve Willis moved to Bali from Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, in July 2022.
It took them a while to adjust to their new island life, and it’s been a much harder experience than they expected. Here are three things they’ve learned so far from living in Bali.
1. Bali takes time
Unlike Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, and other bustling cities around the world, The pace of life in Bali is much slower.
Rose told Business Insider that he has to wait to get things done, especially with bureaucracy and traffic jams.
“I’m used to city life, so I’m used to efficiency,” Rose says. “Here, you just have to sit back and let things unravel, and they will unravel over time.”
2. Building friendships is hard
Building lasting friendships in Bali may be harder than you think: The island can feel like a very fluid place, especially within the expat community, with so many people moving in and out of the island, says Rose.
“many “The friends I made six months ago are no longer here, so I feel like I have to make new friendships over and over again,” she said.
Because of this, she added, she has always had to put herself out there to meet new people.
Rose said that for about a year after arriving in Bali, she had been struggling to settle into her new life and had been unable to make new friends.
“I thought, ‘Oh, this is too hard. I tried three times and it didn’t work.’ I could have given up, but I didn’t. It takes time,” Rose said. “It’s only going to be hard if you’re not vulnerable and open.”
The couple say Facebook groups are a great way to meet new people.
“Sometimes I’ll post, ‘If you have similar interests, I’d love to meet you at this restaurant,’ and people will show up and we’ll all have lunch together,” Rose says.
The couple also Nomeois an online platform where people can organize events for causes they are passionate about.
“Whether it’s a meet-up of female entrepreneurs or a fun day at the beach, there are multiple events happening every day and all you have to do is show up,” Rose said.
3. In Bali, you can buy as cheap or as expensive as you want.
There’s a common belief that things are cheap in Bali, but Rose says that’s not necessarily true.
“Coming from Malaysia, rent is extremely expensive for me,” she says. “Especially rent, if you don’t set a budget, it can add up and you end up spending more than you thought you would.” The couple’s original budget turned out to be too low and they had to add a few hundred dollars more.
Property prices in Bali have soared since the island’s borders reopened after the pandemic, according to the latest data from an Indonesian real estate platform for April. Ruma 123In Bali’s capital, Denpasar, home prices rose 17% year-on-year.
Although rent remains the biggest expense, Rose said there are still plenty of affordable dining options, especially if you eat local cuisine.
Nasi goreng, a traditional fried rice dish, can be found in local establishments for less than $2 a serving, but with the influx of high-end restaurants, even the dish can be found on menus priced at more than $150. Bali Sun.
“So the beauty of Bali is that in terms of lifestyle, there are options to suit every budget, depending on what you choose,” she said.
Popular tourist areas, such as Seminyak and Canggu It tends to be more expensive than other parts of the island.
“It depends on where you live on the island and what you expect from it. This goes for gyms and homes too. You can have all the amenities you want, but you have to be prepared to pay for it,” she said.