If not all, then many are fascinated by pictures from the paradise islands. Especially when you live in Russia, where it’s cold and gloomy for six months, then no, no, and the thought flickers: “Oh, I wish I could leave to live in Bali ... It’s warm, beautiful and carefree.” And how do our ideas about this heavenly place correspond to reality? Let's talk about how to move to live in Bali from Russia, what you need to think about, where to start and what to watch out for.
Geographical position
Before you give up everything and leave to live in Bali, you need to weigh the pros and cons. Not the least role is played by the geographical location and climate of the proposed place of residence. So where is this paradise island? It is part of Indonesia and is located in the ridge of the Lesser Sunda Islands, which, in turn, belong to the Indonesian archipelago. It is washed by the waters of the Pacific and Indian oceans. From the largest island these are groups - Java - it is separated by the Bali Strait. The Indonesian province of Bali is not only the island of the same name, but also several more smaller land areas. Bali is only 8 degrees from the equator, it is 375 kilometers. So we can say that it is located almost at the border of two hemispheres, but still belongs to the South. Along the island runs the western border of the biogeographic zone, separating the Asian and Australian fauna, it is called the Wallace line.
Total area - 5780 km 2 . Bali is an island of volcanic origin. This affects its relief, the terrain here is mostly mountainous. The highest peak is Agung (about 3100 meters). Volcanic activity continues on the island, so there are risks of eruptions and earthquakes. The last eruption occurred in 1963 and was very destructive. This should be considered when thinking about where to live in Bali. However, thanks to the volcanoes on the island of high fertility soil, it is very beneficial to engage in agriculture. There are quite a few small rivers in Bali that irrigate the land, so rice and coffee are grown here.
Climate and weather
Thinking about where to live in Bali, you need to take into account that the mountain ranges divide the island into two dissimilar climatic zones. The northern part is an area with a sharp rise from the coast to the mountain peaks. A dry climate prevails here, it is perfect for growing coffee. The southern part is a gentle terraced landscape with wetter weather, rice plantations feel great here. But in general, Bali belongs to the zone of the equatorial-monsoon climate. There is no habitual division of the year into 4 seasons, but there are two distinct periods: dry and wet without significant temperature differences between the seasons.
The average annual temperature is 26 degrees, in the mountains it is colder, on the coast a little warmer. During the day, the weather also does not fluctuate much. The northern part, even in the wet period, is characterized by less rainfall than the southern. This must be taken into account when deciding where to live in Bali. January on the island is the wettest month, in December and February there is also a large amount of rainfall, while there is still a danger of hurricanes.
At the peak of the wet season, rains can go day and night, and the sun does not peek out from behind the clouds for even a minute. The dry period lasts from June to October, July and August are considered the most pleasant for relaxation, in September and October it is stuffy. Although all these fluctuations are insignificant, that is why Bali is considered a paradise. However, before deciding to move to live in Bali, one must remember that the equatorial zone is characterized by very high humidity. You will need to get used to this, as well as the fact that things can quickly begin to grow moldy. The local population processes clothes and household items with vinegar, struggling with mold.
Bali nature
The island is almost completely covered with vegetation. There are four types of forests here:
- In the west, these are evergreen, moist, real tropical thickets, consisting of ficuses, banana palms and fig trees.
- Deciduous forests grow in the northwest. The most common tree in this part is achra, or sapodilla.
- The slopes of the ranges are covered with mountain forests, in which different types of evergreen shrubs grow.
- Savannah forests. These are lighter thickets than the rainforest. They present different types of deciduous plants, many from the legume family.
All this diversity amazes people from Russia, where there is no such magnificence. More than 2 thousand species of trees and 24 thousand different flowering plants grow in Bali. Such a wealth of flora makes landscape gardening extremely popular.
The fauna in Bali is represented by animals of the Asian and Australian groups. Here you can see two types of deer, Bengal cats, two species of monkeys. But elephants and rhinos now live only in parks, in wildlife they are completely gone. Humidity and warmth not only contribute to the rapid growth of flowers and trees, but are also favorable for the reproduction of insects, in particular mosquitoes, which can carry dangerous diseases.
Social organization
Indonesia is a unitary presidential state, so Bali is subordinate to the government of Jakarta, but has a number of administrative freedoms and privileges. Indonesia gained independence from the Netherlands in 1945 and today builds its existence on the basis of its own Constitution. Almost 5 million people live on the island of Bali. The administrative center of the province of Bali is the largest city on the island - Denpasar. The province is divided into several kabupaten districts. The population of the island is growing quite rapidly, and this must be taken into account when wondering how to move to live in Bali. Because there is a possibility that soon there will be too many inhabitants. Now the population density on the island is about 700 people per square kilometer.
Economy
If you are going to live in Bali, you should think about the economic development of the island. Until 1969, agriculture was the main source of income, although it did not bring very much money either. In the early 60s, Bali was "discovered" by hippie colonies, they found here pristine nature, which they idealized. Groups of representatives of this subculture began to gather in Bali. Then the government of the country drew attention to the tourist potential of the paradise island. In 1969, a strategic plan for the development of tourist infrastructure in Bali was developed. From this time begins the economic recovery of the island. The island is being repositioned gradually in the eyes of potential tourists. Instead of inexpensive accommodation and cheap entertainment, expensive hotels and luxury spa complexes are starting to be built. Although economy class tourism persists in some parts of the island. Significant support for the economy is provided by the art industry. In Bali in the city of Ubud there are many galleries, artists' workshops.
Island agriculture remains an important economic component. They grow rice, tea, coffee, copra, vanilla. But in recent years, the fields are drained and surrendered to tourist infrastructure. Everyone who thinks about how to leave to live in Bali, where to start and where to work, should understand that the main form of employment is a small business serving tourists. There is also sewing and textile production on the island, but salaries there are not particularly high, and this is hardly the area where expats want to work.
Religion and mores
All who lived in Bali note the complacency and peace of the locals. This is most likely explained by the characteristics of religion. More than 80% of the population belongs to a special, local branch of Hinduism - the Hindu. About 13% are Muslims. The remaining denominations are represented by very small colonies. Hinduism here artfully combines local aboriginal beliefs, the teachings of Shiva and the elements of Buddhism. Aborigines believe in the transmigration of souls and a series of rebirths. To serve their many gods, the Balinese perform many different rituals and sacrifices. To perform the rites on the island, more than 20 thousand temples were built. Balinese are very tolerant of any other faiths and generally to strangers. This can be seen, among other things, by the holidays celebrated on the island. This is Catholic Christmas, and the secular generally accepted New Year on January 1, and the Ascension Day of the Prophet Muhammad, and his birthday, and many Hindu holidays, the dates of which are set according to the lunar calendar. In addition, there are several public holidays in Indonesia on the calendar.
Bali areas
To determine where it is better to live in Bali, you need to understand how everything is organized here. The province is divided into 8 kabupaten, each of which has its own characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. But if you are going to live here, you need to pay attention not to the official division of the island, but to the generally accepted allocation of areas. There are not many such places, and most are concentrated in the south, some of them are important cities of the island, and some are territories united around some settlements. Areas not covered by tourism are predominantly agrarian-oriented regions. Emigrants there is nothing special to do, unless you are looking for a completely authentic, rather poor life.
The first area that visitors consider as a place of localization is Kuta. This is a center of budget tourism. Therefore, there is inexpensive housing, food and entertainment, but a lot of people, constant hangouts, fun, noise. If you want to live in such a crowd, then this area is for you. The main audience here is young people from Australia. Kuta is rightfully proud of its beautiful beach, where you can relax and learn to surf. The area is compact and close to the airport. But the main disadvantage, along with noise, is the large number of scammers who strive to lure tourists from all means.
An area with similar characteristics is Legian. They are located nearby. But unlike Kuta, there are quieter corners with villas, which Australian party-goers don't get to. Therefore, you can live in Legian, and come to Kuta for your impressions.
To the northwest of the previous areas lies Seminyak. If you choose where to live in Bali, you can look at this area. But this is not a place of quiet measured rest. Here life is also seething. This is one of the most modern local resorts with excellent infrastructure. Here you can rent magnificent villas, visit luxury shops and spas, and at night party at the many beach bars. The standard of living is higher than in the south, but the conditions are much better. The disadvantage of this area is the rather high prices for accommodation. Krobokan and Petitinget are like him. Their only difference is less hype and, as a result, not so busy tourists.
The Canggu district is the beginning of this Bali, with rice fields, winding dirt roads, magnificent nature. The area is ideal for secluded relaxation or remote work. The prices here are moderate, and bungalows can be rented for reasonable money. But you need to be prepared for the fact that Canggu is far from many of the benefits of civilization, therefore, when thinking about where to live in Bali with a child, you need to remember that large hospitals are far away. Otherwise, this place is perfect for a quiet, measured life. It was not in vain that entire colonies of expats were located here. The area is striking in its splendor of nature; here is the famous Tana-Lot Temple, which is one of the 9 most important in the Balinese religion. It is convenient to get south and north from here, and if you want entertainment or variety, you can quickly change the situation.
The Nusa Dua area is not for the poor. There is practically no budget housing, the entire infrastructure is from the 4-5 star category. But then there is everything for a chic life. Often, the idea of how Russians live in Bali is made up in this area, where you can meet many wealthy people from our compatriots. There are no noisy parties and annoying merchants, everything is very respectable and respectable. If the budget allows, then it is here that you can come to those who think where to live in Bali with a child. However, the disadvantage of Nusa Dua can be considered that the local flavor here is almost imperceptible. The area is similar to many luxury resorts in different parts of the world.
The district of Ubud is the cultural and spiritual center of the island. The city is located in one of the most beautiful natural areas of the island, this beauty is simply breathtaking. Here, as nowhere else, one can learn the culture of the local people. There are many galleries in the city, conferences and exhibitions of artists, various art festivals are constantly held. It will definitely not be boring here. Ubud is a fairly large city, so there are all the benefits of civilization. And housing can be found for every taste and budget. Another city is a center of spiritual practice, if you want to know yourself and become better, then it fits perfectly. There are many yoga centers, ashrams, etc. The minus is the distance from the south coast, but it is relative: to get to the beach, you will have to spend 90 minutes and about 20 dollars by taxi.
The northern region of Lovina is still poorly developed by mass tourism, and this is its main charm. But here you can find unspoiled nature, beautiful beaches with black volcanic sand and calm waters of the ocean. This place is ideal for those who decide to come to Bali with young children. The descent into the water is smooth, there are practically no big waves. The resort infrastructure is modern and provides all the necessary amenities for a medium and small budget. Here live those who are tired of the bustle of the city. In Lovin you can fully experience the charm of primordial existence, a fusion with nature. At the same time, there is everything you need for life, all modern amenities are available at affordable prices.
Pemuteran district is one of the least known among foreigners. Even those who lived in Bali for several years do not always know about this corner of the island. This is the best place for privacy. The resort is located on the border with the Menjangan National Park, and the nature here really resembles paradise. There are basic amenities in the city, but you need to go to cities with a large infrastructure, and quite far away. So, the nearest airport is 4 hours away. But the prices for accommodation here are perhaps one of the lowest. It is in Pemuteran that you can understand what a real Balinese life is, to feel all its charm.
Another area popular with young people is Tanjung Benoa. It is not suitable for a long stay, as many young people who indulge in various sins are gathered here. The prices here, however, are not very high, but hotels are mainly offered for living. Local beaches are not very good, but there are many different water activities.
Near Kuta is another beautiful and relatively inexpensive area - Jimbaran. It has a good tourist infrastructure, beautiful beaches, a lot of entertainment. But this place is not suitable for those who are looking for a secluded, measured rest. The fact that he wants to live long on the island of Bali, this place is unlikely to be suitable because of the great popularity among tourists.
For elderly, wealthy people, the Sanur district is perfect. Large ebbs prevent swimming, but the beaches here are quite comfortable. The area has a large number of budget cafes and restaurants. Here you can meet many European pensioners who have earned a carefree and comfortable holiday or even moved to live in Bali. Expats' reviews of these places are not the most enthusiastic, since here, rather, it is a place to relax, and not to work. Although you can work remotely.
Another excellent place for living is Amed. The area is located in the east of the island and includes several villages where traditional Balinese life flows. A clear advantage of this area is that it is the driest part of the island, the negative conditions of the rainy season are least felt here. Here you can find quite budget options for living, there is all the infrastructure necessary for life and very few tourists.
Motivation to move
Many in their hearts dream of leaving everything and going to live on the islands of paradise. But for most people, it is rather a stereotypical dream, which they are not going to realize. But if you seriously think about how to leave to live in Bali from Russia, then you need to weigh the pros and cons. What speaks in favor of such a decision? Of course, nature and climate. It is always warm and comfortable there, everyone wants to live all year round in the summer. Another plus is considered cheapness, but this is just a myth rather than a reality. But more about that below. A lot of good quality fruit and food is another good reason to live in Bali. An undoubted advantage is the unique culture, a large number of interesting sights, great opportunities for self-development and self-improvement. But the most important thing that almost all people fall in love with is the special atmosphere of the island. Residents are very peaceful, calm, and here you really relax your body and soul. For this, people are willing to pay even a lot of money.
Arguments against
Every place, even a paradise such as Bali, has its drawbacks. Upon closer inspection, there are quite a few of them on the island. The first significant minus is the constantly rising housing prices, often the price tag is unreasonably high. You need to be able to bargain when renting an apartment or a bungalow. During the rainy season, serious difficulties can arise with moving around the island, as well as with crossing to other parts of the land. The quality of the roads on the island leaves much to be desired, and if we summarize this with the fact that people here are not used to observing traffic rules, an unbearable situation on the roads results. At the same time, living in Bali without a bike is almost impossible. On the island there are a lot of insects, amphibians, which can complicate life. Balinese are very unpretentious in food, so the local food is very simple and often without meat. Buying quality products in the villages can be difficult. A very serious problem for expats is the quality of the Internet and its cost. It is slow, unstable and expensive here. All this greatly reduces the ability to work remotely. In the south of Bali, the growing crime also impedes living, here more and more scammers, thieves and all kinds of people who violate the law and want to get other people's money in any way. The disadvantage of Bali is the low quality of medicine and at the same time its high cost.
Legal Aspects
The main question that interests a person who decided to go to the paradise islands: "How long can I live in Bali without a visa?" There are several possible answers. If there is no need to get a job, then the easiest way is to get a tourist visa.
In fact, Russians can stay on the island for 30 days without a permit, they only pay an entry visa worth $ 25. You can also arrange a tourist at the airport upon arrival, this allows you to stay in the country for 60 days. Then you need to leave the country and you can come back again and start all over again. Often people travel to a nearby country for a few hours and return to Bali. To apply for these types of visas, you only need a valid passport.
You can also apply for a social visa - it also does not give the right to work, and for its registration you need a guarantor or sponsor. It allows you to stay on the island for about 6 months. But this document loses its validity if a person leaves the country. There is a labor visa, and getting it is not very difficult, but it is given for a year. Documents must be submitted in Jakarta to the migration service, the term of its execution is 5-8 days.
There is still the opportunity to get a family visa, in this case you need to marry a citizen of the country. Or pension - in this case, you need to confirm your financial viability.
There is an opportunity to obtain a permanent residence permit in Indonesia, for this it is necessary to collect a small package of documents and submit them to the Indonesian migration service in Jakarta. The list of required securities includes:
- document confirming the rejection of other types of citizenship;
- health certificate, including mental;
- identity document confirming that the person is 21 years old;
- a document confirming that a person has lived in Indonesia for at least 5 years;
- document on passing the exam on knowledge of the Indonesian language and history of the country.
Papers are considered from 14 to 30 days.
There is another way to settle in Bali - this is obtaining investor status. To do this, you need to invest at least 200 thousand dollars in the country's business. However, it is worth remembering that only citizens of Indonesia can own a business. Therefore, you will need to find a company in which you can invest money, or buy government bonds. The investor's term of residence is limited to several years, with especially large investments, you can obtain the status of a citizen of the country.
Therefore, the question of how much you can live in Bali without getting a visa, there are several answers - depending on intentions and opportunities. Most often, Russians choose to apply for a tourist visa and renew it by leaving and re-entering the country.
Forever or on time
Reflecting on the question of how much you can live in Bali without a visa, you should generally decide how long you are ready to go to the paradise islands. After all, vacation is one thing, and emigration is quite another. It is great to relax here, but things are not very good with work, and salaries are low. Therefore, you need to be some kind of special specialist or have a passive income, just to relax. In Bali, the education system is not very good, so raising small children here is very good, but it is better to take schoolchildren to other countries so that they receive a quality education, or build a home education system. Therefore, before moving to the paradise islands and choosing a location where to live in Bali, you need to carefully assess whether you want to live in this paradise all your life. Experienced tourists are advised to come to Bali for a month, live, look around in order to make a final decision. Because the pictures of the island look very attractive, but they do not give a complete picture of real life.
Financial issue
Many people dream of moving to live in Bali and working remotely or in the tourism industry. For example, to teach people to surf, to conduct excursions. Immediately, we note that such posts are occupied and not too profitable. If funds allow, you can build your hotel and serve it - this option can be successful. For a fairly modest life, without traveling and shopping, you need at least $ 1,000 per person per month. If the requests are higher, then the price will immediately increase.
Employment
If you want to live and work in Bali via the Internet, you need to remember that the connection here is poor and is not cheap. However, many get used to and adapt to this inconvenience. On the terraces of houses in the morning you can see a lot of people working on laptops. If there is a desire to get a job, then you need to carefully assess your chances. There is no industry on the island (except for very cheap sewing), few enterprises where narrow specialists are needed. In addition, Indonesia has high unemployment and low salaries, all of which greatly reduces job opportunities. And you need to think about this issue in advance. The Balinese are very enthusiastic about people who want to live on the island and spend money, but those who apply for jobs are not particularly welcome. For those who are officially employed, a prerequisite is the issuance of an employment visa.
Instructions for beginners
If the question of how to leave to live in Bali for permanent residence has already entered the phase of practical solutions, then, in addition to collecting the necessary documents, you need to take care of health insurance. It’s also better to restore order in your home country so that you don’t encounter local medicine there. Special vaccinations for Bali are not needed, but you should take a set of habitual medicines with you. The good thing about moving to a paradise island is that there is no need to take a lot of things with you. Many come here with one small bag, and this is really enough. It would be nice to get European-style rights in Russia, so as not to think about it in Bali. Since you can only navigate there by personal transport, most often by scooter. Upon arrival at the airport you should get a visa, and nowhere else to register.
The beginning of the way
If winter in Russia has finally become unbearable and a firm decision to leave to live in Bali has matured, then where to start your life in a new place? The very first problem is placement. You need to immediately tune in to the fact that the first time you have to live in a guesthouse or hotel, until there is something permanent. You need to choose by district. Having decided on the desired location, you just need to go and see what is for rent, ask the price, bargain. Often people who come to Bali are initially fascinated by the noisy south, but eventually move to the east or north, where life is calmer and more authentic.
What to see
Bali is a great place to expand your horizons, for recreation and tourism. There are many places to explore which will take a lot of time. The main thing in Bali is nature. And for exploring it you need to travel around the island, see different beaches, rice fields with terraces, visit the Batur volcano, the Ubude monkey forest, Goa Gadjah caves, Gitgit waterfall. Still, of course, you need to immerse yourself in the local culture, and for this it is worth visiting Hindu temples: Besakih, Uluwatu, Oolong Danu. Local attractions are definitely enough for a year of leisurely inspection.
Reviews and tips experienced
You can learn about how Russians live in Bali from their stories, of which there are many on relevant information resources. Basically, judging by the reviews, people are happy with their choice, but they urge not to idealize the island, as everywhere has its own nuances and difficulties. People living in Bali for a long time advise newcomers to be more careful and vigilant, since there are many scammers of various stripes. They also recommend that you make sure you have medical insurance before the trip and observe the elementary rules of the road on the island so as not to become a victim of police officers who “hunt” for white violators, extorting money from them. Another useful tip: before you think about how to leave to live in Bali and where to start, live on the island for at least a month to understand how the local climate suits you.