If not everyone, then many are fascinated by pictures from the paradise islands. Especially when you live in Russia, where it’s cold and gloomy for half a year, then no, no, and the thought flashes: “Oh, I wish I could leave to live in Bali … It’s warm, beautiful and carefree there.” And to what extent 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.
Geographic location
Before you drop everything and go live in Bali, you need to weigh the pros and cons. Not the last role is played by the geographical location and climate of the proposed place of residence. So, where is this paradise island located? It is part of Indonesia and is located in 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 of this group - Java - it is separatedBali Strait. The Indonesian province of Bali is not only the island of the same name, but also several smaller areas of land. Only 8 degrees separate Bali from the equator, it is 375 kilometers. So we can say that it is located almost on the border of two hemispheres, but still belongs to the South. The western boundary of the biogeographic zone runs along the island, separating the Asian and Australian fauna, it is called the Wallace Line.
Total area - 5780 km2. Bali is an island of volcanic origin. This affects its relief, the terrain here is predominantly 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 must be taken into account when thinking about where it is better to live in Bali. However, thanks to the volcanoes on the island, highly fertile soils make it very profitable 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. The dry climate prevails here, it is perfect for growing coffee. The southern part is a gently sloping terraced landscape with wetter weather;rice plantations. But in general, Bali belongs to the equatorial-monsoon climate zone. There is no usual division of the year into 4 seasons, but there are two pronounced periods: dry and wet without significant temperature differences between seasons.
The average annual temperature is 26 degrees, it is colder in the mountains, a little warmer on the coast. The weather doesn't fluctuate much during the day either. The northern part, even during the humid period, is characterized by less precipitation than the southern. This must be taken into account when deciding where it is better to live in Bali. January is the rainiest month on the island, there is also a lot of precipitation in December and February, even at this time there is a danger of hurricanes.
During the peak of the wet season, it can rain all day long, and the sun does not peek out from behind the clouds for a minute. The dry period lasts from June to October, July and August are considered the most pleasant for relaxation, and it can be stuffy in September-October. Although all these fluctuations are insignificant, that is why Bali is considered a paradise. However, before you decide to move to live in Bali, you need to remember that the equatorial zone is characterized by very high humidity. This will take some getting used to, as well as the fact that things can quickly start to mold. The local population processes clothes and household items with vinegar, fighting mold.
Nature Bali
The island is almost completely covered with vegetation. There are four types of forests here:
- In the west, it is evergreen, humid, true tropical thickets, consisting of ficuses, banana palms and fig trees.
- Deciduous trees grow in the northwestforests. The most common tree in this part is achra, or sapodilla.
- The slopes of the ridges are covered with mountain forests, in which various types of evergreen shrubs grow.
- Savanna forests. These are lighter thickets than the rainforest. They feature a variety of leafy plants, many from the legume family.
All this diversity amazes people from Russia, where there is no such splendor. Bali has over 2,000 species of trees and 24,000 different flowering plants. Such a richness 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 kinds of deer, Bengal cats, two kinds of monkeys. But elephants and rhinoceroses now live only in parks, they are completely gone in wildlife. Humidity and heat not only promote the rapid growth of flowers and trees, but are also favorable for the reproduction of insects, in particular mosquitoes, which can spread dangerous diseases.
Public device
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 at a fairly rapid pace, 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, the main source of income here was agriculture, although it did not bring very much money. In the early 60s, Bali was "discovered" by hippie colonies, they found here the 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 tourism potential of the paradise island. In 1969, a strategic plan for the development of Bali's tourism infrastructure was developed. Since that time, the economic rise of the island begins. The island is gradually being repositioned in the eyes of potential tourists. Instead of inexpensive accommodations and cheap entertainment, expensive hotels and elite spa complexes are being built. Although economy-class tourism persists in some parts of the island. The art industry also provides significant support to the economy. In Bali, in the city of Ubud, there are many galleries, workshops of artists.
The island's agriculture remains an important economic component. Rice, tea, coffee, copra, vanilla are grown here. But in recent years, the fields have been drained and given over to tourism infrastructure. All who ponder questions about how to leaveto 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 a clothing and textile industry on the island, but the wages there are not particularly high, and this is hardly the area where expats want to work.
Religion and mores
Everyone who lived in Bali notes the complacency and peacefulness of the locals. This is explained, most likely, by the peculiarities of religion. More than 80% of the population belong to a special, local branch of Hinduism - Hindu. About 13% are Muslims. The remaining denominations are represented by very small colonies. Hinduism here cleverly combines local indigenous beliefs, the teachings of Shiva and elements of Buddhism. Aborigines believe in the transmigration of souls and a series of rebirths. To serve their numerous gods, the Balinese perform many different rituals and sacrifices. More than 20,000 temples have been built on the island to perform rituals. The Balinese are very tolerant of any other religions and, in general, to strangers. This can be seen, among other things, by what holidays are 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.
Districts of Bali
To decide where it is better to live in Bali, you need to understand how everything is organized here. The province is divided into 8kabupaten, 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 very many such places, and most are concentrated in the south, some of them are important cities of the island, some are territories united around some settlements. Areas not covered by tourism are predominantly agrarian-oriented regions. Expats don't have much to do there, unless you're looking for a very authentic, rather poor life.
The first area that visitors consider as a place of localization is Kuta. This is the center of budget tourism. Therefore, there is inexpensive housing, food and entertainment, but there are a lot of people, constant parties, fun, noise. If you want to live in such a crowd, then this area is for you. The main audience living 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 the noise, is a large number of scammers who strive to lure money from tourists by all means.
An area with similar characteristics is Legian. They are located nearby. But unlike Kuta, there are quieter corners with villas that Australian party-goers do not get to. Therefore, you can live in Legian, and come to Kuta for impressions.
To the northwest of the previous areas lies Seminyak. If you choose where to live in Bali, you cantake a look at this area. But this is not a place of quiet measured rest. There is also life here. 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 attend parties in numerous beach bars. The standard of living here is higher than in the south, but the conditions are much better. The disadvantage of this area is rather high prices for accommodation. Krobokan and Petitinget look like him. Their only difference is less hype and, as a result, not so busy with tourists.
Canggu area is the beginning of the real Bali, with rice fields, winding dirt roads, magnificent nature. This area is ideal for a secluded vacation or remote work. 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 is not in vain that entire colonies of expats settled here. The area impresses with the magnificence of nature, there is a famous Tana Lot temple, which is one of the 9 most important in the Balinese religion. From here it is convenient to get to the south and north, and if you want entertainment or variety, you can quickly change the situation.
Nusa Dua is not for the poor. There is practically no budget housing, allinfrastructure - from the category of 4-5 stars. But there is everything for a luxurious life. Often the idea of how Russians live in Bali is based on this area, where you can meet many we althy people from our compatriots. There are no noisy parties and annoying merchants here, everything is very respectable and solid. If the budget allows, then this is where you can come to those who are thinking where to live in Bali with a child. However, the disadvantage of Nusa Dua can be considered the fact that the local flavor here is almost imperceptible. The area is similar to many luxury resorts around the world.
Ubud city area 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, like nowhere else, you can learn the culture of the local people. The city has many galleries, conferences and exhibitions of artists, various art festivals are constantly held. It definitely won't be boring here. Ubud is a fairly large city, so there are all the benefits of civilization here. And housing can be found for every taste and budget. The city is also the center of spiritual practices, if there is a desire to know yourself and become better, then it fits perfectly. There are many yoga centers, ashrams, etc. The downside is the remoteness from the south coast, but it is relative: to get to the beach, you have to spend 90 minutes and about $ 20 in a taxi.
The northern region of the city of Lovina is still little mastered by mass tourism, and this is its main charm. But here you can find untouched nature, beautiful beaches with black volcanicsand and calm waters of the ocean. This place is ideal for those who decide to come to Bali with small children. The descent into the water here is smooth, there are practically no big waves. The infrastructure of the resort 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 Lovina, you can fully experience the charm of primordial existence, merging with nature. At the same time, there is everything you need for life, all modern amenities are available at quite reasonable prices.
The Pemuteran area is one of the least known among foreigners. Even those who have 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 drive to cities with a large infrastructure, and quite far. 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 one can understand what real Balinese life is, feel all its charm.
Another area popular with young people is Tanjung Benoa. It is not well suited for long-term residence, as many young people gather here, indulging in various sins. Prices here, however, are not very high, but hotels are mainly offered for accommodation. Local beaches are not very good, but there are many different water activities.
Next to Kuta is another beautiful and relatively inexpensive area - Jimbaran. There is 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. For those who want to live long on the island of Bali, this place is unlikely to suit because of the great popularity among tourists.
For older, we althy people, the Sanur area is perfect. Large low tides interfere with swimming, but the beaches here are quite comfortable. The area is distinguished by a large number of budget cafes and restaurants. Here you can meet many European pensioners who have earned themselves a carefree and comfortable vacation or even moved to live in Bali. Reviews about these places among expats are not the most enthusiastic, since here, rather, it is a place for recreation, and not for work. Although you can work remotely.
Another great place to live 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 dropping everything and going to live on paradise islands. But for most people, this 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 suchsolutions? Of course, nature and climate. It is always warm and comfortable there, everyone wants to live all year round in summer conditions. Cheapness is considered another plus, but this is just more a myth than a reality. But more on that below. Lots of fruit and good quality food is another reason to live in Bali. The 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. The inhabitants are very peaceful, calm, and here you really relax your body and soul. For this, people are willing to pay even big money.
Cons
Any place, even one as heavenly as Bali, has its drawbacks. On closer inspection, there are quite a lot of them near the island. The first significant disadvantage is the ever-increasing housing prices, often the price tag is unreasonably high. You need to be able to bargain when renting an apartment or bungalow. During the rainy season, there can be serious difficulties with movement 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 sum it up with the fact that the people here are not used to observing traffic rules, then we get an unbearable situation on the roads. At the same time, it is almost impossible to live in Bali without a bike. There are a lot of all sorts of insects, amphibians on the island, which can complicate life. The Balinese are very unpretentious in food, so the local food is very simple and often without meat. It can be difficult to buy quality products in villages. Highlya serious problem for expats is the quality of the Internet and its cost. It is slow, unstable and expensive here. All this greatly limits the ability to work remotely. In the south of Bali, the growing crime also greatly interferes with life, there are more and more scammers, thieves and all sorts of people who break 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
The main question that interests a person who decides to leave for the paradise islands: "How long can you live in Bali without a visa?" There are several answers. If there is no need to find a job, then the easiest way is to get a tourist visa.
Actually, Russians can stay on the island for 30 days without a permit, they only pay an entry visa costing $25. You can also apply for a tourist visa 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 return again and start all over again. Often people enter a nearby country for a few hours and return to Bali. To obtain these types of visas, only a valid passport is needed.
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 also a work visa, and it is not very difficult to get it, but it is given for a year. Documents must be submitted in Jakarta atmigration service, the term of its registration is 5-8 days.
It is still possible to get a family visa, in which case you need to marry a citizen of the country. Or a pension - in this case, you need to confirm your financial solvency.
It is possible to obtain a permanent residence permit in Indonesia, for this you need to collect a small package of documents and submit them to the Indonesian Migration Service in Jakarta. The list of required papers includes:
- document confirming the renunciation of other types of citizenship;
- certificate of he alth, including mental;
- identity document confirming that the person is 21 years old;
- document confirming that the person has lived in Indonesia for at least 5 years;
- document on passing the exam on the knowledge of the Indonesian language and the history of the country.
Paper consideration from 14 to 30 days.
There is another way to settle in Bali - this is to become an investor. To do this, you need to invest at least 200 thousand dollars in the business of the country. However, it is worth remembering that only Indonesian citizens can own a business. Therefore, you will need to find a company in which you can invest money, or buy government bonds. The term of residence for an investor is limited to several years, with especially large investments, you can get the status of a citizen of the country.
Therefore, to the question of how long one can live in Bali without obtaining a visa, there are several answers - depending on intentions and opportunities. Russians most often chooseissuance of a tourist visa and its renewal by leaving and re-entering the country.
Forever or temporarily
Thinking about how long 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. Here you can perfectly relax, but things are not very good with work, and salaries are low. Therefore, you need to be some kind of special specialist or have passive income just to relax. Bali does not have a very good education system, so it is very good to raise small children here, 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 sensibly 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 fully represent real life.
Financial matter
Many dream of moving to live in Bali and work remotely or in the tourism industry. For example, teach people to surf, conduct excursions. We note right away that such positions are occupied here and not very profitable. If funds allow, you can build your own hotel and maintain it - this option can be successful. For a rather modest life, without travel andshopping, 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, then you need to remember that the connection here leaves much to be desired 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 some kind of job, then you need to sensibly assess your chances. There is no industry on the island (except for very cheap sewing), there are few enterprises where narrow specialists are needed. In addition, Indonesia has high unemployment and low wages, 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 favored. For those who are officially employed, a prerequisite is the issuance of a work 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 decisions, then, in addition to collecting the necessary documents, you need to take care of medical insurance. It is also better to put your he alth in order in your homeland so that you do not encounter local medicine there. Special vaccinations for Bali are not needed, but you should take a set of usual medicines with you. What is good 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 thisreally enough. It would be nice to get a European-style driving license in Russia so as not to think about it in Bali. Since you can only move there by personal transport, most often on a scooter. Upon arrival at the airport, you should obtain a visa, and you do not need to register anywhere else.
The start of the journey
If the winter in Russia has finally become unbearable and a firm decision has matured to leave to live in Bali, then where to start your life in a new place? The first problem is placement. You need to immediately tune in to the fact that at first you will have to live in a guesthouse or hotel until there is something permanent. Choose by region. 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 that will take a lot of time to explore. The main thing in Bali is nature. And to see it, you need to travel around the island, see different beaches, rice fields with terraces, visit Batur volcano, Ubud monkey forest, Goa Gajah 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, Ulun Danu. Local attractions are definitely enough for a year of leisurely inspection.
Reviews and advice from seasoned people
About howRussians live in Bali, you can learn from their stories, of which there are many on the relevant information resources. Basically, judging by the reviews, people are satisfied with their choice, but they urge not to idealize the island, since everywhere there are nuances and difficulties. People who have lived in Bali for a long time advise beginners to be more careful and vigilant, as there are many scammers of various stripes here. It is also recommended that you make sure you have he alth insurance before traveling and follow the basic rules of the road on the island so as not to become a victim of the police who “hunt” for white violators, extorting money from them. Another useful tip: before thinking 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.
