The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Hello, my dear readers. It’s been a while since I last posted a blog. However, I have a good reason for that. I have been living in Bali for the past six months, and let me tell you, it has been quite an adventure.

Bali is one of those places that many people dream of visiting, let alone living in. It’s a tropical paradise with stunning beaches, lush jungles, majestic volcanoes, rich culture, and friendly people. It’s also a hotspot for digital nomads, expats, and travelers who want to enjoy a laid-back lifestyle, cheap living costs, and endless opportunities for fun and exploration.

As with any place in the world, living in Bali is not all sunshine and rainbows. There are also challenges, frustrations, and drawbacks that come with living on this island. In this blog post, I will share with you the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of living in Bali, based on my personal experience and observations.

The Good

Let’s start with the positive side of living in Bali. There are many things that I love about this island, and here are some of them:

• The weather. Bali has a tropical climate that is warm and humid all year round. The average temperature is around 27°C (81°F), which is perfect for me. I love being able to wear shorts and flip-flops every day, and not having to worry about winter or snow. The dry season runs from April to September, which is when the skies are clear and blue, and the sunsets are spectacular. The wet season runs from October to March, which is when it rains more often, but it’s still warm and pleasant.
• The nature. Bali is blessed with natural beauty that never ceases to amaze me. There are so many places to explore and enjoy nature here, such as waterfalls, rice terraces, temples, lakes, hot springs, caves, and more. One of my favorite things to do is to rent a scooter and drive around the island, discovering new places and scenery along the way. Bali also has some of the best surfing spots in the world, as well as diving, snorkeling, hiking, rafting, and other outdoor activities.
• The culture. Bali has a unique and rich culture that is influenced by Hinduism, Buddhism, and animism. The Balinese people are very religious and spiritual, and they practice various rituals and ceremonies throughout the year. They also have a strong sense of community and family, and they are very hospitable and welcoming to foreigners. I love learning about their culture and traditions and witnessing their colorful festivals and celebrations.
• The food. Bali has a diverse and delicious cuisine that reflects its culture and history. There are many dishes to try here, such as nasi goreng (fried rice), mie goreng (fried noodles), sate (skewered meat), gado-gado (vegetable salad with peanut sauce), nasi campur (mixed rice with various side dishes), babi guling (roasted suckling pig), bebek betutu (spicy duck), lawar (mixed vegetables with meat or blood), and more. There are also many options for vegetarian and vegan food here, as well as international cuisines from around the world.
• The cost of living. Bali is one of the most affordable places to live in the world. You can get by with as little as $500 per month here if you live like a local. Of course, if you want more comfort and luxury, you can spend more. Generally speaking, everything is cheap here compared to Western standards. You can rent a nice villa or apartment for $300-$500 per month (or even less if you share with others), eat out for $2-$5 per meal (or cook at home for cheaper), get a massage for $5-$10 per hour (or even less if you bargain), get a haircut for $2-$5 (or even less if you go to a local barber), get a SIM card with unlimited data for $10 per month (or even less if you buy in bulk), etc.

The Bad

Now let’s move on to the negative side of living in Bali. There are also many things that I don’t like about this island, and here are some of them:

• The traffic. Bali has a serious traffic problem that can make your life miserable if you don’t plan ahead or avoid peak hours. The roads are narrow, crowded, poorly maintained, and often flooded during the rainy season. The drivers are reckless, impatient, and ignorant of traffic rules. The traffic jams can last for hours, especially in touristy areas like Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Ubud, etc. The air pollution is also bad, and you can smell the exhaust fumes and see the smog everywhere. The best way to get around Bali is by scooter, but you have to be very careful and alert, as accidents are common and can be fatal.
• The visa. Bali is not a place where you can just show up and stay indefinitely. You need a visa to enter and live in Bali, and there are different types of visas depending on your purpose and duration of stay. The most common visa for tourists and digital nomads is the tourist visa, which is valid for 30 days and can be extended for another 30 days at the immigration office. However, this visa is not meant for working or doing business in Bali, and you have to leave the country every 60 days to renew it. This can be costly and inconvenient, as you have to book flights, hotels, transportation, etc. Alternatively, you can apply for a social visa or a business visa, which are valid for six months and can be extended without leaving the country. However, these visas require a sponsor (a local person or company) who can vouch for you and provide you with an invitation letter. You also have to pay a fee to an agent who can process your visa application and extension. These visas are also not meant for working or doing business in Bali, and you have to prove that you have enough funds to support yourself during your stay.
• The scams. Bali is a place where you have to be careful and vigilant, as there are many scams and rip-offs that target unsuspecting foreigners. Some of the common scams are:
  • Taxi scams. Some taxi drivers will try to overcharge you by using a rigged meter, taking a longer route, or claiming that they don’t have change. Always use a reputable taxi company like Blue Bird or Grab, or agree on a fixed price before getting in.
  • Money exchange scams. Some money changers will try to cheat you by using fake or outdated exchange rates, giving you less money than you should get, or using sleight of hand tricks to make some bills disappear. Always use a reputable money changer like BMC or Central Kuta, or use an ATM instead.
  • Rental scams. Some rental agents will try to scam you by showing you fake photos of properties, asking for a large deposit or advance payment, or disappearing after you pay them. Always do your research before renting a property, check the reviews and ratings online, inspect the property in person, and use a reliable platform like Airbnb or Booking.com.
  • Shopping scams. Some vendors will try to scam you by selling you fake or low-quality products, charging you inflated prices, or refusing to give you a receipt or warranty. Always bargain hard when shopping in Bali, compare prices from different shops, and check the quality and authenticity of the products before buying.

The Ugly

Finally, let’s talk about the ugly side of living in Bali. There are also some things that I hate about this island, and here are some of them:

• The trash. Bali has a huge trash problem that is ruining its environment and reputation. The island produces more than 3,800 tons of trash per day, but only 60% of it is collected and disposed of properly. The rest ends up in landfills, rivers, oceans, beaches, streets, etc. The trash situation is especially bad during the rainy season when the trash from inland is washed away by the floods and ends up on the shorelines. The trash not only looks disgusting and smells horrible, but also poses a threat to the health and safety of humans and animals alike.
• The dogs. Bali has a lot of stray dogs that roam around freely and cause trouble. The dogs are often dirty, hungry, sick, injured, aggressive, or rabid. They bark loudly at night, chase scooters and cars during the day, bite people and other animals randomly, and spread diseases like rabies and worms. The dogs are also often mistreated by locals who abuse them or neglect them. There are some organizations that try to help the dogs by sterilizing them, vaccinating them, feeding them, or adopting them out. But they are outnumbered by the sheer number of dogs that need help.
• The corruption. Bali has a lot of corruption that affects its governance and development. The corruption is evident in many aspects of life here, such as politics, law enforcement, the justice system, public services, business permits, etc. The corruption results in inefficiency, inequality, injustice, and instability. It also hinders the progress and prosperity of the island and its people.

So there you have it, my honest and personal opinion on living in Bali. As you can see, living in Bali has its pros and cons, its ups and downs, its joys and sorrows.

However, despite all the challenges and frustrations, I still love living in Bali.