Expat Life in Bali: Dream or Delusion?
Bali. The name alone sparks visions of beachfront villas, cheap living, and a stress-free island life. Instagram is full of ‘digital nomads’ working from poolside cafés, sipping coconut lattes, and making you question your entire existence back home.
But here’s the real question: Is expat life in Bali actually a dream, or just a beautifully filtered delusion?
Let’s break down the fantasy vs. reality of living in Bali long-term.
THE DREAM: Why People Move to Bali
1. The Cost of Living is (Supposedly) Cheap
Compared to the West, Bali seems ridiculously affordable. You can rent a luxury villa for the price of a shoebox apartment in New York or London. Local food? $2 meals. Massages? $10. Nightlife? Insanely affordable.
But the reality?
- If you live like a local, it’s cheap.
- If you live like an expat, you’ll burn through cash fast.
- Fancy imported foods, premium gym memberships, and trendy coworking spaces? They cost almost the same as back home.
2. The Lifestyle is Pure Freedom
No 9-to-5 grind. No soul-sucking commutes. No corporate B.S. Just endless beaches, yoga classes, and working on your laptop whenever you feel like it.
Sounds amazing, right? Well…
- Balinese time is real. Things don’t run on schedule, and trying to ‘hustle’ like you’re in the West? Good luck.
- Internet is unpredictable. One minute, it’s lightning fast; the next, you’re on a three-day digital detox (unintentionally).
- Visas are a constant struggle. Unless you have the right setup, you’ll be doing ‘visa runs’ every two months just to stay legally.
3. The Scenery is Straight Out of a Dream
Volcanoes, rice fields, hidden waterfalls, epic sunsets—Bali’s natural beauty is undeniable. You can spend your mornings surfing in Canggu, your afternoons in a jungle retreat, and your nights partying under the stars.
But…
- The ‘hidden’ spots are packed. If an influencer posts about a ‘secret waterfall,’ expect a line of tourists waiting for their turn to take the same photo.
- Traffic is madness. That ‘quick’ trip to the beach? Expect an hour stuck behind scooters, trucks, and a random guy transporting chickens.
- Nature bites back. Bali Belly, dengue fever, stray dogs, and the occasional volcano eruption keep things… interesting.
THE DELUSION: What No One Tells You About Expat Life
1. Running a Business in Bali is Not That Simple
A lot of people move here thinking they can just open a café, start a yoga retreat, or run an Airbnb.
Reality check:
- Foreigners can’t own land. You’ll need a local partner (which can be risky if you don’t know what you’re doing).
- Bureaucracy is a nightmare. Setting up a legal business takes time, money, and patience.
- The rules change constantly. Just because something worked last year doesn’t mean it’ll work next year.
2. The Digital Nomad Fantasy Isn’t for Everyone
Not everyone moving to Bali is making six figures from a laptop while sipping a coconut. Many end up:
- Freelancing their way to burnout trying to afford their ‘cheap’ Bali lifestyle.
- Realizing they hate remote work and miss the structure of a real job.
- Running out of money and leaving within a year.
3. The ‘Forever Holiday’ Gets Old
At first, waking up to paradise every day feels unreal. But after a while:
- You stop appreciating the sunsets. They become ‘just another sunset.’
- Beach clubs and parties feel repetitive. The same DJs, the same cocktails, the same influencers doing ‘content.’
- Real life still exists. Bills, responsibilities, and personal struggles don’t disappear just because you live in a tropical paradise.
SO, IS EXPAT LIFE IN BALI WORTH IT?
Yes—if you come with the right expectations. Bali is magical, but it’s not a fairytale. It’s an incredible place to live if you adapt, stay flexible, and embrace the chaos.
But if you think moving to Bali will ‘fix’ your life? You’ll probably be booking a flight home sooner than you expect.
