Bali Retirement
If you are retiring from a Northeast or Midwest city, you know that winters can be particularly brutal. Bali is a haven for retirees due to its mild weather and year-round sunshine. Between November and March, the country is in its rainy season, so you can be well assured of a downpour or a light sprinkle most days. The temperatures hover around 90 degrees Farenheit during this time of year, so many people spend their days lounging by the beach. In the dry season of April through October, people in Bali enjoy milder temperatures and more sunny, dry days. Tourism is at its highest during these times and the region hosts some of their most popular festivals during the dry season.
Welcoming and Friendly People
People in Bali are known for their friendliness and warmth, and you can quickly make new friends once you arrive. Retirees report being invited to family events, weddings, religious celebrations and family dinners. The communal culture of Bali means that retirees in Bali should be ready to share of themselves as well. Be prepared to teach locals to play an instrument, create artwork to share or simply open your home to your new friends.
New Experiences and Cultures
Wake up to the surreal experience of watching the sun rise over rice paddies or spend your day at a monkey temple or conversing with a Balinese medicine man. Hike a volcano or go for a wild ride on the back of a motorbike while dodging Bali’s insane traffic. There are towering temples, fun festivals, sacred villages and of course, breathtaking natural beauty. A Bali retirement means that every day is new and inspiring and awe-inspiring.
Convenient Location
There is plenty to see and do right in Bali, but if you ever decide to venture out, Indonesia is within a short flight of most of what Southeast Asia has to offer. Low cost air carriers can take you to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Philippines within a few hours. The Australian coast is just five hours away, so short holidays are simple and inexpensive from Bali. Denpasar (DPS) is the nearest airport to Bali, and serves international airports all over the world.
Indonesia has its share of national parks and natural wonders within a few hours’ drive of Bali. Komodo Islands are a huge tourist destination, home of the Komodo dragon and beautiful pink sand beaches. From nearly-uninhabited islands to beachfront resorts, there is no shortage of beautiful destinations within a short retirement trip from Bali.
Inexpensive Health Care
Health care in Bali is much more affordable than in most Western countries, so you can enjoy cheap doctor’s visits, low-cost prescriptions and inexpensive surgeries. If you have long-term ailments or chronic illness, most expats and retirees use BIMC, a state-of-the art chain that covers most medical specialties. Many Bali retirement communities have their own in-house doctors and nurses or can arrange for house calls.
Bali is also home to several hospitals, including BaliMed hospital, RSUP Sanglah Hospital and Paviliun Amerta Wing International. For severe injuries, patients are sometimes airlifted to Singapore, so be sure to have health insurance the covers you in Bali. If you are living in a Bali retirement residence, the staff there will assist you to get the health insurance you need.
Low Cost of Living
The biggest draw, however, for retirees in Bali is the low cost of living. Most retirees can live well on the average social security earnings in the United States. The average single person can live on $650-$1,700 USD per month. For a couple, sharing costs, the money goes even further.
The average rental costs between $300 and $1,100, and retirees can enjoy Bali retirement villas, private homes and serviced apartments within this range.
Transportation for motorbike rental and fuel usually costs between $60-$75 per month. Much of Bali is walkable, and you can also buy a bike for easy transportation.
Food in Bali is centered around fresh options like vegetables and fruit. The diet is heavy on rice dishes, and food is quite inexpensive here. The average person can get by with spending around $300 a month for food. People who enjoy eating out will find a wide variety of restaurants and street food stalls where you can enjoy local specialties for pennies on the dollar. Bali’s food scene is exceedingly well-loved, and retirees can both save money and enjoy local delicacies by eating out.
Activities in Bali are also inexpensive, and those who enjoy watersports, yoga and massages can spend about $75-$150 each month. There are many free Bali retirement cultural activities like visiting temples and visiting open air markets.
Of course there will be additional charges for incidentals like Internet access (many apartments include this) cell phones and personal items, but for the most part, retirees can live well on less than $2,000 USD per month.
Planning your retirement in Bali can be exciting. Retirees love Bali for its beautiful scenery, lovely weather and low cost of living. There are amazing Bali luxury retirement communities that offer you all of the amenities of living like a millionaire for a fraction of the cost.