What is the most important factor you consider while thinking about moving to another country?

very true! Agreed on these points. especially the pros about incredible locals and cool ex pats who are open to meeting others. Also my take on the locals is that they are not just "nice" they are actually behind the scenes really sarcastic and funny, can be critical and have all sorts of hilarious opinions about different types of "bule" people lol. The thing I learned most from locals are joy in the present moment, discipline / routine, reminder to work hard and diligently, patience, surrender / non attachment to outcomes, creating peace instead of chaos in life, and not taking things too seriously or overcomplicating everything in your mind. That being said, they do have this niceness reputation and it's super true that they are in general so much more easygoing and always finding reasons to laugh and smile, but they work extremely hard to maintain that image of the "always at your service" Balinese local. I see and hear about it burning a lot of people out, especially young mothers who have to work a ton, raise the kids and cook for their husbands (men still don't do most of the child duties there...some of it is cultural and also because they are working nonstop as drivers or staff) and so the men burn out too, lose sleep all the time overnight at hotels or driving around ex pats at all hours while trying to provide for their families. and somehow through all of this constant work they manage to have near-daily elaborate ceremonies and put in so much work outside of their jobs to maintain their routines, families, religion, and culture. So I encourage anyone reading this to really think about how much the locals constantly sacrifice to run this tourism economy, please please never think of them as just there to serve you (Jay and Alina you seem like you really really get this, and that is awesome, thanks for calling attention to it). i've seen it happen too much and it really is sad and frustrating, it can really feed into some people's wealthy / privileged entitlement. I definitely agree to not let anyone or anything make your stay so seamless, and that you get lazy if you don't watch yourself and maintain a sense of personal accountability. Of course it's amazing to send laundry out for cheap but over time I really enjoyed washing my clothes the traditional way on the shower floor with a scrub brush (it's clean) with my balinese mom and sister and line drying them in the sun. It's part of being an adult to do your own work and it helps not make an "us" and "them" distinction between ex pats and locals. We are all one human family and westerners have a LOT to learn from local perspectives and values. Values that have been erased in highly developed countries. Also I totally agree that bali's beaches are not a major part of the destination. There are some spots in Ulu that are very picturesque but I didn't love the beach in Canguu and overall I really prefer the jungle, rivers, and waterfalls of Ubud and the center of island to any beach there. California has better beaches actually! But it doesn't matter that the beaches are just okay. Bali is still the best place in the world :) thanks for making this thought-provoking video!

Thank you very much for your honest report on Bali. We're thinking about visiting there for a look- see and truly appreciated finding and learning from you.

You guys are awesome and so down to earth. Thank you for sharing with us what you felt life in Bali is about. I hope to be there soon!

thank you. very helpful.

Thanks for this video, it was super realistic!!

Thanks for your candidness!

Lots of good info, and I've enjoyed your friendly and thoughtful comments.

Excellent comments about Bali! Totally agree with your observation!

Excellent Info. Thanks!

Great video!! Been living here for 4 months and totally agree with all your points 👍

Thanks for this honest & informative video guys. We love videos like these👏👏💛

Very helpful video; thank you both.

Thanks for the information.

very informative video.........thanks Jay and Alina

Great video with very good points.

well, that was a video to be learned. very straight forward and therefor very good for those who think about move' in. thanks, you helped me and keep up the good work.

Great vlog guys 👍 So many great things Bali has to offer 🏝️

Great imfo guys

Thank you a lot for good review!!!!!!

Great content!

I was in Bali two years ago. Everything you said is absolutely correct.

Thanking you...!

one of the best no nonsense channels on yt

Thanks guys!

I’ve been to bali many times. This is a very honest and truthful depiction of Bali. Thank you. 👍🍻

Thanks folks good job!

Helpful and informative video!!

Super agree with jay n alena........keep it up guys n keep the positivity vibes always.........u guys are amazing

Excellent Vlog. I love you're content, honesty and feedback when referencing Bali. Thank you for your informative channel and you're contributions to the Environment in Bali. I'm a fan of the Channel

Thanks - Wonderful Video 🙂

Jay & Alina,Thanks For Making This Very Informative Video 👍 Enjoy Bali 🏝

Great video ,thanks for sharing. Greetings from beautiful Hawaii islands ⛵️ 🏝

Wow, your honesty is refreshing! I think the pros outweigh the cons, however it really depends on what bother you the most :) Keep up the good work!

Very interesting, thanks for sharing this👍

Thank you for the video this is very informative I am considering relocating to Bali

You guys have such a cool vibe man! I plan to move to Bali at the end of the year, hope I bump into you!

Super video ⭐️🌞✨ Thank you

You are so right about the beaches. I lived and surfed in Canggu for 2 years. The very thing that makes it a surfers paradise makes it very dangerous for a casual swim.

Thank you for describing the facts about Bali -- Indonesia

We hope you guys are doing ok during the lockdown! Take care and be well! Thanks again for the good video.

Good job!

Super vlog guys and your reasons for loving Bali are exactly why we have just made it our home too!!! Would love to meet up one day ☺️

Thank You 🙏🏽

Saw you guys riding last week lol! We are loving it here

Thank you for the honest review ! Very valuable insight. I still plan to come there one day. Just witing for the re-opening.

Love Bali 🌾🌿🌊

Wow thanks for the truth!!!

Thanks for the informative video!🙏🧡 Love to see foreigners perspective about us👍😉 Minor input if you don't mind, this video should titled: " Pros and Cons living in urban area of Bali" There is no traffic in north and east side of Bali, rare occasion i'd say There is pedestrian walk in the town of those area Remember, Bali is so much more than just Canggu and Seminyak👍😉🙏🙏

Great vlogging guys 👍

Thanks

Thank you very much my awesome Italian couple 😘 grazie

Bali is great. Con is the hard sell from the Market stall holders. Know the common price for the goods U buy. Offer it and walk away slowly they should call U back.

Also one of my pro. Bali is just one island within the massive country of Indonesia, so you can go see jungle of borneo, safari in komodo, volcanos & ancient temples in java, without pasport & currecy hustle. But i guess thats add the "never get bored" point

agree with most of these.

I liked this video in the first 3 seconds because i already knew it was going to be good.👌

Just found your channel,you are fantastic commentators. Love your knowledge of Bali,we will be visiting in march 2023. Stay safe

Nice and honest!

Nice story about bali, hope you enjoy living at bali🙏

Awesome honest review guys , it is true about the beach in Bali, is no near what we call paradise beach, I’m from Southern California we have so many nicer beaches here, and nicer cleanest environmental protection, not that I made negative point of view about Bali, as you show us how bad the pollution are in Bali, you would not see that in Southern California beaches, but those 5 pro is absolutely worth to be visited and decide to give a try to stay and consider its paradise, last time I went to Bali is 1992, I couldn’t remember most of the memories but I do remember I went to next island, Lombok and white beaches are so nice, so beautiful, I remember there is property for sale by the beach, my girlfriend immediately told me that she wanted to buy it, and I said , hey, we are foreigners, no way they can let us buy it, that’s the only thing I could remember but in Bali itself we have so much fun by spending night live eating drinking, party ourselves off, and yeah you guys were absolutely right, Bali is a laid back country that made people forget that you have bills and person responsible like work etc. thanks guy

Welcome to another video about Bali.......

Having lived there #4 is one of my biggest ones! I missed my walks so bad

Pantai Pandawa is a great place to swim at. Crystal clear water, white sand beaches plus stalls selling cheap drinks, food and other stuff.

Great information from both of you. I agree Jay cooking in any oil a no no, coconut oil is ok though. Hey you guys, I never been to Nusa Penida, looks fantastic thanx for the insight.

haha ... love the last comment... "Keep it in your mind." Great video guys.

Great video, saw you on the beach while I was taking a sunset walk with my wife 👍

I used to go to Bali for vacation I stayed for 2 weeks in the beach hotel Kuta.I live in California and I was born in Indonesia but grew up abroad. I can't take the humidity but miss going there cause of Covid. I love the massages. My families live in Java plan to go back when no more quarantine required.

Since the pandemic and travel restrictions I've needed to watch people like yourself staying in Bali, commenting, and showing what's happening. Ventured to Bali yearly since 2011 and agree with all your pro's. Con's are clearly a Canggu issue and I totally understand why you love that area so much. As I enjoy the semi-quiet scenes Sanur gives me the beach walking path and sidewalks for exploring and exercise. Less mad traffic and decent beaches with all the smiles. Traffic, and trash, the signs of a booming place with no place to put it. Tourism exploded in Bali and population increase with no infrastructure to support it is sad. What I find worse it all the businesses/people struggling with no tourism. Can't wait to visit Bali and support my friends over there, thanks for the video.

Eu quero ir.

Thank you for your informative video. I hope when i come to Balli, i will meet with you guys and buy you lunch. Lunch will be on me, promise me that you will keep on giving me more information about life in Balli

Great honest video. The biggest con for me is definitely walkability, and that's why I wouldn't move to Bali. It's the activity that makes me relax the most, but unfortunately most SEA and Latin American countries really lack in this area. Still an amazing tourism spot, the locals are just wonderful!

Be interested to hear about your visit, if you ever go to Aitutaki in the Cook Islands....

My dream is to spend at least a year there. Will probably check it out first for a few weeks, but once I’m able to save up and take a break from everything I will be ready to dive into a new culture and a paradise land😄

Great Video! Great Info! How long have you been in Bali?

I was surprised to find "TRAFFIC" on the con list, personally I find the sketchy traffic quite exhilarating on a bike 😂

Thank you for this videos. I went to Bali for a short 2 weeks vacation. It was fantastic and well planed. My suggestion for visitors would be to make arrangement ahead with a local guide. It can be personalize with what you want to see and budgets. Local guides knows so many great spots and it is a great source of economy for them. The best job for a Balinese could be to show there country, they have so many reason to be proud. Best regards form Canada 🇨🇦

Love the video. Thank you, I am surprised about the beaches. How about a place on the mountain overlooking the beaches.. are there any places like that?

I enjoy your vlog very much. It's one of the best and always informative. When is the best time to travel to Bali?

Amazing video guys. I will buy you guys a coffee… I love bali but I just stay around Bukit ( ululating, Padang Padang) 👏🏻👏🏻

anothers pro : bali sunsets are gorgeous.

Ok, Ok, I listened to all your pro’s and con’s and have to say very good job! But don’t forget East Bali! Here we have the the mountains and white and black sand beaches, and you live with the locals! You are right about the surfing on the west coast, , but here in the East we have the wonderful fish, people, mountains, beaches, panoramas , and less traffic! You do have to be able to becara sidikit Bahasa Indonesia yah! I’m sure you have already done this. Idea Bagus! Keep up the good work. Namasta! Dennis

Been to Bali. Beautiful. But no thanks to traffic. There are many places in Bali without traffic.

Thank you so much for being truthful about the good as well as the bad. Though personally #3 bad would be on my good list. haha

Pop over to Lombok tons of room to walk around, wide footpaths, no hawkers and the loveliest of people like the Balinese. Love the comment about getting lazy so true. I want to get this tomorrow and maybe just maybe you get it in 10 days time ha ha ha. I built my house on Lombok don’t have house staff or pool cleaner but contemplating getting a cleaner in a couple of days a week for the house. 140 square metres of just floor tiles is a big job just to keep it neat and tidy. Super cheap here also compared to Bali. I paid $60 000 Australian for my land house with pool and every associated cost. Our weekly budget for my wife myself and our 12 year old daughter is $160 Australian a week. I smoke lots and drink alcohol about every third day.

Haha, I’ve sat on the exact same chair as you Jay (5:45). Nau Villa was nice! Btw you’ve mentioned the kites. I really started to hate the noisy ones during the dry season... Anyway Bali is fantastic, I miss it already after a month out of there. Thumbs up for the video and enjoy the island!

Love you guys, Great tips . very insightful. hope to be there soon. One question I would like to ask is there any language barriers communicating

Thank you so much for the wonderful! Do you have tips on which part of bali is the most chill? Me and my boyfriend want to visit and we really dislike partying crowds

Nice jobs guys. From expats in Seminyak.

Thank you. That was very honest and informative. Not the usual 'Here I am in Bali eating food and staying in a nice place' videos that some others put up. The impression I get is that staying long term on Bali is great for people with time on their hands, like early twenties or retirees. I have been there twice, but the last time was about 25 years ago. So I'm in the retiree bracket. Bali here I come? Maybe.

Binge watching your vids day 3 haha! 😂 again super informative videooo. If you want to experience that beach white sand definitely try coming to boaracay and Palawan Philippines. There’s a lot of expats too but not too many coworking spaces and noticed that villas in Philippines costs a little bit higher but definitely check it out in the future :)

Weather, that depends where you live. Ubud gosh it rains for 3 months.

New passport is paid off and should be in bali by the end of this month hopefully I'm so excited 😊

Thank you for producing such a detailed and information video! Two points which I suppose aren't significant if they didn't make the positive or the negative list but is of possible interest to people coming from the outside..... 1. Standard of medical care and cost compared to Western countries. 2. General safety and security. In the West, even though these things aren't perfect, we know the deal and there are perhaps certain things that we take for granted. Any information much appreciated :)

Hi Guys how about healthcare facilities and mosquito issues? Thanks

hi guys yt recommended ur channel and im enjoying it :) do u have a vid where u tell us a bit more about u two?... things like where u from, what u do, how u met???

I guess no place in the world is immune from pollution especially the sea. I do what I can, but it seems so little. I wish more companies would offer their products without packaging. For example, the new shampoo products you can buy are expensive and not what I like. If existing top sellers offered the tablet form I think most people would buy them. Im glad you guys aren't ignoring this problem. We are all responsible to clean up our precious planet.

Thank you this valuable information. I'd like to know where do you recommend to get a massage in Bali?

GOODMORNING FROM CAPE TOWN SOUTH AFRICA HAVE A AWESOME DAY

Try go to Sumba island. There you Will found not to much artificial Nature. Event some area not allowed car skuter n motorcycle Just bicycle.

100% agree with every point mentioned) That's exactly what I thought of Bali. Amazing nature, relaxed atmosphere, friendly locals, but, unfortunately, terrible beaches, lots of pollution, especially in the sea, and no sidewalks. For beach lovers like me Bali isn't the best option. I'd also like to mention the temples, there are so many of them, and they are unique.