Retire in Bali

If you have ever wondered whether it is possible for you to live in Bali, here is a chance to inform yourself on what it may cost you. Of course everyone's budget is different, but this overview should at the very least make you better prepared to take the leap. Why Bali?Yeah yeah its cheap. So what? Why live on an island somewhere in the Indian Ocean?Because of the... "vibe." This may be a hippie-dippy answer, but there's something about Bali that's unlike the rest of Indonesia, as well as the rest of Southeast Asia. Before I moved to Bali I spent a month in Thailand, and then the following year I spent a month in Vietnam & Cambodia (mostly Vietnam). The third year I spent a month in Bali. It was during this trip that I realized Bali was the place for me. To take one example, lets focus on food for a moment. Here are two links to food options in Bali: Top 10 Foods You Must Eat In Bali: https: //travelwithbender.com/travel-blog/bali/top-10-foods-you-must-eat-baliThe list covers many Balinese and Indonesian favorites, although #9 Spring Rolls are from China (but who's counting). The food is exotic enough to be interesting, and it's what you might expect when visiting an Asian country: rice and noodle dishes. Now here's the next link: A Foodie's Guide to Canggu: https: //www.midnightblueelephant.com/canggu-restaurants-bali/Admittedly this list is about restaurants and not a list of dishes, but notice there's not a grain of rice or a single wet noodle in any of the photos. You might as well be in a hipster neighborhood in Portland, Oregon. Bali has an extraordinary amount of food options (unlike most developing countries). And you will most assuredly utilize this food bonanza if you retire here. I mostly eat rice and noodle dishes, as my wife is Indonesian, but man am I glad to have access to a change of pace. Over 15 years ago I was fortunate enough to spend a month in a country whose cuisine (and people) I dearly love: Italy. But prepare yourself for Italian food morning, noon and night. If you do not love Italian food ALL of the time, do not retire in Italy. This is not as true in the big cities, but in general Italy is pretty limited if your orientation tends towards a large variety of foods. Why does Bali have so many food options?Because its been a world class international destination for decades. It's very common to walk along the beach and hear half a dozen different languages from folks strolling by. The benefits are reflected not only in food choices, but in entrepreneurial endeavors of all kinds. Finally, lets talk about friendliness. When considering a life abroad we will undoubtedly need (and want) to mingle with the local culture. What are the Balinese like?Perhaps their spiritual orientation gives the Balinese a friendliness that's so refreshing. I'm not really sure. But their everyday offerings to the gods (which are placed everywhere) are reminders to be grateful. To be humble. To be kind. To walk softly on this precious planet.