Not to scare us… just to prepare us.
Because Bali is incredible, but living here is very different to visiting.
1. It’s not a permanent holiday
Yes, it’s beautiful. Yes, it’s warm. But you still have routines, responsibilities, work, school, cooking, laundry… life just looks different here.
2. The little things take time
Things that are quick in Australia can take longer here. Deliveries, admin, getting things fixed. You learn patience very quickly.
3. The weather shapes your life
Rainy season is real. Humidity is constant. Mould, mozzies, and wet afternoons become part of daily life.
4. You will adapt more than you expect
From how you shop, cook, travel, and even how you spend your time. Life becomes simpler in some ways, and more complicated in others.
5. Community matters more than anything
Finding your people here changes everything. Friends, neighbours, local connections… it makes Bali feel like home.
6. Respect goes a long way
Bali isn’t just a destination, it’s someone else’s home, culture, and way of life. The more you respect it, the more it gives back.
7. It’s not always easy… but it’s worth it
There are challenges, moments of frustration, and things you miss. But there are also moments that feel really special. Slower mornings, new experiences, and a completely different way of living.
We didn’t have all the answers when we moved. We’re still figuring things out as we go.
But that’s part of Things I wish someone had told us before moving to Bali 🤍
Moving to Bali is akin to jumping into a mesmerizing dream where luscious landscapes meet warm climates. Yet, beneath its paradisiacal veneer, the realities of living here unfold gradually, teaching us invaluable lessons we wished we knew beforehand.
Imagine arriving in a place where every day feels like a vacation. But the realization hits soon enough — Bali is not a perpetual holiday. Daily life persists. Amidst the picturesque views and vibrant sunsets, life’s chores and responsibilities—school runs, work commitments, and those ever-present home chores—quickly remind you of reality, even in this slice of paradise.
Adapting becomes second nature. With time, you'll notice how routine undertakings, like shopping or getting a delivery, unfold with a different tempo here—one that requires patience. Such tasks are slower compared to Australia, but they invite a new way of experiencing daily life, in which the aesthetics become just as important as the achievements.
If you’re moving here, you might wonder, how does the weather affect everything so profoundly? The omnipresent humidity, the moods of the rainy season, and the challenges they bring, are part of the natural rhythm of life here. Surprisingly enough, you’ll find your routine—cooking, traveling, and leisure—shaped by these climatic conditions.
Perhaps the most cherished revelation is the significance of community. Connections are life’s anchors, and making friends with locals enriches the soul and makes the foreign land feel like home.
Finally, life in Bali serves a gentle reminder that respect enriches every venture as a guest in someone else’s home. Relishing Bali’s beauty and culture entails embracing its challenges as well. Even with unexpected hurdles and fleeting moments of longing for some aspects of ‘home’, the simpler, enriched lifestyle more than compensates.
All these insights weave a tapestry of what it truly means to reside in Bali—a tale of adapting, connecting, and respecting—a unique way of living both beautiful and worthwhile.
