A Hindu Stronghold on an Island Paradise

Bali is proof that in almost any price range, a comfortable beach-adjacent expat adventure is a possibility. Bali is an island in Indonesia and home to almost four million people who enjoy some of the world's most beautiful beaches. Diving, surfing, and swimming are spectacular and cheap, and thousands of westerns expats live, work, and play here. Because Bali has been inhabited for nearly four thousand years, ancient history courses through the island, and you can explore temples and ruins from long ago between visits to the beach.

Of course, Bali is not without it's challenges. While you might escape the stressful hustle and bustle of western life by moving here, you exchange it for a whole new set of stressors inherent to being a foreigner in a culture that is quite unlike anything you may have experienced. Bali is a Hindu island in the midst of a Muslim country dominated by a strict caste system (that governs life down to the naming of children by birth order, explaining how all Balinese seem to have the same five names), governed by local neighborhood associations (who are not shy about strong-arming you for protection money), and an economy where prices on a given item fluctuate by hundreds of percent based on the whim of the shop owner. In short, it's a complicated place to live for those used to well-organized western, or at least western-influenced, society. You shouldn't let the profound difference dissuade you from trying it out, you should just do some serious research and go into the experience with your eyes wide open.

International health insurance with evacuation coverage is an absolute must in Bali. In the event of a serious medical issue, you should be prepared to seek treatment in Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, or any of the other major cities a short flight away. If you are incapacitated, your insurance will need to cover an emergency flight out. BIMC Hospital in Denpasar is a reasonably well-regarded western-style hospital that can provide care for most common ailments. The Australian Embassy maintains a list of local hospitals and evacuation companies that may be helpful to keep on hand.

Similar to Thailand, expats in Indonesia often simply obtain a visitor visa to the country, and then extend it through the practice of "visa runs" to any number of the countries a short flight away.