I AM LEAVING BALI | The digital nomad’s paradise HAS CHANGED
Bali, the renowned Indonesian island, has long been a haven for digital nomads seeking a paradise to work and play. With its stunning beaches, lush jungles, and vibrant culture, it has drawn a diverse and dynamic community of remote workers and entrepreneurs from around the world. However, a recent wave of changes has caused many of these digital nomads to question the future of Bali as their chosen base.
One of the biggest draws of Bali for digital nomads has been its affordability, with a high quality of life available at a fraction of the cost compared to Western countries. However, in recent years, the cost of living in Bali has been steadily rising. Rental prices have soared, and the influx of tourists has led to inflated prices for everyday goods and services. This shift has made it increasingly difficult for digital nomads to maintain the same standard of living they once enjoyed on the island.
Another significant factor contributing to the changing landscape of Bali for digital nomads is the island’s deteriorating infrastructure. As more and more people have flocked to Bali, the strain on its roads, water supply, and waste management systems has become evident. Traffic congestion has become a common frustration for residents and visitors alike, while the impact of over-tourism on the environment has become a cause for concern.
Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a new set of challenges for digital nomads in Bali. Travel restrictions, lockdowns, and economic uncertainty have disrupted many remote workers’ plans and forced them to reconsider their living arrangements. The closure of popular co-working spaces and the shift to remote work for many businesses have also changed the landscape for digital nomads in Bali.
The combination of these factors has led many digital nomads to reassess their decision to call Bali home. Some have chosen to leave the island in search of new destinations that offer similar benefits at a lower cost, while others have opted to return to their home countries or explore alternative remote work hubs.
Of course, Bali still retains much of its allure for digital nomads. Its natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and welcoming community continue to make it an attractive destination for remote workers. However, the changes that have taken place in recent years have raised important questions about the sustainability of Bali as a digital nomad’s paradise.
Ultimately, the decision to leave Bali is a deeply personal one for each individual digital nomad. While the island may no longer offer the same advantages and opportunities that it once did, there are still plenty of other places around the world that can provide a similar lifestyle for remote workers. As the digital nomad community continues to evolve and adapt, it remains to be seen how Bali will continue to fit into their plans.
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Is it possible to have a continuous source of bottled water instead of tap
Yes, agree. If you go to third world countries pls don’t be surprised to actually see a third world country. There are only tourist “spots” but the rest is the country.
This is a great reality check about Bali.
Have been thinking about going to Bali as a digital nomad for a month or 2 but the overcrowding, constant traffic congestion and lack of cleanliness (Bali Belly and litter everywhere) are putting me off from even visiting since just getting to Bali is a very long and expensive journey from the US.
It seems a lot of the "picture perfect" images of Bali are from Instagram influencers who are spending a lot of money staying at luxury resorts or expensive villas with private beaches, heavily cropping their pictures or going to places very early in the morning to make it appear as if they have a place all to themselves (waterfalls, beaches, tourist sights, etc…)
A growing number of digital nomad say Bali is no longer what it once was sadly… sad to hear there is so much trash everywhere also.
Make the same kind of video about Brazil, that you're visiting now. It would be nice. Success
you are absolutely write about life in Bali not healthy – traffic pollution is horrible, and local street and cafe food is usually very heavy with lots of cheap palm oil.
for water just get Balian – its only 30K per 19L jug and its magnificent – from the source at the mount Agung!
but where did you need to travel everyday for half-day in traffic? =)
Not cheap toe the followings:-
Massage
Manicure
Pedicure
Bali simply cannot cope with the amount of over tourism and over population, I had the same experience and noticed the same things
Growing up in perth bali was a frequent holiday spot. nomads and travellers have ruined the charm of Bali 20 years ago to the point we will not go again. I went to bali for ubud and for scuba diving and it was just sad and not enjoyable. The culture behind bali is ruined.
Its too over crowded for our liking. I dont see myself going to bali again.
We travel extremely frequently and dont really have a home base and we make good money remote.
Bali is just a party city or expats and digital nomads being cringe. Our favourite destination is thailand, japan and vietnam.
Edit: i should add we arent 'influencers' either. My partner is a software engineer and my role isnt 100% remote, its about 90% remote that requires me to fly back home once a month for a few days.
We take photos but its mostly one photo of us for us to look back on, we dont really post much on social media because for the most part we travel to escape social media and to just reflect and enjoy ourselves.
Scuba diving and hiking are our favourite activities, third would be just walking around and interacting with the locals and food.
I have been to many cities in indonesia which i wont go back again, mostly went because my partner wanted to go and o had nostalgia memories.
Hello there. Just left Bali a couple weeks ago. Was there for 60 days working. Been going there for 38 years. Thought your comments were 100% spot on. Very impressed. The only thing you didn’t comment on was all the asshole Russian’s. Just came back from 2 weeks in Phuket. Worse than Bali. Once again, enjoyed your honesty. Cheers
Looks like you didn't do your homework before moving there in the first place and fell for an overidealisation that could've been easily avoided. Bali exploded a long long time ago. Everything you are describing has been like that for so long now that I can barely remember. As far back as 2010, it was pretty much everything it is today already. Yes, Canggu wasn't the westerner shithole it is today, but most others were like that already. Anyway… better research would've probably helped you avoid such disappointment. If you really want heaven, you need to head out to the rest of Indonesia outside Bali, Lombok and the Gilis, it's 17 thousand islands, so you've got plenty. Granted, no fancy cafés, restaurants, villas and the Bali circus stuff…but that's what it's all about, genuine stuff.
So basically, you are complaining that people are trying to achieve what you achive, I have seen that exact situation with Japan and videogames; people complaining that they cant buy cheap videogames because many people are trying to do as same as they do.
Some of the problems that you mentioned are a direct cause of having soo many digital nomads, tourist, etc… And same of those problems are already the same that I saw and liive in Jakarta. Indonesia is a developing country with less taxes than Europe, Us, etc…
People in general cant pretend to avoid paying taxes, buying cheap things and have the same services as Europe, US, etc…