½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

Seminyak has many properties available, however it is an area that is a) expensive b) tends to have mainly short-term vacation properties.

Having said that, you can find quality accommodation (eg 2BR villa with pool) for between 140 and 200 million rupiah per annum.

Try the Bali Advertiser (available online), or just contact one of the better agents to get together a shortlist for you. PROTIP: Always inspect! Try everything in the property to make sure it works. What is advertised is not necessarily what you get.

Thanks for your reply borborigmus, and thanks for the good advice.
Looks like we might not be living in Seminyak! We were looking for something for between $50 and $100 AUD per week, which I think is between 8,000 and 18,000 rupiah per annum.
We're really just looking for a town with a good surf beach, a few nice cafes, fruit market etc. Do you have any suggestions on where might be nice?

Mmmm.

That's a small budget, even by Bali standards. It's the sort of price reasonably affluent locals might pay, but as a foreigner, you already have the "I am an ATM" sign blazing in neon lights on your forehead and would be extremely lucky, IMO, to get local price.

Your budget works out as follows, assuming 8,400 rupiah to 1 AUD:

$50AUD    to $100 AUD per week               
i.e. 420,000 to 840,000 rupiah per week           
i.e. 21,840,000 to 43,680,000 rupiah per annum
i.e. 1,820,000 to 3,640,000 rupiah per month

I have seen the occasional house (Bali local style - no pool, no aircon)for as low as 45 million a month in the northern part of the Kerobokan area, but these are rare, and not in areas generally frequented by expats. Anything near a beach carries a premium price, even in remote areas.

You could also look for a Kost (boarding house) where you get one room, unfurnished. The good ones have a Bali-style 'bathroom' in an alcove of the one main room. The poorer ones have a communal bathroom shared by all residents. As an example, next door to my villa is a complex of near new, modern-style kost rooms. One room, private bathroom, air-conditioning. Stacked next to each other like motel units. Price, 3 to 3.6 million rupiah per month.

My personal opinion (others may disagree) is that you only have two choices:
1) Live in the boondocks where you will be up to 8 hours travel away from any Western-standard medical assistance, have little personal security and won't have many of the comforts many of us take for granted. However, is you speak passably good Bahasa and establish an excellent relationship with the local banjar, you might make a go of it.
2) Search for a homestay situation. There are some lovely Indo families who will take in homestay guests at a reasonable price. Some report they become 'part of the family', BUT remember that in Bali, being even an honorary part of the family carries its own responsibilities, expectations and obligations. These are often called upon if someone in your host's group  gets sick, has an accident, or needs something - and your response is often expected to be financial.

Just be careful. Your dream is a wonderful one - although somewhat difficult to attain on the budget you mention. Remember to allow for all the other normal expenses too - eg electricity is about 3 times as expensive as in Oz, and internet access could cost you nearly 1,000,000 per month for a slow, unreliable service. Then there's the cost of a visa for expat residents - expensive as hell.

But it CAN be done if you plan carefully and have some money behind you for those inevitable emergencies.

Best of luck, Vyt

hello iv'e been reading your blog about the couple wanting to come to bali for 12 mths.i agree with you. we are building there and  have to have accom every so mths to keep an eye on the building,so i find it much easier to stay in the same hotel every time.i book in when i arrive that way i pay rup and cash at end.they tend to get to know you and i feel safe there.plus they will usually give you a good rate.you can make your room your own and they don't have to come in every day if you don't wish them too.remember accom might be a little too much for you but there is the free wii fi cafe's at 2,000 rup an hr if you have your own lap top.that's cheap and food is just so cheap you eat like a king and its all organic.supermarkets and just living expenses (taxi's)are so much cheaper than OZ too.that it makes up for the accom.i pay around 620.000 mill a mth about $250.00.still come it's a life changing experience.also you can pay your travel on a gold credit card then your travel insurance is covered too.cheers hollywood