In Reply to: Living in Bali - what do you do ? posted by KSevy on Tuesday, 23. February 2010 at 04:42 Bali Time:
like a very calm and patient person with no stress.
We came here as our family already had a business that provides training to Indonesians from all over Indonesia (funded by AusAid - an Australian Aid foundation).
We eventually started our own small business which earns us a very small wage (in tourism) that just covers our very expensive health insurance and work permits etc and basic living (very basic, no AC, no car, no house staff). This business also provide childcare services to a village, school sponsorship etc. We love our simple life compared to our hectic Corporate Life previously. We are blessed.
Living in Paradise has it's ups and downs, once you give up your Western ways at looking at the world there are a lot less tears and I feel like I have a found a peaceful calm way to approach life thanks to the Balinese way. I have more patience than a Saint after living here but I work everyday so you won't see me cruising round on my scooter, I am not a retiree.
I intend to be here forever, I may be wrong but believe as I have been here for a long time and will not be in my home country (Australia) before 65 I won't be able to claim the pension so we will be living here off our life savings (investments) which we do not touch.
Financially if you want to stay here you need a lot behind you before you come.