Many people coming from outside of Asia don’t realise that Bali is in fact part of Indonesia. The people of Bali are predominantly Hindu. Religion plays a big part in day to day activity and is evident everywhere. Next would be the Muslim community followed by Christians and Budists. The people are friendly, it is unlikely you would be out and about and someone didn’t say hello or greet you with a smile. Should you go to one of the more remote areas there will be many smiling faces waving to you from the roadside, where foreigners remain a novelty.
Main roads are generally in good condition although are poorly lit at night. The more local roads can be a bit rough in places to say the least. There are no trains in Bali at all. Most people get around on a small motorbike. They’re not that many cars, trucks carrying goods from Java do pass through the area, along with coaches and local buses to Denpassar, not that many although a little slow.
.gif)
Depending on what currency your used too, but a general rule your money should go five times as far. Things that are expensive are generally those that are imported, or in limited supply due to lack of demand. Bread, dairy products like butter, cheese yoghurt, milk are expensive. Drink, imported wine, spirits and beers carry a premium. But for the smoker, local and some recognisable brands are inexpensive. Despite the resent spikes in oil prices, petrol (bensin) and gas for cooking remains inexpensive. Electricity is priced on the amount of supply to the property with a staggered standing charge plus a per unit cost. Bills can be surprisingly high even by comparison if you like your air conditioning. No rates for local Government services to speak of, just an annual land for the area (not the property) that amounts to very little.
Lovina itself is made of a series of small shops, there is a small supermarket (Angsoka) that carries the majority of items that meets basis needs. There is an open market that has fruit, vegetables, fish, chicken, household items. Quality can vary from day to day, a problem the area suffers from for no apparent reason. Singaraja has more shops, larger supermarket, open market with a greater variety. There are some shops that cater for foreigners with a range of imported items, priced accordingly. For anything else, a trip south to one of the cash and carry outlets is worthwhile if you want to stock up or get something a bit different also for the home.
Price rises are creeping into the economy with the significant rise in the price of oil, some of the are quite substantial. Apart from the more obvious commodities like petrol, gas and staple foods. The cost of building materials has risen in some cases significantly, cement being one of them. However, taking these factors into account, it still remains very cost effective to live here.
Until you’re known in the area you will hear “transport transport” as you walk by. For a negotiated fee someone will take you where you want to go. Alternatively you can hire a motorbike for the day, plus petrol (bensin). There are small blue or beige coloured busses that are fine if your 1.5 metres tall, anyone taller it’s a challenge to get in and out. They don’t cost very much, always stopping to pick up or drop off. There’s no designated stops, just put your hand out.
The standard is incredibly bad. But what do you expect that from a country that give licences at fourteen and there’s no test required to get one, it’s optional not mandatory, neither is insurance. People don’t wait until they’re fourteen, I’ve seen very young children on the road, literally taking their lives in their hands. This coupled by the Police that drive just as badly. Be very very careful, out there, especially as a foreigner. Rules of the road and common sense don’t apply. I don’t know if it’s an amazing trust in faith, re-incarnation is a matter of course, just a matter of when. Driving is one of the few things I don’t like about living here.
Buying new is ok, you get the makers warranty and reasonable support from the dealer. Just bear in mind when you renew your road tax what you drive/ride and how new it is determines the fee. If you’re a Kitas holder you can have it in your name, but consider when you go to renew your one year quality car in your name, they will be very pleased to see you.
The second-hand salesman is alive and well in Bali. Buyer beware, no different to anywhere else I hear you say. But consider if the car or bike has the “blue book” this is proof of ownership. If they can’t produce it for whatever reason, the chances the vehicle is subject to finance and owned by a bank for finance company. It will be cheaper (normally) than one that has a blue book for obvious reasons. With motorbikes the price between new and second-hand bikes is very little, for some reason they hold their price quite well. For peace of mind I would buy a new one.
If you’re looking for a certificate of roadworthiness or equivalent depending where your from, don’t bother, there isn’t one. This will become apparent when you see the condition of some of the vehicles on the road.
Another thing to look out for is where a vehicle is registered, to get the registration/name change in your area will have a cost, something the dealers neglect to tell you. Something you should clarify if you’re serious about the purchase and make it part of your negations, sooner rather than later.
As with any investment there is a degree of risk. Lovina is a developing area, it doesn’t have the range of choice, infrastructure, consistent quality and better service sector available in the south. But unlike the south it hasn’t reached saturation and property prices to match. When local people come into money they buy land, it’s considered a safe investment with better returns than a bank. Over the time we have been associated with the area there has been a steady rise in value. Even now with the world effectively on economic freeze, prices are holding not contracting. The fact remains the area is developing and investor and residents alike will benefit. We haven’t heard of anyone losing money on a property deal.
Come into this environment with eyes wide open. Look beyond the endless sunshine, stunning views, beaches, slow pace of life and easy cost of living. The fact remains we are all still foreigners here with very little rights unless Indonesian Law changes significantly over the come years. That doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from being here, a degree of caution is needed and an awareness of what you can do and how to go about. Going in blindly can get you into all sorts of trouble and could prove very expensive to rectify.
If in any doubt, just ask….
AVAILABILITY
A short drive into Singaraja to a limited number of small retailers and one larger store (Courts) does have a surprising range of choice considering their size. Fridges from small cabinets up to double door full size units, a range of top and front loading washing machines, also TV’s of various sizes including flat screen. All from a variety of manufactures including international brands. For a greater range of choice and brand names a trip to Denpassar and the surrounding area is needed. Remember that there will be a delivery charge, the shops in Singaraja may be able to get the unit you want without the delivery charge and possibly a slightly better price, not always the case, but worth checking.
There are a number of furniture manufactures in Lovina and surrounding area. Items are made to order on the premises and you have a choice of different wood that can be used. Some manufactures have finished pieces on show or orders waiting to be collected. Quality and price does vary, don’t confuse poor quality wood and manufacture as being cheap. Language is a barrier, take someone with you who has used them before and hasn’t some arrangement with them over the price you pay. Just because you know them doesn’t mean you’re getting a fair price, be warned. However, if you have bought well and it’s made well from good materials it will last a very long time. There is no venire used, everything is solid wood. The only thing that lets it down can be the quality and choice of the fittings and hinges, so if you see something like handles or knobs, you like, get them.
For design and originality manufactures in the south have a better choice, some also have extensive showroom for you to look around. Most furniture is made in Jawa and can take a number of weeks to make and take longer than originally quoted. They tend to be less flexible on price I think because there is a delivery cost in getting it to Lovina, even though there is a good chance the truck will pass by your door on the way to Denpasar.
Despite some extensive research some things we have been unable to find that are of good quality. Doesn’t mean they’re not available in Bali, just difficult to get hold of. The sort of things we’re talking about is good quality locks for doors and windows. Lights and light fittings including for outside use. Also security devices such as a simple alarms system, infra-red and photo-electric cells.
In Lovina, limited choice with some scope to negotiate a price, just don’t do it on your own or you’ve got little or no chance. Take a local that hasn’t got their hand in your pocket.
In the south, more choice, less scope for discount or fixed price only, plus a delivery cost.
Source it yourself when travelling, remember your Customs Declaration restricts you to 250USD of goods plus whatever additional weight you can get passed the airline.
Buying on the internet is another possibility, but there isn’t much that doesn’t attract Customs Duty and the rates can be very high, depends how badly you want or need the item!