Schiff Sovereign's Take on Indonesia
Indonesia, in many ways, is similar to India. Both boast rich, diverse cultures, each of which could constitute a separate country.
Indonesia’s islands of Sumatra and Bali, for example, share neither culture, religion nor language.
They are not even located very close to one another; Indonesia is a huge country scattered across some 17,500 islands.
It’s a predominantly Muslim country, and Muslim countries are normally not known as party scenes. But in Indonesia’s case, this is not entirely true: The capital, Jakarta, for example, is a huge, cosmopolitan city. And the nightlife can be very exciting there.
In contrast, Bali has a distinctly bohemian, laid-back vibe. It’s a place to vacation. And vacation people do: Bali is to Australians what Cancun is to Americans.
We personally like Bali a lot, and with tens of thousands of expats living there (at least pre-pandemic), we are clearly not alone.
Our own Chief Investment Officer Tim Staermose spent several years in Bali before moving to Tanzania to pursue investment opportunities in Africa.
Bali is also very safe, and generally has a lot going for it: Incredible beaches, stellar views, balmy weather and fantastic restaurants.
You can attend a yoga class in a thatched hut with a view of the ocean, tour a rice paddy, walk along unspoiled stretches of coastline… Before you visit bustling coffee shops, pick up organic snacks at a deli, peer at tropical birds you’ve never seen… After which you can tuck into an amazing Indonesian meal before returning home to watch the stars from your deck. It’s a spectacular place to live.
Retirees love Bali. Unless you’re sending a child to private school, which can be expensive, the cost of living there is still relatively cheap, especially for a tourist town. And if you’re a remote worker or digital nomad, you’ll be pleased to learn that the country is launching a 5-year Digital Nomad Visa with some attractive potential tax benefits, too.
That said, Bali is still part of Indonesia, and Indonesia can be mind boggling when it comes to bureaucratic red tape. Obtaining any kind of long-term visa or residency is close to impossible in Indonesia.
(Most of Asia restricts immigration, and travel was even more restricted during Covid.)
And you can forget about doing any serious business in Indonesia as a foreigner. Making life difficult for foreign investors and entrepreneurs almost seems to be a professional sport there. But if you’re retired or working remotely, it could be an excellent option…
Indonesia’s islands of Sumatra and Bali, for example, share neither culture, religion nor language.
They are not even located very close to one another; Indonesia is a huge country scattered across some 17,500 islands.
It’s a predominantly Muslim country, and Muslim countries are normally not known as party scenes. But in Indonesia’s case, this is not entirely true: The capital, Jakarta, for example, is a huge, cosmopolitan city. And the nightlife can be very exciting there.
In contrast, Bali has a distinctly bohemian, laid-back vibe. It’s a place to vacation. And vacation people do: Bali is to Australians what Cancun is to Americans.
We personally like Bali a lot, and with tens of thousands of expats living there (at least pre-pandemic), we are clearly not alone.
Our own Chief Investment Officer Tim Staermose spent several years in Bali before moving to Tanzania to pursue investment opportunities in Africa.
Bali is also very safe, and generally has a lot going for it: Incredible beaches, stellar views, balmy weather and fantastic restaurants.
You can attend a yoga class in a thatched hut with a view of the ocean, tour a rice paddy, walk along unspoiled stretches of coastline… Before you visit bustling coffee shops, pick up organic snacks at a deli, peer at tropical birds you’ve never seen… After which you can tuck into an amazing Indonesian meal before returning home to watch the stars from your deck. It’s a spectacular place to live.
Retirees love Bali. Unless you’re sending a child to private school, which can be expensive, the cost of living there is still relatively cheap, especially for a tourist town. And if you’re a remote worker or digital nomad, you’ll be pleased to learn that the country is launching a 5-year Digital Nomad Visa with some attractive potential tax benefits, too.
That said, Bali is still part of Indonesia, and Indonesia can be mind boggling when it comes to bureaucratic red tape. Obtaining any kind of long-term visa or residency is close to impossible in Indonesia.
(Most of Asia restricts immigration, and travel was even more restricted during Covid.)
And you can forget about doing any serious business in Indonesia as a foreigner. Making life difficult for foreign investors and entrepreneurs almost seems to be a professional sport there. But if you’re retired or working remotely, it could be an excellent option…
