Living in Bali with your family: schools, safety, and accommodation.

Bali attracts not only many tourists each year but also numerous expatriate families seeking a fulfilling lifestyle. Their motivations may vary, but for most, it is the climate, cost of living, and slower pace of life that appeal to them. However, moving to Bali with children involves making important structural choices. It is therefore essential for these households to find out about schools, safety, healthcare, and real estate. For the whole family to thrive, they need a high quality of life that is sustainable over the long term. The purpose of this article is to provide information for parents who are interested in moving to the island. Here is everything you need to consider, backed up by concrete facts.

Schools in Bali: options for expatriate families

This is the most important factor for any household with children. Moving abroad can be difficult for everyone, and this choice can complicate continuity in education. Most expatriate families in Bali choose international schools that provide education and programs like those in Europe, North America, or Australia. Among the main options are:

Lycée Français de Bali (LFB) https://lfbali.com/

Located in Kerobokan, near Canggu and Seminyak, the Lycée Français de Bali offers an official French curriculum from kindergarten to high school. Students can also take the French baccalaureate exam.

Classes are taught in French, but students also receive high-quality instruction in English and Indonesian, making this a popular choice for French-speaking families who want to maintain the French educational system.

Main English-speaking international schools:

• Bali Island School (Sanur): a renowned international school offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. It is often considered the best international school in Bali, at least from an English-speaking perspective. https://baliinternationalschool.com/
• Canggu Community School (Canggu): international curriculum leading to IGCSE and IB, attracting many expatriate families. https://www.ccsbali.com/
• Green School Bali: international school with a focus on sustainability, the environment, and project-based learning. https://bali.greenschool.org/

Practical points to remember:

• Tuition fees are high and generally range from €6,000 to over €20,000 per year, depending on the school and grade level. Be aware of the cost of uniforms, if any, as this is an expense that is often overlooked.
• There may be waiting lists as places are sometimes limited. It is therefore important to contact the school well in advance.
• It goes without saying that the choice of school has a significant influence on the choice of residential area, as it affects travel times and daily family organization.

The mix of nationalities and cultures within these schools is often extremely beneficial for children and their openness to the world. It is often easier for children under the age of 12 to adapt to a new curriculum or a new language of instruction. It is more difficult for teenagers, even if they often end up bilingual.

Safety and health in Bali: what you need to know when traveling with children

On a day-to-day basis, the island is generally safe for families. There is little crime, and even less violent crime. The local people are often very welcoming, provided you respect their customs, laws, and traditions.

The main real risks are:

- Traffic accidents, especially involving scooters and on narrow roads. Driving in Bali requires a little experience.

- Petty theft (especially in certain tourist areas).

It is important to choose where you stay carefully. As with any popular international destination, it is recommended that you:

• Choose well-known residential areas (Canggu, Kerobokan, Sanur, certain areas of Ubud).
• Secure your accommodation (locks, safe, sometimes security guard),
• Remain vigilant against petty opportunistic crime.

The choice of location and the quality of accommodation play a central role in your daily sense of security. As in all parts of the world, you need to take care of yourself and your belongings. Overall, crime is rare in Bali.

In terms of healthcare, Bali has several qualified private and public hospitals, particularly in Denpasar, Kuta, and Sanur. The standard of care is very good, especially in the private sector.

Although language barriers can be an issue with administrative staff or nurses, most local doctors speak English, which facilitates the smooth running of healthcare services. All common illnesses and injuries are treated locally. In the event of more serious problems, some expatriates choose to be transferred to hospitals in Singapore or Australia.

Before coming to live in Indonesia, it is strongly recommended that you take out international health insurance, including:

• Hospital care,
• Pediatric coverage,
• Medical repatriation if necessary.

The average total cost of this insurance is €100 to €300 per month per family. This amount varies depending on the coverage, the country, and the number of children. Often, if the insurance covers expenses in Indonesia, it also covers those in Singapore and Australia.

Quality of life in Bali with a family: budget, pace, and balance

A family's pace of life revolves around school, parents' work (whether remote or in a local office), family time, and everyone's activities.

For a family of four, the monthly budget excluding rent and school fees can range from €1,500 to €2,500. Of course, it all depends on each person's lifestyle.

Housing, international schooling, and health insurance are the main expenses. School costs are significant for all families, but the cost of living, food, transportation, and rent are very low compared to what they would be in Europe, for example. These low expenses in Bali also translate into a very affordable standard of living that would be considered a luxury abroad. For example, it is easy to find help with cooking, cleaning, laundry, and transportation. All of these activities are inexpensive and give everyone more free time.

Bali offers a pleasant and child-friendly environment for all extracurricular activities:

• Outdoor activities with a favorable climate all year round,
• Accessible water sports,
• Nature everywhere,
• International family communities and openness to the world.

There are also constraints that should not be overlooked when living in Bali:

- Heat and humidity over time. You have to get used to living with air conditioning and also to the heat when doing outdoor activities. Frequent rain during the rainy season is also a factor to consider.

- Road traffic is often very heavy, causing traffic jams. Narrow roads mean long waits and delays. Getting around by scooter is the fastest way.

Visas are a source of many questions for families, as they must be managed and renewed regularly. It is necessary to consult the Indonesian government's websites to find out which visa is most suitable for households.

This quality of life, combined with generally reasonable costs and a family-friendly environment, explains why Bali is now considered a life project by many expatriates: https://alphapartnerbali.com/fr/pourquoi-bali/

Real estate in Bali: renting or buying a villa for your family

When arriving in Indonesia, most families start by renting houses or villas that are suitable for children. Long-term rentals are preferred so that families can get a feel for the country. For an affordable price, families can find a villa with a pool and several bedrooms. Rents vary from €800 to €2,500 per month depending on the area, standard, and amenities. It is possible to obtain a little more flexibility on prices by choosing to pay for the whole year.

Among the most popular areas is Sanur for its quiet environment and proximity to international schools. Kerobokan is also very popular for its many shops and pleasant neighborhood. The French school in Bali is located there.

Some families also choose to buy property, and there are many villas for sale in Bali for expatriate families. The initial cost is significant, but the return on investment can be attractive. Although many investors buy for rental purposes, choosing to live in your villa is just as logical. It offers a comfortable lifestyle and there is also potential for capital gains on resale. The latter has seen a steady increase in recent years on the Balinese market. Choosing to buy off-plan also allows families to build a home that suits them and can be adapted to the needs of each family member. Learn more about the advantages of buying off-plan here: https://alphapartnerbali.com/fr/off-plan-bali-investissement/

Although property ownership for foreigners is limited to 25 or 30 years, there are ways to extend this period, for example through renewable long-term leases. The important thing is to find an experienced real estate agency that knows how to support both investors and families.

Whether you choose to rent or buy, the goal is to find a property that suits the whole family's lifestyle. Fortunately, Bali is a very active real estate market with many interesting offers available.

Conclusion: Living in Bali with your family: a good idea in the long term?

Although the island has a strong image as a tropical paradise where millions of tourists come to enjoy the climate and numerous affordable amenities, there is also a well-established expatriate community that is thriving.

This lifestyle choice depends on the family and requires careful consideration to determine whether it is right for you. That said, Bali offers many opportunities to help everyone settle in.  These choices are primarily based on education, quality of life, budget, and safety.

It would be interesting to try out life in Bali on vacation for a while before settling there permanently. This is a family project that several parents have already chosen, and their children are exposed to a truly international environment that is beneficial for their education. For a long-term project, it is important to be well informed and seek guidance on each topic.