Living in Bali: Complete Expat Guide
Bali is one of the most popular destinations in Indonesia for expatriates. Whether you’re drawn by the tropical climate, the culture, the food scene, or the thriving remote-work community, Bali offers a lifestyle that is difficult to match anywhere in the world at a comparable cost. This guide covers everything you need to know before […]
Living in Canggu, Bali
Over the past decade, Canggu has transformed from a quiet surf village into the most talked-about expat destination in Bali — and arguably in all of Southeast Asia. The stretch of neighbourhoods running through Berawa, Batu Bolong, and Pererenan is now the island’s primary hub for digital nomads, remote workers, creatives, and younger expats. If […]
Living in Sanur, Bali
Sanur sits on Bali’s sheltered eastern coast, facing calm, reef-protected waters and separated from the intensity of Kuta by the Ngurah Rai bypass. It is, by most measures, the most established expat residential area in Bali — quieter than Canggu, more genuinely Balinese in character than Seminyak, and consistently preferred by long-term expat families who […]
Expat Living in Malang, East Java
Editor’s note: This page has been reviewed and updated to reflect current conditions in Malang. While many of the places and services mentioned continue to exist, readers should verify practicadl details such as contact information, school availability, and medical providers directly before making decisions. Community Welcome to East Java. The Malang area has long attracted […]
Expat Living in Mataram, Lombok
Lombok, the quieter island neighbour of Bali, has been drawing a steady stream of expatriates for decades. Whether you have come for the pearling industry, the surf, the slower pace, or simply the chance to be somewhere still genuinely off the beaten track, here is what you need to know about life on the ground. […]
Expat Living in Jayapura, Papua
Papua, formerly known as Irian Jaya until 2001, has undergone significant administrative changes in recent years. In 2022, the original Papua Province was formally divided into four new provinces: Papua (the residual northern coastal province, of which Jayapura remains the capital), South Papua, Central Papua, and Highland Papua (Papua Pegunungan). A further new province, Southwest […]
Expat Living in Manado, North Sulawesi
Overview of Manado Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi, offers a very different experience from Indonesia’s larger cities such as Jakarta or Surabaya. With a population of approximately 460,000–480,000, it is a mid-sized coastal city known for its relaxed pace of life, strong community ties, and access to some of the world’s best diving. The people […]
Batam Area Guide
Overview of Expat Life in Batam Batam remains a unique destination within Indonesia. Located just 20 km south of Singapore, the island continues to function as a free trade zone and industrial hub, with strong economic ties to Singapore. As of 2026, the expat population is estimated at 1,500–2,500 residents, significantly higher than earlier figures […]