There are many aspects in planning your future retirement. As well as the important financial planning aspects, it’s important you have a purpose. Many retirees are moving from a busy working life where they were depended upon in their respective workplaces to assist, answer questions, coach and mentor and then suddenly they retire and what do they do? Where is their “self-worth”?
We move from a busy working life where time never stood still, days, weeks and months passed by so fast as we were pre-occupied in our daily working activities and busy socialising and networking in, or outside our work groups. Most importantly we felt a part of a team or community and valued. Retirement may not mean hanging up the suit and tie and putting on the dressing gown and slippers; retirement can be fulfilling and productive, think of it as a change of career and a change of gear where new opportunities exist.
Have you created your bucket list? Listed the things you have always wanted to do but have never had the time? Obviously in retirement your financial situation determines how much you can do, as the general ageing population is living longer; we have that worry hanging over us as to whether we will have enough money for the rest of our lives.
Due to these financial constraints and the increased cost of living; many people are retiring overseas where they can live a much better lifestyle for a lot less, enjoy new experiences, take in different cultures, make new friends and enjoy a better climate.
Bali, the island of the gods, is a perfect piece of paradise with a tropical all year round climate. Bali has its own heartbeat; locals continue a traditional way of life and cultural values continue despite the streams of tourists that flock to the island. While temples, music, arts, exotic food and stunning scenery stimulate all the senses, Bali offers a strong sense of belonging and relaxation. The Balinese people are naturally friendly and caring with their genuine smiles which are contagious making it the perfect place to retire to, and when the time comes have someone to help and assist you.
More importantly there is little time for status or “keeping up with the Jones’s”. Everyone is treated as equal and there is a sense of mutual respect. Bali has a very low crime rate, and improved infrastructure with international standard accommodation options, shops and restaurants as well as internationally accredited health and care facilities, being the reason so many expats call Bali their home. These factors as well as the lower cost of living, and the availability of the retirement visa for expatriates over the age of 55 wanting to make Bali their home, has made Bali in recent years a popular place for expats to retire to.
Making that move overseas can be daunting. When holidaying in Bali, we want to relax, soak up the sun, enjoy a cocktail (or two at sunset) enjoy a spa treatment and feel refreshed. Retiring to Bali can be a different experience, you can only “relax” for so long before boredom sets in. A new Lifestyle Residential Resort is now being developed in Bali and intends to revolutionise the concept of community living by taking the best of both worlds; providing that everyday holiday experience in a five star resort setting as well as encouraging aged 55+ expats to be active and participate within a community of like-minded and similar-aged expats with complete onsite facilities to encourage engagement and interaction for a more fulfilling lifestyle.
We’ve put together our top ten list of things to do in your retirement whilst living in Bali
1. Classes – work on developing new skills
The Balinese are naturally creative and talented people and the opportunities to learn new skills from them are plentiful and affordable. Talented artisans can teach you a range of new skills from creating works of art (painting or sculpture), pottery and ceramics or learning the art of batik. Naturally musically talented you can learn how to play a musical instrument, take up photography, learn Asian cooking, learn the language, improve your computer skills and much more.
2. Rekindle old hobbies or take up new ones
Once you have a lot more free time on your hands it’s time to work on a new hobby. There’s plenty of choice depending on how active you want to be in your retirement in Bali. Ranging from a stroll on the beach to trekking the rainforests or high peaks in Bali, cycling through the magical villages and taking in the everyday Bali life. Taking up gardening, cooking, metalwork or just sitting with a glass of wine and enjoying a game of cards.
3. Take up a Sport
It’s important as we age to at least do a little regular exercise to ensure your overall wellness whether it’s a stroll along the boardwalk at sunrise or sunset, a gentle work out at the gym, swimming, tennis, Pilates or yoga. As an island paradise, Bali offers plenty of opportunities both on land and on the water. Retirees with the retirement visa can normally enjoy special rates and very affordably priced lessons for activities such as golf, tennis, surfing, kite-surfing, stand up paddle boarding and scuba-diving to name a few.
4. Be a Mentor
Going into retirement we have spent our working life learning skills. It’s important for you to maintain your own “self-worth” and spread what you have learnt. In the Balinese Hindu belief of “Catur Asram” it is important to impart knowledge of those life learnt skills on the younger generations and opportunities abound for sharing in communities, colleges, schools and even small businesses on anything ranging from marketing, finance, languages to specific skill sets.
5. Contribute to the Community
Bali has many charitable organisations that conduct amazing work for those less fortunate. There are areas of Bali that do not benefit from the tourism dollar and are in need of various kinds of assistance.
6. Keep your mind busy
Mental stimulation is important in retirement, we all enjoy “out time” with a little privacy and peace and quiet; whether its sitting down with a crossword, sudoku or any mind game or alternatively playing a game of Mahjong, Bridge or chess with a small group of people.
7. Set up an online Business
If you feel that you need more to do then there is also the emergence of the online business market. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bali has seen a surge of online business being promoted, with people left out of work due to the downturn in the tourism industry, they have turned their hands to selling online. Bali is already home to a huge digital nomad community.
8. Be Socially Active
It is important to maintain a social life and if you are retiring to Bali with your life long partner then it is important that you both pursue your own interests and sometimes mix in your own social circles. It’s a known fact that social isolation can lead to poor health. Many expatriate groups exist in Bali both for the active and the less active such as the Hash House Harriers (social running or walking group), Bali Geckos (AFL), Raffles Golf Group, Motorcycle groups, BIWA (the Bali International Women’s Association), book clubs and many more special interest groups ensuring an active lifestyle.
9. Oversee from Afar
During the COVID we have all learnt to handle life’s challenges. One has been working from Home (WFH). This has forced people to adopt to new technology and to carry on our businesses from a distance. This has opened up people’s eyes as to how much their business relies on them physically and the ability to manage from a distance. Bali has a good internet framework and already a large “Digital Nomad” community and there is an emergence of co-working spaces enabling expats to conduct their business affairs from a distance but in an interactive and casual office like setting. Please note the “retirement Visa” is a strictly non-working permit.
10. Travel
Bali has a multitude of historical sites, temples and scenic rice paddies and attractions to explore. Bali is also a hub to a multitude of low cost airlines making short breaks to other parts of Asia like Bangkok, Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines etc both affordable and easy when living in Bali. Should you retire to Bali, the attraction of the island will also ensure lots of visits from family and friends.
The Wana Sandat Lifestyle Residential Resort, a first of its kind in Indonesia, has been meticulously planned to take into account all the needs of the over 55 expatriates both in the prime of their lives and as they grow older and need more assistance. The resort will focus on “wellness” developing a fully integrated community which is both physically, mentally and socially stimulated. Scheduled for completion in the last quarter of 2022, it’s a perfect time to start planning for your retirement in Bali.
If you are interested in making the change then sign up here for more information.
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