In recent years, Bali has become a mecca for digital nomads seeking a tropical paradise to work and play. Its stunning beaches, rich culture and affordable cost of living make it an attractive destination for those who can work remotely. However, despite its allure, there are many reasons why digital nomads should consider moving beyond Bali. From deteriorating infrastructure to a growing sense of overcrowding, there are several factors that may make Bali less than ideal for those seeking to maintain a long-term remote lifestyle. In this article, we will explore the reasons why digital nomads should consider moving beyond Bali, even if they are successful in their remote careers.
Olumide Gbenro, a 34-year-old digital entrepreneur, moved to Bali in 2019 from San Diego, California, where he had attended graduate school at San Diego State University and worked a full-time job in marketing. Gbenro chose to leave San Diego and live between Mexico City, Copenhagen, and Hamburg before moving to Bali where he launched a digital marketing agency in 2017 to help Web3 and AI companies launch products. He also runs a group coaching program for people who want to quit their 9-to-5 jobs to become a digital nomad and a weekly newsletter for people working remotely.
Gbenro said that living in Bali is not what it seems to be. At first, he struggled with loneliness as he did not have a community to connect with or friends to spend his free time with. Nevertheless, Balinese culture is much more relaxed than the US, where people are always in a rush. Locals are welcoming and greeted him with a smile, and he had the freedom to set his own schedule, which gave him time to meet and connect with people in Bali, who came from all over the world. However, Bali is too polluted, congested, and overly commercialized now. The beautiful natural landscapes have somehow been transformed into an alternate reality where people film weird influencer content.
Bali has been gentrified for some people to save a few dollars. Traffic is insane, and what was once a five-minute drive often becomes a 30-minute wait in traffic. The beaches are dirty and unpleasant, and the pollution seems out of control. Gbenro had to wear a mask when he was on a motorbike to avoid inhaling the exhaust smoke from construction trucks. There is also predatory behavior from some locals. They overcharge foreigners even if their services are poor, leading to many scams.
Moreover, the cost of living has increased in Bali, and rental prices for standard apartments have doubled since before the start of the pandemic. In contrast, European cities like Prague and Barcelona offer better quality of life at almost the same cost. Gbenro believes that geographic arbitrage, moving to a place where the cost of living is cheaper than your hometown, is what drives digital nomads. But if one is paying to live in a wooden shack in an overcrowded city, is it worth saving some money? Many places in Europe now have digital nomad visas and a welcoming attitude toward remote workers. Gbenro is looking forward to spending time in Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Greece. He is also interested in living on the coast of Europe and Africa in the Macaronesia region, which includes places like the Canary Islands and Cape Verde.
In conclusion, Gbenro left Bali to avoid the constant stress of being stuck in traffic every day and his child inhaling fumes from construction trucks. He encourages more people to speak up about the downsides of living in Bali and not romanticize the once-perfect island to promote their personal brands and businesses. Nonetheless, he still hopes to grow his business and help as many people as possible become digital nomads.
