They say it takes a village to raise a child, but what if your village is 10,000 kilometres away?
Relocating to Bali offers a fresh start, but that often means leaving behind your support network. The good news? Bali is full of warm, welcoming communities where expat families form deep, lasting friendships. Whether it’s over a surf or padel session, a school coffee morning, or a spontaneous Tuesday night Pizza dinner, connections here grow quickly, if you know where to look.
Here’s how to find your people and create your own village in Bali.
Start Online, But Get Specific
The big Facebook groups like Moms in Bali or Families in Bali are great launching pads, but the real connections happen in more niche, hyperlocal spaces: Sanur Playdates, Ubud Parents, or class-specific WhatsApp chats run by schools. Bali has 100s of local WhatsApp groups!
Follow Your Interests
Friendships form faster when you share a passion. Before you even land, try searching for [your interest] + expat + Bali. Whether it’s vegan parenting, special needs resources, or creative homeschooling, chances are someone’s already started a group around it (plus points if you can narrow it down neighbourhood).
The kids may be settled and happy at school, but what about the parents? Our clients often share inspiring examples of how they’ve found their rhythm. In Umalas, one family enjoys a quieter pace of life with easy access to community activities, and the husband plays football with the nearby Bali Bulldogs. Meanwhile, a Danish couple found their rhythm through morning routines, with one attending reformer classes at Shape House while the other joins Flowerboy Run Club for early runs and coffee by the rice fields.
Schools as Community Hubs
Don’t underestimate the power of school events. From Empathy and Green School’s parent coffee mornings to ProEd Global’s Family Fridays, these gatherings aren’t just for the kids; they’re also for you. According to our own client feedback, 70% of families said their first meaningful Bali friendships began at school events.
Pro tip: Once your child’s school is confirmed, ask the admin for invitation links to parent groups. They’re often tightly managed for current families only.
Learn the Unwritten Rules
When invited to a potluck, skip the store-bought snacks. In Bali, effort equals trust. Bring a homemade dish, offer your home as the next venue, or help set up early. And learn a few local basics, like dressing modestly at temples or using your right hand when giving or receiving something. These small gestures go a long way with both locals and fellow expats.
Look Beyond the Cafés
Not every social hub is in a smoothie bowl café. Families seeking adventure can join the Bali Family Surf Club. Creatives in Ubud attend Writers & Parents Circle nights. Even spiritual seekers find community at The Pyramids of Chi, where sound baths welcome children. Coworking spaces have great activities, meet-ups, and events beyond the regular membership. Feeling isolated? Volunteering can be a powerful way to connect with both locals and like-minded expats.
Push Beyond the Bubble
It’s easy to gravitate toward fellow expats from your home country, Aussies with Aussies, French with French, Germans with Germans. There’s comfort in familiarity, but the magic happens when you stretch beyond it. Try to localise yourself; take a Balinese cooking class, strike up a chat at your local warung (local café), or meet new friends through group Bahasa lessons at local language schools (Bahasa Bule).
While you can’t officially join a banjar (neighbourhood council), you can contribute to and join the community activities they organise. These small steps often lead to the most meaningful connections.
When All Else Fails, Create!
No group for homeschooling parents in Kerobokan? Start one. Many thriving Bali communities began with one person asking, “Anyone else interested in…?” Some of today’s most active groups, like Digital Nomad Bali or Bali Board Game Nights, were started by expats who simply took the initiative.
If you’re feeling isolated, you’re probably not alone. Take the first step, and others will follow. You definitely need to get out of your comfort zone, but Bali is very welcoming, and everyone is in the same boat, away from their regular support system.
Finding your people is one of the most rewarding parts of the move, but also one of the hardest to navigate alone. That’s where Our Year in Bali helps bridge the gap. Beyond school and neighbourhood advice, we connect you to families who’ve made the leap before you. It’s like arriving with a ready-made welcome committee – consider it like a buddy system!
As a client from San Diego puts it: “Not only did Simone hand-hold us through the relocation process, but she introduced us to other expats living in the U.S. with similar move dates to ours before we left. The families that she connected us to have subsequently become some of our best friends and completely enriched our whole Bali experience.”
Your Bali tribe might not look like your old one, and that’s the beauty of it. With the right mindset and a few well-placed steps, you’ll go from stranger to local in no time.
Ready to start building your Bali community? Book a free consultation and let’s make your transition a meaningful one, together.
