For many Australians approaching retirement, the same questions begin to surface: Where can I afford to retire? What kind of lifestyle do I really want? And how do I make the most of the years ahead?
For David Baitman from Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, the answer wasn’t immediately obvious. Bali was never meant to be a permanent move. In fact, it was simply the first stop in a retirement experiment.
Two years later, he still hasn’t left.
What began as a six-month trial has become a fulfilling new chapter filled with friendships, an active lifestyle, affordable living, and a strong sense of community. In this interview, David shares why he chose Bali over other retirement destinations, what surprised him most after moving, and the advice he would give anyone considering making the same move.
Watch the Full Interview
This article highlights the key insights from an in-depth conversation between Simone Collins, founder of Our Year in Bali, and David Baitman about his experience retiring and relocating to Bali.
If you’d like to hear David’s story in his own words, including the personal moments, practical advice, and honest reflections that couldn’t all fit into this article, you can watch the full interview below.
Watch the full interview on YouTube:
Retirement Started with a Simple Experiment
Before retiring, David worked as a school teacher in Australia. As he approached retirement age, he started thinking about where he wanted to spend the next stage of his life.Having previously volunteered as a teacher in both Bali and Thailand, he already knew he enjoyed the climate, culture, and pace of life in Southeast Asia.
His original plan was straightforward. He would spend six months living in Bali. If it wasn’t the right fit, he would then spend six months in Thailand before deciding where to settle permanently. Instead, Bali made the decision for him. “I came over here and effectively I’ve not left,” David says.
Within two years, he had sold his home in Australia, leased a villa in Sanur, and built a lifestyle that suited him far better than he had expected. For David, one of Bali’s greatest advantages is its proximity to Australia. A flight of around five and a half hours means he can easily return to Sydney whenever he needs to, while still enjoying a completely different lifestyle the rest of the year.
Give Yourself a Full Year Before Deciding
Looking back, David believes his original six-month plan wasn’t long enough. His biggest piece of advice is to experience an entire year before deciding whether Bali is right for you. The island changes throughout the seasons. The weather shifts, different community events take place, and daily life feels different between the dry and wet seasons.
Experiencing the full cycle allows you to understand what living in Bali is actually like—not just what it feels like during a holiday. Rather than rushing into buying property or making long-term commitments, David recommends giving yourself time to settle, explore, and see how everyday life unfolds over the course of a year.
Why Sanur Felt Like Home
David spent considerable time researching different parts of Bali before relocating. Although areas like Canggu and Seminyak are popular with visitors, he quickly realised they didn’t match the quieter lifestyle he wanted in retirement.
Instead, he chose Sanur.
What immediately stood out was its relaxed atmosphere, friendly locals, and established expat community. Sanur offered everything he was looking for: a beachfront lifestyle, easy access to healthcare, proximity to the airport, and plenty of restaurants and services—without the crowds and fast pace found elsewhere.
Over time, something unexpected happened. “I’ve actually got more friends in Bali than I had back in Australia.” For many people considering retirement overseas, the fear of loneliness can be overwhelming. David believes Sanur makes it surprisingly easy to build genuine friendships, provided you’re willing to take the first step.
The Secret to Making Friends in Bali
According to David, one of the biggest misconceptions about moving overseas is believing friendships will simply happen. “They’re not going to come knocking on your villa door.” Instead, he encourages retirees to actively seek out communities that match their interests.
Before arriving in Bali, David joined the Sanur Dining Club online. It became his introduction to the local community. At his first dinner, the organiser made sure he sat with welcoming members who introduced him to dozens of people. Those first introductions led to paddle tennis partners, walking groups, language classes, social gatherings, and countless new friendships.
Today, David has taken on that same welcoming role himself. Whenever newcomers attend the dining club, he makes a point of introducing them to others so they quickly feel included. His advice is simple: say yes. Join clubs. Try new hobbies. Accept invitations. Even if an activity isn’t quite right for you, it may introduce you to people who become lifelong friends.
Retirement Can Be Busier Than Working
One thing David laughs about is how full his calendar has become. “In Australia, you’re only working five days a week. In retirement, you’re busy seven days a week.” Since moving to Bali, he has joined the Bali Community Choir, taken up paddle tennis twice a week, attends language classes to learn Bahasa Indonesia, walks along Sanur’s beachfront every morning, organises weekly social gatherings, and regularly catches up with friends.
He has even started coordinating a popular weekly event called “Wet Wednesday,” where locals and expats explore a different restaurant or bar around Sanur each week. Rather than slowing down, retirement has given him the freedom to pursue interests he never had time for during his working life.
Living Well Doesn’t Mean Spending More
Cost of living is one of the biggest reasons many retirees consider Bali. David believes the real advantage isn’t simply spending less—it is having more freedom to choose how you spend your money. He describes his lifestyle as “living sensibly” rather than living cheaply.
Some days he cooks at home or enjoys a simple local nasi goreng. Other days he joins friends for dinner or enjoys a night out. Because his everyday expenses are significantly lower than they would be in Australia, he can save money for experiences that matter to him. This year, those savings paid for a European river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. He even flew business class. Rather than feeling restricted, David believes living in Bali has expanded his opportunities. Housing is another significant difference.
Instead of tying up a large amount of money in expensive Australian real estate, he found comfortable accommodation in Bali for a fraction of the cost, leaving far more flexibility in his retirement budget. Of course, he points out that not everything is cheaper. Imported goods like cheese can be expensive, electricity costs can be comparable to Australia, and regular flights home should always be factored into your budget. The key is understanding where you can save and planning accordingly.
Finding the Right Home Takes Time
David’s housing journey also evolved over time. He initially rented a large three-bedroom villa but soon realised it was far bigger than he actually needed. He later downsized, experimented with living further inland, and eventually found the balance that suited him best—a comfortable two-bedroom home within walking distance of Sanur Beach.
His experience reinforced another important lesson. Don’t assume you need a large villa for visiting family and friends. Most visitors only stay briefly, and often it’s more enjoyable to rent a holiday villa together somewhere else on the island rather than hosting everyone in your own home. Eventually, David purchased a 25-year leasehold property that was still under construction, allowing him to customise parts of the interior to better suit his lifestyle.
However, he stresses the importance of doing proper due diligence before buying. He recommends working with an experienced lawyer, confirming that the property has the correct legal permits, arranging professional building inspections, and researching flood history before committing to any purchase. Taking time to research can prevent costly mistakes later.
Healthcare Was Better Than He Expected
Healthcare is another topic that concerns many retirees considering Bali. For David, it has become one of the pleasant surprises. He feels particularly confident living in Sanur, especially with the addition of Bali International Hospital and the area’s growing medical facilities.
After injuring himself, he experienced first-hand how efficient the local healthcare system could be. He was guided through every stage of his treatment by hospital staff and was impressed by both the quality of care and the level of service. On another occasion, when he developed Bali Belly, a doctor, nurse, and ambulance visited his home within around 20 minutes to provide treatment. Compared to Australia, he found both the accessibility and affordability remarkable.
Bali Isn’t a Permanent Holiday
Perhaps David’s most valuable advice is about mindset. Too many people think about moving to Bali as extending a holiday forever. In reality, that’s not how successful long-term residents approach life. “You aren’t on holiday,” David explains. “You’re living.” That means building routines, making friends, learning the local culture, staying active, budgeting wisely, and creating a life that feels meaningful—not simply filling every day with tourist activities.
For David, retirement in Bali isn’t about escaping life. It’s about living it more intentionally. After two years in Sanur, he has found exactly what he was searching for: an affordable lifestyle, a welcoming community, opportunities to travel, and the freedom to enjoy retirement on his own terms.
For anyone considering making the move, his advice is refreshingly simple. Give yourself time. Get involved. Stay curious. And remember that Bali rewards those who come here ready to build a life—not just take a holiday.
Planning Your Own Move to Bali?
If David’s story has inspired you to explore retirement or relocation in Bali, every journey starts with understanding your options.
Whether you’re wondering about visas, where to live, healthcare, housing, or simply whether Bali is the right fit for your lifestyle, speaking with someone who has helped hundreds of families and retirees relocate can make the process much clearer.
Book a free Discovery Call with Simone Collins, founder of Our Year in Bali, for personalised guidance tailored to your relocation goals.
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Janine’s story, where she shares her experience of relocating from Australia to Sanur with her husband. After more than a year of living in Bali, she reflects on daily life, healthcare, the cost of living, building a new community, and why they have no regrets about making the move.
