So you’ve decided Bali is calling — congratulations, you’re in good company. But then comes the next big question that stumps almost every relocating expat: where is the best place to live in Bali?
Two areas come up time and again for people who want something more than just a hip café scene: Ubud and Sanur. Both have devoted followings among long-term expats. Both offer a genuine sense of community. Both attract people who’ve done their research and decided they want something a little more rooted than the buzz of Canggu.
But here’s the thing — they’re actually quite different from each other. Not better or worse, just different in ways that will matter enormously to your day-to-day life.
This guide breaks it all down properly so you can stop going back and forth and start making a real decision.
The One-Line Summary
Ubud is for people who want to wake up surrounded by jungle, rice fields, and a deeply intentional community. Sanur is for people who want a calm coastal lifestyle where the beach, the café, and the supermarket are all within a few minutes of each other.
If that doesn’t immediately make one of them jump out at you, keep reading.
Where Are They, and What Does That Mean in Practice?
Geography matters a lot more in Bali than people expect. The island looks small on a map, but traffic is genuinely unpredictable and travel times can be double what you’d guess.
Ubud sits in the central highlands of Gianyar Regency, roughly 70–90 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport depending on traffic. It’s inland — no beaches within easy reach. The landscape is hilly, lush, and green almost year-round, with river gorges, rice terraces, and jungle making up the backdrop of everyday life.
It is spread across multiple villages and pockets, each with its own character, so “Ubud” covers a lot of ground.
Sanur sits on Bali’s southeast coast, about 30–35 minutes from the airport. It’s flat, linear, and much easier to navigate when you first arrive. The town runs along a coastline where the sun rises (east-facing), giving it a completely different light and energy from Bali’s west-coast sunset spots. The beach here is calm and reef-protected, which is a big deal if you have young kids or if you actually want to swim rather than just look at the ocean.
What does the distance difference mean in real life?
If you’re in Sanur and you need the airport, it’s a manageable half-hour trip. If you’re in Ubud and you have an early flight — especially with kids and luggage — you’re setting your alarm for something genuinely painful. If you’re a beach person, Ubud will require real effort to scratch that itch. If you crave nature and jungle, Sanur’s flat coastal setting won’t really deliver.
Neither of these things is a dealbreaker; they’re just facts you need to honestly factor in.
The Vibe and Who Actually Lives There
This is where the two areas diverge most clearly, and where most people start to feel their answer.
Ubud attracts what many long-term Bali expats describe as the “more intentional” crowd. That’s not a backhanded compliment — it means you’ll find yogis, healers, creatives, writers, remote workers building businesses with purpose, families who chose Green School specifically because of its educational philosophy, and people who came to Bali not just for a lifestyle upgrade but for some kind of genuine shift.
Mornings in Ubud often start with yoga before 8am. Conversations at cafés tend to go deep quickly. There’s a tangible cultural richness to daily life — ceremonies happen constantly (more so than other areas), Balinese artistic traditions are still very much alive here, and the spiritual atmosphere is real rather than decorative.
The community is diverse, lots of Europeans, Americans, Australians, and a growing number of people from all over the world. While it can feel transient in some ways, there’s also a very solid long-term expat core who’ve been there for years and have built genuine roots.
Sanur has a different feel entirely — steadier, more established, less ideologically charged. The expat community here skews a bit older than Ubud on average (it’s been a favourite with Australian and European retirees for decades), but that demographic is shifting. You’ll now find young families, couples, remote working professionals, and people doing gap years with kids alongside the long-term residents. What ties them together isn’t a shared lifestyle philosophy so much as a shared appreciation for ease. Sanur just works. The streets are manageable, the beach promenade (7km of it, wide and well-maintained) is genuinely one of the nicest walks in Bali, the supermarkets are good, and the hospital is close.
The social scene in Sanur is real but quieter. Think coffee catch-ups, sunset drinks on the beach, local sports clubs, gym padel, bicycles, morning walks with the kids. Still a popular holiday destination for many but not as busy with big hotels everywhere. Residents often describe it as feeling like a proper seaside town — somewhere you can actually settle rather than just pass through.
The Neighbourhoods Worth Knowing
In Ubud, the greater area fans out from the central town across multiple villages, each with a noticeably different feel:
Central Ubud is the busiest part with lots of traffic in the one way streets — walkable, cultural, vibrant, with the markets, the palace, the main restaurant strip, and the highest concentration of tourists. It’s great for short stays but less popular with families wanting a quiet residential life.
Penestanan, just west of the centre, has earned a strong reputation with creatives, remote workers, and long-term expats. The lanes are leafy, the vibe is artsy and residential, and it’s still within easy reach of everything central. There’s also an eco village here that draws families looking for a more connected community atmosphere.
Nyuh Kuning is where a lot of families land and stay. It has a real village feel, good walkability, excellent cafés and restaurants nearby, and proximity to international schools. There’s a community soccer field that becomes a genuinely lovely gathering point for families. It strikes the balance between convenience and neighbourhood charm better than most other Ubud pockets.
Sayan and Mas are more upscale with jungle views, larger homes, a more private residential feel, popular with families who want space and don’t mind being a bit further from the action.
Pejeng, further east, appeals to people wanting more land, quieter surroundings, still close to international schools and better value for money on housing. Expect more driving but also more room and greenery.
In Sanur, the layout is simpler and more linear:
East Sanur hugs the beachfront and is the most walkable. If being close to the seaside path and being able to pop to a café on the promenade is important to you, this is where you want to be. It is the most expensive when it comes to housing prices.
Mertasari is a quieter pocket further south along the coast, popular with families who want calm beach access, a paddleboard-friendly shoreline, and a distinctly Balinese neighbourhood feel with local warungs and kite festivals.
West Sanur (edging toward Renon) is more local and residential — practical, well-connected, with easy access to supermarkets, schools, and the bypass road. Good value compared to the beachfront side.
Renon (technically Denpasar but functionally part of the Sanur orbit) is increasingly popular with long-term families. Leafy streets, larger villas, less traffic, and straightforward access to schools and central Sanur amenities. Often better value for the size of property you get.
Schools in Ubud and Sanur
For families relocating with children, this section might be the most important thing you read.
Ubud has a smaller selection of schools than Bali’s southwest, but what it has is distinctive and special to what Bali offers. The schools here are not traditional in the conventional sense — they lean toward alternative, holistic, nature-based, and project-driven philosophies:
Green School Bali is probably the most well-known school on the island. Set on a stunning open-air bamboo campus, it combines international academics with environmental stewardship and project-based learning. Families don’t just choose Green School for what happens in the classroom — they often choose Ubud because of Green School. Worth knowing: it comes with a significant price tag and has waitlists, so apply early.
Note the Green School is not located in Ubud it is in Abiansemal, Badung, just 20 minutes from Ubud and about 30 minutes from the southern coast.
Pelangi School has been in Ubud for a long time and is known for its warm community atmosphere, smaller class sizes, and strong social-emotional focus. A nurturing choice, particularly for primary years.
Empathy School takes a modern, forward-thinking approach — emotional intelligence, mindfulness, project work, and building self-aware learners. Appeals to families wanting something more contemporary than traditional academics.
Wood School Bali is intimate, nature-connected, and hands-on. Small cohorts, outdoor exploration, a close-knit school community. Good fit for early childhood in particular.
Future Human School is a newer addition to the Ubud school scene, created with the idea of preparing children for a fast-changing world. It focuses on future-ready skills, creativity, and real-world learning—making it a great fit for families who feel more traditional schooling isn’t quite keeping up with where things are heading.
The pattern you’ll notice: Ubud schools prioritise the whole child, nature, creativity, and values-led learning. If that aligns with your educational philosophy, Ubud can feel like the only logical choice. If you need an IB diploma pathway or a more conventional academic structure, you may find the options more limited.
Sanur sits in an interesting middle ground when it comes to schools. The options here lean more conventional and internationally recognised in terms of curriculum, which suits many families well, though the selection is smaller than what you’d find in Canggu. Most families aim to keep school runs within 15 to 30 minutes, though this depends heavily on exactly where in the Sanur area you live and what time of day you’re travelling.
Bali Island School offers an IB curriculum and is one of Bali’s more established international schools, with a strong reputation among long-term expat families.
Dyatmika School, located in East Denpasar, follows the Cambridge IGCSE and AS/A Level pathway. It has a large and diverse student body and is well-regarded for its academic rigour.
ACS Bali combines Cambridge and IB curricula with a Singaporean educational philosophy, offering a structured, academically focused environment. It’s a strong choice for families coming from or planning to return to education systems in Singapore, Australia, or the UK. Read our full write-up on ACS Bali here.
Sekolah Stella Mundi follows the Cambridge IGCSE and AS/A Level pathway and offers a well-rounded environment with a strong community feel.
The Garden Preschool is a well-regarded early years option for younger children, known for its nurturing and play-based approach.
Boundless Life has launched a microschool in Sanur aimed at families who combine travel and education. It’s a flexible, community-driven model that suits location-independent families who want structured learning alongside the freedom to move. Read more about Boundless Life in Sanur here.
Australian Independent School Bali (AIS) is worth a specific mention for Australian families in particular. It sits around 35 to 40 minutes from Sanur, making it a commutable option for families based in the area. AIS follows the Australian curriculum and offers a familiar academic environment for families coming from or planning to return to Australia. Read our full feature on AIS here.
The honest reality: if school choice is your primary filter, Ubud’s nature-based alternatives may be exactly what you’re looking for — or they may not be what your children need. And if you want more conventional international schooling options, Canggu has more depth than either Ubud or Sanur. This is worth mapping out very carefully before you commit to an area.
Researching schools in Bali? Our Bali School & Education Guide helps families compare 75+ schools across the island, with updated 2026 fees, curriculum details, real parent insights, interactive maps, and expert guidance to help you confidently choose the right fit for your child.
Housing: What You Actually Get for Your Money
Both Ubud and Sanur offer good value compared to Canggu, but the type of housing is quite different.
In Ubud, you’re predominantly looking at villas and family compounds, often with significant greenery and space. The jungle setting means you’re likely to have more land, more privacy, and more of that Bali-in-a-movie-scene feeling. That comes with trade-offs: humidity is higher in jungle zones (no sea breeze), mould can be a genuine issue in poorly ventilated homes, and you need to check access roads carefully — some beautiful-looking villas are at the end of narrow or steep lanes that become genuinely tricky in wet season. Also budget for more interesting wildlife encounters.
Typical Ubud rent ranges:
- Studio/apartment: IDR 10–25M/month
- 2-bedroom villa: IDR 15–35M/month
- 3-bedroom villa: IDR 30–60M/month
- Larger family homes in rural areas: IDR 12–25M/month
Annual leases are standard and offer the best value. The market moves quickly around school year start dates, so if you’re moving with kids, start your property search well ahead of time.
In Sanur, the housing stock is different in character — more established, more mature, often with larger gardens from older properties. It’s less likely to have the brand-new villa aesthetic of parts of Canggu, but you often get well-established trees, good-sized outdoor spaces, and properties that feel genuinely lived-in rather than freshly built for the rental market. Flood checks are important in certain Sanur pockets during the rainy season and it’s worth asking about specifically.
Typical Sanur rent ranges:
- Studio/apartment: IDR 12–18M/month
- 2-bedroom villa: IDR 20–35M/month
- 3-bedroom villa: IDR 30–45M/month
- Larger family homes: IDR 40–60M/month
Beachside properties command a premium, and anything within easy walking distance of the promenade will cost noticeably more than properties a few streets back or on the west side of the bypass road.
Cost of Living in Ubud and Sanur
Neither area is going to break the bank by Western standards, but there are some differences worth knowing.
Ubud generally trends slightly more affordable than Sanur or Canggu for like-for-like housing, particularly once you get outside the central area. The food scene leans heavily toward healthy eating — smoothie bowls, raw vegan food, organic cafés — which is actually fantastic but can push your grocery bill up if you’re relying on imported organic produce. Delivery services have improved a lot, but you’re still a decent drive from big supermarkets compared to the coastal areas, which can make daily errands feel like more of an event.
Sanur has solid supermarket access (multiple large options), a good range of restaurants from cheap local warungs to mid-range Western places, and everything feels fairly convenient. The proximity to the Bali International Hospital is genuinely valuable and something that many families factor into their decision-making.
Estimated monthly costs for a family of four in Ubud:
| Category | Estimated Monthly (family of 4) |
| Rent (2-3 BR villa) | IDR 20–40M |
| School fees | IDR 12–25M |
| Groceries | IDR 7–10M |
| Eating out | IDR 5–8M |
| House staff | IDR 3–4M |
| Scooter rental x 2 bikes | IDR 2-3M |
Estimated monthly costs for a family of four in Sanur:
| Category | Estimated Monthly |
| Rent (villa) | IDR 25–60M |
| School fees | IDR 15–30M |
| Groceries | IDR 7–10M |
| Eating out | IDR 5–9M |
| House staff | IDR 3–5M |
| Scooter rental x2 bikes | IDR 2-3M |
Note that school fees vary enormously depending on the school, age group, and curriculum — these figures are a general guide rather than a guarantee.
Finding the right school in Bali takes more than a quick Google search. Our all-in-one Education Guide gives families insider insights, updated school information, real parent experiences, and practical planning tools to make the process simpler and less stressful.
How to Get Around Ubud and Sanur?
Ubud is hilly and spread out. Scooters are the most efficient way to navigate, especially for shorter trips through the village lanes. Many families use cars for school runs, particularly when children are involved or in the rainy season when road conditions get slippery.
Central Ubud can genuinely bottleneck — the main intersection near the market is notoriously congested at certain times of day. Ride apps (Gojek, Grab) work in Ubud but can be slower to respond in more rural outer pockets.
The key insight for Ubud: where you live relative to your school and your daily stops matters enormously. A 2km trip in central Ubud at the wrong time of day can take 20 minutes. Choose your location thoughtfully.
Sanur is one of the easier areas in Bali to get around. It’s flat, relatively compact, and the road layout is logical by Bali standards. Many families comfortably use cars here in a way they wouldn’t in congested Canggu. Gojek and Grab are widely available and well-used. The bypass road can slow down during school hours but nothing like the gridlock you’ll encounter in parts of southwest Bali. And crucially, the 7km beachfront promenade means you can genuinely get around on foot or by bicycle for a good chunk of daily life — a rarity in Bali.
The Honest Pros and Cons
What People Love About Ubud:
- Stunningly beautiful natural surroundings, rice fields, jungle, river gorges
- The most culturally rich and authentically Balinese area for expat living
- A strong, diverse wellness community (yoga, healing, meditation, retreats)
- Cooler temperatures than the coast — noticeable and genuinely pleasant
- More space and greenery for the same money compared to coastal areas
- Schools that offer genuinely different educational philosophies
- A strong sense of community among long-term residents
The Ubud Reality:
- No beach access without significant travel (approx 40 mins+)
- Higher humidity in jungle areas, which means mould is a real concern
- Central Ubud traffic can be surprisingly frustrating
- Fewer large conventional international schools
- Some outer areas feel remote in the evenings
- More insects and wildlife sharing your home than on the coast
- Airport runs are a genuine effort
What People Love About Sanur:
- Calm, manageable, genuinely liveable coastal town
- The 7km beachfront promenade is a huge quality-of-life asset
- Lighter traffic than anywhere in southwest Bali
- Very close to the airport (30 mins) — underrated if you travel regularly
- Close to international-standard hospitals
- Calm reef-protected beach that’s actually safe for kids to swim in
- Strong, established expat and retiree community
- Easy to navigate, especially when you first arrive
The Sanur Reality:
- Fewer international school options than Canggu
- Quieter social scene
- Less choice of facilities like modern gyms, padel, tennis courts etc
- Some of the housing stock is older and needs careful condition checks
- Flood risk in certain pockets during rainy season
- Less of the buzzy expat energy if that’s what you’re after
So Who Should Choose Which?
Choose Ubud if:
- You’re drawn to nature, culture, and a more introspective pace of life
- Green School or another Ubud alternative school is specifically on your list
- You’re a creative, healer, or remote worker who thrives in a wellness-focused community
- You can genuinely let go of regular beach access
- You want more space and greenery for your family
- The idea of waking up to rice fields and jungle genuinely excites rather than comforts you
Choose Sanur if:
- You want a calmer coastal lifestyle where everything is conveniently accessible
- You’re a retiree or approaching that life stage and want ease alongside community
- You have younger children who’ll love the calm swimming beach and the promenade
- You travel frequently and want that airport proximity to actually matter
- You value having good hospitals nearby as a genuine priority
- You’re doing a gap year or extended stay and want a soft landing into Bali life
Consider looking elsewhere (like Canggu) if:
- Your biggest school priority is a wide range of conventional international curricula
- You want to be at the centre of Bali’s buzzy, entrepreneurial expat energy
- Regular surfing is non-negotiable in your daily life
Real Families, Real Moves: Life in Ubud and Sanur
Reading comparisons is one thing. Hearing from families who’ve actually done it — packed up their lives, chosen an area, enrolled the kids, figured out the daily rhythm — is something else entirely. Here are two of our clients who did exactly that.
From Austria to Ubud: Thomas and His Family’s Move Towards a Slower Life
When Thomas and his wife first started thinking about leaving Austria, it wasn’t because they were chasing a tropical lifestyle or trying to escape into some version of “Bali paradise.” The decision came more gradually — through conversations about the kind of environment they wanted for their young son and the kind of life they wanted as a family long term.
Education became the biggest driver behind the move. They explored different countries across Asia, along with places like Australia and the United States, but Bali kept standing out for one reason in particular: the range of international and alternative schooling options available for young children.
Once they began researching Ubud more closely, it started to feel like the right fit. The slower pace, the greenery, the strong sense of community, and the family-oriented lifestyle all appealed to them far more than busier coastal areas. Compared to the fast pace they were used to in Europe, Ubud felt calmer, more connected, and more intentional.
They eventually settled in Pejeng, just outside central Ubud, close to their son’s international kindergarten. Having school nearby made daily life feel manageable very quickly. Their routines became simpler, and instead of spending most of their time rushing between commitments, life naturally shifted outdoors — cafés, rice field walks, local ceremonies, playgrounds, and slower family mornings becoming part of everyday life.
Thomas also speaks honestly about the adjustment period. Moving internationally with a young child came with plenty of unknowns, and settling into Bali life took time. There were new routines to navigate, cultural differences to adapt to, and practical things to figure out along the way. Bali also wasn’t necessarily as inexpensive as they initially imagined once housing, schooling, visas, and everyday comforts were factored in.
But one thing that surprised them positively was how quickly their son adapted. He had already been exposed to some English back in Austria, and the immersion of an international kindergarten helped him settle in naturally. Thomas believes a big part of that came down to staying flexible as parents and allowing the transition to unfold without putting too much pressure on it.
What has stood out most for them since moving is the sense of community and the way family life feels in Bali. In Ubud especially, they found themselves slowing down, spending more quality time together, and becoming more present in day-to-day life. The strong Balinese culture around family and togetherness had a bigger impact on them than they expected.
Their advice for other families considering Ubud is to give yourself time, do your research properly, and stay realistic about what relocation actually involves. Bali can offer an incredible lifestyle for families, but the people who settle in best are usually the ones who arrive with patience, flexibility, and openness to doing life a little differently.
From Australia to Sanur: Kendall, Vickie and Their Young Family’s Slow Living Chapter
Kendall and Vickie describe themselves as a pretty typical Aussie family — busy, driven, always with something on the calendar. Kendall’s naturally the planner, while Vickie was focused on building her business. With a four-year-old and a full life back home, they started to feel like the daily grind wasn’t quite leading to the life they actually wanted.
The idea of Bali wasn’t something they’d overthought. It started when Kendall’s brother got married there, and during a particularly tough week, Vickie casually said, “Wouldn’t it be nice if we just bought a one-way ticket?” The thought stuck.
They ended up choosing Sanur, specifically the west side of the bypass — a more local, residential area that fit their budget and gave them the sense of community they were looking for. Their son enrolled at The Garden Early Learning Centre, Vickie continued growing her business from their villa, and Kendall gradually found a slower, more balanced rhythm.
What stands out in their story is how real it feels. They’re not pretending Bali is perfect. They speak honestly about adjusting their budget, unexpected costs, and the fact that settling in takes time. As Vickie puts it, “I constantly remind myself I don’t need everything set up like someone who’s been here for two years.”
What they’ve found instead is more presence, more connection, and a version of family life that feels right for them. “We often catch ourselves thinking, this is our life. This is exactly where we’re meant to be, and we’re not late or rushing anywhere.”
Their advice for families considering Sanur is simple: think about what you want your everyday life to look like, and choose your area with that in mind. And be realistic about your budget before you arrive, because things will shift once you’re here, and it helps to have a bit of flexibility.
Read Kendall and Vickie’s full story
These two families chose different areas for different reasons — and both found exactly what they were looking for. That’s the thing about this decision: there’s no universally right answer, only the right answer for your family, your kids, and the life you’re trying to build.
The Bottom Line
Neither Ubud nor Sanur is the “right” answer for everyone — they’re both genuinely excellent choices for different types of people. The most common mistake we see is people choosing based on aesthetics (Ubud’s rice fields look incredible on Instagram) rather than honestly mapping their daily life requirements against what each area actually delivers.
If you really like both areas, try and spend a few weeks in each area before you commit. And if you’re moving with family, factor in the school question very early — in both areas, it can end up being the deciding vote.
If you’d like to talk through which area suits your specific situation like your family setup, your working life, your must-haves and deal-breakers, we offer free 30-minute discovery calls for exactly that reason. We’ve helped hundreds of families navigate this decision and recommendations on which area suits you best has been very welcomed.
Next in this series: Canggu vs Uluwatu (the Bukit area) — the contrast between Bali’s trendiest hub and its laid-back cliffside lifestyle.
