Thread: Ubud cost of living.

Whitecow,
Why buy a new car? I bought a clean 'suzuki katana' here for 41 million. No rust, good engine, tyres, banging stereo. Petrol is very cheap and spares and servicing seems impossibly cheap. Thats why you never see scrap cars. It's so cheap to mend them. Second hand cars keep their value. Same with motorcycles.
You can feed yourselves as little as you like depending on your tastes. But for cooking at home 1 million rupia a month should cover a good selection of groceries for 2 and 2 million you could eat out most nights.
Alcohol can be expensive if you wish to indulge.
Horses are used in the north even in the city of Singaraja, I can get you a price [I will ask my wife to get a rough estimate] if you wish, but it will depend on if you want the 'normal' bali pony which is sutible for pulling a cart or the larger [rarer ones] for riding.
All in all pretty cheap to live here once you have accomadation sorted. Water and electric costs very little and rates or yearly tax on the house miniscule compared to the west.

Originally Posted by mat

Whitecow,
Why buy a new car? I bought a clean 'suzuki katana' here for 41 million. No rust, good engine, tyres, banging stereo. Petrol is very cheap and spares and servicing seems impossibly cheap. Thats why you never see scrap cars. It's so cheap to mend them. Second hand cars keep their value. Same with motorcycles.
You can feed yourselves as little as you like depending on your tastes. But for cooking at home 1 million rupia a month should cover a good selection of groceries for 2 and 2 million you could eat out most nights.
Alcohol can be expensive if you wish to indulge.
Horses are used in the north even in the city of Singaraja, I can get you a price [I will ask my wife to get a rough estimate] if you wish, but it will depend on if you want the 'normal' bali pony which is sutible for pulling a cart or the larger [rarer ones] for riding.
All in all pretty cheap to live here once you have accomadation sorted. Water and electric costs very little and rates or yearly tax on the house miniscule compared to the west.

Quote on the horse would be great.
I would want one I can ride.
Also do people get insurance on there homes?

Originally Posted by Jimbo

It costs me about 15 million a month but I have found the cost of living goes up between 10 and 15% per year. I have a family of 6. That includes electricity, water , gas etc but not rent or transportation. Included is one Pembantu.

That is a pretty step increase each year.

Originally Posted by pollyanna

Whitecow, you asked about my internet cost and I couldn't tell you but now we've received the bill and it was 453.000Rp.

Is that per month?
And since you got the bill who was it from?

Originally Posted by whitecow

Also do people get insurance on there homes?

Expats mostly do get house insurance, local people mostly don't. I guess once you get the habit you stick with it.

Last year, a fairly new villa burnt, and it didn't have insurance - I think because of slowness getting the IMB which the insurer wants. Very sad.

Cost of insurance is comparable to with we paid in Sydney even though re-build costs are lower. Risks are higher - there is earthquake risk, storm risk, and fires are not likely to get put out by a fire brigade.

Originally Posted by ronb

Expats mostly do get house insurance, local people mostly don't. I guess once you get the habit you stick with it.

Last year, a fairly new villa burnt, and it didn't have insurance - I think because of slowness getting the IMB which the insurer wants. Very sad.

Cost of insurance is comparable to with we paid in Sydney even though re-build costs are lower. Risks are higher - there is earthquake risk, storm risk, and fires are not likely to get put out by a fire brigade.

Hmmm earthquakes first time I have heard of this. Time to research that also. When should that volcano blow :)?

Originally Posted by mat

Whitecow,
Why buy a new car? I bought a clean 'suzuki katana' here for 41 million. No rust, good engine, tyres, banging stereo. Petrol is very cheap and spares and servicing seems impossibly cheap. Thats why you never see scrap cars. It's so cheap to mend them. Second hand cars keep their value. Same with motorcycles.
You can feed yourselves as little as you like depending on your tastes. But for cooking at home 1 million rupia a month should cover a good selection of groceries for 2 and 2 million you could eat out most nights.
Alcohol can be expensive if you wish to indulge.
Horses are used in the north even in the city of Singaraja, I can get you a price [I will ask my wife to get a rough estimate] if you wish, but it will depend on if you want the 'normal' bali pony which is sutible for pulling a cart or the larger [rarer ones] for riding.
All in all pretty cheap to live here once you have accomadation sorted. Water and electric costs very little and rates or yearly tax on the house miniscule compared to the west.

You say petrol is cheap and repairs on cars are cheap can you give me an idea on how much you spend a year or a month I know that is a very broad question.

For instance today I spent $160 on a oil change and radiator hose replacement.