So.... where did you finish up?

[harryopal1]

I just happened to come across some "where do you want to live" posts a few years old. One of them was Fastpitch with lots of recommendations that might satisfy their requirements including beach access, not too touristy, not too noisy etc. Suggestions ranged from Batam to Manado, Lombok, Penang.
If Fastpitch is about, I am curious as to where you finished up?
We looked at Manado, Lombok north Bali and a variety of places and finished up in Jimbaran as a concession to my wife wanting to be near a daughter and sister.
It might be entertaining for others to hear about the wandering pilgrim peregrinations as you sought the perfect place.
So... where did you finish up and why?

 

[Minuteman]

Bali for the first year then Jakarta till too congested traffic wise in 1989, Tangerang area till now,

 

[harryopal1]

So why did you leave Bali? And why Tangerang

 

[Minuteman]

So why did you leave Bali? And why Tangerang

I stayed in Bali my first year here, 1974- 1975. Got burned out, only so much to do on that island. Jakarta was a central hub for trips to Bali, Singapore, Yogja, Anyer etc. Moved to Ciledug then Modernland as it was much quieter traffic wise than Jakarta in 1989. I live in a quiet neighborhood here with all the needs close by.

 

[dafluff]

We looked at Manado, Lombok north Bali and a variety of places and finished up in Jimbaran as a concession to my wife wanting to be near a daughter and sister.

Where my wife wants us to be...

But seriously, as I have become more liberal in my ideology since last time I have lived in Indonesia (not to mention that most of the country has gone more conservative), there are few places I would consider outside of Bali.

Anecdote time: A few days ago as I accompanied my daughter to pre-school, the teacher started the lesson with a prayer (as they do in Indonesia). But he briefly explained that there are many different ways to pray, so that the kids should pray according to their belief. But then he said something that surprised me: He said, it is also ok if you don't pray, as some people don't. If you don't pray, just be respectful to those that are. To me this was nothing short of amazing for Indonesia.

 

[Minuteman]

When our son was nearing school age, we went to high level (meaning expensive) school in Karawaci for a seminar. Amongst other information about the school, they said that it was mandatory for all students to attend Bible class every week.

I asked them how did they fit that with non-Christian students. Was told that the children would have to work it out themselves! A 5 year old was expected to deal with that?! Needless to say, our son was not enrolled in that school.

 

[tihzho]

Well HAIL & ALE everyone!! My God its been a few years since I've left Jakarta and arrived in Wisconsin and I ended up back in my home state of New York...Kingston NY, about 2 hours from NYC.

 

[Balifrog]

Never planned for Indonesia or Bali. In fact it was one of the few places I never visited in Asia.
Always planned Latin America or Asia since young. The job having me working in Asia for 25y, of course this become the choice knowing my way around etc....
Having met an Indonesian woman in HKG 4 y ago was the only thing that made Indo come up on my dashboard. After a few short visits in East Java jungle it was clear there is no way I settle down there, so I suggested that we checked out Bali. I liked it (although she was less enthousiastic..) so I settled down there and now spend 2/3 time in Bali and 1/3 in Java..
Could have been Thailand had I not separated with the ex-wife, could have been the Philippines if I had met a Philippina, etc....
But not a Russian or a mainland Chinese. Too cold there !

Will I stay here forever ? Not sure.