We work most of our lives to ensure that we have a good quality of living and can look after ourselves when we’re older. The norm is to settle into a certain space and stay there for the rest of your days once you’ve retired. But why settle for average? You’ve spent enough time in the same spot. It’s time to focus on yourself a little: mix things up a bit, seek adventure, explore the world. A great place to start your retirement could be Indonesia. This unitary sovereign state and transcontinental country is located mostly in Southeast Asia, however it does have some territories in Oceania.

If stretching your retirement savings and getting variety in the bargain is what you want, then this might be the place for you. It has over seventeen thousand islands! So there’s bound to be somewhere within its realms that will cater to you, your wants, and your needs absolutely perfectly. Here’s everything you need to know about getting the funds together for a comfortable lifestyle in this beautiful overseas location.

Properties

One thing to bear in mind if you are considering renting a property for the long-term in Indonesia, the total cost may be charged up front. This may be undesirable as you might find that you don’t gel well with the location, the given property has issues, or you simply want to move somewhere else. However, this rental policy is understandable, as landlords don’t want to let other opportunities slip should you hand in your notice to leave unexpectedly.

If you have savings set aside and are considering moving to Indonesia more permanently you could sell up your current home and use the proceeds towards investing in a property of your own. Of course, prices will differ according to the area you choose to buy in and the quality of the property you show an interest in. That’s a given, but you’ll be surprised how far your money can take you there. For an example, just take a look at some of the properties on https://rumahdijual.com/bekasi/rumah-murah or realtor.com-Indonesia.

The variety is astounding too. Regardless of what you have in mind in terms of design, size, or stories, there will be something for you. The exact location of your property will have an impact on its price. The following cities tend to have varied costs, so from most expensive to least expensive, good options are: Jakarta, Bandung, Denpasar (Bali), Bengkulu, Surabaya, and Yogyakarta. Take a look around. Remember to always first visit and understand all the rules/laws about owning real estate before putting an offer in. It’s always important to be absolutely certain.

Cost of Living

While Indonesia boasts some of the most expensive hotels in the world, the cost of living in the region is one of the lowest in Southeast Asia. People are drawn by its stunning landscapes, beautiful beaches, and it’s friendly people.

Dining

As with pretty much anywhere in the world, cooking for yourself is going to save you a lot more money than if you decide to dine out for every meal. However, when it comes to dining out in Indonesia, you may actually be able to afford it! Street food and local restaurants produce brilliant quality snacks and meals at an unbelievably low price. Street food can generally be sourced for one or two dollars and a meal in a cheap restaurant will often range from three to four dollars.

Just remember to avoid international chains where possible, such as Mcdonalds and Starbucks, as prices are just as high as they would be anywhere else. There’s such better quality and value elsewhere that you can’t help but spurn fast food options, opting instead for local cuisines.

Also bear in mind that imported food will always cost more too. So opt for local brands in the supermarkets. Just be careful if you have allergies, it’s good to have someone at hand who can help to translate ingredients for you.

Transportation

You’re going to want to get out and about to explore the local area, places further afield, and generally go about your day-to-day business. So how much can you expect to fork out for transportation? Well, public transportation in Indonesia tends to be very affordable. The bus can generally be taken for less than a dollar and taxis will charge around thirty cents a mile. Bargain!

If you want a little more independence, you could hire a scooter. These are, again, cheap and can generally be rented for a few dollars each day. This is great if you’re simply using them on an as-needed basis. Just be sure to have the necessary documentation to ride them. You might like to practice a little, or travel on public transportation for a while before taking to the roads yourself. This allows you to get used to the local style of driving, as well as picking up on road signs, road markings, and other things that will help you to improve your handling of the road once you’re on it  yourself. If you want to drive your own car, gasoline is around seventy cents a litre ($2.65 a gallon), which is again pretty affordable. In terms of getting from A to B, you’ve got it pretty good in Indonesia!

Entertainment

Now, besides exploring and taking in the astounding scenery, you’re going to want to do something that will keep you entertained and occupied now and then. So, if you’re searching for something different to a meal out, what can you expect to spend? Well, there are plenty of local bars and nightclubs too. So if you’re into that kind of thing, you’re well catered to. Alcohol isn’t cheap and you can generally expect to pay an entry fee to clubs, but that’s pretty similar wherever you go in the world. However, if treated as an occasional treat, it won’t hit you in the wallet too hard.

Then there are things like the cinema. Cinema tickets are much cheaper than home, coming in at around four dollars a ticket. There’s plenty of free entertainment to be taken advantage of too. On warm days, head down to the nearest beach, bask in the sun’s rays, lounge on the sand and take a dip in the ocean. Visit world-renowned monuments. Climb the base of Mount Bromo. Visit Tanah Lot water temple with its expansive water views. Explore Borobudur, an iconic historic Buddhist temple. The list goes on and on. With so many options of things to do, you won’t have a dull day for years to come. There will always be something to get you up and out of the house and keeping active, both in body and mind. What more could you possibly want from the place that you live?

Consider Indonesia for a Comfortable Retirement?

All in all, Indonesia could prove to be the ideal place to head for your retirement. Sure, it might be pretty far from your current location. But that’s half of the beauty of it. You get an escape, an adventure. You’re thrown out of your comfort zone and forced to be brave and boost your confidence. You will be immersed in an entirely new culture, tasting new foods, listening to new music, and seeing new sights. You will learn another language, meet people you’d never have met under any other circumstances, and revel in some of the most astounding scenery that the world has to offer.

When people pay a fortune just to visit this place, why not move on a more permanent basis? The fact that it’s affordable is an extra added bonus! So, start doing your research, scour the property market, learn a few basic bits of the local language, and pay it a visit. You could be calling this wonderful place home sooner than you think!