BALI BACKLASH: My Opinion on the Digital Nomad Controversy

While it is great to adapt, learn the culture, obey the laws, learn the language, be respectful, etc.—in the long run it may not be enough. When other ex pats behave poorly, eventually the local mob comes for everyone, even if you weren’t the problem. So, take the local rumblings seriously, and get out if you have to, before it’s too late.

Nah the fact is Bali has been trashed by too many Westerners moving in and hanging out. You’ve mangled a once beautiful culture, and now you’re on defense, trying to preserve some kind of reputation from the past.

Great digital nomads listen to this guy and go to europe please you are destroying bali

You are misusing the term "hypocritical" as most people do. Just because you change your mind in the future…whether you "evolved" or just "changed"…doesn't make it hypocritical. Hypocrisy must occur simultaneously to truly be hypocritical.

As usual, a very good video. It is useful for "expats" to put things into perspective. The complaints we have (or some have) in the west about immigrants coming for a better life are actually similar, except that "western immigrants"/expats are extremely privileged. They might bring money to the country they moved to, but they are also responsible for changing the dynamic of the local market and have many unfair advantages compared to the locals. I think "western" tourists and expats should be more informed and aware of the impact they have on the locals. They complain from their privileged situation about "newcomers" who are participating in the change in the country's authenticity (when they were once part of that crowd themselves).

I am Belgian, living in Canada, and currently in Mexico for a month. I am considering spending six months a year here if I can. However, I want to minimize the impact my project would have on the locals. I would prefer to live more like a local and participate in the local economy, rather than feeding the luxury real estate market targeting foreigners. I don't know if it is possible, and I don't know what the best approach is, but for expats coming to a country with money a local could only dream of, please adapt, invest in the local people, and don't promote yourself in a way that would make you appear as a colonizer in this new country. Of course, learn the language, customs, and culture. Understand that you are responsible for disturbing the balance and try to limit the impact you have or at least take things slow.

By the way, I am still searching for the perfect place to live for me. It is not Canada for sure. Maybe South of Western Europe? This is another thing, with the change in the global world order, the movement of populations is real and hard to predict the future.

I've come to appreciate your approach and analysis of the issues and this was another great example to give us thoughtful perspective, yet leaving us to decide for ourselves. I have spent some time vacationing in Asia (Japan & Thailand) and I can easily see where there could be some disillusionment after the honeymoon. Like many relationships, you get out of it what you put into it and it takes a certain amount of empathy to understand how to fit in. Everyone is a little different in what that means and another good reminder to me. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.

The real truth is you spend $2000 living in Bali trashy place,
very hot in the afternoon, very humid, traffic everywhere
Cockroaches, mosquitos are everywhere.
groceries expensive, don't follow their dream,
you must face reality.

If you work you should pay tax, where is tax being paid in this case. If you are not doing that you are not contributing to society

I think you're reading a bit too much into it. Fact is, as a digital nomad he would have known ALL the pros and cons before he left to Bali. It just suited him to talk it up for a while when he was building his business and then it suited him to trash when he had 'outgrown' Bali. Bali is the launching pad for thousands of influencers and digital nomads and it is simply a backdrop for their own egotistical psychodrama. He never had any intention of really making it his 'home' and actually grappling with or attempting to actually DO something to solve those problems. In fact he just made them worse, using resources, exacerbating inequality and then dropping Bali like a one night stand when he was sick of it. Don't have much sympathy for this guy.

Hey that guy is me. I appreciate the honest coverage. What I'm most proud of is that it opened up an important conversation. I'd be open to talking about it more on mine or your podcast to continue to open up the conversation. Let me know 🙂

I can relate to changing my mind about life choices . . . for my reasons; hope without anyone judging me to be Hypocritical…

Thanks for your insightful video, Kristin. You mentioned a large influx of Russians and Ukrainians….is them fleeing the war in Ukraine creating anxieties resulting in aggression? Or is it another particular country whose nomads/tourists seem to have the most "entitlement" and aggression? Or is it anxiety about lack of money or struggling with the nomad lifestyle, or even an excess of wealth causing the problems? Is there an analysis anywhere that might reveal the cause? I agree the Balinese appear to be very welcoming and helpful, and it is sad that some visitors are rude and disrespectful to them.

I think it's about preference. Every place on this earth has it own pro and con. I've never think that place is totally bad. My Thai frieds move to US because she feel her freedom is treated because of current military prime minister. A lot of my friends like Bali but I'm not especially food.

Nice work Kristin, I've never been to Bali but apparently it has the same principle as most tourist places, go there for a good time, not a long time, don't outstay your welcome, otherwise it will chew you up and spit you out.

I believe if you live there give back to the community there. Stop bringing your entitlement to other counties. Adapt and learn to live there if not stay where you are

Good insights to know about Bali.

People can change their minds.

Canadian now building villas in Ubud, Bali. Fair wages. Learn the language. Proper licenses and tax. Local partnerships and general respect for the laws and customs. We work with locals to improve the infrastructure without trampling on the sacred. We have garbage and plastic clean ups and innovations. Many tourists and visa holders are great. Many are ignorant and obnoxious. Even something as simple as walking on the proper side of the road shows you are aware you are a respectful, grateful visitor.