🏡 Moving to Ubud with Your Family: A Practical Guide for Expats
Why Are More and More Families Choosing Ubud?
More and more families are choosing to settle in Ubud, a peaceful little town in the heart of Bali, far from the hustle and bustle of the south. Once a haven for artists, yogis, and soul-searching travelers, Ubud now attracts a growing expat community of families drawn to its gentler, greener, and more balanced way of life.
Here, stress seems to melt away the further you get from the crowded beaches. School is ten minutes away, and on weekends, city noise is easily traded for a forest walk or a peaceful brunch — something that feels a lot like a vacation, even if it’s just a regular Saturday morning. In short, Ubud checks all the boxes for a simpler, healthier, and (almost) traffic-free family lifestyle.
A Quality of Life That Changes Everything
Ubud doesn’t promise a perfect life, but it offers a more serene version of one. Mornings often begin with a smoothie at a shaded café (Sayuri, Zest, or Seniman, depending on the mood), followed by a swim at the waterfalls or a yoga session. Shopping malls are replaced by artisan markets, and honking horns by the songs of geckos.
Nature is ever-present. For children, it’s a never-ending playground, offering an environment that’s both stimulating and soothing, where learning happens as much in the classroom as through interactions with locals.
A Cultural and Spiritual Atmosphere
Ubud is steeped in culture and spirituality. Ceremonies, offerings, temples, and craftsmanship are part of daily life and quickly become second nature. Many families consider this cultural richness one of the greatest benefits of life in Ubud. Here, your children will grow up learning to respect a culture deeply rooted in the living world.
And the community? Around 15,000 expats are estimated to live in the area, many of them with children. Community events, organic markets, sports clubs, and Facebook groups (such as Digital Nomads Bali, Ubud Community, Ubud News, etc.) offer countless ways to connect. It’s rare to feel alone for long here.
A Milder Climate and a True Sense of Safety
Another advantage: the weather. Being at a higher elevation, Ubud enjoys cooler temperatures than the coastal areas — a real relief when you’re carrying a baby in a sling or battling with a child who refuses to wear a hat.
As for safety, crime rates are low, streets are quiet, and trips to school or the market are easily managed by scooter or private driver. Compared to Canggu or Kuta, Ubud sometimes feels like a completely different island.
🧸 Activities for Kids: Never a Dull Moment
In Ubud, children have plenty of options to burn off energy, learn, or just have fun. Titi Batu Club is a favorite among families — with a swimming pool, playground, skate park, and supervised activities, it’s a hub for both kids and parents. Other places like Kelapa Muda even host occasional foam parties that are a huge hit with the under-10 crowd. Alam Sari, further north, focuses on hands-on and nature-based activities: bamboo crafting, chocolate making, sensory walks… Here, learning happens as much with their hands as with their feet in the grass.
For more adventurous souls, rafting on the Ayung River, zip-lining, or even quad biking through the jungle are all close by (as long as you don’t mind a little mud and squealing joy). Calmer options include vegan cooking classes, yoga workshops, and gamelan (traditional instrument) lessons — adding some Balinese rhythm to the family playlist.
In short, days can be as full as they are diverse — and more often than not, it’s the parents asking for a break.
🏘 Family-Friendly Neighborhoods
Here are a few areas especially appreciated by families, depending on your priorities (quiet, schools, nature, budget...):
Mas: Quiet and residential, close to many schools, well located in the south.
Penestanan: Artistic and walkable, with cafés and yoga studios.
Sayan: Known for its scenic villas and chic natural vibe.
Nyuh Kuning: Peaceful, green village near Monkey Forest — perfect for young kids.
🎓 Schooling: What Are the Options for Your Kids?
A Diverse, Alternative, and Committed Offer
One of Ubud’s greatest strengths is its variety of international and alternative schools. The region attracts schools with progressive philosophies, focused on child respect, nature, and cultural diversity.
Some of the most well-known options:
Green School: A pioneer in ecological education, built from bamboo, 25 minutes south of Ubud. Emphasis on personal development, group projects, and environmental awareness.
Pelangi School: Bilingual, inclusive, creative, and human-scale.
Wood School: A small, nature-focused school inspired by the Reggio Emilia method.
Dyatmika: More formal, located in Sanur — but some parents make the commute.
Empathy School: A smaller local alternative with a warm, family atmosphere.
Language, Pedagogy, and Budget
English is usually the main language, though some schools also offer Indonesian lessons. Educational approaches vary — Montessori, Reggio Emilia, project-based learning… In general, schools are supportive, multicultural, and less competitive than traditional institutions.
Cost: around USD 1,000/month/child, depending on the school and grade. Registration fees and sibling discounts may apply.
Getting to School
Most kids go to school via Gojek, private driver, or with their nanny. Roads are generally safe and distances reasonable, even when carrying a school bag, a ukulele, a snack box, and a volcano science project ;)
🏠 Renting a Villa in Ubud: How It Works
In Ubud, most expat families live in villas. Forget apartment buildings or gated residences — think stand-alone houses nestled in greenery, often with pools, gardens, and sometimes a little temple tucked in by the patio.
Dream Homes (Almost) Within Reach
Prices are in the millions… of rupiah, of course. Expect roughly:
8–10 million IDR/month (≈ €470–590) for a 1-bedroom villa with garden
12–15 million IDR/month (≈ €650–800) for a 1-bedroom villa with pool
15–20 million IDR/month (≈ €880–1,100) for 2 bedrooms with pool
25–30 million IDR/month (≈ €1,470–1,760) for 3+ bedrooms
Prices may rise depending on location, amenities, or décor (special mention to villas with outdoor showers under the stars).
Where to Look?
Facebook groups like Ubud Community, or Ubud Longterm Rental are goldmines for finding rentals. You’ll see posts from both local landlords and agencies. Feel free to post your own ad with your budget, arrival date, and number of bedrooms — you’ll often get replies within the hour.
You can also use a local real estate agency, especially to avoid admin hassles or language barriers. Some offer full-service support including visits.
Avoiding Traps
Even in peaceful Ubud, rental scams exist. A few tips:
Never send money before visiting in person or verifying the landlord’s identity
Beware of deals that seem too good (3-bedroom villa with rice field view for 4 million/month? Hmm…)
Check the surroundings: early-morning roosters, ongoing construction, or noisy neighbors
Ask for a clear contract, even for short stays
Monthly payments are becoming more common, but paying 6 months or a year upfront can help negotiate a discount
🏥 Health and Medical Services
Even in the tropics, you’ll occasionally need a doctor. Luckily, Ubud has a solid network of clinics, and Denpasar (about an hour away) hosts the island’s top hospitals.
Hospitals and Clinics
In Ubud, well-equipped clinics include Ubud Care Clinic, Kasih Ibu (in Mas), and Toyapakeh Clinic for minor emergencies. Staff usually speak English and the care quality is generally good for routine cases.
For more serious interventions, head to Siloam or BIMC in Denpasar — considered the most reliable facilities. Just be warned: here, your credit card often comes before the thermometer. Without solid international health insurance, costs can rise fast.
Insurance and Smart Habits
Having a KITAS (investor visa with residence rights) can get you significant discounts on care. Still, a private insurance policy with international coverage is strongly recommended — it can keep you from having to choose between an X-ray and your rent.
And if you’re ever told you need emergency surgery… always ask for a second opinion. Over-treatment is not uncommon here.
🧺 Daily Life: Transport, Shopping, and Meals
Living in Ubud also means adjusting some everyday habits. No metro, no malls — but a local ecosystem that, once mastered, makes life a lot easier.
🚗 Getting Around
The most used transport method is scooters. Pretty much essential — especially to dodge traffic and explore beyond the center.
If weaving through potholes isn’t your thing, Grab and Gojek (like Uber) work well in Ubud and surroundings. Many families also hire a personal driver, either daily or monthly — a popular option for school commutes.
Small catch: north of Ubud, these apps can get glitchy. Plan your return in advance if you're heading into the hills.
🧺 Grocery Shopping
Ubud residents tend to split into two camps: local market lovers and supermarket regulars.
Traditional markets (like Pasar Ubud or Tegallalang) offer fresh produce at great prices. But they close early (often before 8 a.m.), and haggling is expected.
Supermarkets like Pepito, Delta, or Bintang offer more variety (including imports), but prices can be up to 50% higher.
Best strategy? Mix both.
👩🍳 Nanny, Chef, Housekeeper: Home Services
In Bali, personal services are widespread and affordable. Many families hire:
A nanny to handle school runs or afternoon care
A housekeeper for daily chores
A private driver for family transport
A private chef for special occasions (or just for fun)
These are typically paid hourly or daily. But beware: last-minute cancellations, religious ceremonies, or unexpected events can affect availability. Flexibility — or a good backup plan — is key.
🍽 Eating (Without Cooking)
Some days, you just don’t have time — or the will — to cook. In Ubud, several options let you eat well without lifting a finger.
Local warungs (small Indonesian eateries) offer tasty, budget-friendly meals. A few euros gets you nasi campur, satay skewers, or homemade curry.
International restaurants are everywhere — French, Italian, Mexican, vegan… you name it. But bills can quickly add up for a whole family.
GrabFood or Gojek delivery works well, though it can be slow and not all places are listed.
Still, even in paradise, dinner can become a headache. No desire to cook, go out, or hear “What’s for dinner?” for the third time this week?
That’s where Ibulicious steps in — a meal delivery service designed for expat families. Think home-style, varied, freshly cooked food delivered straight to your door. Twice a week, you get a full basket with appetizers, mains, and desserts inspired by European classics with a Balinese twist. Lasagna, gratins, banana bread, compotes, chocolate mousse… Nothing too complicated to reheat, but comforting enough to feel like someone’s been cooking just for you.
Tailored for families, the service offers generous portions, half-portions (and half-prices!) for kids under 10, and reusable containers — because eating well without guilt is even better.
Delivery is on Mondays and Thursdays, to take care of mid-week and weekend meals — no need to hunt for a restaurant or start the rice cooker at 8 p.m.
In short, Ibulicious is like having a private chef… except you can still pretend you made it all yourself 😉
