I'm based in Almaty and have been looking at Dubai

[soumitss]

Hi everyone. I'm based in Almaty and have been looking at Dubai property for a while, but prices there have climbed a lot. Several friends have switched to Bali, saying the entry price is lower and the rental market is strong. I'd like to compare the two properly before moving money. What are the main differences for a foreign investor between Dubai and Bali: ownership, entry cost, currency, rental demand? My budget is around 150 thousand dollars, and I'm looking for something I can rent out without being there. Has anyone invested in both?

[hydrogenn]

I own a small studio in Dubai and recently bought an apartment in Bali, so I can compare a bit. In Bali I went with Avalon Bali https://avalonbali.com/ - and the entry price was clearly lower: their BUDDHA apart-hotel starts from about 84,900 dollars, while in Dubai that budget barely gets you anything in a good area. The big difference is ownership: in Dubai, foreigners can buy freehold in designated zones, while in Bali you buy leasehold, so check the term and extension conditions. Prices are quoted in dollars and rupiah, which adds currency risk. Rental demand in Bali comes mainly from tourists and long-stay nomads. They even published a piece with Forbes on investment strategies in Bali. For me, Bali was diversification, not a replacement for Dubai.