After two years in Bali, Galicia-based content creator Mery Freshh compared her former life in Pontevedra with her new one on the island: in Spain, she paid 650 euros a month for a city apartment; in Bali, the same amount got her a villa with a private pool. She moved for more than the beaches: Bali offered a life she couldn’t afford in Spain.
Utilities and fast wifi came with the rent, along with cleaning and laundry. Staff also cared for the pool and garden. It wasn’t just about more space. Daily life felt completely different.
Information from Spain's Ministry of Housing, the average appraised price of housing in Spain reached 2,355 euros per square meter in the second quarter of 2026, up 12.5% from the previous year.
Eating out was another surprise. In Spain, dinner for two often cost 40 to 50 euros. In Bali, she rarely paid more than 15 euros. Getting around was cheaper too. Rather than cover the cost of a car in Spain, including fuel and parking, she rented a good scooter in Bali for 50 to 60 euros a month. Filling the tank cost about 4 euros. She said the freedom to move around made life feel much easier.
“Here for exactly the same prices you can afford a much higher standard of living,” she said in one of her videos. She explained why Bali draws young Spaniards with remote jobs and euro incomes. The appeal goes beyond the scenery and weather: it’s the chance to live better for less. In Spain, many young people feel stuck. Wages haven’t kept up with rising housing costs, and moving out on your own is harder than ever.
But even Bali has its limits. At the start of this year, Freshh said she was leaving the island, at least for now. She called her time there a breath of “fresh air” and a chance to grow. The excitement also faded. “I was very happy, but I also got stuck. After two years, I no longer feel I want to be there most of the time.” Now back in Galicia, she shares tips on going nomad and working from anywhere.
In August 2026, the average rental price in Spain reached 14.36 euros per square meter, information from Fotocasa. In major cities like Madrid and Barcelona, rents exceeded 23 euros per square meter. This widening gap between housing costs and incomes is a basic factor pushing young professionals to seek more affordable alternatives abroad.
Bali’s popularity with digital nomads isn’t by chance. The island pairs low costs with a large international crowd, backed by infrastructure suited to remote workers. For Spanish professionals, the contrast with life at home stands out. As long as Spain’s economy keeps squeezing young people, stories like Freshh’s will keep coming up. For many, Bali is more than a holiday: it’s a real option for a better life.
