When , an Australian couple with a young son, decided to swap daycare drop-offs, commuting and packed calendars for life in Bali, it started with a simple comment after a hard week: “What if we just bought a one-way ticket?”
What followed wasn’t an impulsive leap — it was careful planning, honest budgeting, and the courage to redesign their version of family life.
Now based in Sanur, this young family is navigating remote work, school life at The Garden ELC, building a business, and finding a slower, more intentional rhythm — while still managing the very real logistics of visas, finances, and daily life in Indonesia.
In this story, Kendall and Vickie share what surprised them, what cost more than expected, how raising a four-year-old in Bali really feels, and why the move has stretched — and grounded — them in equal measure.
Tell us a little about yourself
We’re originally from Australia, and before Bali, we were living a pretty typical busy life — work, daycare drop-offs, commuting, and squeezing in family time wherever we could.
Kendall is a busy bee and always has something in the calendar, while Vickie was (and still is!) working hard on growing her business. You could say we’re your average Aussie family just trying to do well in life — we just decided to do it somewhere different.
When did you move to Bali?
We moved to Bali in September 2025, so we’re still relatively fresh — but already feel settled and grounded.
We don’t have a strict end date. We’re taking it step by step and seeing where this chapter leads.
What inspired your move?
Kendall’s brother was getting married in Bali, so a family holiday was being planned. After a particularly hard week at work, Vickie made a passing comment: “Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just buy a one-way ticket?”
And that was the beginning.
We knew other families who had done it. We were already over the daily grind. We figured if we got all our ducks in a row — why couldn’t we do it too?
Vickie was ready to give her business her full focus, and Kendall was ready to support that dream. That spark led to research… and I guess the rest is history.
How did you come across Our Year in Bali?
We asked a friend who had already made the move if she had any good contacts. She gave us Simone’s name and Facebook details, so we booked a free chat — and went from there.
Having someone who had done it before, who could provide structure and guidance, made everything feel far less overwhelming.
Where do you live in Bali?
We’re based in Sanur, west of the bypass.
We love the relaxed, family-friendly feel here. It’s calmer than some other areas, with beautiful beachfront walks, strong local community vibes and plenty of families. It feels established, grounded and easy to live in — which suited us perfectly with a young child.
Please share your experiences and also talk about raising children in Bali.
It is honestly so easy to raise a child here. Luckily for us, our son is only four and adapts easily to new environments. Kids are incredibly resilient — with encouragement and support, they amaze you. The schooling options can feel overwhelming. We kept our expectations simple (we did the same in Australia) and researched schools in the area we wanted to settle in.
We have been blown away by the level of care, enthusiasm for learning, and the structure of the curriculum at The Garden ELC. Our original plan was three days a week so we could have more time at home — but he loves it so much that he now goes four days, possibly heading for five!
The school day is shorter than we were used to, so we still get quality family time. He’s had so much fun with song, dance, arts and crafts, sport — and learning Bahasa — that our afternoons can focus on swimming or Paw Patrol.
How does everyday life in Bali compare to home financially?
Day-to-day life feels lighter in some ways. We’re able to access support like cleaning, pool and gardening help — things that felt like luxuries back home.
That said, Bali is not “cheap paradise.” The initial setup costs are high. Schooling isn’t as cheap as people expect. Visas, imported goods, and paying rent 1–2 years upfront adds up. We paid internet and banjar fees for 12 months upfront, plus furnishing the house with comforts from home. The first few months felt expensive.
Over time, our monthly costs have become much more manageable.
A western lifestyle here is not a cheap lifestyle — but it is achievable if you budget intentionally.
Are you working in Bali?
We’re both working remotely, which we’re incredibly grateful for, alongside building our own business. The income hasn’t always been as steady as we were used to, and that’s had its moments. It’s very easy to chew through savings here, so we’ve become far more strategic with money. We notice our spending now — rather than just tapping the card without thinking.
But the trade-off has been worth it. Kendall has enrolled in study, and Vickie has a consistent gym routine. We have date days — even if it’s just a beach walk or a massage. We actually sit and enjoy our morning coffee instead of drinking it on a train to survive the commute.
The work-life balance shift has been huge — and we love it.
What does a typical day look like for you and the family in Bali?
Each day looks slightly different, but we keep a routine. School drop-off before 8:30am, then coffee and breakfast for us.
Mornings feel slow, but somehow it’s 10am before we’ve even decided what we’re doing! Vickie works most weekdays on her own schedule. Kendall supports the business, runs errands, does groceries, studies, and handles the life admin (there is SO much of it!).
We schedule things like hair appointments, physio, eye tests and massages during weekdays — something that felt impossible before. It feels freeing not to cram everything into evenings and weekends.
What are some common misconceptions about Bali, and what would you say to set the record straight?
It’s not a permanent holiday. You still work, parent, budget and navigate bureaucracy. You have to build friendships and figure things out in a system that isn’t your own.
It’s not always cheap. And it’s definitely not all sunsets and smoothie bowls.
But when you find your rhythm, it’s community-driven, culturally rich and incredibly grounding.
How have you immersed you and the family in the local culture? What have you learnt from the Balinese?
We’ve made a conscious effort to immerse ourselves — learning basic Bahasa, celebrating local ceremonies, supporting local businesses and building genuine relationships.
The Balinese emphasis on gratitude, ceremony and community is something we deeply respect. We often say, “If this was Australia, you just wouldn’t see this,” especially when witnessing how traditions are honoured and celebrated so openly.
What should other families think about before making the move?
Know your budget and understand it will look different from home. Be open to living the Bali way while still keeping some creature comforts (yes, Vegemite is non-negotiable!).
Do your research, but accept that you won’t know everything when you land. What you think will work may change once you’re here. It’s a gradual process of building and settling in.
I constantly remind myself that I don’t need everything perfectly set up like someone who’s been here for two years. It takes time.
Is there anything else about your Bali experience you’d love to share?
This move has stretched us in the best possible way. It’s been growth, challenge, laughter, and plenty of “what are we doing?” moments.
But it’s also given us more presence, more connection, and a version of family life we’re incredibly grateful for.
We often catch ourselves thinking, “This is our life. This is exactly where we’re meant to be — and we’re not late or rushing anywhere.”
For now, Sanur — and Bali — truly feel like home. Blessed is an understatement.
