When Sasha and Gustav decided to press pause on their careers and daily routines in Denmark, they weren’t just planning a vacation—they were creating a new chapter in their family story. With two young boys, Wilfred and Kalle (ages 2 and 3), they embarked on an 8-month journey to Bali, turning a long-held dream into reality.
Since September 2024, this Danish family has been navigating life in the coastal village of Seseh, discovering how island living can strengthen family bonds while opening new professional doors. From finding the perfect Reggio-inspired kindergarten to establishing work-life balance in a tropical setting, their experience offers valuable insights for families considering their own international adventure with young children.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Where are you originally from?
We, Sasha and Gustav, are originally from Denmark and have two boys, Wilfred and Kalle, aged 2 and 3. After years of dreaming about it, we decided to take break from our everyday life and careers in Denmark and move to Bali.
When did you first arrive in Bali, and how long do you wish to live here?
We’ve been living in Bali since September 2024. Before moving, we took some good advice and spent July traveling around the island to explore different areas. During that time, we decided where we wanted to base ourselves, found a villa, and picked a kindergarten for our kids.
We’ve always planned to stay for about 8 months and return to Denmark in April. But since we’re really enjoying this adventure, we could definitely see ourselves embarking on a similar journey again someday.
What motivated you to move to Bali, and how did you go about making the decision to do so?
Although we love our life in Denmark, both of us have lived abroad before and dreamed of living somewhere different with our kids – outside of our Danish routine. We felt that now was the right time to make it happen, especially before the kids got too old. We wanted to create a unique experience as a family and, above all, spend more time together. After doing some research and with Sasha’s previous visit to Bali, we decided on this island for its perfect blend of an exotic setting and a safe, easy, and family-friendly environment.
How did you hear about Our Year in Bali, and what was your experience with Simone’s support?
We heard about Our Year in Bali through others relocating here. Simone’s support was invaluable, offering great contacts and insights. Combined with our own scouting, it made for a smooth transition.
Where in Bali do you live? Describe the neighbourhood, community and why you decided to live there.
We live in the coastal village of Seseh, just north of Canggu. Here we’ve found what we were looking for: a peaceful spot close to the kindergarten, free from heavy traffic, and easily walkable with kids (a rarity in Bali!). Seseh has a relaxed vibe with nice cafés and new spots popping up, yet it still retains its authentic charm. Farmers work the rice fields, cheerful ceremonies take place, chickens roam the streets, and fishing boats line the beach.
As a family, how has the transition been, and what benefits do you think Bali will provide the family?
The transition has been incredible. It’s given us so much more time together as a family, and we’ve grown even closer to our boys, and they to each other. Living in Bali has provided us with an experience we’ll cherish for life—one that will always be part of our family story. Bali offers us not only the warmth of kind locals but also a comfortable, laid-back lifestyle and a child-friendly environment that makes everyday life easier, more enjoyable and exotic.
How has school life been in Bali so far? Please share!
During a scouting trip in July, we stumbled upon Bloom Boutique Atelier in Cemagi, near Seseh, and were instantly hooked. The cozy atmosphere, the cute garden and creative spaces felt just right. After meeting the wonderful staff, we knew it was the right place for our kids. Reggio-inspired, Bloom focuses on nurturing curiosity and discovery in a playful, supportive environment. Kindness, creativity, and the child’s well-being are at the heart of everything.
Wilfred and Kalle have been attending for more than 6 months now. The transition was easier for Wilfred, who was younger and pre-language when he started, while Kalle faced some challenges with the new language and place. But now, both are thriving and loving it. Especially, the cooking class on Fridays!
How has the cost of living compared to back in Europe? What are you able to afford that you wouldn’t normally, for example?
The cost of living here is much lower than in Europe, which has given us more opportunities to enjoy life—whether it’s dining out, exploring the island, or simply enjoying several daily cups of barista-made coffee. We’ve also been able to hire help for housekeeping, driving and other daily tasks, which has freed up more time for us as a family. However, housing has been more expensive than we expected.
How has living in Bali influenced your personal and professional life, and what opportunities have you found here?
Living in Bali has given us more time to focus on family, feeling good, and enjoying life. Both of us enjoy the more time to exercise, read, and explore. It’s been wonderful for the kids as well to live in warmer surroundings and having more quality time together.
Professionally, Gustav, a lawyer, took a break from his government job to join a tech start-up, Plus Studio. Meanwhile, Sasha saw the move as a chance to pursue her dream of going solo. With a background in marketing, she launched her consultancy for creatives, Desa (meaning “village” or “community” here) @Desa_creatives, and co-founded the fashion and lifestyle brand An Ode To, @anodeto_cph, with production based in Bali.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced?
We have faced three major challenges. First, the heavy traffic, which often leads to wasting a lot of time. Second, the difficulty in finding the right villa. And third, the rapid construction development, which is unfortunately damaging the beautiful rice fields and local charm of the popular areas. Fortunately, though, it doesn’t take much to venture off the beaten path and find a quieter, more authentic side of Bali.
What is a day in a life?
A typical day in our life begins with waking up and sharing our morning – like most families, it’s sometimes relaxed, sometimes a bit chaotic! Usually, either Sasha attends a reformer class at Shape House or Gustav heads out for an early rice field run and coffee with Flowerboy Run Club. Then, we grab our morning coffee from the restaurant next door, The Lodge, before our driver, Chandra, picks us up. He takes us to Bloom, where the boys are at kindergarten for half the day while we either work or fit in a workout at the nearby Zealot Muay Thai gym. Afterward, we head home for family time and might go to places like Village Café for the playground, Le Bajo for the pool, Seseh General Store for the ice cream, and Warung Pantai for the beach. Evenings are a mix of winding down, dinner timer, and catching up on work if needed.
What do you think are the biggest misconceptions about Bali, and how would you correct them?
The two biggest misconceptions about Bali tend to lie at opposite ends of the spectrum. On one side, people believe Bali is the picture-perfect paradise you see on Instagram, and on the other, some view it as a ruined touristy place. The truth, as always, lies somewhere in between. While it’s true that there’s plenty of garbage, traffic, and mass tourism in certain areas, the essence and most of Bali remains wonderful. It’s rich in culture, filled with kind people, vibrantly alive, and still very much authentic just off the main tourist roads.
What has been some of your favourite discoveries so far and findings travelling beyond Bali?
One of our favorite discoveries has been exploring Lombok and Gili Asahan.
Lombok feels more untouched than Bali. Less traffic, sweeping green rice fields, and buffalos roaming the roads. It’s just a 45-minute flight from Bali.
In Lombok, we recommend staying on the southern part of the island, where the beaches are stunning. We had a wonderful stay at Amber Lombok. Highlights included visiting Mawun Beach and Sukara Village, where women weave beautiful textiles.
Gili Asahan, one of the “secret” Gili Islands off Lombok’s coast, is car- and scooter-free. Wild horses and goats wander the white beaches on this tiny paradise. We recommend staying at Gili Asahan Eco Resort.
What are some factors that families looking to live in Bali should consider?
Families looking to live in Bali should take the opportunity to travel around and explore the island’s incredible diversity. From the white beaches of Uluwatu, to the stunning highland of Munduk, and the serene beauty of Sidemen, there’s so much to discover.
It’s also rewarding to immerse yourselves in the local culture and get to know the people. One of our most memorable experiences was being invited into a small village for a religious Kuningan ceremony, where we were the only bules (foreigners) and witnessed a beautiful event. We were warmly welcomed by the locals, and this kind of connection and cultural exchange truly enriches the experience of living in Bali.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience living in Bali that we haven’t covered yet?
We have all four been so grateful for our driver Chandra. His local knowledge, sense of humor and kindness have made our time in Bali even more enjoyable and comfortable. He’s recently started his own business- https://sesehrental.com/ where you can rent scooters or contact him for rides in his car, which is equipped with two child seats—quite a rare find here!
