When Bongie and China moved to Bali with their two young kids (and their dog), they weren’t chasing some perfect Instagram lifestyle—they were looking for a better quality of life. After years in Manila and careers tied to California, they wanted more time together as a family, less stress, and a place where their kids could grow up surrounded by nature, community, and a little more freedom. In late 2025, they made the leap and haven’t looked back.
Almost a year later, they’ve settled into life in Sanur and fully embraced Bali’s slower pace. Their days are filled with school runs, beach sunsets, motorbike adventures, local warungs, and the kind of flexibility that’s hard to find in a big city. In this interview, Bongie and China share what it’s really like to relocate a family to Bali, the surprises they’ve encountered along the way, and why they feel the island has given them the lifestyle they were searching for.
Tell us a little about yourself
Hello! We are a Filipino-American family. Before taking the leap to move to Bali, we spent about six years living in Manila, but my professional background roots are back in the financial sector of California (working in places like San Jose and Palo Alto). Life before Bali was good, but we reached a point where we wanted to create a better, fulfilling life for ourselves and our kids.
When did you move to Bali?
We made our official move to the island toward the end of 2025. We’ve been here almost a year now, and honestly, every single day still feels like an adventure. We originally moved to the western part of the island, but we think we have finally found our place to settle down here in the Sanur area.
As far as how long we plan to stay—as long as they allow us, lol! We really like it here, and our 2-year-old just had his first day of school, accompanying his 4-year-old sister who has been going to the same school.
How did you come across Our Year in Bali and why was the service valuable to you?
We found Our Year in Bali while researching the logistical realities of moving a family and a pet to the island. Working with Simone was an absolute game-changer! Relocating a family across borders involves a mountain of moving parts—especially relocating with a dog—from visas to housing and local infrastructure. Simone’s warmth, precision, and deep local insight turned what could have been an overwhelming grind into a smooth, exciting transition. She gave us the peace of mind we needed to hit the ground running.
What inspired your move?
We really wanted to get away from the concrete hustle and bubble of Manila. With two young kids, we researched and looked around Southeast Asia for a better place to raise them, and we finally decided on Bali. The biggest turning point is obviously the lifestyle and quality of living. Our biggest decision every day now is whether to go lounge in the pool, hang out at the park, or watch the sunset at the beach.
Where do you live in Bali?
We chose to settle down in Sanur after trying a few other places on the busier, western part of the island, and we absolutely love it. We feel that by living in the Sanur/Renon area, we are closer to the local culture compared to when we were staying near the Canggu area. We have local places and warungs where we buy a meal at least once a week.
A very generous and kind Balinese family—Dewa, his wife Eka (who is the nanny to our kids), and their daughter Kayla—help us three times a week with the kids and in maintaining the villa. They often tell us about the ceremonies they do, Balinese Hinduism, and teach us words in Bahasa. We were also lucky to be able to attend the Ogoh-Ogoh festival this year, and we were able to feel how alive the island is before Nyepi —— and the complete serenity when the island shuts down during. The sense of community and storytelling through visual artwork was amazing to witness. And in our everyday life in Sanur, we see the locals in their Kebaya and beautiful sarongs offering canangs in the street and at the temples. Another big part of local life is experiencing the daily commute on the motorbike, which the kids really enjoy as well.
What has been your experience with childcare in Bali?
Right now, the kids are thriving in their local school setup. Raising kids here is incredible because the environment itself acts as a classroom. They are exposed to nature, diverse cultures, and a freedom of movement that is hard to find in a massive city.
The kids also have a lot of extracurricular classes to choose from. They are currently enjoying their soccer class every Thursday, our daughter just had a trial class for ballet, and we are looking at gymnastics classes. The island has so much to offer little ones. And what people say about Balinese people and children is completely true: they absolutely cherish babies and show nothing but kindness and warmth towards families with little ones.
How does everyday life in Bali compare to home financially?
Financially, Bali offers an incredible quality of life and value. To give a quick example: I can buy 30 eggs here for around 3 US dollars! The cost of daily necessities, beautiful housing, and fresh food allows for a lifestyle that feels much more abundant. Things like having a beautifully maintained villa, enjoying premium local specialty coffee daily for not much more than a dollar, and hiring trusted local help for maintenance are seamless parts of life here. Back in the States or in major metro areas, those luxuries come with a massive premium and a lot of stress.
Are you working in Bali?
Yes, I still work for a US-based firm, so I stay up at night due to the time difference. It definitely requires some sacrifice and a disciplined sleep schedule, but it is a minor inconvenience compared to the quality of life moving to Bali has afforded us.
What does a typical day look like for you and the family in Bali?
During the weekdays, it’s beautifully simple. We take the kids to school in the morning, head back home for a solid nap, and then head back out to pick the kids up. After school, our schedule is wide open—we just do whatever we feel like doing at the moment. Weekends are exactly the same: zero pressure, total freedom, and just going with the flow. Whether that means hitting the gym, lounging by the pool, or heading to the beach, it’s a pretty great, relaxed way to live.
We recently spent our daughter’s birthday in Lovina. We rented a villa for 4 days and the kids swam all day, played on the beach all afternoon, visited a local bakery for her birthday cake, and swam again at night. Things like this would be so much more expensive back in Manila or in the US.
What are some common misconceptions about Bali, and what would you say to set the record straight?
The biggest myth is that Bali is just a holiday party island for backpackers or “digital nomads” living out of suitcases. The reality is that it is a destination welcoming to everyone—as long as you respect the customs and way of life of the locals on the island.
It’s wonderful for families, and also wonderful for vacations. With high-speed fiber-optic internet, excellent schools, and a deeply respectful local culture, you can run a serious trading operation or global business from here while giving your family an exceptionally wholesome upbringing.
How have you immersed you and the family in the local culture?
Honestly, the best way to immerse yourself in a new culture is to eat their food. And let me tell you, not only is Bali belly real, it is also very worth it. Babi Guling vs. EVERYBODY!
What should other families think about before making the move?
My biggest advice is to be clear about the lifestyle you want to build and to get professional structural help—like Simone’s—to handle the logistics correctly from day one. Don’t just wing the legal stuff, housing, or pet relocation; get it done right so you can focus on enjoying the transition.
Also, come with an open mind, a flexible attitude, and a readiness to embrace a different pace of life. If you’re on the fence, you can also just come out and try it out for a few weeks first to see how it feels!
Final thoughts: is there anything else about your Bali experience you’d love to share?
We live in Sanur, and the crazy thing about this island is that driving in any direction—whether you head to Canggu, Lovina, or Uluwatu—feels like entering a completely different country, like a whole new vacation. It’s pretty great.
