Meet Leontine, Lennaert, and their two sons, Louis (8) and Arthur (6)—a family originally from Amsterdam, now thriving in the tranquil rice fields of Ubud, Bali. With a love for travel and a desire for a life filled with nature, community, and adventure, they embarked on a transformative journey to Bali. In this heartfelt interview, they share their story of relocation, from the motivations behind their big move to the challenges and joys of settling into a new culture. Discover how they turned their dreams into reality, embraced new opportunities, and found their rhythm in one of the world’s most inspiring destinations.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Where are you originally from?
Hi! We are Leontine, Lennaert, Louis (8), and Arthur (6)—a family originally from the Netherlands, where we happily lived in Amsterdam for many years. Traveling has always been a passion for us, and in 2019/2020, we had the incredible opportunity to move to New Zealand. Unfortunately, that adventure was cut short by COVID-19. But life has a way of making up for it, and here we are now, embarking on another great adventure in Bali.
When did you first arrive in Bali and how long do you wish to live here?
We left Amsterdam in March 2024 to start traveling and arrived in Bali around April/May of the same year. That’s when we received our KITAS (thanks to the seamless process arranged by Our Year In Bali). We spent a month in Bali to find the perfect school for our boys and to secure our long-term home. Once that was done, we continued traveling for a bit before returning at the end of July to officially settle in.
For now, we’re committed to staying at least two years, but who knows? If we’re all thriving and happy, we might call this place home for even longer.
What motivated you to move to Bali and how did you go about making the decision to do so?
While we loved Amsterdam, we started to crave space, nature, and a climate that invited us to live more outdoors. Life there had become a cycle of work, exhaustion, and weekends spent recuperating, leaving us wondering: Could there be another way to live?
After our New Zealand adventure was unexpectedly cut short, we knew we weren’t done exploring life abroad. Bali came to mind almost immediately. We’ve always loved Asia and had been to Bali before, leaving each time with a longing to stay longer. The real game-changer was discovering the incredible range of international schools for our boys. Combine that with Bali’s beauty, safety, and charm—it felt like the perfect place to raise our kids.
You chose to live in Ubud. Please describe the neighborhood, community etc..
We live about 15 minutes from central Ubud, in a small, authentic Balinese village where we’re the only foreigners. It’s peaceful, surrounded by rice fields, and the perfect balance of quiet and connected. Every morning, the 10 minute scooter ride to the boys’ school is a joy, so scenic and beautiful.
We also explored other areas like Canggu, but the Ubud countryside stole our hearts from the start. Coming from a bustling city like Amsterdam, we thought we’d prefer the lively vibe, but Bali has her way of surprising you. Here, amidst the rice fields, we’re happier than ever.
We found our home on Airbnb and asked the host if they’d consider a long-term rental—they did, and even offered us a great deal. It’s worth trying!
Our sense of community revolves around The Empathy School, where the boys go to school. The parent community there is incredible. We’ve made close friends, and it’s a wonderfully supportive environment. We even spent the school holiday in Amed with about ten other families—a great experience for both kids and parents.
What is life at school like for the boys?
The boys go to The Empathy School, a nature-based school in Ubud, and they’re absolutely loving it. The classrooms are open and airy, and much of their learning happens outdoors. In addition to daily math and English classes, they engage in creative, hands-on activities. Occasionally, they’ll even spot a snake, which is always an exciting highlight for them!
Our eldest, Louis, who recently turned 8, had a bit of a rough start. The first two weeks were overwhelming for him, and he missed his old school and friends. I think older kids can find the adjustment harder when moving, but he quickly adapted and now loves going to school.
I am amazed at how fast they adjust themselves to this new environment and speak English fluently. That’s already a great gain!
What benefits do you see Bali offering to your family, both personally and as a whole?
Bali has been transformative for us. Personally, I feel more connected to myself and my family, and freer and happier than I’ve felt in years. In Amsterdam, life felt increasingly disconnected and individualistic. Here, the sense of community is heartwarming and I realize now how much I missed that.
As a family we have so much more time for each other and are growing closer and closer through this experience.
Beyond that, Bali offers stunning nature, a kind-hearted local culture, incredible food, and endless opportunities for adventure. I can honestly say we are living our dream at the moment.
How does the cost of living in Bali compare to the cost of living in Europe?
Daily life in Bali is much more affordable than in Europe, but it’s not as cheap as it once was. Rental prices have skyrocketed since COVID-19, with some houses costing two to three times what they did a few years ago. International schools and KITAS fees are also significant expenses.
Just to give you an idea (and because I always appreciate it when people are open about this) we pay 1500 euros for our 3 bedroom Villa here in Ubud, which is considered a good deal. It includes electricity, internet, cleaning, pool maintenance and gardening. The school costs are 7000 euros per child per year. KITAS costs 5000 euros for the four of us for two years.
That said, once you’re settled, you can tailor your spending to fit your budget. Bali offers everything from luxurious fine dining to budget-friendly meals at local markets—and both experiences can be equally enjoyable.
In what ways has living in Bali impacted your personal and professional life and what new opportunities have arisen for you?
Living here has given us the gift of time, which has been a game-changer. We’re healthier, more relaxed, and spend much more quality time together as a family.
Professionally, both Lennaert and I are transitioning to entrepreneurship. Lennaert has launched his freelance business in organizational design.
I started a platform called: Your Soul Is Your Superpower (both website and Instagram) to inspire people to connect to their Soul’s again. Besides sharing practical tools and tips on how to live a Soul-led life, I also interview inspiring people on their Soul Story. These stories are about transformation, courage and alignment, showing what’s possible when we tune into our inner wisdom. What they have in common is that they heard that voice within and took big leaps of faith by acting on the guidance they received, leading them to live extraordinary lives.
I hope to inspire people to start trusting that voice within again, listen to its guidance and find the guts to act on what comes through.
This very same process ,that I will be sharing about on the platform, led me to living my dream life in Bali.
I’m also building a coaching program around it. Would love nothing more than to help others create a life they truly love and that feels authentic and full of joy.
Bali is a very inspiring place and surrounding ourselves with like minded people working the same way and envisioning the same life for themselves and their families has been such an eyeopener.
My website is: yoursoulisyoursuperpower.com
What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve encountered since relocating to Bali?
So far, things have gone smoothly. We were prepared for the slower pace of life and occasional inconveniences, like roadblocks for ceremonies or delayed deliveries. Just be relaxed about it and enjoy the fact that things are different than back home.
Be prepared for outdoor life and creatures of nature to enter your household. We have a variety of animals living in and around our house; from frogs to gecko’s, mice to the occasional snake. We don’t mind and the boys love it! Again, just be chill about it and embrace the adventure. That’s what we’re here for right?
The biggest challenge is being far from family and friends. The long journey makes visits infrequent, and we do miss that closeness. But we try to focus on the incredible experiences we’re having here—it’s a trade-off we’re willing to make for now.
What are your favorite activities or hobbies in Bali? Have you picked up any new interests?
For me, Ubud is yoga heaven, and I’ve been trying everything—from deepening my yoga practice to exploring breathwork, kirtan, and weekly meditations with Thai monks. For a spirit junkie like myself, living here is a dream:)
Lennaert has taken up Padel and as a family, we’re always on the lookout for great snorkeling spots or weekend adventures in nature. Our latest adventure is adopting two baby bunnies from the school, and Lennaert even built their cage with the help of the school’s woodwork teacher.
What do you think are some of the most common misconceptions about Bali and how would you address or clarify them?
One common misconception is that eating local food will make you sick. We’ve been here since July and haven’t had any issues, even when eating at street markets. Use common sense, of course, but don’t let fear stop you from enjoying the local cuisine.
Another misconception is that Bali is always serene and scenic. While it’s undoubtedly beautiful, traffic in places like Ubud or Canggu can be chaotic. A 2-mile car ride can sometimes take an hour. If you can, learn to ride a scooter—it’s the best way to avoid the traffic jams. Or just move to the countryside and avoid the craziness.;)
Lastly, is there anything else about your experience living in Bali that you’d like to share or that we haven’t covered yet?
Come to Bali with an open heart and mind, and you’ll be rewarded. And even though it is not a perfect place—it’s busy and touristy at times— it has a soul and energy like nowhere else.
If you’re lucky enough to call Bali home, even for a while, embrace it fully. Live the dream, wholeheartedly, and let Bali’s magic change your life.
Follow Leontine:
Website: yoursoulisyoursuperpower.com
Instagram: yoursoulisyoursuperpower/
Personal Instagram: Leontine_leeuwenburgh
