After years of building high-growth startups and navigating the demands of corporate life, James and Jade Colley looked successful from the outside—but behind the scenes, they were running on empty.
Between James’s constant travel between New Zealand and the U.S. as a tech entrepreneur, and Jade’s fast-paced career in marketing—all while raising two young boys, Cooper and Cruz—the couple found themselves longing for more than just professional wins. They wanted presence, peace, and a lifestyle rooted in purpose.
One evening, after yet another week of late nights and missed moments, they made a bold decision: to trade burnout for balance and spreadsheets for sunsets. What started as a dream of villa life in Bali quickly became their new reality.
In this story, James and Jade share their inspiring move from Auckland to Berawa, their journey into villa investment and entrepreneurship, and how Bali has transformed their daily rhythm. From school drop-offs and beach dinners to raising grounded, joyful kids in a nurturing island community — this is a fresh start filled with intention.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and where you are originally from?
We’re originally from Auckland, New Zealand, where life was fast-paced and full of opportunity but also constant motion. I’m an entrepreneur and founder of therappai, an AI-powered mental wellbeing platform created to make therapy more accessible, private, and affordable for people everywhere. Before that, I co-founded Whip Around, a fleet-management SaaS company that grew from a small Kiwi startup into a global platform serving clients around the world.
For nearly a decade, I was travelling constantly between New Zealand and the United States, working at full speed and chasing growth. It was exciting, but it also came at a cost — long hours, jet lag, and an increasing sense of burnout that crept into every part of life. Jade, my partner, was also deep in the corporate world, leading marketing projects at The Warehouse Group while juggling motherhood and everything that comes with it.
We reached a point where we both felt completely drained — successful on paper but running on empty in reality. One evening, after another long week of late nights and missed family time, we sat down and had a very honest conversation about what we wanted our lives to look like. We’d both fallen in love with Bali over many visits through the years, and had often dreamed about one day owning a villa and building a slower, more intentional life here. That night, the dream turned into a decision. We closed our laptops, booked the flights, and committed to designing a life built around family, freedom, and wellbeing — not just work.
When did you move to Bali?
After taking two months to travel through Asia with our family — exploring Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Thailand — we finally arrived in Bali in mid-April 2025. From the very first week, it just felt right. The pace, the people, the community — there was an instant sense of belonging that made it clear this was more than just a temporary move.
Since settling in, we’ve fully embraced life here and are planning to stay long-term. We’ve established our own PT company, which gives us the flexibility to invest and build a future locally. We recently purchased our first investment villa in Bingin Beach, a place that perfectly captures the balance of energy and tranquility we love about Bali. Over the next two years, we’re planning to develop four more villas, expanding into small-scale property development, land acquisition, and ultimately building our dream forever home here.
It’s exciting to be creating roots — not just as residents, but as part of Bali’s evolving future. This island has a way of drawing you in, and once you experience its rhythm, it’s hard to imagine living anywhere else.
What inspired your move?
We were craving a lifestyle reset—more presence with our children, and a deeper sense of connection and calm. The pace of life back home had become hectic, and while we loved New Zealand, we wanted to design a life that allowed for more family time, creativity, and wellbeing. Bali offered that mix of community, nature, and balance that we couldn’t ignore.
How did you come across Our Year in Bali and why was the service valuable to you?
We came across Our Year in Bali while researching what a long-term move might look like for families with young children — trying to figure out everything from visas and schools to housing, healthcare, and the realities of day-to-day life. From our very first conversation with Simone, everything suddenly felt achievable. She has this calm, reassuring way of breaking down what can feel like an overwhelming process into clear, manageable steps.
Her guidance covered every detail — areas, schools, business setup, banking, insurance, and settling logistics — and helped us avoid so many common pitfalls. What stood out most was how connected she is within the community. Simone introduced us to the right professionals and local partners, people we now genuinely trust. In fact, one of the introductions she made has been so thorough and professional that even my local business partners have commented on it — saying how well protected we are when it comes to our investments and legal structures here in Bali.
Working with Our Year in Bali didn’t just make the move easier; it gave us confidence, clarity, and peace of mind at a time when we were making huge life changes. Looking back, I honestly can’t imagine doing this without that support — it turned what could have been a stressful relocation into a truly smooth and exciting new chapter for our family.
Where do you live in Bali?
We’ve settled in Berawa, just three minutes from Canggu Community School, which makes family life wonderfully easy. Berawa strikes the perfect balance — it’s vibrant and connected, yet still feels community-driven and family-friendly. We love being close to world-class cafés, beaches, and wellness spots, while also being surrounded by families from all over the world who share similar values.
What school did you choose for your children, and why was it the right fit?
Our boys now attend Canggu Community School (CCS), which has been such a positive part of our transition. The school offers the perfect balance between structure and creativity, with a curriculum that challenges them academically while still leaving space for curiosity, play, and emotional growth.
The teachers are incredibly nurturing and genuinely invested in the kids’ wellbeing, which made the adjustment seamless from day one. The school community itself is wonderfully diverse—children from all over the world learning, growing, and playing together. It’s been amazing to watch Cooper and Cruz build friendships so quickly, forming connections that extend beyond the classroom to weekend playdates, birthday parties, and beach adventures.
What we love most about CCS is the environment—it’s not just a school, but a community hub that brings families together. There’s a strong emphasis on kindness, collaboration, and cultural understanding, which has helped our boys feel grounded and confident in their new surroundings. Seeing them so happy and settled has been one of the most rewarding parts of our move.
With two energetic young boys, finding the right support was also essential—and thankfully, Bali has an incredible network of family-focused caregivers. We were lucky to find a wonderful nanny who’s become an extension of our family. She’s warm, reliable, and truly adores the boys. Beyond the practical help, she’s also shared her Balinese culture with them—teaching small rituals, language, and daily acts of gratitude like morning offerings, which has added so much depth to their experience here.
We’ve also explored local preschool and childcare options, and the standard has exceeded our expectations. The early education spaces here are nurturing, creative, and beautifully connected to nature. Most schools encourage outdoor learning, play-based exploration, and social growth rather than rigid structure. The children spend hours outside—barefoot, gardening, painting, building, and learning through play—and it’s been incredible to see how much that freedom has benefited them.
That combination of cultural warmth, outdoor freedom, and genuine community spirit has given our boys the kind of childhood we always dreamed of—adventurous, grounded, and filled with laughter.
How does the cost of day-to-day life in Bali compare to New Zealand?
The cost of living here feels refreshingly balanced. In New Zealand, so many aspects of life had become expensive or out of reach—whether it was childcare, dining out, or even taking time off. In Bali, we can enjoy a far higher quality of life for less—healthy food, childcare, massages, daily help, and family adventures that would have been considered luxuries back home.
It’s not about living cheaply; it’s about living better. The financial breathing room gives us more time and energy to focus on what matters most—family, wellbeing, and business.
How have you found the medical and health services so far?
We’ve found the medical care excellent. There are modern international clinics nearby, and most doctors speak fluent English. From routine visits to paediatric care, everything has been professional and accessible. What’s also special here is the holistic approach—wellness isn’t just about treating illness but maintaining balance. From nutrition to yoga to traditional healing, Bali offers an ecosystem of health that’s unlike anywhere else.
What does a typical day look like for you and your family in Bali?
Our days usually start early with the sunrise spilling through the palm trees and the sounds of roosters and scooters in the distance. Mornings have a gentle rhythm now—no mad rush, no chaos. We get the boys ready and off to Canggu Community School, then stop for a coffee at one of our favourite local cafés. That quiet pause has become one of our favourite rituals—it’s a small luxury that used to feel impossible in our old life.
Once the school run is done, our days naturally fall into flow. I’ll spend a few hours working remotely on therappai, often jumping on calls with partners and teams across different time zones. Jade uses the mornings for her creative projects, planning, or self-care—something that was difficult to prioritise back in New Zealand. There’s a sense of space here—mental and physical—that lets us both be productive and grounded at the same time.
Afternoons are family time. We’ll often head for a swim, take the boys on a scooter ride through the rice fields, or stop by the beach for an early dinner and sunset. Sometimes we meet friends at one of the local clubs, where the kids can play and we can unwind. We’ve joined a few of the local fitness and lifestyle clubs, which have become a big part of our community—offering everything from gyms and pools to co-working spaces and family-friendly events.
Evenings are intentionally slow. We cook together or try new restaurants, sit outside listening to the sounds of the island, and watch the boys chase fireflies before bed. There’s no rush, no rigid schedule—just connection and presence.
We’ve also built a strong circle of friends here, both local and international. It’s common for friends and family from back home to visit and stay with us, which we love—it keeps our home full of laughter and energy. When we’re not hosting, we’re usually exploring—travelling around Bali’s different regions or hopping over to the outer islands like Nusa Lembongan, Lombok, or the Gilis. Each trip reminds us why we made this move—the ability to live, work, and explore freely as a family.
It’s a lifestyle that’s hard to describe until you experience it: balanced, vibrant, and deeply fulfilling. We’ve traded the noise and hurry of city life for something far more meaningful—a daily rhythm built around calm, connection, and joy.
What are some common misconceptions about Bali, and what would you say to set the record straight?
One of the biggest misconceptions about Bali is that it’s only for backpackers, influencers, or digital nomads passing through. That couldn’t be further from the truth. The Bali we’ve come to know is full of families, entrepreneurs, creatives, and professionals who have intentionally built their lives here. It’s a community of people who value balance, freedom, and purpose—and who are designing lifestyles that blend work, wellbeing, and family in ways that would be almost impossible back home.
When we first arrived, our intention was to slow down and semi-retire early—to step back from the intensity of corporate and startup life, focus on our family, and enjoy a gentler rhythm. But what we didn’t expect was just how much opportunity exists here. Bali has this magnetic energy that draws ambitious, open-minded people from all over the world. Every week we seem to meet someone who’s building something innovative—whether it’s a wellness retreat, a tech startup, a design brand, or a villa development. The island has become a hub for global entrepreneurship, where ideas flow as freely as the coffee and conversations.
People also often assume Bali is chaotic, unstructured, or unsafe—but once you settle in, you quickly realise how organised, safe, and community-driven it really is. The infrastructure has improved massively in recent years, with modern medical care, international schools, strong internet connectivity, and a thriving small business ecosystem.
What truly stands out, though, is the sense of support and collaboration. The expat and local communities here are incredibly welcoming, and there’s this shared understanding that everyone is carving out their own version of balance and success. It’s an environment that nurtures creativity, resilience, and connection—and it’s inspired us to dream even bigger than we had planned.
What cultural experiences have you enjoyed since moving to Bali?
We’ve made a conscious effort to immerse ourselves in Balinese culture—from participating in local ceremonies to learning simple phrases in Bahasa Indonesia. Our boys have absorbed so much about kindness, gratitude, and respect from the Balinese people, who embody community spirit like nowhere else. What we’ve learned most is the value of balance—how the Balinese integrate spirituality, work, and family so naturally. It’s changed the way we live and parent.
What should other families think about before making the move?
If you’re considering the move—do it, but plan intentionally. Talk to other families, research schools and visas, and connect with people who’ve already made the leap. Using a service like Our Year in Bali can save you enormous time and uncertainty. Once you arrive, embrace the change. Don’t try to recreate your old life—lean into the new rhythm, be open-minded, and let Bali teach you a slower, more connected way of living.
Final thoughts
Moving to Bali has been one of the best decisions of our lives. It’s given us time, peace, and perspective—and reminded us what success truly means. For us, it’s not measured in hours worked or emails sent, but in sunsets shared, laughter with our boys, and a sense of alignment we’d never found before. Bali has given us a new definition of home—one that’s rooted in family, community, and freedom.
