Moving to Bali is about more than changing your address—it’s about creating a lifestyle that better suits you and your family.
In this article, we share the biggest lessons and practical advice from James and Jade, who left Auckland, New Zealand, to start a new chapter in Bali with their young family. They reflect on everything from the rainy season and finding the right home to budgeting, navigating visas, and settling into everyday life.
Whether you’re planning to relocate with children, work remotely, start a business, or simply enjoy a better work-life balance, their experience offers valuable insights to help you prepare for your own move.
Watch the Full YouTube Q&A
This article highlights the key takeaways from James and Jade’s relocation journey, but there’s even more to their story.
In the full interview with Simone from Our Year in Bali, they share why they left New Zealand, how they chose the right school and neighbourhood, the challenges they faced, and why they now call Bali home.
Watch the full YouTube interview here.
The Rainy Season Isn’t as Bad as People Think
One of the biggest concerns families have before relocating to Bali is the weather. Many imagine months of endless rain, flooding, and being stuck indoors, unable to enjoy the island. That wasn’t their experience at all.
Yes, Bali has a distinct rainy season, and naturally, there is more rainfall than during the dry season. But for the most part, life continues as normal. Most mornings are still bright and clear. Families can head to school, enjoy breakfast outside, go to cafés, explore beaches, or spend time outdoors before afternoon showers arrive. Typically, the rain comes later in the day or overnight.
Of course, there are exceptions. During one particular week, it rained almost continuously. But they were quick to point out that this was unusual rather than the norm for the entire rainy season. Instead of months of constant rain, they found a climate that remained enjoyable and manageable. That’s something they admitted they had worried about before moving.
Looking back now, they say they couldn’t have been happier with how the rainy season has turned out.
It’s important to be realistic, there are days when it rains heavily, occasional floods in certain areas andnd yes, sometimes you’ll spend the day indoors. But those days don’t define life in Bali. Even during the wet season, you’ll still experience plenty of sunshine, blue skies, and beautiful weather.
For families considering the move, that’s an important distinction. The rainy season doesn’t mean pressing pause on life. It simply means adjusting your routine slightly, carrying an umbrella, and understanding that tropical weather changes quickly.
Don’t Try to Figure Everything Out Alone
If there was one piece of advice they would give every family considering relocating to Bali, it would be this: Seek help.
Moving countries is exciting, but it can also feel incredibly overwhelming.
- There are visas to organise.
- Legal requirements to understand.
- Government processes that differ from those in your home country.
- Questions about schools, healthcare, accommodation, transport, and setting up your new life.
Trying to navigate every system yourself can quickly become stressful. Having experienced professionals guiding you through the process removes so much uncertainty. More importantly, it helps ensure everything is done properly. The family explained that they wanted to do everything above board.
If they were going to live in Indonesia, they wanted to make sure they had the correct visas, followed the right processes, and worked with trusted professionals. The challenge isn’t wanting to do the right thing. The challenge is knowing what the right way actually is.
That’s why having experienced support became one of the best investments they made.
At Our Year in Bali, that’s exactly what we help families with every day. From understanding visas and choosing the right schools to finding accommodation, navigating healthcare, and settling into life on the island, our team provides practical guidance to make your relocation smoother and far less overwhelming.
Whether you’re still exploring the idea or already planning your move, getting the right advice early can save you time, money, and unnecessary stress.
Budget More Than You Think You’ll Need
Financial planning is another area where they encourage families to think ahead. Their advice was simple: Overestimate your budget.
Moving internationally comes with unexpected expenses.
- Plans change.
- Unexpected costs appear.
- Emergencies happen.
Having extra funds available creates flexibility and reduces stress. You may never need that financial buffer. But if you do, you’ll be incredibly grateful it’s there.
Understand How Long-Term Villa Rentals Work
One surprise for many newcomers is how villa payments often work in Bali. Unlike countries where rent is commonly paid weekly or monthly, long-term villa rentals are frequently paid 12 months in advance.
For a quality family villa in a desirable location, that upfront payment can be significant. Depending on the property, location, and size, families may need to budget anywhere from approximately 40,000 to 100,000 upfront for the annual lease. That’s a very different payment cycle compared to Australia or New Zealand.
Understanding this before arriving helps families prepare financially and avoid surprises. Long-term budgeting isn’t just about monthly living expenses. It’s about planning for different payment schedules across accommodation, schooling, visas, and other major costs.
Airbnb Can Be the Perfect Starting Point
Before moving, the family spent a lot of time discussing whether they should secure a long-term villa before arriving in Bali.
Ultimately, they chose not to. Instead, they stayed in Airbnbs while exploring different neighbourhoods and viewing villas in person. Looking back, they believe it was absolutely the right decision.
- Photos don’t always tell the full story.
- Neighbourhoods feel different once you’re there.
- Traffic patterns vary.
- The atmosphere changes depending on the time of day.
- Most importantly, what looks perfect online isn’t always the best fit for everyday family life.
Taking the time to explore Bali before committing to a long-term lease gave them confidence they were choosing the right home. Many families also find that staying month-to-month in Airbnbs can offer surprisingly good rates while they settle in. It removes the pressure of making a rushed decision from overseas.
Holiday Villas Aren’t Always Designed for Family Living
Another lesson they quickly discovered was that many villas in Bali are designed primarily for holidaymakers—not families living there full-time.
A villa can feel luxurious during a two-week holiday while becoming impractical for everyday life. Some examples include:
- Bedrooms opening directly onto the swimming pool
- No pool fencing for young children
- Open-air living areas that can’t be enclosed during heavy rain
- Layouts better suited for short stays than daily routines
These features may look beautiful in photos. But when you’re living there every day, especially with children, practicality becomes far more important than aesthetics. Choosing a villa that supports everyday family life makes a huge difference.
One Thing They Would Definitely Do Differently
If they could start over, there is one decision they would change immediately. They would organise a professional building inspection before signing a lease. They stressed that inspections are relatively inexpensive compared to the potential cost of discovering major structural issues later. They specifically recommended arranging a proper thermal inspection to identify hidden water leaks and maintenance problems.
Unfortunately, they learned this lesson the hard way. Their rental villa developed serious leaks. Eventually, the roof even collapsed. It became a frustrating situation involving repairs, responsibility, and disagreements over who was accountable.
Looking back, they believe a professional inspection before moving in could have identified many of those issues early. For anyone planning to rent a villa in Bali, this simple step could save significant stress and protect your investment.
Don’t Be Afraid to Speak Up
Another valuable lesson involved working with landlords.
Their advice? Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself. If maintenance issues arise, they may not always be resolved immediately. Sometimes problems require regular follow-up, you need to remind people and sometimes you need to negotiate firmly.
They found that staying on top of repairs and continuing to communicate helped keep things moving. It’s not about being difficult. It’s about ensuring your home remains safe, comfortable, and well maintained.
Bali Has Exceeded Every Expectation
When asked to describe their Bali experience in one sentence, the answers were incredibly heartfelt. One word came first; ‘Amazing’!
They said Bali has completely blown their minds. Life has turned out even better than they ever imagined. In fact, they no longer see themselves returning to New Zealand. Bali has become home.
They described it as a beautiful place where they have never been happier. For the entire family, the move has been nothing short of life-changing.
Another family member described it as a dream come true. Even now, they still feel like they’re living inside that dream. Months after relocating, that feeling hasn’t disappeared. If anything, it’s become stronger.
A New Chapter That Feels Like Home
Watching a family thrive after relocating is one of the most rewarding parts of moving to Bali.
- Happy children.
- Parents feel settled.
- A home that genuinely feels like home.
For this family, Bali isn’t simply somewhere they decided to live for a while. It’s where they’ve built a new chapter together. Their story is a reminder that moving overseas doesn’t have to be perfect to be worthwhile. There will be challenges, there will be surprises. You’ll learn lessons you couldn’t have anticipated.
But with realistic expectations, careful planning, professional guidance, and a willingness to embrace a different way of life, those challenges become part of an incredible journey.
Today, they aren’t talking about when they’ll leave. They’re talking about the life they’ve created—and the fact they can’t imagine living anywhere else.
For families dreaming about making the move, perhaps that’s the most inspiring lesson of all. Sometimes the biggest leap leads exactly where you’re meant to be.
Ready to Start Your Own Bali Journey?
James and Jade’s story is a reminder that moving to Bali isn’t just about changing where you live—it’s about creating a lifestyle that better suits you and your family.
Every relocation is different, but having the right guidance can make the process far less stressful and help you avoid common mistakes along the way.
At Our Year in Bali, we’ve helped hundreds of individuals, couples, and families navigate their move with confidence. Whether you need help understanding visas, choosing the right international school, finding a family-friendly neighbourhood, budgeting for your relocation, or simply knowing where to begin, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Book a free discovery call with our team to discuss your plans, ask your questions, and receive personalised advice based on your goals and lifestyle.
Ready to make your move? We’d love to help you turn your Bali dream into a reality.
Read next: How a Filipino-American Family Built a Better Life in Bali →
