Meet Claire and Stephen, a young family from Scotland who decided it was time to create the life they’d always imagined. With three young children and busy work schedules, life back home felt like a never-ending rush. So, they made a bold choice: to slow things down and start fresh somewhere new.
After exploring a few options, Bali quickly stood out for its sunshine, family-friendly community, and the chance to enjoy more quality time together. What started as a “what if” conversation soon turned into a one-way ticket to a whole new lifestyle.
Today, Claire and Stephen are raising their three children under the Bali sun, trading commutes and cold weather for surf days, nature, and a strong sense of balance.
In this Q&A, Claire opens up about their journey, from the decision to move to finding their home, adjusting to the culture, and building a business abroad.
If you’ve ever dreamed about starting a new chapter in Bali, this family’s story might just inspire your next big move.
Hear It Firsthand: Watch Claire & Steven’s Bali Story on YouTube
Don’t miss our full video interview with Claire and Steven on our YouTube Channel!
In this honest and inspiring Q&A, they share how leaving behind long workdays and cold commutes opened the door to a more connected, fulfilling way of life. From enrolling their kids in local schools to building new businesses and ca ommunity in Canggu, their journey captures both the beauty and the reality of starting over abroad.
It’s a must-watch for families curious about what life in Bali really looks like — from the challenges of settling in to the joy of finding freedom in simplicity.
Tell us a little about your family and what life was like before moving to Bali.
Hi, I’m Claire, and this is Stephen. We’ve been married for almost nine years and have three children, Oliver, Hana, and Louie. Oliver is seven, Hana is four, and Louie is two. So yes, life is full and busy!
We’re originally from Scotland, where life was good, but busy, cold, and a bit routine. Stephen worked three jobs, and I was self-employed while taking care of the kids. We were just going through the motions every day.
We’d always talked about moving abroad, even before getting married, but it stayed a distant dream once we started having children. After Louie was born, we decided to take that dream more seriously.
We explored several places, but Bali came onto our radar quite late through a close friend. Despite being much farther than we initially planned, Bali just clicked. It offered what we were looking for, a safe, laid-back environment to raise our kids, with a strong focus on health, community, and enjoying life.
For us, no place is perfect, but Bali felt as close as we could get. The move was really about finding the right environment for the lifestyle we wanted, and Bali has given us exactly that.
What does a typical day look like for your family in Bali?
Our days start early, usually at sunrise when the kids wake up. It’s a rush of breakfast, sunscreen, and school prep before we head out.
I do the school run, leaving around 7:30 a.m. The kids go to Bhumi Bali School in Kerobokan, which takes about 30 minutes in the morning traffic. After dropping them off, I often head back to Canggu or to a co-working café to get some work done.
Stephen’s day usually starts right after the school run. He works, trains at the gym, and handles meetings with clients from our business back in the UK. Because of the time difference, he often has calls later in the day.
Evenings are our favorite time. We have family dinner, then often head to the beach for a sunset walk, a small ritual that makes us feel grateful every day.
How did you find your home in Bali?
We were searching for a family villa while also viewing properties for our Airbnb business. Through a mutual friend, we discovered the villa we now live in, even before it was finished being built. It was a reminder of how important it is to know the right people and build good relationships. The villa has everything we need, and we feel so lucky to have found it so soon after arriving. It’s truly become home.
What’s been the biggest difference between Scotland and Bali?
The most obvious difference from Scotland? The weather! Gone are the cold, rainy days — it’s shorts and T-shirts all year round here, which was high on our wishlist.
The people are another major difference. Scottish people are kind but tough, we’d say “thrawn” back home — very strong-minded. In contrast, Balinese people are incredibly warm, open, and helpful. There’s a real sense of spirituality and community that we love.
The cost of living is also much better for the lifestyle we get. We can go out as a family without spending a fortune. While things like alcohol are pricey, everyday life feels affordable and full of simple pleasures.
What we love most, though, is the energy. Whether it’s locals who are proud of their island, tourists enjoying their holiday, or expats like us who’ve chosen to live here, everyone wants to be in Bali. That creates a positive atmosphere you can really feel.
Where do your kids go to school in Bali?
Our kids go to Bhumi Bali School, an international school with families from all over the world. The school community has been amazing, from birthday parties to parent brunches, it’s been a great way to meet like-minded people.
Many parents here are entrepreneurs or creatives building something of their own, and that’s inspiring. The school often hosts family events, which have helped us connect with other parents and build lasting friendships.
Even at co-working spaces or the gym, people are friendly and open. It’s been easy to make connections and feel part of a community.
How have your children adjusted to life here?
The kids have adjusted incredibly well, better than we could have hoped. They love their school, the smaller class sizes, and their new friends.
After school, they’ll often jump in the pool or we’ll head to the beach instead of staying indoors. There’s always something fun to do — outdoor play, nature walks, beach days — it’s a lifestyle that really lets them thrive.
They’re also learning Bahasa Indonesia and Balinese culture at school, including wearing traditional outfits on Thursdays, which they absolutely love.
What surprised you most about living in Bali?
A few things caught us off guard, like how windy it can be, especially near the rice fields! We also didn’t expect how loud Bali can be, waves, music, scooters, and construction, it’s full of life and energy everywhere you go.
We also had to adjust to Bali’s upfront payment culture. Most things like villas, gyms, and insurance are paid yearly (sometimes even for multiple years in advance), unlike in Scotland where monthly payments are standard.
How has the cost of living compared to back home?
High-quality gyms and alcohol are relatively expensive, but dining out, coffee, and day trips are much cheaper than back home. Services like housekeeping and childcare are also very affordable.
Healthcare has been a positive surprise, fast, professional, and affordable. Seeing a physiotherapist here, for example, costs a fraction of what it would in the UK and most importantly it works.
Tell us about your work and how you’ve managed it between the UK and Bali.
We run a property business in the UK and have now started one in Bali. We arrived with one Airbnb running, and since then, more opportunities have opened up through networking and connections.
Bali’s community makes it easy to meet people and collaborate. Everyone knows someone who can help, it’s all about relationships.
Has Bali changed your outlook on life?
Professionally, living in Bali has helped us rethink what we truly value — and that’s time. The slower pace allows us to be more present with our kids and enjoy everyday moments, not just chase goals.
How was your experience working with Simone and Our Year in Bali?
Simone was incredible from the start. During our first discovery call, she made everything simple and stress-free. She connected us with the right people for everything, setting up a business, finding a villa, and handling logistics.
Her knowledge of schools, neighborhoods, real estate, and even packing lists was invaluable. What stood out most is that her support didn’t stop once we moved, she’s continued to help us whenever we’ve needed advice.
We’d recommend her to anyone planning a move to Bali. She truly cares about helping families make the transition smoothly.
What would you say to families considering a move like yours?
If moving abroad has been on your heart, do it. Don’t wait for the perfect moment, because it doesn’t exist. There will always be challenges and things you miss, but the experience is worth it.
For us, the rewards far outweigh the difficulties. Bali has become home, and while life still has its ups and downs, we’re grateful to live it in a place as beautiful and inspiring as this.
We came here thinking it would be a short chapter, but this “season of life” might just last a little longer than we expected.
If you could go back and tell yourself one thing before moving, what would it be?
If I could tell myself anything before moving here, it would be to give yourself time and space. The highs are incredibly high, and the lows can feel low. Although there have definitely been more highs than lows, there are moments—especially when things get tough—when you can feel a bit isolated in a new environment.
But that’s all part of the journey. Challenges will always be there, no matter where you are. For us, the positives of living here have far outweighed the negatives. The lifestyle, the weather, the people, watching the kids thrive, riding around on the scooter, enjoying great coffee, wine, and food—it’s all been incredible. But yes, when a tough moment hits, it can hit hard.
If I could go back, I’d remind myself to enjoy the experience—both the good parts and the hard parts. Give yourself space to feel them all.
The word that keeps coming to mind is embrace. It’s a huge decision to move hundreds of miles away, and before we came, I was so caught up in the planning—asking myself endless questions like What will it be like? How will things work?—that I forgot to just embrace the fact that we were actually following a dream we’d had for so long.
That’s what I’d tell myself: embrace it and let yourself feel the joy. There will always be challenges, but remember to celebrate where you are and what you’ve achieved. Every day, I remind myself—this is something we dreamed about for years, and now we’re here, living it.
What changes has living in Bali brought to your relationship and family life?
One of the biggest gifts since moving to Bali has been having more time together. Back home, we worked constantly and rarely made our relationship a priority. Here, life feels more balanced. Because getting help is more affordable and going out is easier, we’ve made time for date nights again—once a week we hire a nanny, go out for dinner, and just enjoy being together.
That’s been huge for us—not only for our relationship but for the family as a whole. The kids have learned independence, spent time with locals, and discovered new things, while we’ve reconnected as a couple.
Of course, it’s also important to make time for yourself. We’ve found a better rhythm here. I’ve joined a running club, he goes to the gym, and sometimes we just sneak out for a coffee while the kids are at school. We’re even thinking of trying paddle or surfing soon!
Taking time for yourself is so important—because if you don’t look after yourself, you can’t look after anyone else.
Living in Bali has really helped us shift our priorities. We make time—for each other, for our family, and for ourselves. And that’s been one of the most valuable parts of this whole experience.
Thinking of making the move?
Visit Our Year in Bali to explore guides, relocation support, and real stories from families who’ve already made the leap. Your Bali chapter could be closer than you think.
