Every year, thousands of people dream about moving to Bali. They picture tropical beaches, beautiful villas, affordable living, and a slower pace of life. But what is it actually like once the holiday ends and everyday life begins?
To answer that question, Simone Collins, Founder of Our Year in Bali, sat down with Emmy, one of Our Year in Bali’s clients, at her home in Canggu. After spending 15 months living in Bali, Emmy shares an honest perspective on what it really takes to build a life on the island—from leaving behind a successful career in Los Angeles to creating a community, navigating bureaucracy, and embracing a completely different way of life.
If you’re considering relocating to Bali, whether as a remote worker, entrepreneur, retiree, or simply someone looking for a lifestyle change, her story offers valuable lessons that go far beyond what you’ll find on social media.
Watch the Full Interview
Before diving into Emmy’s story, you can watch the full conversation below.
In this interview, Simone Collins, Founder of Our Year in Bali, visits Emmy at her home in Canggu to discuss what it’s really like moving to Bali. Together, they explore the realities of relocating to the island, including visas, healthcare, finding community, choosing where to live, working remotely, and the lifestyle changes that come with building a new life in Bali.
Watch the full interview here:
Why Emmy Left Los Angeles for Bali
For Emmy, moving to Bali wasn’t an impulsive decision. It was years in the making. After first visiting Bali in 2014 while hosting yoga retreats, she found herself returning again and again. She loved the warmth of the people, the culture, and the slower rhythm of life. While her career in Los Angeles was successful, it also came with constant travel, long working hours, and the pressure to keep earning more without ever feeling truly settled.
Eventually, she reached a point where she realised something had to change. Rather than chasing a higher income, she wanted a better quality of life. That shift in priorities became the beginning of her Bali journey.
Planning a Move to Bali Takes More Than You Think
One of Emmy’s biggest pieces of advice is simple: don’t rush your move. She spent nearly a year planning before relocating, telling friends and family about her decision long before boarding the plane. Even then, many people assumed she’d eventually return to the United States.
Looking back, she’s grateful she took the time to prepare. Living in Bali is very different from spending a few weeks here on holiday. Renting a villa, organising visas, understanding local systems, and building a support network all require far more planning than most people expect.
Her advice? Research everything you can before you arrive—but also be prepared for the unexpected.
The Hidden Challenges of Living in Bali
Many people arrive in Bali believing everything will be easy.
Social media often paints a picture of effortless island living, but Emmy quickly discovered that daily life involves many practical challenges that visitors rarely see.
- Opening a local bank account.
- Understanding visa rules.
- Finding reliable healthcare.
- Learning how local services work.
- Knowing who to trust.
These aren’t things most tourists think about, but they become essential once Bali becomes home.
She credits Our Year in Bali with helping her discover resources she didn’t even realise she needed before making the move.
Building a Life Instead of Living Like a Tourist
Perhaps one of the most inspiring parts of Emmy’s story is how intentionally she chose to immerse herself in Balinese culture.
Instead of living exclusively within the expat community, she chose a local neighbourhood, got to know her neighbours, and began learning Bahasa Indonesia. That decision transformed her experience. Rather than simply visiting Bali, she became part of a community.
She describes the kindness, generosity, and openness of local people as one of the biggest reasons she’s fallen in love with life on the island. Whether asking for help with her Bahasa lessons or spending time with neighbours, she found genuine connections that she rarely experienced back home.
It’s a reminder that relocating isn’t just about changing your address—it’s about embracing a new culture with curiosity and respect.
Finding Community Takes Time
One misconception about moving abroad is that friendships happen overnight. In reality, building a support network requires patience.
As a single woman in her 40s, Emmy found this to be one of the hardest parts of relocating to Bali. She attended social events, joined Facebook groups, introduced herself to new people, and consistently put herself out there.
It took almost a year before she found a close group of friends she now considers family. For anyone planning to move to Bali, that’s an important expectation to set. Community isn’t instant, but it is possible.
Choosing Where to Live: Canggu or Uluwatu?
One of the biggest decisions for anyone relocating is choosing where to live. Emmy experienced both Uluwatu and Canggu before deciding which suited her lifestyle best. She loved Uluwatu’s slower pace and natural beauty, but eventually realised she was looking for something different.
As someone running a business online, she wanted to surround herself with professionals, entrepreneurs, and people building long-term lives in Bali. For her, Canggu offered those opportunities.
Her experience highlights an important point: there is no “best” place to live in Bali. The right location depends entirely on your lifestyle, priorities, and stage of life.
Can You Work Remotely from Bali?
For Emmy, the answer is yes, but it comes with adjustments.
Working with clients in the United States means managing significant time zone differences, often working while the rest of Bali sleeps. Yet she also sees this as one of the biggest advantages of living on the island.
The quiet daytime hours allow her to focus on growing her business, building new professional relationships across Southeast Asia, and creating a healthier work-life balance than she ever experienced before.
Is Bali Really More Affordable?
One reason many people consider moving to Bali is the lower cost of living. For Emmy, the difference has been remarkable. Despite previously earning a high income in the United States, rising housing costs, groceries, transport, and everyday expenses left little room to slow down.
In Bali, she found something different. Fresh produce is affordable, housing is still considerably less expensive than major American cities, and most importantly, she gained something money couldn’t buy: time.
Instead of constantly rushing between commitments, she now enjoys slower mornings, walks on the beach, and a lifestyle centred around wellbeing rather than endless work.
Healthcare and Everyday Practicalities
Healthcare is another topic that often concerns people considering a move abroad. Emmy’s advice is to research carefully before you need medical care.
She explains that healthcare quality can vary between clinics and hospitals, pricing isn’t always consistent, and finding experienced English-speaking doctors requires preparation.
Like many aspects of relocating, planning ahead makes all the difference.
The Biggest Lesson After 15 Months Living in Bali
When asked how she would describe her experience in one sentence, Emmy didn’t hesitate: “Profoundly meaningful.” That doesn’t mean life has been perfect. Moving to Bali has required resilience, flexibility, patience, and a willingness to let go of convenience.
- Traffic.
- Unexpected delays.
- Different systems.
- Learning new customs.
- These are all part of everyday life.
But for Emmy, the rewards have been far greater than the challenges. She’s found a sense of peace, community, and purpose that she struggled to achieve during years of chasing success in a faster-paced environment.
Thinking About Moving to Bali?
Every relocation is different, but Emmy’s story highlights one universal truth:
Moving to Bali isn’t about escaping your old life—it’s about intentionally building a new one.
With the right preparation, realistic expectations, and local support, relocating to Bali can become far more than a dream holiday. It can become a place to create meaningful relationships, build your career, and enjoy a slower, more balanced way of living.
If you’re considering making the move, the best first step is to do your research, ask questions, and learn from people who have already made the journey.
At Our Year in Bali, we’ve helped hundreds of individuals and families navigate every stage of relocating to Bali. If you’re ready to start planning your own move, explore our relocation services or book a free discovery call with Simone.
