Some people move to Bali chasing a dream. Tama moved with a very clear sense of what she was leaving behind — a fast-paced career, the relentless pace of city life, and not enough time for the things that truly mattered. With 25 years of experience as an interior designer and creative director across New Zealand, Australia, the UK, Dubai and Indonesia, she had built an impressive career and a thriving furniture business. But it was the slower rhythm of Bali, the ocean, and the chance to raise her daughter differently that ultimately won.
What makes Tama’s story particularly compelling is that she didn’t just move to Bali once. After a brief return to Dubai for a career opportunity, she and her daughter knew almost immediately that Bali was home. In this interview, Tama shares what life really looks like as a solo parent and business owner in Umalas — the schooling journey, the cost of living realities, the community that surprised her most, and the advice she’d give any family standing on the edge of this decision.
Where are you originally from, and what’s your background?
My name is Tama. I’m originally from New Zealand and I’m raising a beautiful 13-year-old daughter who is passionate about surfing, music and life in general.
Professionally, I’ve spent more than 25 years working as an interior designer and creative director across New Zealand, Australia, the UK, Dubai and Indonesia. My career has taken me through workplace, hospitality, retail and mixed-use developments, working with international design studios and some incredible clients and teams along the way.
I also co-founded Goldie, a furniture sourcing and procurement business primarily based in Indonesia. What started as importing bespoke furniture into New Zealand evolved into building relationships with Indonesian artisans and manufacturers, and today we work with clients across Australasia and the Middle East.
When did you move to Bali?
We moved to Bali a few years ago and it very quickly felt like home. That time seems to have flown now.
Like many people, we originally came for lifestyle reasons — the ocean, the climate, the outdoor lifestyle and the sense of community. What surprised me most was how quickly we built meaningful friendships and how connected we felt to daily life here.
At this stage, I can’t imagine living anywhere else. Strategically we are located perfectly between business and family connections, and are blessed with year round ocean access. Bali feels very much like home and I expect we’ll be in this part of the world for the foreseeable future.
What inspired your move?
I’d already lived internationally several times throughout my career, including Australia, the UK and Dubai, so moving countries wasn’t new to me.
Bali was different because it wasn’t driven by career ambitions even though my business Goldie was already established. It was driven by lifestyle. I wanted more time, more time in nature, more time with my daughter, more surfing and a slower, more intentional pace of life.
Interestingly, we briefly returned to Dubai for an exciting career opportunity. While it reinforced how much I loved that chapter of my professional life, it also made us realise how much we missed Bali and what really matters to us. Within a few months we knew where we truly wanted to be and permanently returned.
How did you come across Our Year in Bali, and why was the service valuable to you?
Bali was actually the first time I ever used a relocation specialist, and I genuinely wish I had done it years earlier when moving to other countries.
When you’re making a major life decision from the other side of the world, having someone with trusted local knowledge is invaluable. Simone helped us navigate everything from housing and schooling through to the practical realities of daily life in Bali.
What stood out most was her genuine care. She wasn’t simply helping us relocate; she genuinely wanted our family to thrive here. As a solo parent balancing work, family and a significant life transition, that support gave me confidence in the decisions I was making.
The biggest gift she gave me was time. Instead of spending endless hours researching online, I was able to focus on my daughter, my work and spending quality time with friends and family before leaving New Zealand. Years later we’re still friends, which says everything about the kind of person she is.
Where do you live in Bali?
We live in Umalas and for us it has been the perfect fit.
It’s close enough to the beach, close to schools, sports facilities, and everyday conveniences, but still has a quieter and more residential feel than some of the busier neighbouring areas. We are nicely between Seminyak and Canggu and that gives us great access to the whole coastline to follow the waves and the sunlight.
The community has been one of the biggest surprises in that the depth of connection happened faster than perhaps other places I’ve lived.. Expat life can accelerate connections, perhaps it’s that we feel more likeminded with both expats and locals here. We’ve built friendships with both local Balinese families and people from all over the world. That mix creates a richer sense of connection and has made Bali feel less like a place we’re temporarily living and more like a place we belong.
What has the schooling experience been like for your daughter?
Schooling has probably been the most important decision we’ve made since moving to Bali, and also the one that evolved the most over time.
Our daughter arrived from a Steiner education in New Zealand, so transitioning into an international school environment was a significant adjustment. Like many families, we explored a number of different schools before finding the right fit.
One thing I’ve learnt is that culture matters just as much as curriculum. Strong leadership, pastoral care and a supportive community are every bit as important as academic outcomes. Every child is different, and what works brilliantly for one family may not work for another.
The best advice I’d give to parents is simple: visit schools, meet the senior leadership, ask lots of questions and trust your instincts. Bali offers some exceptional educational options that are well established.
What I particularly love though is that education here naturally extends beyond the classroom. Surfing, music, sport, creativity, outdoor life and exposure to different cultures all play a meaningful role in shaping children and helping them develop confidence, resilience and independence. Personally, I feel Bali offers all of this in a less material, more connected environment, where community and meaningful relationships remain at the heart of these experiences. That’s not to say opportunities are limited or even basic— quite the opposite. We’ve experienced exceptional coaching, facilities and activities, from world- class sports programs and people, creative and cultural opportunities that I never imagined existed before moving here. And if you love surfing, it really doesn’t get much better.
Choosing the right school is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make, so explore our comprehensive Bali School Guide to compare schools and find the best fit for your family.
How does the cost of living compare to New Zealand?
Like anywhere in the world, Bali has changed significantly over the years and costs have increased compared to what many people expect. I first came to Bali in 1994 and things have very much changed since then.
The largest expenses for most families are housing, schooling and healthcare. These costs can be substantial, particularly in the more popular family areas and international school communities.
That said, everyday living is still generally more affordable than New Zealand. Eating out, transport, wellness services and household support remain very accessible. So to really gauge things fairly I think it’s best to look at your overall budget at home and here to understand a more true comparison.
One thing I learnt the hard way and now share is that your first year in Bali is usually your most expensive. As you settle in, build local connections and learn how things work, pick up more local language, life becomes much easier and more cost-effective.
Planning your move? Explore our Cost of Living in Bali guide to better understand what you can expect to spend as an expat.
How have you found healthcare in Bali?
Healthcare was one of the areas I was most curious about before moving, and we’ve been pleasantly surprised.
The international clinics and hospitals we’ve used have been professional, efficient, and very caring. Appointments are generally easy to arrange and the level of service has often exceeded what I experienced back home.
For more specialised treatment, Singapore and Australia are relatively close, which provides additional peace of mind. Overall, we’ve felt very well looked after and that extends to our little dog who has excellent vet care too.
What does a typical day look like for you in Bali?
One of the things I love most about Bali is the rhythm of daily life. It’s much slower, but I still manage to get everything done.
Most days start early with a surf, a beach and dog walk and then a coffee with friends at my fav spot before school and work begin. My daughter heads off to school while I work with clients across New Zealand, Australia, the Middle East and Indonesia.
Afternoons are often spent back at the beach, at sports activities, catching up with friends, dinner with neighbours in our gang (lane) and enjoying the magical colour change at sunset. Life feels less structured and more spontaneous than it did previously, we are definitely outdoors a lot more in the week and that has been one of the greatest gifts of living here.
There is a simplicity to everyday life that I really value. Everything happens at a slower pace and I never let that frustrate me, when it sometimes could, by reminding myself this was one of the reasons we chose to live here. Yes, Island time is a very real thing, but if I was to wish it to be different I’d be forgetting how much a fast paced life was what brought us here in the first place.
What are some common misconceptions about Bali?
I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that Bali is simply a holiday destination.
Living here is very different from visiting. Once you become part of a community, send your children to school, build friendships and settle into daily life, you experience quite a different side of Bali. You naturally become more aware of how things really work, and learn how to take more responsibility for your own impact here, mindful you are still a guest.
Another misconception is that Bali is either perfect or problematic. The reality is somewhere in the middle. Like every place in the world, Bali has its challenges, but it also has extraordinary strengths. Something I have learnt about living in various countries is that the pros/cons list will always exist, it’s a case of choosing a place that meets as many of the positive attributes you need for the time and circumstance in your life.
For us, the quality of life, sense of community, access to nature and overall lifestyle far outweigh any inconveniences.
How have you immersed yourself and your family in Balinese culture?
This has been one of the most rewarding aspects of living here.
Through friendships and community connections we’ve been fortunate to experience more personal ceremonies, traditions and cultural events that most visitors won’t encounter. Those experiences have given us a much deeper appreciation for Balinese life and values.
One of the things I admire most is the emphasis placed on family, community, gratitude and spiritual connection. There is a strong sense of balance that simply exists here that I personally felt I had to work harder to achieve elsewhere.
As a New Zealander with Māori heritage, there are also aspects of Balinese culture that feel surprisingly familiar in terms of respect for land, community and spirituality. And even through to language. We recently started learning Bahasa with a local teacher at home, and even the pronunciation is quite familiar which is a lovely connection to have.
What advice would you give to other families considering a move to Bali?
Come with an open mind and be willing to embrace a different way of living.
Take your time choosing schools and housing, as those two decisions will have the biggest impact on your experience. But also the move itself can be overwhelming, so I suggest focusing on these two, and the rest kind of falls into place around them.
Build community early, say yes to any and all invitations, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Most importantly, work with people who genuinely understand the relocation process. Having someone like Simone guide you through the practical decisions removes an enormous amount of stress and allows you to enjoy the experience rather than simply manage it.
Bali is incredibly welcoming, and you’ll be surprised how quickly it can start to feel like home.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience living in Bali?
Mostly, gratitude.
Gratitude for the friendships we’ve built, the opportunities we’ve had and the life we’ve created here. Bali has given us a lifestyle that feels more connected, more intentional and more aligned with what matters most to us.
Professionally, I continue to do work I love through Goldie and my design practice. More recently I’m inspired to do more creatively and are developing a new retail project with my daughter. Things that more time allows.
Personally, I’ve gained more time for family, community, surfing, creativity and simply being present. I definitely have more and longer conversations with people than I used to. Such a simple thing that means so much. The conversations here are different. People are often creating something new, pursuing a passion or intentionally designing a life that feels aligned with their values. There is an openness and optimism that I find really inspires me.
Perhaps the greatest gift really has been more time and watching my daughter grow here. She has developed confidence, independence and a deep connection to the ocean through surfing. She has friends from all over the world, experiences cultures and perspectives far beyond what I could have imagined, and has the freedom to spend her childhood outdoors in a way that feels increasingly rare. Watching her thrive has reaffirmed that this move was absolutely the right decision.
For this stage of our lives, Bali feels exactly right. Looking back, moving here remains one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.
Thinking about moving to Bali?
Tama’s story shows that finding the right school, neighbourhood, and support network can make all the difference when relocating to Bali.
Ready to start planning your own move? Explore our Start Here Page to discover the best resources for your relocation journey, whether you’re moving with family, as a couple, or on your own.
Enjoyed Tama’s story? Read how Monika, a single mum from the Netherlands, built a more intentional life with her daughter after relocating to Bali.
