Meet the Gilje family — Jakob, Stina, and their three children, Mathilde, Amalie, and Sander — who traded the cool coastal life of Bømlo, Norway, for the tropical rhythms of Bali. What started as a spark of inspiration from a colleague soon became a life-changing move, filled with new discoveries, cultural experiences, and a fresh perspective on family life.
In this interview, the Giljes family share their story of relocating to Bali with the help from Our Year in Bali — from choosing schools and finding a home to adjusting to the local lifestyle and learning what “paradise living” really means for a family of five. Whether you’re dreaming of your own year abroad or simply curious about what life in Bali looks like through the eyes of a Norwegian family, their journey offers both insight and inspiration.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and where you are originally from?
We are the Gilje family from Bømlo, a beautiful island on the west coast of Norway. Our family consists of Jakob (41), Stina (38), Mathilde (14), Amalie (11), and Sander (7). Stina is a trained care worker and has been working in a rehabilitation center, while Jakob has worked offshore for Transocean, a drilling rig company, since 2012. The children spent most of their time at school and with friends. Amalie played football several times a week, and Jakob was one of her team’s coaches.
When did you move to Bali?
We started considering a move to Bali in early 2025 after one of Jakob’s colleagues, who got a job in Australia, relocated his family here for a year. The idea inspired us, and after Jakob applied and got a similar job in March 2025, we decided to go for it. When we travelled to Bali it was the first time in an airplane for our children, so for them the flight was exciting. We moved to Bali in mid-June 2025 and plan to stay for one year, returning to Norway in June 2026.
What inspired your move?
We thought it would be an incredible opportunity to try something new, learn English better, and experience a different culture. We also wanted to strengthen our family bond by spending more time together. And of course, the warm weather in Bali was another big motivation — Norway isn’t exactly known for its sunshine!
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 googling information about life in Bali. We decided to book a free 30-minute consultation with Simone, where we explained our plans and what kind of assistance we needed. Simone was great — she told us about what Bali has to offer, from school options and visa advice to housing areas and private drivers.
She also explained the relocation support different packages, and we decided to go for the Silver Package. Through that, we received a lot of valuable information, including a packing checklist, and were introduced to companies that helped us with our KITAS/visa, setting up a bank account, and finding a reliable full-time driver. Even after arriving in Bali, we’ve reached out to Simone for help, and she has continued to be very supportive and helpful.
Where do you live in Bali?
When we first arrived, we rented a villa in Kerobokan through Airbnb, close to ProEd School Umalas. The villa was nice, but we wanted to live somewhere where we could easily walk to grocery stores and restaurants. After about six weeks, we moved to a villa in Canggu, also through Airbnb, but nearby construction made it noisy. We then connected with a real estate agent through a Facebook group, visited several options, and found our current villa — also in Canggu. It was built in 2024 and is in a quiet street surrounded by new buildings and good roads. There are sidewalks all the way to the beach and Pepito Market, and cafés, restaurants, gyms, and laundry services are all close by. We’re really happy with our villa, location, and staff.
What school did you choose for your children, and why was it the right fit?
Mathilde (14), Amalie (11), and Sander (7) all started at ProEd School Umalas in beginning of August . Mathilde didn’t enjoy her time there, so we explored other options and discovered Anggun Homeschooling, which has worked out perfectly. She does homeschooling from 9:00 to 14:00 each day.
Amalie and Sander love ProEd school— they’ve adapted well and enjoy their after-school activities. Amalie takes art classes, and Sander loves his “mud kitchen.” The kids haven’t tried too many new activities yet, but we’ve done some fun water sports as a family — like being pulled behind a boat on an inflatable donut and trying parasailing. We’ve also enjoyed playing padel tennis together.
How does the cost of day-to-day life in Bali compare to Norway?
For us, the overall cost of living in Bali is actually higher than in Norway, mainly because villa rent and school fees are quite expensive (schooling is free in Norway). However, food, eating out, transport, clothes, and shoes are all much cheaper — and since you only need shorts and a T-shirt most days, our wardrobes have become much simpler!
Can you tell us a bit about your work situation in Bali?
Jakob continues to work for Transocean and is currently based on a rig in Australia, working a rotation of four weeks on and four weeks off in Bali. Stina is taking unpaid leave from her job in Norway until July 2026. This gives us a great balance between work and family life — when Jakob is home, we really get to enjoy time together as a family.
What does a typical day look like for you and your family in Bali?
A typical day in Bali starts early. Jakob usually go for a 30-minute morning run before it gets too hot, and it’s great to cool off with a quick swim afterward. Then we have breakfast and get the two youngest children ready for school. Our full-time driver, Wayan, arrives at 8:00 to drive them — either by scooter or car — to school, which starts at 8:30.
Mathilde starts her homeschooling at 9:00. While she studies, Jakob and Stina might take the scooter out for lunch at a café, going for a walk on the beach, or explore somewhere new with Wayan. To have a full time driver as Wayan, have helped us a lot, he has very good in English and has good chemistry with the children, and he is always helping out if there is anything we need. Sander finishes school at 14:30, one hour before Amalie. Sometimes we wait with him until she’s done, and other times Wayan picks up Sander first and returns for Amalie.
After school, the kids love jumping into the pool and relaxing, after a long day at school. Dinner during the week is usually ordered through Grab, and on weekends, we enjoy going out to restaurants together, and discover Bali, also visiting the beach, and spend time with friends.
What are some common misconceptions about Bali, and what would you say to set the record straight?
A common misconception is that Bali is cheap. While some things definitely are, the overall cost for a family can be high — especially housing and schooling. Another myth is that life in Bali is effortless, but like any big move, it comes with challenges. Still, the positives far outweigh them, and it’s an amazing experience for the whole family.
How have you immersed yourself in the local culture?
We’ve visited several temples, especially in Ubud, where our guide taught us about Balinese traditions and religion. We’ve also learned some Bahasa Indonesia — Amalie practices with our driver Wayan while we are driving in the car, and she also learns more at school. The Balinese people have been so kind and welcoming, always sharing stories about their culture and daily life.
What should other families think about before making the move?
Make sure that moving to Bali is something everyone in the family truly wants. It’s a big change, and it helps if everyone is on the same page. We also recommend renting a place short-term (2–4 weeks) first so you can explore different areas before settling down. And don’t wait too long to learn to drive a scooter! We were hesitant at first, but once we started, it gave us much more freedom and flexibility.
Final thoughts
What we love most about Bali is the warm weather, the friendly and smiling people, and the relaxed lifestyle. Life feels easier here — there’s no rush, no pressure, and no long list of commitments. Unlike a short vacation, living here gives you time to truly slow down and appreciate the everyday moments. It’s been an unforgettable experience for our whole family.
