Meet Josh, a Perth native whose journey to Bali began with family holidays back in the early 90s. Now with his own family, they discovered that Bali was not just a vacation spot but an ideal place to raise their children and build a fulfilling life. After three years, Bali has become their permanent home, where they homeschool their children and own a successful café as well as work for other exciting businesses. This unique blend of adventure, community, and entrepreneurship has made Bali the perfect place for their family to thrive.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Where are you originally from?
I am originally a Perth boy who first came to Bali in the early 90’s and been coming up ever since. I remember the days when we use to fly into Bali on Friday night, stay at the Bounty Hotel in Kuta and fly home Sunday night.
When did you first arrive in Bali, and what brought you here?
We are in our third year of what was originally a two-month extended holiday… I think it’s time we call it home! Whilst the original plan was centred around adventure, we have come to the realization that Bali is the best place to raise our children our way.
What motivated you to move to Bali, and how did you go about making the decision to do so?
There has been a significant global shift since COVID, and my wife and I weren’t thrilled about the direction that the Western world was taking. Initially, we planned to sell everything and purchase a large property in the southwest of Western Australia. However, we couldn’t see eye to eye on a specific property, so we’ve shifted gears to spend a few months in Bali to contemplate the next chapter of our lives.
How long do you think you will live in Bali?
We’re settled for the foreseeable future. I’ve landed a fantastic position with an international company, The Secret Society, which just expanded its operations to Bali. Meanwhile, my wife is immersed in teaching yoga at Jiwa and thoroughly enjoying it. Additionally, we’re proud owners of a café named Grain in Seminyak. Looking ahead, we’re gearing up to launch a yoga and Pilates studio in Umalas next year. But above all, our three boys are flourishing in the island lifestyle!
Where in Bali do you live, and what made you choose that location?
We consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to have stumbled upon the perfect villa in Pererenan just before prices skyrocketed and construction boomed. Initially, when we moved in, we felt like we were on the outskirts of Canggu. However, as the years have passed by, we now find ourselves sometimes feeling like we’re right in the heart of it all. We’ve grown to love our street, which has blossomed into a vibrant food destination. From established favourites like Shelter, Woods, Bar Vera, Red Gunpowder, Baked, and Ettore to exciting newcomers like St. Ali, Origen, and Fuego, our neighbourhood is evolving into a true culinary hotspot. We also have some amazing architecture from the team behind Further hotel which has certainly added some more charm.
Where did you decide to send your children to school?
Initially, we enrolled our three boys in Montessori Berawa, but we soon realised it wasn’t the ideal fit for them. After exploring several other schooling options, we ultimately opted for homeschooling. While we acknowledge that homeschooling (Anggun Homeschooling) isn’t suitable for everyone, it aligns perfectly with our parenting philosophy and suits our boys’ needs. They thrive in a social environment, and we’re fortunate to have a supportive community of friends with children, making homeschooling an excellent fit for our family. Our youngest (age 5) goes to Marigold Community Learning and loves it there, with a great community and adores his teacher Pak Yogi.
You have a restaurant in Bali and also work for an international company.
We own a café named Grain in Seminyak, and my passion has always been in the hospitality industry. However, I’ve recently taken on the role of General Manager for The Secret Society, a Dubai-based company with global expansion plans. Our company operates an app that connects influencers, bloggers, models, and lifestyle individuals with businesses/brands across all industries. Through our platform, people can register for free, and upon acceptance, they gain access to complimentary lifestyle experiences at Bali’s top venues, and collaborate with them on the bater based system – breakfast in a café, workout at a gym, massages, botox, fine dining and nightclubs… all in 1 day! Bali is the 1st location out of the UAE and we just launched London, next is Singapore.
What are some challenges you face when living in Bali?
Regardless of where you live, there are always aspects that require some adjustment, and Bali is no exception. The excessive use of single-use plastic frustrates me, yet I remain hopeful for progress in this area. Traffic poses the most significant challenge, but it also enhances the appreciation for reaching your destination.
What tips and advice would you share about how to best settle in to Bali life?
New expats should take time to embrace the Balinese culture and understand their way of life. The values and lifestyle of the Indonesian people often differ with those of the Western world, emphasizing different priorities and a live a slower pace. It’s essential to acknowledge and respect these differences and be grateful to the Balinese for their welcoming attitude towards newcomers.
How have you adapted to the local customs and traditions in Bali, and what are your learning and enjoying from the experience?
We bless all our new vehicles, and endeavour to participate in as many sacred day blessings as possible. Additionally, we attend our staff’s special ceremonies and accompany them back to their villages. I’ve noticed that our children embrace the traditions more enthusiastically than we do. Some days, our middle child wears his traditional Balinese kamen all day long just because he loves it.
How has living in Bali influenced your personal and professional life, and what opportunities have you found here?
Living so close to our hometown of Perth posed an initial challenge for us, as it was tempting to get caught up in the party lifestyle, especially with friends and family visiting regularly. It took some time for me to transition to a more structured routine, moving away from the typical Australian holiday scene of early morning Bintangs on the beach.
Professionally, my life took a significant turn when I decided to relocate to Bali with the intention of slowing down, even contemplating not working at all. However, after 18 months, a certain type of boredom crept in, and fuelled by my wife’s ‘encouragement’ to seek new ventures, we decided to invest in the café. Yet, despite this significant change, I found myself yearning for another challenge. I turned to LinkedIn to explore potential opportunities, which ultimately led me to discover The Secret Society.
What do you think are the biggest misconceptions about Bali, and how would you correct them?
I think that when we tell people that we live in Bali, they automatically think we lay on day beds, under umbrellas, drinking coconuts all day… but that’s only 90% of the time! I then tell them if they think it is always so glamorous living here, then they should take a car from Kuta to Canggu on Friday afternoon!
Can you walk us through what a typical day looks like for you in Bali?
A perfect day in Bali for me starts with an early morning run through Tumbak Bayuh, enjoying the quiet roads before they fill with cars. After breakfast and spending quality time with my kids, our staff and their teacher arrive. This is when I leave for work, filled with client meetings and interactions with The Secret Society staff. Amidst signing 100 new contracts haha, I make time for my kids’ activities in the afternoon, whether it’s Jujitsu at Soma, surfing with Cody or Mr. Man, motocross at Rockets Ride, skating at Amplitude, gymnastics at Bazgym, or simply catching sunsets at Surfers Bar. As the kids wind down, I return to work and collaborate with the Dubai team. If my wife and I manage to have dinner together, it’s the cherry on top, but regardless, knowing we’ve achieved great things I am content.
What would you say is the best thing about living in Bali?
Hand on my heart, the best thing about living in Bali is my children’s lifestyle! They are living a life that truly makes me so happy and envious.
What are some factors that families looking to live in Bali should consider?
Living in Bali with young children requires resilience. Education can be expensive, healthcare can be subpar (plus expensive!). Kids will frequently fall ill or experience rashes, and cause you panic when crossing roads – However, dwelling solely on these challenges prevents one from embracing the island’s inherent beauty.
