When Kelly Fisher and her husband Blake, decided to move their family of five from San Diego to Bali, they didn’t just relocate — they transformed their lives. From a busy schedule in California to a slower, more intentional lifestyle surrounded by nature and culture, Kelly’s story is a beautiful example of following intuition and embracing change.
This story comes from a live Instagram interview hosted by Simone, founder of Our Year in Bali, where Kelly shared her family’s inspiring journey, from deciding to move, navigating Green School life, exploring different parts of the island, and discovering what “slow living” really means.
In this Q&A, Kelly shares what inspired their move, how they prepared, what life at Green School is really like, and what they’ve learned from living across different parts of Bali.
Meet the Fisher Family
“We’re originally from San Diego,” Kelly begins, smiling. “We raised our three kids there — they’re now 15, 12, and almost 10.”
Kelly worked as a spiritual counselor and psychic medium, building a warm community around her work. Her husband, Blake, served as a military pilot for over a decade before becoming an instructor pilot — and he’s also an artist.
“We had really full, beautiful lives in San Diego,” she reflects, “but life was busy. We realized we might blink and our kids would be grown, and we’d regret not slowing down. We wanted a simpler life — one that gave us more time together as a family. That’s where Bali came in.”
How Bali First Came Onto Their Radar
“Funny story,” Kelly laughs. “My husband claims it was his idea!”
Years ago, when Blake was on deployment, he was supposed to port in Bali. “He started researching it,” Kelly recalls, “and the first thing he came across was John Hardy’s TED Talk about the Green School. He sent it to me immediately, and that was it. That’s how Bali first landed on our radar.”
Like many, she’d first heard of Bali through Eat, Pray, Love, but the Hardy talk made it real. “We thought, wow, people actually live this kind of life with their families? Closer to nature, more conscious, more connected?”
Then came the pandemic. “When COVID hit, we looked at each other and said, We should’ve gone to Bali already. That was our wake-up call. When the world opened again, we decided to finally make it happen.”
Deciding to Move Without Visiting First
Nope, we never visited before moving! (laughs) We just knew.
As a spiritual counselor, Kelly says she’s developed an ability to tune into the energy of places. “And Bali felt 110% right for us. I could just feel it in my bones. Everything else was secondary.”
They decided to trust that feeling and take the leap. “We knew there would be bumps along the way, but Bali felt like it would hold us — and it has.”
Planning and Preparing for the Move
“It took a lot of planning,” Kelly admits. “We had a big whiteboard in my office that said ‘300 Days to Bali’. Every week we’d cross things off, rewrite timelines, and adjust. And honestly? 300 days still wasn’t enough!”
They moved both their businesses online and decided to rent out their home in San Diego. “We didn’t know if we’d love it, so renting gave us flexibility. We told ourselves, ‘Let’s just try it for a year.’”
It wasn’t just logistics — it was emotional preparation, too. “We were stepping into the unknown. But the vision of what our lives could be here was stronger than the fear of what we were leaving behind.”
How the Kids Felt About the Move
“We were lucky,” Kelly says. “The kids were on board from the start.”
Having already switched from public school to a homeschool-hybrid private school during COVID, her kids were used to change. “They’d already learned flexibility,” she explains. “They’re curious kids, and the idea of living in a new culture excited them.”
The timing worked perfectly. “They were each moving up a grade, so it felt like a natural transition. We framed it as an adventure — and they totally embraced it.”
Life at Green School
When it came to schooling, the choice was clear. “We’d known about Green School for years,” Kelly says. “It just fit our family’s values.”
Now in their second year, the Fishers are thriving there. “It’s not for everyone, but it’s perfect for us. The kids are thriving academically and emotionally.”
Life in a bamboo campus surrounded by jungle has its quirks. “There’s no AC, sometimes there’s mud, a snake sighting, or a lice outbreak,” Kelly laughs. “But we wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
What she loves most is the community. “The parents and teachers come from all over the world — entrepreneurs, artists, innovators. Everyone’s building something interesting. You never have a boring conversation.”
She adds: “It feels like one big summer camp, but with real homework!”
After-School Life and Activities
“There’s just so much for kids to do here,” Kelly says.
Her son bikes to his Muay Thai gym after school and joined a mixed martial arts elective at Green School. “He loves that independence — being able to bike safely through rice fields to get to class.”
Her daughters attend a strength training and mindfulness class with a small group of girls each week. “Their coach is incredible — she even runs wellness retreats for teens. It’s been a big confidence booster for them.”
Kelly loves how accessible everything is. “Whether it’s surfing, dance, music, or art — it’s all here. And people are so passionate about what they do.”
Embracing Balinese Culture and Traditions
One of the most meaningful parts of living in Bali has been connecting with the local culture.
“The Balinese people are the kindest, most gracious people I’ve ever met,” Kelly says. “They’re so generous and community-minded.”
The kids often take part in water blessings, wear ceremonial attire, and celebrate new moons and full moons at school. “These are the things they’ll remember forever,” Kelly adds. “It’s shaping their worldview in such a beautiful way.”
She reflects deeply: “The island’s energy is special. It’s high-vibration, deeply spiritual. I always say — Bali either wraps you in love or spits you out. It depends on how much you respect her. We try to always stay grateful and humble here.”
Living in Different Parts of Bali
Since moving, the Fishers have explored several parts of the island. “We’ve definitely done the Bali sampler platter,” Kelly laughs.
They first stayed in Umalas, but it was too far from Green School. “Then we moved to a local village Buduk, which was beautiful — but very noisy! Lots of roosters, dogs, and trash burning.”
After that, they lived in Penestanan, near Ubud — and it was life-changing. “We loved it. The air was cleaner, the energy was peaceful, and the community was so close-knit. Our kids would just run barefoot between friends’ houses. It felt like one big family.”
As their kids grew older, they wanted to be closer to their beach friends, so the family moved to Pantai Lima, where they live now.
“It’s perfect for us — just five minutes from the beach, peaceful, but still close to Canggu and Seseh. We get the best of both worlds: the calm of a village and the energy of the beach.”
What Bali Has Given Their Family
When asked what Bali has given her family, Kelly pauses thoughtfully. “It’s given us everything we came for, time, connection, and perspective.”
She continues, “We’ve slowed down. We spend more time together, we’re outdoors more, and we’re connected with people from all over the world. It’s reminded us what really matters.”
Gratitude for the Journey
Kelly smiles when talking about Our Year in Bali. “Honestly, we couldn’t have done it without Simone and her team. You helped us in so many ways — housing, schooling, community connections. You made our dream possible. We even found our best friends thanks to your introductions too!”
She adds, “Moving your family across the world isn’t easy. But if it’s calling you — trust it. Bali has a way of giving you exactly what you need.”
Stories like Kelly’s remind us why we do what we do. Every family’s relocation journey is unique — but at its heart, it’s about finding a better, more meaningful way to live.
If you’re planning a move to Bali and want support with visas, schooling, housing, or finding community, we recommend starting with our Bronze Package to learn more or watch more live interviews with families like Kelly’s.
