Australian Families

Real stories from Australian families who navigated schools, visas, and the unknown to build a life in Bali.

Our family had talked about moving to Bali for years, but it always felt like a huge challenge. Working with Simone from Our Year in Bali changed everything. She helped us turn our dream into a clear, realistic plan — from choosing the right school and area to live in, to understanding what life here is really like.

Simone’s checklists and guidance were invaluable in helping us navigate when and how we should move to Bali. Her advice saved us endless hours of research and gave us the confidence to take the leap. There’s so much information out there, but Simone knows how to cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters for families relocating here.

We’re now happily living in Sanur, our kids are settled, and we’re loving the lifestyle we dreamed about. Highly recommend Simone and Our Year in Bali — we couldn’t have done this without her!

RichendaMelbourne
Richenda's Full Story

Simone is our Bali relocation fairy godmother. Her knowledge about all things related to moving to Bali is encyclopaedic, and her social networks are phenomenal. Whatever she didn’t know personally, she introduced us to someone who did.

She helped us with big things like choosing a school, talking to school principals, finding a home, and smaller things like phone networks. I keep wondering how I can find a Simone for the other parts of my life!

ShelleyMelbourne

Whilst I had become very familiar with Bali over the years, moving there to live is a completely different kettle of fish.

I bought Simone’s Gold package to get my head around all the details of taking up a long term lease, bills, a school for my son, etc. have made some fantastic contacts through Simone and some are now good friends.

It’s not long now until our move and I am completely organised thanks to Simone’s info and referrals. I can highly recommend Simone’s services.

JaneAdelaide

We purchased the Bronze package and it is so useful. It outlines all the important things you need to know, to pack and to think about. It’s the perfect ‘mental load’ package as the thinking is done for you.

We have also used her Bali School and Education Guide which was the most useful tool when trying to summarise the various education options on offer in Bali. It would take you hours to find all of this information yourself not to mention so much backwards and forwards communication with schools themselves. Simone has done all the hard work in one easy to navigate document. There information on cost, curriculum, uniform, cultural integration, daily schedules, parent involvement, food and the list goes on. It’s a must have for any family wanting to enrol their children into a Balinese school.

Simone is an absolute delight to deal with and answers any questions you have with her wealth of knowledge. Highly recommend.

RachaelVictoria
Rachael's Full Story

We’re so pleased we got Simone on board to help us turn our dream of moving to Bali for a year into reality. From the moment we had our first zoom chat, I realised “this is really going to happen, there’s no turning back!” Since then, we have been busy digesting all the amazing info Simone provided, so comprehensive and thorough.

I am glad we enlisted her help early as there’s loads to get through and it’s given us the reassurance that we’re not going to overlook something important. Thanks again for everything Simone, your service really IS awesome! I wouldn’t do it any other way!

Bec & RomanMerbourne
Bec & Roman's Full Story

When we first decided to relocate to Bali for 6 months, we were quite overwhelmed with the amount and vastly differing information available on website/forums/Facebook etc.

We are so glad we came across Simone and decided to purchase the Silver Package. The information and contacts she provided has been invaluable to our planning and preparation for our trip.

It is clear that Simone has spent years developing trusted contacts in Bali and it takes a lot of stress off us in our move knowing we have someone to reach out to for whatever comes up.

Kim, Lou and RiverSydney

Simone provided such comprehensive information and support for planning our move to Bali. Simone is always quick to respond to our questions and provide the insights we need to make the move smooth. We couldn’t have done it without you, Thanks so much Simone!!!

RachelleAustralia
Rachelle's Full Story

Simone has been an incredible support in planning our family’s move to Bali. She connected us with reliable real estate contacts, schools, health insurance options and even gym recommendations, which has made the process so much less overwhelming. Her knowledge and network are invaluable and we feel much more confident and excited about our move next month. We can’t wait to meet her in person and start our new adventure!

VickieWestern Australia

Simone has been a godsend in helping us plan our family’s relocation to Bali from Australia. She really knows her stuff and has shared her highly valuable list of contacts for us to set up our new life, everything from advice on where to stay, housing agents, visa setup, insurance guidance etc. It has saved us lots of time that we would’ve have spent researching, and I’m sure many errors we would have made along the way. She has been incredibly generous with her time and genuinely cares/wants to ensure each client settles well in Bali. Thank you Simone!

LillianAustralia
Lillian's Full Story

From day one, the support felt personal, practical, and incredibly well connected. Our Year in Bali (Simone) provided honest advice, tailored recommendations, and invaluable on-the-island contacts that you simply wouldn’t find online.

Having trusted local connections for everything from accommodation to day-to-day setup made a huge difference and saved us so much time and guesswork. If you’re planning a move to Bali and want real support from people who truly know the island, I can’t recommend Our Year in Bali highly enough.

JasmineAdelaide

I was totally overwhelmed with the list of things to do before our bali adventure. Moving OS can tests anyone’s nerves, then a friend mentioned “Our year in Bali” and our journey with Simone began.

Her connections and resources made our move so much easier. Simone continues to up date her contacts and stays in touch even after you have settled.

Her service is gold class and her care and commitment is next level.

Thanks Simone we think you are fabulous!

FayeAustralia

It was great to start our adventure with an online call with Simone. She was able to advise us about housing and schooling, based on our preferences and budget.

Her information is valuable and a great guideline and starting point for your Bali adventure. And she’s also a very nice person. Highly recommend it.

PriscillaNetherlands

Australian Retirees

Retired Australians embracing their next chapter in Bali with comfort, clarity, and peace of mind.

I'd been planning on moving to Bali for a few years and was finding the abundance of information overwhelming and felt like I was never going to 'get all my ducks in a row'.
Then I discovered Simone and Our Year in Bali. It was like discovering the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

After a free, no obligation 30 minute zoom call with Simone, I finally felt knowledgeable and confident enough to make the move to Bali.

I purchased the Silver package which suited my needs and have literally referred to the documents and links to services prepared in depth by Simone regularly.

I've been in Bali now for a little over 5 months and loving it. If you're thinking of making the move to Bali, I can highly recommend Simone at Our Year in Bali for all your needs, whether big or small.

Cath KirkhamBrisbane
Cath's Full Story

I was thinking about making the move from Australia to Bali and came across Simone’s “Our Year in Bali” Instagram page. I felt like I had struck gold! Simone arranged a video call and immediately put my mind at rest about some of my questions.

I have friends already living in Bali, however I was looking for more information than they were able to offer. The Silver Package provided everything I needed and more. Simone’s treasure trove of knowledge enabled me to navigate visa’s, rental agents and medical requirements. Amongst other things, she provides recommendations for drivers and tours, contacts for social groups and suggestions for what to bring from home. All the information is in one place and simple to find – a huge benefit when moving to a new country.

Simone also offers ongoing support with regular newsletters and updated information and is a phone call away to help with anything that comes up.

I highly recommend Simone and Our Year in Bali, her insights and knowledge made moving to Bali a breeze.

AnoukBrisbane

Simone from Our Year in Bali was the best decision we made after much frustration and stress over wrong and confusing information when we were looking into moving to Bali. Firstly she is very personable, bubbly and full of wonderful energy. Immediately she alleviated our concerns and corrected our misinformation. She put us in contact with a fabulous team of people who organised all we needed to get our PT PMA, and our kitas etc sorted. Then there is the information she has compiled. Oh my there is a lot! But there is a lot to know, and even though we had been to Bali many times we needed to understand what living here would entail. The information is extensive, detailed and priceless. We are so grateful for Simone as ultimately talking to her, getting first hand knowledge, getting recommendations and purchasing one of her information packages made the dream to move to Bali a reality.

Sonya JohnstonAdelaide

Simone and the Team really streamlined the process for us, from having no idea where to start to us moving to Bali.
I personally found the immediate contact with the relevant people the best thing, from Visa specialists to having a bank manager. Absolutely well worth having a quick chat with Simone, we got the Silver package and it was extremely insightful and helpful.
Don't try go it alone! Indonesia is very different to Australia, South Africa and the US, speak to the experts.

John and ChristinaPerth

Our Year in Bali sealed the deal for us! Everything was so easy – we purchased the Silver package and that was it. We were introduced to everyone we needed like visa, banking, insurance and everything was sorted. I couldn’t believe how much easier it was, after months of fumbling around online trying to do it myself, giving up so many times!!!
Thank you – you made it possible.

KylieGold Coast
Kylie's Full Story

When my husband decided to retire Bali was our first choice. Having heard of Our Year In Bali we researched it and made contact with Simone. From the initial contact, the face-to-meeting and all the aftercare Simone has been nothing but excellent. The paperwork she provided was invaluable and made our move here much less complicated. She maintains contact and is always available for any questions we may have. I highly recommend her and her services. Thank you once again.

HelenVictoria

I am on my retirement journey to move to Bali. I was finding it a complicated process. Visas, accommodation, banking, phones, language…. Then I found Simone at Our Year in Bali.

She has provided a pathway, connections and advice. One Year in Bali has cleared and illuminated the path. Simone has been on this journey herself and saw the need for resources to clear away the clutter.

The resources and connections provided by OYIB are my lifesaver. I can’t recommend her service more highly.

DavidNew South Wales
David's Full Story

European Clients

International families planning sabbaticals, gap years, or long-term stays. Children where English is not their first language.

Planning for a Bali gap year, Simone’s service has been so incredibly helpful in our research and planning.

From her advice on schools, villas and locations, to budgeting what things cost and everyday expenses.

She is so helpful, solutions-oriented, and has a positive attitude that makes it easy to consult with.

I am so grateful to have found her so we can be really prepared before our big move.

RikkeNorway
Rikke's Full Story

Simone and her services are really great when it comes to three things:
1. Extremely strong understanding of Bali and a situation of families that try to move there.
2. She is well connected, and basically allows you to hack some introductions and shares her network with you.
3. The overall customer experience is superior - she takes care of you, guides you throughout the process, and makes your life easier.

To be fair, I don't know if we would have moved to Bali so easily without her. Much recommended!

MaciejPoland

Finding Simone and her Our Year in Bali has been a pure blessing for us.
Through her well structured and wide stretching service she literally kickstarted the complex and often complicated process of settling down in Bali and establishing a lifetime professional and personal project, making it so much faster and easier.

Even though I have previously worked for 5 years in Indonesia and have been visiting Bali countless times for over 25 years, I really needed her help to find answers to all our questions and also solutions to issues we couldn't even dream of by connecting us with her impressive network.

We chose the Silver Package but you may be sure to find something that fits your needs, no matter what your project, duration or plan is. You’ll probably, as is our case, get way more than you expect. Simone comes back regularly to share all types of additional information and contacts. And she wraps it up in her very kind and friendly spirit. Suksma, Simone.

KennethFrance
Kenneth's Full Story

Our Year In Bali is the best shortcut to a great Bali life. Simone’s attentive service is excellent. She understands your needs, guides you in the right direction and shares many valuable insights.

GustavDenmark
Gustav's Full Story

We are very pleased with the services provided by this company. They are highly professional, reliable, and extremely responsive. All tasks were completed quickly and with great attention to detail. We truly appreciate their efficiency and excellent customer service — highly recommended!

AurimasLithuania

Our children had a great start at the Green School and, thanks to ‘Our Year in Bali’, the transition from Switzerland to here went very well in many respects.
We would particularly like to highlight the extremely quick response time to questions, the great handbook about everyday life in Bali, the contacts to estate agents, insurance and tax advisors, banks and also the support with the visa process. The list of expected expenses for living locally is also very helpful.
If you are planning to move to Bali alone or with your family, then be sure to get in touch with Simone. The price/performance ratio of the consultation IS EXCELLENT.

OliverSwitzerland

“When you take a step like this, there are a lot of things you should consider. School, where to live, business, visas, cost estimations… and a lot more.

Simone helped us with very accurate and helpful information and I can say that with her spreadsheets and calculations about Bali, it gave us a final push! Thanks Simone.”

Tomaz & BrigitaSlovenia
Tomaz and Brigita's Full Story

As I was researching relocating to Bali with my partner and young son, I came across Simone’s Instagram. I had a look on her website and thought this was just the lady that could help us with the move, making it an easier process.

Simone gave us a whole bunch of extremely useful guides plus contacts that would help with a lot of logistical things, which in the long term will save us so much time.

I had an incredible call with Simone, it was great to talk to someone that has already gone through the experience with a family. I was able to ask as many questions as I needed and after I felt so much more confident about the move.

If you are planning a move to Bali, there’s nothing better than speaking to someone that knows exactly what it’s like. Grateful for Simone’s help and would highly recommend it.

AnnaNetherlands

Invaluable support for our move to Bali! Simone at Our Year in Bali has been an absolute lifesaver in helping our family navigate the complexities of moving to Bali. From the very beginning, she provided invaluable guidance and support on every aspect of the relocation process.

What truly sets Simone apart is not only her efficiency and deep knowledge of Bali, but also her warm and friendly approach. She took the time to understand our family’s specific needs and concerns, and then went above and beyond to connect us with the right people. Thanks to Simone’s extensive network, we were introduced to excellent heads of schools, reliable real estate agents, trustworthy insurance companies, and other essential contacts – all of whom were incredibly helpful and professional.

Simone’s connections and expertise have made what could have been a stressful and overwhelming experience surprisingly smooth and enjoyable. We are incredibly grateful for her assistance and highly recommend her services to anyone considering a move to Bali.

If you’re looking for a well-connected, efficient, and genuinely lovely person to help you with your relocation, look no further than Simone at Our Year in Bali!

CynthiaNetherlands

Thank you so much to Simone for her support in helping us through our journey in planning to move to Bali.

Her kindness, knowledge of the country, contacts and tips & tricks is a true time saver! Information that would have taken us months to figure out.

What is also very much appreciated is that the information provided is updated and shared (cost of living, contacts…) which is key! (even more when the move is delayed) I highly recommend her consulting services!

KateFrance
Kate's Full Story

“When you take a step like this, there are a lot of things you should consider. School, where to live, business, visas, cost estimations… and a lot more.

Simone helped us with very accurate and helpful information and I can say that with her spreadsheets and calculations about Bali, it gave us a final push! Thanks Simone.”

Tomaz & BrigitaSlovenia

“Simone has been amazing helping us land on Bali. She has provided us with tons of valuable information on Bali life, gave us Visa advice and got us into contact with the right people such as: school principals and real estate agents. Strongly recommend working with her when considering a move to Bali!”

LeontineThe Netherlands
Leontine's Full Story

Thanks to Simone’s blogposts about schools in Bali we actually started to investigate our Bali family adventure.

Although having been to Bali for a longer period before, we consulted Simone to help us get the full scope of what family life (and house hunting!) looks like nowadays in Bali. Simone’s in-depth and detailed information has been very valuable for us and we enjoyed reading all of it prior to departure.

Highly recommended, especially if you are planning to stay in Bali for a year or longer!

MarloesNetherlands
Marloes's Full Story

Simone’s website is super interesting and we took the decision to do this family adventure to a great extent thanks to her. As soon as we had the idea we immediately contacted her to guide us with our first steps and she helped us a lot with a lot of practical things.

AnaSpain
Ana's Full Story

UK Clients

Families and professionals navigating the move from the UK to a very different pace of life in Bali.

Simone’s help has been instrumental to making our relocation to Bali a pleasure instead of a nightmare.

Things here are different, and no amount of facebook/reddit/googling can prepare you to turn the vast amount of information into practical, usable knowledge – Simone’s on the other hand, does. From Visa contacts, to medical contact which we ended up within 4 days of landing turned out to be excellent.

Her guide is super insightful and comprehensive, which is a rare combination. To top it all off, Simone’s personality, responsiveness and proactiveness will give you a huge advantage when trying to settle down.

Best money spent this year, by a long mile. Thanks Simone!

CarlosUK

Amazing from start to finish! Simone was super helpful and accommodating are plans changed a couple of times due to circumstances and Simone was understanding and helped every step of the way even highlighting things that we hadn’t even thought about would 100% recommend as it made the whole process so easy and fun!

ShaneUK

I am so thankful that our family came across Simone, from Our Year In Bali. As you can imagine, relocating or spending extended time in a new country can be hugely overwhelming, but Simone has helped us with everything, down to the fine details.

Simone is there to support you and guide you all the way through, with her expertise being second to none. The quality and attention put into the consulting service is fantastic and you really feel as though you have a supportive friend helping and guiding you from beginning to end…. Thank you Simone!

BecUK
Bec's Full Story

I can't recommend Simone & Our Year in Bali higher! Although I am still in the earlier stages of my relocation process, Simone has been nothing short of thorough, understanding, patient, and wonderful already! I feel SO confident with her on my side, and the knowledge she has shared so far has been invaluable. Her attentiveness and caring persona is just what you need when making such a big life decision! So, if you're looking at making any sort of move to Bali, start with connecting with Simone!

AmieUK

Moving abroad can be very overwhelming, so when we decided to pack up our life and move to Bali, we are so glad we stumbled across Our Year in Bali. Simone was incredibly helpful from the get go. She knows everything there is to know about Bali, and her information packs are filled with everything you’ll ever need, and more. Simone doesn’t just provide you with the information and disappear, she is there to help along the way if you need it too.

All of the information Simone provided meant we were able to feel somewhat knowledgeable and comfortable with our new life, before we got there. I couldn’t recommend Simone enough, thank you for making our transition to Bali life that little bit easier!

HannahUK
Hannah's Full Story

After our initial 30 minute chat with Simone, we you knew straight away that she would be able to help us with her extensive knowledge of all things Bali.

We decided to opt for the Silver package and we found the contact introductions and cost of living spreadsheet especially helpful.

We move to Bali from the UK soon and from all the information Simone has provided us we have been able to find a home, a school for our children and also a trusted nanny which we feel confident in. Simone and all her invaluable information she has provided us have eased so much stress during the move and we would be lost without her.

We could not recommend Simone and the services she offers more! Once again, thanks so much Simone.

Emily, Jason, Ivy and NovaUK

Thank you so much for your service and these wonderful documents in the Bronze package packed full with information, that it’s just not possible to get by Googling!

I’ve been reading over the living guide for the past few weeks in preparation for our extended 3-month stay in Bali and now feel so much more knowledgeable and prepared.

LisaUK
Lisa's Full Story

Asian Clients

Families and professionals navigating the move from the Asian countries to a very different pace of life in Bali.

“I have been wanting to write a review for Simone from the moment I spoke to her on Zoom.

Words cannot describe just how amazing she is. Simone is someone who just radiates positivity, love and kindness in a way that simultaneously, also feels deeply grounding. She is efficient, extremely detailed oriented and thorough in her work and it genuinely feels like she does not leave any stones left unturned. She is so fast with her services that we could not even keep up with how quickly she got the ball rolling in supporting us.

I am naturally quite anxious and a worrier and had been very overwhelmed with the process of relocating our whole family to a foreign country....and it has all been quite chaotic to say the least!! Ive sat with this feeling for months and could not take it anymore so finally decided to enlist Simone's much needed help.

From the instant I spoke to Simone, it felt like my mind just completely relaxed. Simone literally does all of the thinking for you so that the mental load is taken off your shoulders. Not only that, but her natural loving energy is so strong that after speaking to her, not only was I immediately less anxious and stressed but I ended up feeling rejuvenated and excited for what is to come next!

There are just people in life that you come across that carry their own positive radiating energy and she is one of those people. We feel incredibly lucky that we finally decided to contact her and the only regret is that we had not contacted her sooner. Simone is not only an excellent consultant but she is really just someone you would want to be friends with and to have in your life in whatever capacity. Knowing her will make you a better person. Really.

Simone is basically a relocation consultant/therapist. Haha! She does it all.
We love you Simone. Thank you for your services and thank you for being you!!!!!”

LindaTaiwan
Linda's Full Story

Amazing from start to finish! Simone was super helpful and accommodating are plans changed a couple of times due to circumstances and Simone was understanding and helped every step of the way even highlighting things that we hadn’t even thought about would 100% recommend as it made the whole process so easy and fun!

ShaneUK

“I found Simone and Our Year In Bali while doing some self research that I was finding difficult and stressful. Simone’s passion and enthusiasm were evident in the call and the package allowed me to have all the information I needed organized and easily accessible. She also provided some invaluable connections that I couldn’t have made on my own. It took a lot of the stress out of what’s going to be an exciting next chapter for my dog and I.”

KimVietnam
Kim's Full Story

We are now in beautiful Bali….and finding our way…so much to do at the beginning. But definitely feel better to cope with it all from your support. We’re constantly referring to all of the documents you sent – so THANK YOU. Getting in touch with you was the BEST thing we could do prior to our move to Bali!

LibbyBeijing
Libby's Full Story

“About a year ago I had a vague dream about moving to Bali. Today is a week since we made the dream come true, and thanks to Simone at Our Year in Bali we already have our stay permits, a dream home and a school for our kids! I can't believe how easy Simone has made all this for us! From our initial free 30-minute discovery call until now, Simone has been friendly, professional, responsive and incredibly well connected, and has put us in touch with all the people we could possibly need to know to smooth our transition from Beijing to Bali. I can't imagine how we could have made this move without her! I can't recommend Our Year in Bali highly enough. Now that Simone has sorted out our lives, we can get on with the fun of living our new dream life! A thousand thank yous, Simone, from me, Mike and the boys. 🙏🌴💕”

MichelleChina

USA Clients

Americans balancing visas, schooling, healthcare, and logistics — often across time zones and big expectations.

I cannot speak of Simone and Our Year in Bali highly enough! I discovered Simone through a podcast I listened to. From the moment that I first contacted her, Simone was kind, thoughtful and responsive. I learned a lot in our first consultation and signed up with her for the Bali Bronze package. The information in the package is incredibly thorough. She has condensed so much information and knowledge into her carefully curated guides. So much value!

She has spent years building an invaluable network in Bali and she generously offers to help connect us to people who can help make our journey smoother. We're so grateful to have found her and we look forward to working with her moving forward. Thanks so much, Simone!

KellyUSA
Kelly's Full Story

We're so happy we found Our Year in Bali. The 30-minute phone call with Simone made us feel confident that living in Bali was possible. And getting the Silver Package was the best thing we did before moving with 2 toddlers! I only wish we could've purchased it earlier because all the research you're going to do is mostly on the guide already and any questions you may have Simone will be happy to answer.

Simone is such a wonderful connection to have. She's so thoughtful. She checked up on us the first month and talked me through the schools that would best fit my kids. She connected us with the right people who are so lovely - visa company, driver upon arrival, etc. And the guide book has everything we need - from the kid's doctor's number, areas to live in, schools, and everything in between like where to get unscented laundry detergent. It really helped soothe the anxieties of moving.

The Silver Package is worth every cent and I know we will continue to use the guide while we live in Bali.

ChinaUSA

Simone has exceeded our expectations, helping to make our family’s transition to Bali as smooth as possible. She is a natural connector and genuinely cares that each connection creates the conditions for reciprocal relationships to flourish so that they also positively contribute to the greater communities existing on island.

BenUSA
Ben's Full Story

We have had an amazing experience with Our Year in Bali. Simone is warm, compassionate, and very knowledgeable. She helped us pick the right neighbourhood, the right school, and has been responsive every step of the way. We feel confident going into our relocation from California and couldn't be happier with the service!

BradUSA

Simone and her team were very helpful to me as an expat traveling to the other side of the world. I felt supported, had access to great information, and felt like I was guided to make the decision that was best for me and my family. Thank you Simone!

JeffUSA
Jeff's Full Story

We purchased the Silver Package and…..and WOW. It is the most insanely detailed set of guides that reads as if your bestie living in Bali is giving you the inside scoop.
The recommended businesses and contacts in her guide are a treasure trove of wonderful and TRUSTWORTHY people, warmth, and generosity of spirit. They will genuinely cheer you on for taking on this exciting endeavor. We also got personal introductions to the schools we were interested in (which was our top priority). Thanks for this incredible service! We are so grateful!

GraceUSA

Simone has been an absolutely invaluable resource throughout our move to Bali. From our pre-move, online conversation with her, to welcoming us once we were on the ground, we have never felt like we were on our own during our move.
Having moved from country to country many times over the years, we are so grateful to have had Simone’s resources, experience and support on our side from the start. This has included her advice and resources regarding shipping, moving pets, banking, finding housing, finding domestic help, hiring transportation, and even helpful tips with basic local language! If you have children needing a school, I know she’s well versed in the different options in that area as well.

Her guidebook is still very much our “Go To” whenever we have a question about our new home. We are extremely glad we have that at our fingertips. Quite often, a quick WhatsApp message will be the way to go, and she’s always extremely responsive, which we truly value as well.
I think our final thought on Simone’s contribution to our seamless move to Bali would have to be robust and sincere, “Thank you, Simone, and thank you, Our Year in Bali!

PerryHong Kong

Simone has been instrumental in our move to Bali and has connected us with so many amazing resources. She’s been available for every question and makes intros for everything we could ever need to feel comfortable and prepared. I couldn’t recommend this service more! A must for foreigners especially moving with kids!

DinahUSA

Simone’s support and resources have been invaluable in helping us move here from Canada. We’ve referred to the package at least 15 times since being here and being able to ask questions has been comforting as we get settled in. The amount of hours saved plus the peace of mind makes it all very worth it.

PascalCanada

Expats of the world rejoice !!!

Simone has been absolutely invaluable and unbelievably available and helpful...before, during, and after we arrived in Bali.

We were lucky enough to have been made aware of Simone and her services while we were only just getting serious about our Bali plans, and she walked us through every step while giving us the confidence that we can and should follow our dream.

If you are remotely serious about moving to Bali you simply need to talk to Simone and let her help you plan and execute actually doing it....because of her our experience has been fun and hassle free from start to finish. For real.

ZachUSA

We are so grateful for your insight and all the valuable information for us so far. Having you answer my questions has put my mind so much at ease so thank you so much!

KatrinaUSA
Katrina's Full Story

Choosing a School in Bali

Families seeking clarity around schools, education styles, and best-fit options.

I think the school book is a really useful resource, it’s well thought out and formatted. For me personally I have already done a lot of research at this point, but if had I not it would have really sped things up. The table comparing schools and the info on the differences between the curriculums, year placement and school calendars all in one place is very helpful. For families kicking off plans to move to Bali it will be invaluable I’m sure.

LaurenFiji

The Bali School Guide is absolutely priceless. The guide saved us huge amounts of time understanding the scope of school options in Bali.

We were able to sort schools by area, price point, age, and philosophy to narrow down our top options. This would have taken forever without Simone’s guide.
We feel confident we’re making the best decision for our kids and family.

Marnie & SteveNew Zealand

We stumbled across Simone's website just after deciding to take a family Gap Year to Bali. Her advice and guides saved us hundreds of hours of research and helped us go abroad much sooner than would have been possible otherwise. Her advice on schools and the budget were particularly useful in our planning.

MaggieNew Zealand

Compact, beautifully laid out, and covers everything!

As a mum, I know how overwhelming schooling in Bali can feel. This guide is a game changer.
It’s compact, beautifully laid out, and covers everything — from finding the right school to KITAS, after-school programs, transport, and daily life tips.
It’s clear how much care and real-life experience went into this.
If you’re choosing a school in Bali, this guide will save you hours of research and second-guessing. So worth it!

EvaUK

The School Deep Dive Consultation was absolutely invaluable and very instrumental in our final school selection. Simone quickly determined the unique education requirements for each of our three children and made suggestions of schools and curriculums that might fit best.
She not only gave us an overview of the schools but she personally set up introductions with the admissions team at each school to arrange school tours. Simone then connected us with fellow expat families and gave us practical advice on the best area to live based on school choice (very important given Bali traffic)!

SarahNew Zealand

Great to work with Simone. Very knowledgeable and quick to action. We connected with her to understand schooling options for our teenage daughter and she promptly delivered tons of options, suggestions and introductions. Would recommend engaging her services in a heartbeat.

GlenNetherlands

Simone’s school deep dive was exactly what we needed. She quickly understood our family’s context, confirmed our top school choices, suggested solid back-up options and, within 24 hours, helped us get a reply from a school that hadn’t answered us, plus availability information and contacts with other families. Highly recommended for anyone planning a move to Bali.

JoseSpain

Families with School Anxiety, ADHD or Learning Differences

Parents seeking better educational environments.

“After a recommendation from Simone, we researched a micro school in Ubud and decided to enrol Skye. When I say micro school – there were just 19 kids, all teens, and Skye was in a class of six. Kids were also from many different countries. The standard of the curriculum (based on the UK’s Cambridge system) was excellent – far higher than we thought it would be!

Skye had not particularly enjoyed school in Australia, but here she loved it. Because of the small size of the school, it was almost a one-one-one teaching experience, and this was ideal for our daughter to learn at her own pace and improve her grades.

LisaAustralia

Please do yourself a favour, and let Simone’s wisdom, compassion and know-how roll out the red carpet for your dream of living in Bali. She will blow away with specific knowledge that you would otherswise have no access to.

For us, it was helping to understand the specialized schooling options of our neurodivergent son.

I cant imagine how anyone could even consider a move to Bali without Simone by their side! She is more than a resource, she is true gift.

Kirsten and EmersonUSA

Beyond DIY Planning

Stories from clients who nearly did it alone.

To be honest, I wasn’t planning on hiring a consultant to move our family to Bali. While I enjoyed the OYIB blog, I thought I could elbow grease most of the research and save a few hundred bucks. But I changed my mind after I got on a discovery call with Simone.

This lady has a goldmine of info with hundreds of pages of well-researched info on schools, living in Bali, setting up household, and practical living tips that not only saved me dozens of hours, but way more money down the road.

Simone’s research was incredibly updated and reliable. Much more than if I had tried to research on the Internet or Facebook groups, most of which contained outdated info on schools and living.

Thanks to OYIB’s materials and consulting, I saved tens of thousands of dollars and much grief down the road by picking the wrong school.

I loved her detailed and painstaking research that has covered every single aspect of family life in Bali and what you need to know, and full of insights on things you never thought of but must prepare for. I call it my Bali Bible now!

Trust me, go for this and save yourself way more time, money, and heartache later, if you are considering moving to Bali and especially for families.

JessicaHong Kong

As a young family, we tried to go our way and find every little bit of information on our own - we invested A LOT of time in research and kept finding unreliable people and conflicting information.

Just save yourself the hassle! We aren't big on money, but this investment was by far one of the best bang for our bucks - completely recommend using this service.

Support varies from visas, traveling, pets, documents, whatever you can think of, this is your one stop shop.

Just as an example, in less than a week, we have contacts and information for everything we need - on our own, in a month we weren't even halfway there.

GabrielRomania

I’m a planner and love to research so I was on the fence about whether to go it alone or use Simone’s services.

I'm so glad I chose to work with Simone. The biggest win for me was all of the contacts that she has pre-vetted and can confidently recommend - this is something I could have never achieved on my own through research!

SamanthaNew Zealand

I was very glad to have found Simone when my husband and I first started thinking about moving to Bali. We had searched the internet on how we could do this and found SO MANY websites and pages telling us what to do and everyone had conflicting advice and then when I was at my wits end and about to call it all off I found Simone!

After one conversation with her I saw the light at the end of the road. She listened to exactly what I wanted, she introduced me to the right people, she’s kind and caring and our journey would not be possible if I hadn’t found Simone.

Our original plan was to retire in Bali and then after discussions with Simone we found out that we can have a business and work whilst living in Bali. A win win for us – the perfect home/work/life balance. We have had some anxiety about moving but Simone has been there every step of the way. Our journey is now set and we will be moving to Bali in January 2024.
I can’t thank Simone enough for showing us the way forward”.

Sharon and BradAustralia

“I found Simone and Our Year In Bali while doing some self research that I was finding difficult and stressful. Simone’s passion and enthusiasm were evident in the call and the package allowed me to have all the information I needed organized and easily accessible. She also provided some invaluable connections that I couldn’t have made on my own. It took a lot of the stress out of what’s going to be an exciting next chapter for my dog and I.”

KimVietnam
Kim's Full Story

After months of fumbling around online, everything became easy once we used Our Year in Bali. Thank you — you made it possible!

KylieAustralia

We stumbled across Simone's website just after deciding to take a family Gap Year to Bali. Her advice and guides saved us hundreds of hours of research and helped us go abroad much sooner than would have been possible otherwise. Her advice on schools and the budget were particularly useful in our planning.

MaggieNew Zealand

I am incredibly grateful to have found Our Year in Bali and Simone and to have purchased the Silver Package. Initially hesitant to spend the money, I held off buying it until only a couple of weeks before our move. In hindsight, I would have done it far earlier in my preparation process. As someone who researches for a living, I spent almost a year independently researching our trip to Bali. However, I still didn’t feel 100% at ease about our big move abroad, so I decided to invest in the package. Not only was the information incredibly detailed and well-researched, but the package actually paid for itself with the money saved through her contacts. I highly recommend spending the extra money for her contact sheet in the Silver package; it’s very easy to get overcharged for various services. Having read through her packet, we were much more prepared for the journey that awaited us—even after spending a year reading everything I could get my hands on. Not to mention, Simone herself has been a godsend! I am notorious for asking a deluge of questions, and Simone has been able to answer all of my questions and has been a tremendous wealth of knowledge and help. She has continued to connect me to her contacts as we have tried to find our home here. Initially, we thought we wanted Sanur, but after arriving, we realized we were much more drawn to Ubud. Throughout the process, Simone introduced us to people who made everything a lot easier and much more affordable. I couldn’t recommend her enough! If you are thinking of moving to Bali and are hesitant to spend money on something like this, I get it—it’s expensive. But for example, her contact for visas alone will likely almost pay for the Silver Package compared to going with someone you find online. It’s worth every penny! Thanks a million, Simone! You are amazing 🙏

ChrisUSA

Having made a fairly fast, crazy decision along the lines of ‘let’s move to Bali’ earlier this year, I came across Simone’s website during my initial research phase. Fast forward a couple of weeks I was second guessing about whether I should use a service like this but honestly, it’s a no brainer to do so!

Yes, you might be able to figure some of the info out yourself from Google (but it would take you years to get the same amount of info through your own research) but Our Year in Bali is an absolute must if you are, well, moving to Bali!

You literally get given ALL of the information that you need (and more!) and Simone is so lovely to deal with and is also extremely helpful with everything. I highly recommend this service and having made the decision and made the move, I still refer to her info pack and contacts list on a daily basis.

YvonneIreland

Thank you so much for your service and these wonderful documents in the Bronze package packed full with information, that it’s just not possible to get by Googling!

I’ve been reading over the living guide for the past few weeks in preparation for our extended 3-month stay in Bali and now feel so much more knowledgeable and prepared.

LisaUK
Lisa's Full Story

First-Time Movers

Clients who made the leap without a scouting trip — and wanted to get it right from day one.

We are so grateful for Simone and her support. From our first call, we purchased the silver package which saved so much stress and time it was worth its weight in gold. Simone is so helpful and attentive and linked us with several key resources and people to help us get up and running. Eternally grateful!

StephenScotland

We booked the Silver package and received a lot of great information about Bali and what we needed to keep in mind. Simone introduced us to people who could help us find a place to live, with visa/KITAS, a private driver, and opening a local bank account — which were the things we were most interested in. And if we had any questions along the way, we also got answers to those

JakobNorway
Jakob's Full Story

We first had a 30-minute free zoom meeting with Simone and afterwards we decided to buy her Silver package which we can highly recommend to other people planning to move to Bali. Simone’s information package is very well structured and up to date. In addition, it would have taken us months to gain the same insights.

With Simone’s information, we felt very safe and well prepared and we even found a suitable villa for our family of 4 people thanks to Simone’s suggested contacts! It is so worth the money. Many thanks to Simone’s support and quick replies. When we finally arrived in Bali, we even got a chance to meet Simone which was really lovely!

AlineSwitzerland
Aline's Full Story

Simone has been amazing throughout my relocation journey, always available, kind, responsive, and genuinely solution-oriented. Whether I had questions about visas, accommodation, insurance, phone registration, or cultural nuances, she either helped directly or connected me with the right person. That alone saved me countless hours of stress and confusion.

One of the biggest benefits is knowing I have a reliable, experienced point of contact I can trust, someone who's walked the same path and truly gets it.
If you're considering a move to Bali and want support that’s personal, practical, and heart-centered, I absolutely recommend Our Year in Bali.

AliceFrance

Simone and her team were very helpful to me as an expat traveling to the other side of the world. I felt supported, had access to great information, and felt like I was guided to make the decision that was best for me and my family. Thank you Simone!

JeffUSA
Jeff's Full Story

Having one clear point of contact and access to structured information through Our Year in Bali made navigating schools, documents, and local contacts far more manageable.
We purchased the Silver service to ensure we were covered across the board and we couldn't have done it any other way. So grateful for all your help!

ThomasAustria

Last-Minute Relocations

Experiences from clients who relocated on tight timelines with major decisions to make.

We only had one month before departure!

We’re so lucky to have found Simone. I stumbled upon her website one frustrating night after realising we needed serious help with visas and school for our son.
We only had one month before our planned departure, and previous contacts turned out to be unreliable. All it took was a 30-minute Zoom consultation with Simone.
She is a wealth of knowledge with impressive, tried-and-vetted contacts in Bali. Most importantly, she genuinely wants to help you succeed. She works fast and is easy to communicate with.
Simone and her agency were a trusted partner in making our move a reality. Finding her felt like a gift from above.

Lia Puspa-JonesUSA

My husband and I made the decision to move to Bali with our two young children quite in the spur of the moment – less than two weeks before our departure. In the rush, we found the information on Simone’s website to be invaluable – especially in relation to childcare options. It was enormously reassuring to be guided towards the best childcare for our son and had him enrolled less than a week after arriving.

Emily and ChrisAustralia

Having made a fairly fast, crazy decision along the lines of ‘let’s move to Bali’ earlier this year, I came across Simone’s website during my initial research phase. Fast forward a couple of weeks I was second guessing about whether I should use a service like this but honestly, it’s a no brainer to do so!

Yes, you might be able to figure some of the info out yourself from Google (but it would take you years to get the same amount of info through your own research) but Our Year in Bali is an absolute must if you are, well, moving to Bali!

You literally get given ALL of the information that you need (and more!) and Simone is so lovely to deal with and is also extremely helpful with everything. I highly recommend this service and having made the decision and made the move, I still refer to her info pack and contacts list on a daily basis.

YvonneIreland

Coming to Bali with Teenagers

Families managing schooling transitions, social shifts, and the teenage adjustment curve.

Our family decided to spend 2024 in Bali on a year's sabbatical. 2 adults and a 14 and 10 year old. A friend of a friend living in Bali recommended Simone's business to us as we started to process of trying to work out how to make this all happen. It was truly an invaluable source of information and great connections to help answer and work you through the whole palaver of moving to another country. Not just about the other country but also what you need to think about and do in your home country before moving.

The hardest thing may well be trying to implement all Simone's great advice before you leave. To that point the information sources have continued to be a great help 2 months into our stay and Simone's follow up is exceptional as well. It really should be everyone's starting point to an extended stay in Bali.

LeighAustralia
Leigh's Full Story

Planning for a Bali gap year, Simone’s service has been so incredibly helpful in our research and planning.
From her advice on schools for our two teenage boys, villas and locations, to budgeting what things cost and everyday expenses.
She is so helpful, solutions-oriented, and has a positive attitude that makes it easy to consult with.

RikkeNorway

Speaking as a mother of two teenagers and coming from a culture where everything is well organised, and people adhere to rules, it’s important to know that families who have been here longer have adapted to the more relaxed culture.
Through social media and some inquiries, I came across Simone from Our Year in Bali. Since we didn’t have that much time left, we needed to act quickly. After a 30-minute call with Simone, we purchased the Silver package, which provided highly valuable information for our move.
We started by looking for a suitable school. Simone connected us with several schools, and based on that, we chose our location to live. Thanks to her contacts, our visa application was arranged very quickly. Although it might have been possible to figure everything out on our own, Simone’s services and responsiveness made a big difference by saving us precious time.

Lisa and KenBelgium

Last-Minute Relocations

Experiences from clients who relocated on tight timelines with major decisions to make.

I cannot recommend Simone and “Our Year in Bali” highly enough! Her resources have been absolutely invaluable, providing everything we needed to make our transition smooth and enjoyable. Simone’s support has been A-plus quality—she is always quick to respond and incredibly willing to help with any questions or concerns. It has truly been a blessing finding her.

BeatrizUSA
Beatriz's Full Story

My husband and I decided to relocate to Bali from the United States when our daughter was just three months old. We are so grateful we found Our Year In Bali to help us prepare for the transition – especially with a newborn! Chatting with Simone helped us understand the characteristics of regions across the island, what we might expect from living arrangements, childcare and schooling options for our daughter, and her documents guided us about all sorts of Balinese customs and norms.
Through her amazing contacts we were able to easily arrange our visas, learn about real estate, and line up drivers and babysitters for when we arrived.
Plus thanks to her trustworthy contacts we were able to discover our dream home and couldnt be happier!

Jordan and JonathanUSA

Getting the Silver Package was the best thing we did before moving with 2 toddlers! I only wish we could've purchased it earlier because all the research you're going to do is mostly on the guide already and any questions you may have Simone will be happy to answer.
She checked up on us the first month and talked me through the schools that would best fit my kids. She connected us with the right people who are so lovely - visa company, driver upon arrival, etc. And the guide book has everything we need - from the kid's doctor's number, areas to live in, schools, and everything in between like where to get unscented laundry detergent. It really helped soothe the anxieties of moving.
The Silver Package is worth every cent and I know we will continue to use the guide while we live in Bali.

ChinaUSA

I have 3 children under age 3 and If you’re looking to move to Bali, you need to contact Simone. She’s incredibly helpful and knowledgeable about all things. There are great guides that she shares. A lot of thought, time and effort has gone into the materials and we would be lost without Simone.

EllaAustralia

Families with 3+ Kids

Larger families balancing schools, logistics, and family life in Bali.

What more can I say that hasn’t already been said? Simone is the best kept not-so-secret secret to your Bali relocation. We had an inquiry call six months before we decided to move our lil family of four. We not only felt her earnest desire to help us settle with ease, she also made personal introductions to the schools we were interested in (which was our top priority). This was even before purchasing her silver package.

....and WOW. It is the most insanely detailed set of guides that reads as if your bestie living in Bali is giving you the inside scoop. I can literally hear her voice move through the pages. She has thought of EVERYTHING- a thoughtfully detailed pre-departure check list for the months, weeks, and days leading to the move as well as what to do the first couple days you settle in. That’s just the beginning because there are multiple guides to help you navigate the logistics once you touch down.

Her recommendations have led us to the most important relationship we’ve cultivated in our relocation: our incredible visa agent, Michael Lenihan of Gateway Consulting. The recommended businesses and contacts in her guide is a treasure trove of wonderful and TRUSTWORTHY people who mirror her same warmth and generosity of spirit. They will genuinely cheer you on for taking on this exciting endeavor.

Our Year in Bali is a reflection of Simone herself: a warm, earnest and eager persona who wants to genuinely help you and your family settle into Bali with ease. It feels like you’re buying more than a “how-to” guide but gaining a valuable bridge to the exciting journey ahead.

Thanks for this incredible service you offer, Simone- steered by your heart of service! We are so grateful!

Grace LauFamily of 4, USA

When we made the decision to move our young family of 5 to Bali for our “gap year” my organised and slightly anxious mind wanted to have all the answers, essential tips, checklists and info immediately, at my fingertips - this is what Simone’s guide provides. We had an initial zoom that made us inspired and excited and instead of feeling like a chore, making my way through the resource back continued to build our excitement. I would highly recommend a connect with Simone as the first port of call for anyone who is thinking of making the sea change to beautiful Bali!

CameronFamily of 5, gap year, Australia

On 8 August 2025, we arrived safely in Bali and are now settling in. Our children had a great start at the Green School and, thanks to ‘Our Year in Bali’, the transition from Switzerland to here went very well in many respects.

We would particularly like to highlight the extremely quick response time to questions, the great handbook about everyday life in Bali, the contacts to estate agents, insurance and tax advisors, banks and also the support with the visa process. The list of expected expenses for living locally is also very helpful.

If you are planning to move to Bali alone or with your family, then be sure to get in touch with Simone. The price/performance ratio of the consultation IS EXCELLENT.

Oliver3 children, Green School, Switzerland

We had never been to Bali before and had no idea what to expect.
Simone helped with preparations, housing, schools, and objective advice.
Her cost spreadsheets were incredibly practical, but what stood out most was her going out of her way to solve problems and follow up.
We’d advise any family with no Bali experience to use Simone for a smoother transition.

AnnaSweden, 3 Children, Sabbatical Year, Australia

After a very insightful 30 minute consultation with Simone I proceeded to purchase the silver package and education booklet from Our Year in Bali. I’ve found both resources to be an invaluable tool whilst planning a move to Bali.

I have 4 children and finding the right school for them is our #1 priority. The school booklet consolidates what would be hours of research if I’d try to do it myself.

I’ve recently return from a research trip to Bali ahead of our move. I really appreciated Simone’s support in planning my logistics and itinerary so that I could make the most of my time in the ground.

I found the school check list and neighbourhood guide to be particularly helpful. Moving our family to Bali feels a lot less daunting with the support of Simone and Our Year in Bali.

Lauren Bird4 boys, Fiji

How easy is it to move to a country you’ve never been to before, with 3 kids (7/9/11).. where to live, what to expect, best places to see, doctors, schools…you can send so much time doing your own research on you google and the ‘bloggers’ insta… But to speak to someone directly was like having a family member there already. From our first free call we knew she was there to help, nothing was a problem.

She’s helped so many families so there is a good understanding of the different circumstances. She also introduced us to people here that had kids the same age.

Bali is amazing, the move was still a big one but it was definitely made easier using her services.

JonChildren aged 7, 9 & 11, Australia

Simone’s resources have become central to planning our family move to Bali. We printed and spiral bound her main booklet, which offers more than 80 pages of valuable info, exciting ideas, and insightful personal anecdotes. Every conversation we now have about our plans includes a sentence that starts with “Did you see Simone says…”! The detail she offers has made us even more excited about making our move and, of course, feel more prepared.

Anneli and DylanAustralia

I purchased Simones bronze package months ago, and I have now almost finished it!

The amount of detail and information in the pack is simply amazing. So helpful, so thorough and so well thought through.

Everything has been considered and there are parts that I wouldn’t have even thought of needing to study or research.

I’m so grateful I came across Simone, we travel in 1 month and I actually feel prepared and organised thanks to everything she has covered in her bronze package.

Thank you again Simone. Absolute golden information!

KylaSouth Africa
Kyla's Full Story

Solo Moms

Women navigating relocation, schooling, and stability — while holding everything together.

“I am very grateful for you Simone. I would not have made this step without you. You give me the feeling of safety that I need as a single mother, connecting me with reliable people.”

JinarajaSuriname

As a single mother & busy entrepreneur, relocating to Bali and establishing the necessary connections to make our transition a fairly easy and seamless one – is no easy feat.

Our Year in Bali has helped tremendously in lessoning the load and stressors for me by linking me to wonderful and trustworthy people here in Bali.

Simone has helped me greatly by facilitating personal introductions on my behalf, making excellent suggestions based on her personal experience as a mom and providing valuable resources and tool kits in her package.

As a person who is direct and loves to get the foundation settled right away, Simone has gone above and beyond in ensuring my needs are met and rectifying anything on my behalf, if need be. Highly recommend working with her – you won’t regret it!

TatianaUSA

I found Our Year in Bali while researching a realistic, family-friendly way to relocate and not just the Instagram version.
Working with Simone felt grounded, honest, supportive, and human. No sugarcoating, no fake promises. Just real guidance from someone who actually knows what moving here truly looks like.
She has a huge amount of knowledge about Bali and everything you need to know when relocating, plus an impressive network of people and organizations. It felt less like a service and more like having someone truly guide you through the process.

MonikaNetherlands

USA Clients

Americans balancing visas, schooling, healthcare, and logistics — often across time zones and big expectations.

Such a deep pleasure to have breakfast with Simone, who is entirely responsible for guiding me to my once distant and impossible dream of living in Bali. Explaining, encouraging, reassuring that despite the constantly changing immigration rules, all would be possible and well as it did, indeed, turn out to be!

She was my companion through doubt and discouragement and disbelief almost approaching despair in this adventure that ultimately ended in her meeting me for a beautiful breakfast near my new home on the island of the gods. So many thanks!

CindyUSA

I am on my retirement journey to move to Bali. I was finding it a complicated process. Visas, accommodation, banking, phones, language. Then I found Simone at Our Year in Bali.
She has provided a pathway, connections and advice. One Year in Bali has cleared and illuminated the path. Simone has been on this journey herself and saw the need for resources to clear away the clutter.
The resources and connections provided by OYIB are my lifesaver. I can’t recommend her service more highly.

DavidAustralia
David's Full Story

I'd been planning on moving to Bali for a few years and was finding the abundance of information overwhelming and felt like I was never going to 'get all my ducks in a row'.
Then I discovered Simone and Our Year in Bali. It was like discovering the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!
I purchased the Silver package which suited my needs and have literally referred to the documents and links to services prepared in depth by Simone regularly.
I've been in Bali now for a little over 5 months and loving it.

CathAustralia
Cath's Full Story

I have friends already living in Bali, however I was looking for more information than they were able to offer. The Silver Package provided everything I needed and more. Simone’s treasure trove of knowledge enabled me to navigate visa’s, rental agents and medical requirements.
Amongst other things, she provides recommendations for drivers and tours, contacts for social groups and suggestions for what to bring from home. All the information is in one place and simple to find – a huge benefit when moving to a new country.
Simone also offers ongoing support with regular newsletters and updated information and is a phone call away to help with anything that comes up.
Her insights and knowledge made moving to Bali a breeze.

AnoukAustralia

Couple Retirees

Partners choosing Bali for their next chapter — seeking lifestyle, community, and long-term stability.

My husband and I have been thinking about retiring to Bali for a couple of years. It was overwhelming to read all the different information we received on what we could and couldn’t do. I found Simone via social media and she offered a free phone call.

We found her to be very knowledgeable so we signed up for her package. Wow! The support and the team Simone works with are amazing! We are selling our house at the moment and and have purchased a house in Nusa Lembongan using Simone’s contacts and it’s been so smooth from the purchase to our retirement visas.

I would highly recommend her to navigate you through moving to Bali – we are hoping to living there by the end of the year!

HelenAustralia
Helen's Full Story

Simone from Our Year in Bali was the best decision we made after much frustration and stress over wrong and confusing information when we were looking into moving to Bali.
Immediately she alleviated our concerns and corrected our misinformation. She put us in contact with a fabulous team of people who organised all we needed to get our PT PMA, and our KITAS etc sorted.
The information is extensive, detailed and priceless. Purchasing one of her information packages made the dream to move to Bali a reality.

Sonya & MattAustralia

Our Year in Bali sealed the deal for us! Everything was so easy – we purchased the Silver package and that was it. We were introduced to everyone we needed like visa, banking, insurance and everything was sorted.
I couldn’t believe how much easier it was, after months of fumbling around online trying to do it myself, giving up so many times!!! Thank you – you made it possible.

Kylie and DeanAustralia
Kylie's Full Story

When my husband decided to retire, Bali was our first choice. From the initial contact, the face-to-meeting and all the aftercare Simone has been nothing but excellent.
The paperwork she provided was invaluable and made our move here much less complicated. She maintains contact and is always available for any questions we may have. I highly recommend her and her services.

HelenUK

I had my first consultation with Simone nearly two years ago, as we were searching for guidance and recommendations in our plans to relocate to Bali.

Simone's consulting package and guidance, and her constant follow up to check on our progress, status, answer questions, and direct us to her trusted contacts, when we had needs, made the whole relocation experience seamless, easy, and actually very enjoyable.

I cannot recommend more highly Simone's guidance to help anyone through a relocation, in our case from Australia to Bali.

We have been here just a short time now; upon arrival our villa was ready, visas were ready, fast track upon arrival, drivers ready etc.

And yes, Bali is accurately called Paradise, or at least as near as one could get to Paradise.
Thank you Simone; we would never have made it without you.

SteveAustralia
Steve's Full Story

Professional Couples

Driven couples building successful careers while creating a vibrant life together in Bali.

Simone has been absolutely amazing throughout our entire move to Bali! From the very beginning, she provided invaluable assistance and made what could have been a stressful process feel effortless. Her deep knowledge of the area and expert insights into the local culture and logistics have truly given us the confidence to navigate the entire transition with ease.

Simone’s attentiveness, professionalism, and genuine care for our needs have made this experience so much more enjoyable. Thanks to her, we’ve been able to settle in smoothly and with excitement. We are incredibly grateful for Simone and all her help – she’s truly been a game-changer for us.

Charlotte and DanSydney
Charlotte and Dan's Full Story

If you are considering a gap year in Bali I cannot recommend Simone highly enough.

Her knowledge and valuable information is second to none. Simone also checks in regularly with you to see if you need any ongoing support to ensure the process runs as smoothly as possible.

We are so excited for our adventure! Thanks Simone.

KristineGold Coast
Kristine's Full Story

The best investment I made after deciding to move to this lovely island from Perth. Simone is so responsive and knows all the contacts you need to make your move work. I’m signing my villa leasehold today! Thanks Simone!

PaulPerth

I’m still in the planning stage of our move to Bali and have found Simone’s advice excellent - I’ve received thorough information on general living in Bali, and great contacts for setting up business, organising visa’s and for real estate. This has all left me feeling confident and informed about my upcoming move.

RebeccaNew Zealand

 Solo Professional

Career-driven women creating freedom, flexibility, and financial independence in Bali.

Simone goes above and beyond to make you feel safe, supported and seen in your move to Bali.

Their resources are awesome and I loved that I was able to communicate with her personally. She was always helpful and friendly. She asked me for feedback and upon giving it, I received even more thorough and updated resources that met my needs.

I wouldn't do a move to Bali any other way! 10/10 recommend

Savannah PrinslooSouth Africa

Simone has been amazing throughout my relocation journey, always available, kind, responsive, and genuinely solution-oriented. Whether I had questions about visas, accommodation, insurance, phone registration, or cultural nuances, she either helped directly or connected me with the right person. That alone saved me countless hours of stress and confusion.
One of the biggest benefits is knowing I have a reliable, experienced point of contact I can trust, someone who's walked the same path and truly gets it.
If you're considering a move to Bali and want support that’s personal, practical, and heart-centered, I absolutely recommend Our Year in Bali.

AliceFrance

Her expertise in logistics, healthcare, banking, transportation, and the nuances of home buying versus renting was invaluable. I used all her advice and even traveled to areas of the island she recommended to ensure I was making the right decision.
Simone really took the time to understand my needs and provided personalized guidance every step of the way. She introduced me to an incredible network of people before I even arrived, and her knowledge of local systems and culture made adjusting to Bali a breeze. I felt truly supported throughout the entire process.

I can’t thank her enough for her incredible professionalism and heartfelt care. If you’re considering relocating to Bali, you need this service - they truly make the impossible feel easy!

EmilieUSA

Frequent Visitor

Even if you know Bali well as a visitor, relocating long-term comes with very different decisions, logistics, and risks.

I'd been planning on moving to Bali for a few years and was finding the abundance of information overwhelming and felt like I was never going to 'get all my ducks in a row'.
Then I discovered Simone and Our Year in Bali. It was like discovering the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!
I purchased the Silver package which suited my needs and have literally referred to the documents and links to services prepared in depth by Simone regularly.
I've been in Bali now for a little over 5 months and loving it.

CathAustralia
Cath's Full Story

Even though I have previously worked for 5 years in Indonesia and have been visiting Bali countless times for over 25 years, I really needed her help to find answers to all our questions and also solutions to issues we couldn't even dream of by connecting us with her impressive network.

We chose the Silver Package but you may be sure to find something that fits your needs, no matter what your project, duration or plan is. You’ll probably, as is our case, get way more than you expect. Simone comes back regularly to share all types of additional information and contacts. And she wraps it up in her very kind and friendly spirit.

KennethFrance

Since 1994, we have been to Bali about 30 times and even got married there but Our Year in Bali sealed the deal for us! Everything was so easy – we purchased the Silver package and that was it. We were introduced to everyone we needed like visa, banking, insurance and everything was sorted. I couldn’t believe how much easier it was, after months of fumbling around online trying to do it myself, giving up so many times!

KylieAustralia

I cannot recommend Simone and “Our Year in Bali” highly enough! Her resources have been absolutely invaluable, providing everything we needed to make our transition smooth and enjoyable. Simone’s support has been A-plus quality—she is always quick to respond and incredibly willing to help with any questions or concerns. It has truly been a blessing finding her.

BeatrizUSA
Beatriz's Full Story

Seasoned Expats

Stories from seasoned movers who realised Bali has its own rules.

“Can recommend Simone and her services wholeheartedly. My husband and I have lived in many different countries and have never used a relocation expert. However, now with 2 small kids we appreciate a knowledgeable person guiding us through the process of relocating to Bali. I especially like that it’s not an one-off service she is selling but she takes the time to check-in regularly and follows up with contacts she provided.”

MarielleGermany

We have moved countries a few times and we usually do all of our own research. We’ve learned that finding a house, doctor, dentist, school and forming other vital connections can be very time consuming!

After a hectic 2022, we bought Simone’s guide so that we could short cut the research process and get set up quickly in Bali. We really valued her medical and visa recommendations, as well as the practical information about schools. Thanks Simone!

LaurenSingapore

Simone has been an absolutely invaluable resource throughout our move to Bali. From our pre-move, online conversation with her, to welcoming us once we were on the ground, we have never felt like we were on our own during our move.
Having moved from country to country many times over the years, we are so grateful to have had Simone’s resources, experience and support on our side from the start. This has included her advice and resources regarding shipping, moving pets, banking, finding housing, finding domestic help, hiring transportation, and even helpful tips with basic local language! If you have children needing a school, I know she’s well versed in the different options in that area as well.

Her guidebook is still very much our “Go To” whenever we have a question about our new home. We are extremely glad we have that at our fingertips. Quite often, a quick WhatsApp message will be the way to go, and she’s always extremely responsive, which we truly value as well.
I think our final thought on Simone’s contribution to our seamless move to Bali would have to be robust and sincere, “Thank you, Simone, and thank you, Our Year in Bali!

PerryHong Kong

During our move from Singapore to Bali, Simone’s info and support has been invaluable. She was always at hand to give excellent advice; tailored to our needs with up to date info . The information sheets were super useful, especially the housing and packing lists.

Most invaluable is her up to date contacts list. She has also always been kind, proactive and extremely professional. I would also say that Simone has quite an international perspective, which helps when moving with third culture kids during this “digital nomad” age. Thank you so much Simone!

OliviaSingapore

Simone’s resources and research have saved us many hours of internet searching. Her first
hand account of living in Bali combined with tangible guides answer nearly all the questions we had about living in Bali.

From cost of living to neighborhoods to live in to schooling and grocery shopping, she’s thought of it all.

She is friendly and helpful to chat with and available to answer any questions you may have. We look forward to our move to Bali knowing we have the best information available to prepare us in our journey. Thank you Simone!

AlisonSingapore
Alison's Full Story
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