Meet Rebecca, John, and their two-year-old daughter, Olive, who moved from the US to Bali. Drawn by a unique job opportunity, they embraced a fresh start in Sanur. From exploring Bali’s vibrant landscapes to joining a supportive expat community, they’ve found an ideal balance for family life and adventure.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Where are you originally from?
Rebecca, John and 2 year old Olive! We are from Richmond, Virginia!
When did you first arrive in Bali, and how long do you wish to live here?
We arrived in late July! My husband’s contract at work is for 2 years, but we will see.
What motivated you to move to Bali, and how did you go about making the decision to do so?
My husband is a teacher, and got a job here teaching at an international school. We found out about the job posting in early January and within 2 weeks he had accepted it and we were moving to Bali! It all seemed very kismet and we knew it was a sign. It all happened very fast, and to be honest, if it hadn’t been that way, I may have chickened out. We had to sell our house and all of our belongings which was quite the undertaking, but we are so glad we did.
You chose to live in Sanur. Please describe the neighbourhood, community, etc.
John’s job brought us to Sanur, but knowing how great Sanur is for families, we knew after some brief research that was the right decision. We live in a quiet neighborhood west of the bypass and it is perfect for us. We can be at the beach in 5 mins via motorbike and 10 on our bicycles. Plus, we can walk and bike through the rice fields. Best of both worlds.
As a family, how has the transition been, and what benefits do you think Bali will provide the family?
We have adjusted really well, pretty quickly, I have to admit. We were looking for a change and it has been really great for our family, especially for Olive! She’s a bit of a wild, free spirit already and Bali is definitely her vibe. We spend so much more time outside than we did back in Virginia, and there are so many more opportunities for toddlers here.
As a parent of a toddler, how would you describe the parent community in Sanur? What makes it appealing or supportive for families with young children?
We have already made so many new friends here. Not only are the Balinese people so friendly, but also Bali attracts friendly people. The Expat community is great here and I am in multiple Mum WhatsApp groups where we all help each other out, plan play dates and social gatherings. I was a little worried about making friends outside the school community, but it has been actually easy. 10/10 recommend 😀 Plus, Sanur has so many great restaurants with playgrounds, not to mention of course, the beach! There is always something to do with kids here at any time of day, no matter the weather.
How has the cost of living compared to back in the United States? What are you able to afford that you wouldn’t normally, for example?
This is a complicated one 😀 We went pretty much from two incomes down to one, so I would say right now, it is about even until I start working more. Groceries, eating out and general shopping is definitely cheaper than the US but right now I wouldn’t say we are exactly saving money. That being said, we are able to afford a Pembantu (nanny/housekeeper) who helps us out with Olive and around the house. We absolutely never would have been able to afford that at home, even on dual income!
How has living in Bali influenced your personal and professional life, and what opportunities have you found here?
Our personal lives and wellbeing have improved ten fold since being here. Bali really is magical in that way. John loves his job, which has been challenging and new because of differing curriculum, but he was ready for a change so it has been excellent for him professionally! I am help my mom run a small business back home and am a freelancer, social media manager, influencer and content creator and am currently looking to take on a few new clients. Hopefully I can put some effort into making headway there soon now that we are settled.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced?
I would say just missing our families. Life here is amazing, but we are really close to our siblings, parents, neices and nephews and we do really miss them. ALSO, just the little yet big differences in our everyday life. It has taken us a couple of months to get used to things like “topping up power” and putting on bug spray and sunscreen multiple times of day! We luckily haven’t run into any major problems since we’ve been here aside from just how different our life is in comparison to living in the US.
What are your favourite things to do in Bali? Any new hobbies and interests?
We love traveling! Our goal is to see as much of the island as we can. We have already been to Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Dua, Bedugul, Manggis, Uluwatu and Ubud in under 3 months! Its amazing how you can be in the jungle in 30 mins, the mountains in an hour and at the beach in 5. It is what makes this island so special.
What is a day in a life?
John leaves for work at about 7:15 and our Pembantu comes at 8:30! She and Olive will usually go to KidzCafe or KidsSoho to play or we will all go to the beach playground! When they are gone, I usually get things done around the house or get my computer out to do some work. Naptime is after lunch and I will do some work for my mom’s business then. We will go for a swim at our house usually after naptime and when John gets home from school, we likely will bike or motorbike over to the beach for happy hour and dinner. Happy Hours on the beach are another one of our favorite things about living in Bali!
What do you think are the biggest misconceptions about Bali, and how would you correct them?
Bali isn’t just a romantic honeymoon destination or a place for yogis. It isn’t white sand beaches and luxury resorts. Sure, these things are also true but it is so much more! It is absolutely amazing for children and the opportunities here for new adventures are unmatched.
What has been some of your favourite discoveries so far and findings travelling beyond Bali?
We haven’t made it out of Bali yet, but look forward to exploring more of Southeast Asia and hopefully Australia too! For now, we are just focusing on exploring this island and all it has to offer.
What are some factors that families looking to live in Bali should consider?
If you are looking for a change, this is it. No matter where you are coming from, it is different from Bali. I can’t speak for those who don’t already have a job lined up here, as that was not something we had to navigate, but my one piece of advice is: TAKE THE LEAP! There are challenges, for sure, but all of the benefits for our family have greatly outweighed the tough days. I can say without a doubt that you won’t regret it. Especially if you like traveling and meeting new people.
