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For one British family, the dream of slowing down and spending more time together wasn’t just a fantasy—it became a bold new chapter. Tired of the daily grind and endless bills, Matt and Carlie made a life-changing decision: sell their house, pack up their belongings, and move their family of five to Bali. What they found was not just sunshine and beaches, but a completely new way of living.
Leaving the rat race behind
Matt Dearing, 36, was a carpenter putting in gruelling 10-hour shifts, sometimes seven days a week. His partner, Carlie Donnelley, 35, worked as a beauty therapist. Between jobs and bills, they barely had an hour a day with their three children. “It got to the point where we were working just to survive,” Matt recalls. “We weren’t really living.”
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After years of dreaming and researching, the couple made a bold move: they sold their house in the UK for €422,000, along with most of their possessions, to start fresh in Bali, Indonesia—a destination known for its year-round sunshine, vibrant culture and family-friendly pace.
Finding freedom in Ubud
They arrived in Bali in November 2022 and spent some time exploring before settling in Ubud, a lush, artistic hub in the heart of the island. There, they found a three-bedroom home with a garden stretching over 1,200 square metres. The rent? Just €2,300 a year—roughly €200 per month. That’s less than a single month’s rent in many parts of the UK.
Using the funds from their home sale, Matt and Carlie built two villas on their new plot. One will eventually be sold to finance additional properties, which they plan to rent or resell as part of a long-term plan to generate passive income.
From burnout to balance
For the couple, this wasn’t about retiring early—it was about reclaiming their time. “I used to dream about walking my kids to school,” Matt says. “Now I do it every day.” He adds that the freedom they’ve gained is priceless: more time, more sunshine, and a lot less stress.
Weekends are now spent as a family exploring waterfalls, relaxing on the beach, or visiting local attractions—not staring at a screen or stressing over bills. The shift in pace has allowed them to be more present with their children, enjoying moments they used to miss entirely.
A new kind of success
Matt and Carlie’s story isn’t just about swapping pounds for rupiah—it’s about reshaping their values. Financial freedom for them isn’t about wealth, but choice. “We’ve ticked every box,” Matt says. “The people here are lovely, the weather’s perfect, and we finally feel like we’re living the life we were meant to live.”
Their move reflects a growing trend among young families rethinking what it means to be “successful.” For some, that’s climbing the career ladder. For others, like Matt and Carlie, it’s slowing down and choosing simplicity.
With plans to continue building and investing in Bali, the couple is just getting started. But for now, they’re happy spending their days together—without the constant pressure of modern life.
And yes, all that on less rent than the average gym membership.
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David Miller is an entertainment expert with a passion for film, music, and series. With eight years in cultural criticism, he takes you behind the scenes of productions and studios. His energetic style guides you to the next big releases and trending sensations.
I mean, can you imagine? Selling the house and moving to Bali for that kinda rent? Must be nice… But hey, good for them, finding their zen in Ubud. Wish I could ditch the rat race like that.
For real, Bali sounds like a dreamy escape. I feel ya, watching from afar as they sip coconuts by the beach. Must be nice to swap the hustle for some zen vibes, huh? But hey, maybe we can all find our slice of paradise in our own way, right? Who knows, maybe our zen spot is just around the corner, waiting for us to discover it. What do you think?
I once dreamt of leaving it all behind, like this couple in Bali. €2,300 a year for rent? Sounds like a steal! But can you really escape the grind, or does paradise come with its own price tag?
Man, wish I could ditch this rat race too! €2,300 a year for rent in Bali sounds like a dream. Maybe I should trade my desk for a surfboard… What do you think, worth the leap?
Dude, I hear ya! Sounds like a slice of paradise waiting for ya in Bali. Trading your desk for a surfboard? Id say go for it! Lifes too short for what-ifs, right? Imagine those waves calling your name every morning. Just remember to pack extra sunscreen, mate!
Man, imagine ditching the rat race for Bali! €2,300 a year for rent sounds like a dream compared to city living. Wonder if the paradise lifestyle is worth the hustle.
Imagine living the Bali life, man! €2,300 a year for rent? Thats like winning the lottery compared to the city grind. But hey, is the paradise vibe really all its cracked up to be? Like, is the hustle worth the sandy toes and coconut dreams?
I mean, I can barely afford avocado toast, and these folks are living the dream in Bali for peanuts? Talk about life goals! Bet they sip on coconut water while Im stuck here with my instant coffee.
My aunt did that—now shes all about yoga and smoothie bowls. Me? Ill stick to my apartment coffee and city noise. Different strokes, I guess. €2,300 rent sounds like a dream, or a joke.
Man, I feel you on that! Yoga and smoothie bowls sound nice n all, but nothing beats the comfort of your own space, right? Apartment coffee and city noise, thats the real deal. €2,300 rent? Sounds more like a nightmare than a dream, if you ask me. Who in their right mind would pay that much just for a roof over their head?
My old neighbor did that! Said theyd be sippin coconuts on the beach, but ended up missing the chaos. Grass aint always greener, mate. €2,300 a year rent sounds like a dream… until youre stuck in paradise with no mates.
I remember when I thought Id move to Bali, live off coconuts, and call it a day. Reality check: €2,300 rent is still rent. Cant escape that rat race that easy, huh?
Imagine selling your house to chase Bali vibes? €2,300 rent a year, what a steal! Better be ready for mosquitos, rice fields, and daily yoga at sunrise. Living the dream or just a temporary escape?
I once dreamt of ditching it all for a Bali bungalow. Reality check: €2,300 rent aint exactly pocket change! Trading rat race for rice fields, huh? Sign me up… or not.
Dude, I feel ya! Bali daydreams vs. Euro rent nightmares – quite the plot twist, huh? The rice fields do sound tempting until you peek at those digits. Reality check hitting hard! Maybe a Bali bungalow in our dreams is the way to go… Keep on dreaming, mate!