Kate and Leigh found themselves nestled in a cozy café in Erskineville, a suburb of Sydney, with no grand plans, merely looking forward to a brief escape from their routine.
Leigh was about to embark on long service leave, while Kate was taking a break from her career. However, what began as a simple conversation quickly transformed into a daring leap of faith: relocating their family, including their two children, to the vibrant island of Bali.
“I pictured us just wandering around Sydney, drinking coffee aimlessly,” Kate reflected. “Then it hit us—why not seize the opportunity to do something truly extraordinary?”
In a matter of months, the family swapped the hustle and bustle of Sydney’s city life for the serene scooter rides through Bali’s lush rice paddies. School drop-offs were traded for surfing lessons, and the soaring expenses of Sydney were left behind for Bali’s more relaxed and affordable lifestyle.
What was initially intended as a 16-month getaway evolved into more than just a break—it became a transformative lifestyle overhaul.
Their 16-month adventure became more than a sabbatical – it was a complete lifestyle reset.
They settled in Canggu, choosing Canggu Community School after Kate toured five different campuses across the island.
The kids adapted quickly. Annie had a birthday party with ten new friends just weeks after arriving. Flynn found his rhythm with gym sessions and surfing.
Kate, Leigh and their children (pictured) packed up their lives in Sydney and moved to Bali
‘The kids settled faster than we did. Within two months, we had routines, favourite warungs, and a community,’ Kate said.
Their days were filled with wellness activities, yoga, breathwork, cold plunges, and gym workouts.
Kate even overcame her fear of scooters, eventually embracing the freedom of zipping through Bali’s bustling streets.
The family tried living in two neighbourhoods, Umalas and Canggu, each offering a different vibe.
Umalas was more residential and close to school, while Canggu had a stronger expat community and a deeper local connection.
Healthcare, often a concern for expats, turned out to be a pleasant surprise.
From house calls to affordable procedures, the family has found Bali’s medical system more responsive than Sydney’s.
‘The nurse who comes to our villa is the best I’ve ever had,’ Kate says.
The family say that the cost of living changes are the most noticeable in their Bali lifestyle
One of their most noticeable changes was the cost of living.
Local meals for a family-of-four cost just $15, while transport via Gojek scooters was rarely more than $1.20.
Villas ranged from $AUD25,000 to $140,000 per year, and often included household staff, cleaners, gardeners, and pool maintenance.
‘We live in gym clothes,’ Leigh said.
‘We’ve simplified everything. It’s healthier, cheaper, and we spend more time together.’
Originally planning to spend nine months in Bali, the family extended their stay to 16 months after seeing how much their children thrived.
‘It’s like a student exchange, but we got to come with them,’ Kate says.
The family’s story is part of a much bigger trend.
Kate and Leigh are among a rising trend in Aussies leaving Australia due to cost of living
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 30,470 more Australians left than returned in 2022–23, followed by 24,170 in 2023–24, the highest net departures in nearly a decade.
Increasingly, it’s not just retirees or backpackers leaving it’s young families and professionals seeking better financial futures.
Dubai is another hotspot, attracting Australians with its zero income tax, safety, and luxury lifestyle.
Back home, the pressure is mounting.
The University of Melbourne’s HILDA report reveals that Australians are working longer and paying more tax than ever.
The average tax rate for full-time workers has surged to 20.3 per cent, the highest since records began in 2001.
Australians in their 30s to 50s are bearing the brunt, with many delaying retirement due to financial strain.
And the stress is reshaping family life.
Simone Collins, founder of Our Year in Bali (pictured) helps Aussies relocate to the island
Australia’s fertility rate has plunged to a record low of 1.461 births per woman, well below the replacement level of 2.1.
Experts warn the country is entering ‘ultra-low fertility territory’, a demographic cliff that can be difficult to reverse.
With more Aussies moving overseas, experts fear a looming ‘brain drain’, a loss of talent to countries offering a better quality of life and financial freedom.
Simone Collins, founder of Our Year in Bali, has helped families, including Kate and Leigh relocate to the island.
She says motivations for the move are changing.
‘Before, it was all about adventure,’ she told Daily Mail.
‘Now, it’s about survival. Families are coming to Bali because they’re overwhelmed by the cost of living in Australia, especially childcare, housing, and everyday expenses.’
Ms Collins says she’s seen a surge in inquiries from young families and retirees alike, particularly from Sydney and Melbourne.
Bali offers expats a laidback lifestyle, a focus on wellness and a better cost of living (stock)
‘People are exhausted. They’re working long hours, paying high taxes, and missing time with their kids. In Bali, their money goes further, and they get their time back.’
The savings are substantial.
‘Food is at least 30 to 40 per cent cheaper. Transport, domestic help, and childcare are dramatically more affordable. Even if housing costs are similar, you’re getting a villa with a pool and staff, not a cramped apartment,’ Ms Collins said.
For many, the move isn’t just financial, it’s emotional.
‘They’re sick of the grind. Bali offers breathing space, better value, and a chance to reset. The money equals more time. And that’s what people are really chasing.’
