Bali: Slower Life, More Savings
British Family Relocates to Bali, Saving Nearly £2,800 Monthly After Cancer Scare
Key Points
They had originally planned to move to Australia permanently after loving it on a family holiday in October 2024, but struggled to find suitable work opportunities there.
A family holiday to Spain in summer 2025 cemented their decision to leave the UK for Bali.
Rebecca’s 80% cancer risk scare prompted private medical testing, which ultimately confirmed the neck lump was benign.
They initially planned a route via Thailand to Vietnam and the Philippines before Bali, but disruptions in the Middle East led them to skip those stops and go straight to Bali; they left the UK for Thailand in February 2026 and have been based in Bali since April 2026.
A British family of five has slashed their monthly bills from £4,543 to £1,760 by swapping Derbyshire for Bali — saving roughly £2,783 every month, according to Daily Mail. Joseph and Rebecca Oxley, both 37, sold their four-bedroom home in Darley Dale for £390,000 and relocated to the Indonesian island with their three children, where they have lived since April 2026.
The move was years in the making, but a health scare pushed them to finally act. Rebecca faced an 80% risk assessment for cancer after finding a lump on her neck. Private tests later confirmed it was benign — but the scare made the couple stop putting off their plans, Yahoo reported.
A Cancer Scare Broke the Hamster Wheel
The Oxleys had talked about living abroad for years. But like many families, life kept getting in the way. Joseph told Derbyshire Times they felt stuck on a "hamster wheel" — working long hours, seeing little of each other, and never slowing down. They wanted more time together and a healthier balance between work and family life.
Rebecca's cancer scare changed everything. An 80% risk assessment sent the couple to private medical testing. When results came back clear, the relief didn't make them forget the fear. Instead, it crystallised a decision they had delayed too long. They stopped waiting for the "right time" and started planning the move in earnest, Head Topics reported.
Australia Dream Fell Through, Bali Stepped In
The family's first choice was not Bali. A holiday to Australia in October 2024 made them fall in love with the country. They wanted to move there permanently. But they could not find suitable work, so Australia was ruled out, according to Daily Mail.
A summer 2025 trip to Spain cemented their urge to leave the UK. The original plan was a route through Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines before Bali. But disruptions in the Middle East forced them to skip those stops. They left the UK for Thailand in February 2026 and arrived in Bali by April 2026, where they have stayed since, Yahoo reported.
Monthly Bills Drop by More Than Half in Bali
The financial difference is stark. Back in Derbyshire, the family spent around £4,543 a month. In Bali, they get by on £1,760. That is a saving of £2,783 every month — or roughly £33,000 a year. The lower cost of living covers food, rent, and daily expenses at a fraction of UK prices, according to Derbyshire Times.
The family homeschools their three children, which gives them flexibility to live anywhere. Joseph and Rebecca say the financial pressure they felt in the UK has lifted. The extra money and extra time have changed their daily life completely, Head Topics noted.
Bali's Community and Calm Win the Family Over
The Oxleys say Bali offers more than just cheaper bills. The pace of life is slower. The community is welcoming. Rebecca and Joseph credit the island's relaxed lifestyle with reducing stress — not just for themselves, but for their children too, according to Daily Mail.
The children have settled in well. The parents say the move has brought the family closer together — exactly what they were missing on the hamster wheel back home. For a family that nearly let fear of change keep them in Derbyshire, Bali has delivered the life they spent years dreaming about, Head Topics reported.
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