In a world where financial freedom often feels out of reach, Matt and Carlie’s story reads like a modern fairy tale: ditch the daily grind, swap grey skies for tropical breezes and wake up next to a rice-terraced valley. Their bold move from Manchester to Bali proves that, with a clear plan and a dash of courage, you can rewrite your family’s future—and pay just €2 300 a year in rent.
Trading Manchester for Bali
Matt Dearing, 36, spent his days crafting bespoke furniture in Manchester, often logging ten-hour shifts—and sometimes seven days in a row—just to keep the bills paid. Carlie, 35, worked as an esthetician, but between clients and commutes, precious moments with their three children slipped through their fingers.
“We were living to work, not working to live,” Matt recalls. Frustrated by frantic mornings and bedtime stories read from the car, they sold their three-bedroom home for €422 000. Armed with Google searches and phone calls to expat forums, they picked Bali for its year-round sunshine, friendly locals and steady tourist flow, attributes highlighted in the 2024 Expat Insider survey, where Indonesia ranks third out of 53 destinations for expat happiness, thanks to low costs (4th), welcoming people (2nd) and an exceptional work–life balance (1st).
Building a villa empire
Arriving in November 2022, the family toured Ubud’s winding lanes before snapping up a 1 200 m² plot. Their three-bedroom house, now rented for just €2 300 per year, felt like a steal compared to Manchester mortgages. But they didn’t stop there. With their sale proceeds, Matt and Carlie erected two self-contained villas—rooms with jungle views, private pools and open-air living spaces designed for both comfort and cash flow.
“Our initial thought was simple: let the villas pay for themselves,” says Carlie. “Once one sells, we build more—and eventually, live off the rentals alone.” Their plan mirrors a trend noted by the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism, which reported that Bali welcomed 5.37 million international visitors through December 2023, underlining the island’s booming holiday-rental market.
Living the dream with family
Today, mornings begin with school drop-offs in Ubud, not frantic commutes. Afternoons bring walks through nearby rice paddies, and weekends revolve around beach picnics or waterfall treks. In quieter moments, Matt reflects on the contrast: “Back in Manchester, I’d rush home just to catch bedtime. Here, I’m baking pancakes with my kids every Saturday.”
Their dream lifestyle combines family time with a growing property portfolio—and the promise of villa investment returns that could one day replace a 9-to-5 income altogether. It’s a testament to the power of thoughtful risk-taking and the belief that, sometimes, selling everything isn’t about losing; it’s about choosing what matters most.
By anchoring their lives to Bali’s serene landscapes and strategic real-estate moves, Matt and Carlie have not only found quality of life but also forged a blueprint for others seeking to trade routines for riches—in memories rather than money alone.
I’m Jules, passionate about current events and travel. Curious about the world, I explore trends, analyze events, and share my discoveries. Through my insights and stories, I take you across the globe to fuel your curiosity and thirst for adventure.
