A British family has dramatically reduced their monthly living costs by moving from the UK to Bali, saving £2,783 every month. Joseph Oxley, 37, and his wife Rebecca, 37, who home-schools their three children, sold their four-bedroom house in Darley Dale, Derbyshire, for £390,000 and left the UK in February 2026. After a brief stay in Thailand, they have been living in Bali since April, where their total monthly outgoings amount to just £1,760, compared to the £4,543 they were spending in the UK.
Cancer Scare Triggered the Move
The family had talked about moving abroad for years but always found reasons to delay. The decision came when Rebecca discovered a lump in her neck and doctors warned there was an 80% chance it could be cancer. Joseph, a self-employed telecommunications worker, said: "The world fell in. We didn't know what to do. My wife survived breast cancer when she was 22, so hearing that was a massive blow." The couple paid for private medical tests, which revealed the lump was benign, but the scare convinced them they could no longer wait. Joseph added: "Once we got that result, we weren't waiting anymore. We were going."
From the 'Hamster Wheel' to a Slower Pace
Joseph described life in the UK as a "hamster wheel" of relentless work to make ends meet, leaving little time for family. "It was just relentless working a job just to make ends meet and never seeing your kids - what kind of life is that?" he said. The family had originally planned to move to Australia after a holiday in October 2024, but suitable work opportunities were scarce. A family trip to Spain in summer 2025 further cemented their decision. Joseph recalled: "We were standing in the sea having a chat and saying, what are we doing? We were spending time on the beach in a good climate and hated the thought of going back." Within a week of returning home, their house was on the market.
Cost of Living Comparison: UK vs Bali
The financial benefits of the move are substantial. In the UK, the family spent £1,387 on mortgage repayments, £290 on energy bills, £316 on council tax, £950 on transport, and £1,600 on food, totalling £4,543 per month. In Bali, their rent for a private villa with a pool is just £600, energy bills are included in the rent, council tax is non-existent, transport costs £60, and food costs £1,100, bringing the total to £1,760. Joseph noted: "If you went for a pub meal for five in England you're looking at £100 at least. In Bali, five of us can eat out for around £50 including drinks and desserts."
Positive Lifestyle Changes
The family has embraced the slower pace of life in Bali. Joseph said: "We feel a lot more relaxed. We've realised that not everything has to happen right now. In the UK you have next-day delivery and everything is urgent. In South East Asia it's more like, if it doesn't get done today, it'll get done at some point." Rebecca highlighted the friendliness of local people: "When we were in Thailand we thought you couldn't meet nicer people, but in Bali everyone is so helpful, friendly and positive. They're very proud of their culture and traditions and love teaching people about them." The couple's three children, aged 13, 11 and six, have also thrived. Joseph observed: "You could see the stress in them in the UK, which is crazy because kids should be kids. Here they're happier, lighter and enjoying themselves."
