A woman has recounted how a stressful, demanding job prompted a shift in perspective that led her to relocate to Bali at the age of 59 with minimal resources, ultimately rebuilding her life from scratch. Kellie, now 64, spent 17 years working for a private pathology company and later served as a frontline worker during the Covid-19 pandemic before making the move to Sanur approximately five years ago, relying solely on her superannuation savings. Today, she resides comfortably with her husband Darius, whom she met in the popular tourist destination, and she earns income by painting and selling her artwork.
Early Life and Challenges
Born in Darwin, Kellie spent time living in Canberra, Sydney, and Singapore with her father, who served in the navy, before settling on the Central Coast as a young adult. In an interview with the YouTube channel Sanur Diaries, she revealed that she was a single mother for most of her adult life, describing it as a particularly difficult period. 'I raised my daughter by myself since she was four weeks old, but I had no family nearby to help with childcare, and finding affordable care was tough,' she said. 'I had to rely on the single parent pension for a while.' Despite these hardships, her daughter went on to become an award-winning writer.
The Decision to Move
Kellie explained that she reached a breaking point during the pandemic, which spurred her decision to move, even though she had only visited Bali once before. 'I was someone who never thought I'd go to Bali, but I visited in 2018 and realised it's a fantastic place,' she said. 'I thought I might like to live there someday, and during Covid, I decided it was now or never. I sold most of my belongings and was lucky enough to have a friend who knew someone living in Bali.'
The transition to Sanur was not without difficulties. Kellie disclosed that she first quarantined in Jakarta for five days upon arrival in Indonesia, followed by an additional 14-day quarantine in Seminyak. 'After that, I stayed in a hotel in Legian for a month to explore where I wanted to settle before discovering Sanur and thinking, "this place is wonderful,"' she recalled.
Building a New Life
Initially frightened, Kellie received substantial support from others. 'I only knew one person here, but I was fortunate to connect with other Australian women who were incredibly helpful,' she said. 'They took me places and showed me around, and I will always be grateful for that.' Once settled, her intention was to live a simple, happy life, but a chance meeting through a mutual friend led her to Darius. 'I met him through a friend, then again at a venue where we were watching a band,' she said. 'We have been together ever since.'
Living Affordably in Bali
The couple resides in a spacious Indonesian-style house within walking distance of cafes, supermarkets, and a fruit shop. Kellie demonstrated that it is possible to enjoy life in Bali on a modest budget. Her annual rent is 45 million Indonesian Rupiah, which she paid upfront for five years, securing the property until around 2032. She also pays approximately $50 per month for electricity. While hot water is available, she chooses not to use it because the water is already warm enough, and it helps save money. The home includes a basic kitchen, a reasonably priced swimming pool, and a Western-style toilet.
Kellie emphasised that affordable accommodations like hers are available in many parts of Bali, but they require effort to find. 'You need to know where to look, do your research, and dig deeper,' she advised. 'You cannot just arrive and expect to get everything you want immediately.'
Financial Considerations
Kellie is three years away from qualifying for the Australian age pension, but Services Australia requires applicants to be living in the country for the two years prior to applying. However, she is willing to forgo her pension to remain in Sanur, although that was not her original plan. 'I intended to live frugally until pension age and then return to Australia,' she said. 'But I received an inheritance from my mother. While it is not substantial, I manage by sticking to a budget. My husband also works and supports himself.' She added that she is not concerned because she can always return to Australia if she runs out of money.
