Noortje moved with husband and child to Bali: ‘Financially we have lost a lot, but it doesn’t feel like that’

Noortje (36), married to Michiel (37) and mother of Jip (3): “This morning I was crying in my hammock because I missed my parents. Well, that’s part of it. Yet I can only say that it was the best decision ever to move to Bali with my husband and my son. We have been living here for ten months now and I am much happier with my life than I was in the Netherlands.

In the past ten years I just couldn’t find my way anymore. In my job as an operation assistant, I got the jitters because everything was planned for me throughout the day. Even my coffee and toilet moment were fixed. I often whined in the car to and from work because I felt so restricted in my freedom. Working like that for another thirty years seemed like a nightmare to me. I briefly tried a job in the sale of medical products, but soon realized that I was not made for selling. Although the accompanying salary of 2500 net per month was nice of course. But not so great that I got stuck in a job that didn’t make me happy at all.

Moving away

Michiel and I are backpackers, we have traveled a lot in recent years and in 2014 we made a six-month trip around the world. During that trip we also came to Bali for the first time. It is a wonderful island, where you have everything. From authentic Asian to Western, divine food, friendly people and a fantastic climate with accompanying nature.

In recent years, the idea of ​​living somewhere abroad has become more and more concrete, especially during our travels. Then when we got home, we thought it was not feasible, that we could not deliver financially. But it started to itch more and more: if we don’t do it now, it might never happen again. We didn’t want to regret something we hadn’t done.

Yet it took years for our plan to take shape. Especially when I thought about saying goodbye to my family, I was already full. I really had to grow towards that. I don’t tolerate change very well and have a strong relationship with my family. Michiel has a different view, he is less emotional. I also had sleepless nights from the idea that Jip would no longer see his grandfather and grandmother so regularly. And the nephews and nieces he grew up with. But the dream and the deeper wishes were stronger and bigger. Here he has friends too and nothing has to be forever.

Virtual

Of course I also had to come up with something with which I could generate an income. When I came across ‘virtual assistant’ in my search, it felt like angels were starting to sing. In this job I am an assistant for entrepreneurs and I help them create and fill their website, maintain their social media and set up online training courses and podcasts. But the best part: I can do this work wherever and whenever I want. Ideal, now that I live on the other side of the world. We canceled our rented house. We kept ten moving boxes full of memories with my parents. And with only three we got on a plane to Bali.

Got out of the rat race

Financially, our life has become a different story. Our income is many times lower than the 4000 euros we earned in the Netherlands. We have submitted quite a bit, but it doesn’t feel like that at all. Money is not a motive for us, we never want that rat race we had again. And we need much less here to make ends meet.

Our fixed costs in Bali – including scooters and a visa – are only 1600 euros per month. I can do that well with my company. Michiel has – in consultation of course – become a family man, so that he can spend time with our son Jip and we do not need childcare. Michiel enjoys himself very well with his vegetable garden, making furniture and chores in and around the house.

In addition, I recently started a second company as a lifestyle designer. I don’t do this to get rich, but because I want to inspire people to live the life they dream of – as we have done. I want to tell them that you really don’t need rich parents or a lot of money to do this. It was not; we had next to nothing when we left to make our dream come true.

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Simple and simple

Because it still feels like a dream every day. Life in Bali is so much simpler and simpler than in the Netherlands. We found what we were looking for. We live in a beautiful detached villa, in a street with only three houses. I get up with the sunrise. Furthermore, we mainly live outside, without having to do too much, plans and appointments. We walk barefoot for most of the day. We don’t worry much and are no longer in a hurry. You don’t necessarily have to look for this in Bali – that is also possible in the Netherlands, but the climate, the relaxed atmosphere and the beautiful nature make things easier.

Jip thinks it is fantastic that he can swim in the sea here every day and build sand castles. He also regularly goes on a ‘monkey tour’ with Michiel, watching the wild monkeys together when I am at work. He likes it all and likes it equally. Almost everything that makes me happy costs nothing at all. And you can make it as expensive as you want: you have local supermarkets where the prices are lower than in the western supermarkets. We spend an average of 160 euros per month on groceries. We eat a lot of fruit and vegetables and that is very cheap. Eating out can be both expensive and cheap. You can eat out with the three of you for as little as five euros, at a hipper place you will lose about thirty euros.

Longing back

Besides my family, I don’t really miss anything from the Netherlands. Maybe a little bit of De Efteling, because I always liked to go there. I don’t even long for the lively social life that we had in the Netherlands. Our family is enough for me and sometimes a cup of coffee or a yoga class with a Dutch friend here. It is all so much clearer.

The only thing I have to pay attention to is my working hours. Due to the time difference with my Dutch customers, I sometimes have the tendency to work for them at any time of the day. I also have to think about my own moments of rest. ”

This article can be found in Kek Mama 01-2021.

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