Couple who left the UK for Bali reveal they save nearly £3,000 on their monthly bills - and say their three children are no longer 'stressed'

By JESSICA GREEN, ASSISTANT LIFESTYLE EDITOR A British family who swapped the 'hamster wheel' of life in the UK for Bali have revealed they save £2,783 on their monthly bills. Joseph Oxley and wife Rebecca, who home-schools their three children, had talked for years about moving abroad. The pair, both 37, always found reasons to put the dream on hold until Rebecca's cancer scare prompted them to move. The family sold their four bed home in Darley Dale, Derbyshire, for £390,000 and left the UK for Thailand in February 2026. They have now been in Bali since April – paying just £1,760 a month for all their outgoings, in comparison to the £4,543 they were spending in the UK. The parents have also claimed their children appear 'less stressed' in the relaxed environment. Joseph, a self-employed telecommunications worker, said: 'It was something we spoke about for years, but it was always one of those things we would do one day. There was always a reason or an excuse not to do it. 'It was just relentless working a job just to make ends meet and never seeing your kids – what kind of life is that? It has got so ridiculous in the UK, you have a pay cheque and it goes before your eyes.' The couple decided to move when Rebecca discovered a lump in her neck and doctors warned there was an 80 per cent chance it could be cancer. Joseph Oxley and wife Rebecca with their three children in Bali, Indonesia  Joseph 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. 'She said we were not put on this world just for bricks and water, to chase debt and be too busy raising our kids because we're working so much.' The family paid for private medical tests and were relieved to discover the lump was benign. But the scare convinced them they could no longer delay their plans to move abroad. Joseph said: 'Once we got that result, we weren't waiting anymore. We were going.' The family had originally planned to move to Australia permanently – after falling in love with it on a family holiday in October 2024 – but struggled to find suitable work opportunities. Joseph said: 'We went on a family trip to Australia and thought, wow, this is an amazing place. The climate, the atmosphere and the way of life were incredible. 'We just felt like we were on the hamster wheel in England. Australia felt much more laid back. 'There were beaches, the sea, the climate and a better work-life balance where you're not killing yourself working all the time.' A family holiday to Spain in summer 2025 cemented their decision to leave the UK. Joseph said: '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. Joseph Oxley and wife Rebecca, who home-schools their three children, had talked for years about moving abroad 'So we decided to put the house on the market and figure everything else out later.' Within a week of returning home, the family's house was up for sale. The property sold for around £390,000 and they accepted an offer in October 2025 before leaving the UK in February this year. Their original plan was to travel around South-East Asia before eventually reaching Australia, but world events altered their route. Joseph said: 'We went to Thailand and planned to go on to Vietnam and the Philippines before Bali and Australia. 'But because of what was happening in the Middle East we changed our plans and came straight to Bali.' The family have now been living in Bali since April and say the slower pace of life has transformed their outlook. 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. 'People are so positive and that's started to rub off on us. Instead of worrying about bills and money all the time, we're enjoying each other and the slower pace of life.' The lower cost of living has also been a major benefit. They were paying £1,387 a month for their mortgage repayments but now rent a private villa with a pool for just £600 a month – and the beach is just a 1km walk away. Joseph said: '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.' Rebecca said the friendliness of local people has been one of the biggest surprises. She said: '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 embraced their new surroundings. Joseph said: '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. They're learning the language and culture, making friends and experiencing life outside a classroom. 'We don't know exactly where we'll end up yet. Australia is still on the cards, but right now we're enjoying the freedom.' Energy bills: £0 - Included in rent. The comments below have not been moderated. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. 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