Lisa Cowie, a 45-year-old former Twitter employee, relocated with her family from Hertfordshire, England, to Bali following her job loss amid Elon Musk’s acquisition of the social media company in 2022. Cowie and approximately 3,000 other employees were informed of their redundancy through sudden loss of access to company systems, prompting a significant change in the family’s lifestyle.

Before moving, Cowie lived with her husband Chris and their three children—Leo, 15, Lana, 13, and Emmie, 8—in a five-bedroom home near Bishop’s Stortford, regularly commuting to London. Although both parents held stable jobs, they had frequently discussed the idea of moving abroad for a year, but hesitations around secure employment had delayed any plans.

After losing her job, Cowie and Chris arranged an extended summer break in Bali, choosing a villa near Canggu due to its family-friendly amenities, such as football and beach clubs, and central location for exploring the island. Initially, the family intended to return to the UK, with return tickets already booked. However, midway through their stay, concerns about returning without work led them to consider an extended stay.

While Lana and Emmie were open to prolonging their time in Indonesia, Leo initially resisted, wanting to return to his school and friends. His stance softened after about a week, and the family decided to remain longer. Cowie admits she was apprehensive about informing her mother of their extended relocation but found her family supportive, with plans for visits and a return to the UK for Christmas.

The family rents a four-bedroom villa with a pool, paying £25,000 annually upfront. The villa employs staff including a housekeeper (£3,000 per year), pool maintenance (£330 per year), and a gardener (£500 per year). They continue to own their UK home, which is rented out, nearly covering the mortgage costs. The children attend international schools that cost about £23,000 annually for all three, a more affordable alternative to private British schools.

Chris works as a consultant and has invested in a padel club in Jakarta, while Lisa secured a remote communications and public relations role with an Australian firm. Despite reduced financial comfort compared to their previous lifestyle, the couple says they have adapted to the change.

Cowie appreciates Bali’s warm climate, affordability for dining out, and the ease of mobility via a moped, contrasting the long hours she once spent in traffic in the UK. She values the slower pace and moments of personal time, despite missing her dog, Coco, who remains with Chris’s parents in England, and the convenience of quick access to everyday items.

The family plans to stay in Bali for at least three more years, as Leo wishes to complete his international baccalaureate at his current school. Beyond that, they intend to remain flexible about their future plans.