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A New Way of Living: Trading Boardrooms for Bali Beaches
For Hayley Trow, a mother of one, and her husband Lewis, the decision to leave behind their stable lives in the UK was not an easy one. However, they have found that trading boardrooms for Bali beaches has been the best decision they’ve ever made. Their journey began with a gap year, which they embarked on with their six-year-old daughter, Nyla, in July. What started as a dream of traveling the world turned into a life-changing experience that has redefined their perspective on living costs and family time.
The couple initially thought that leaving everything behind would be financially challenging, but they discovered that it’s actually more cost-effective to live while traveling than to stay in the UK. After months of saving and planning, they left their jobs, rented home in Cheshire, and even deregistered Nyla from school. Their budget for travel is between £2,000 and £3,000 per month, which is significantly lower than their previous monthly expenses of £4,000 to £5,000. While traveling, they now spend around £1,500 to £2,000 per month, which is roughly 50% less than what they used to spend back home.
The Inspiration for Adventure
Hayley and Lewis decided to take a gap year after a holiday in Australia in 2022, where they caught the travel bug. Both had spent years climbing the corporate ladder, working in IT recruitment and other leadership roles. But after years of long hours and limited time with their daughter, they realized they were living for just two holidays a year. They wanted more time together, more adventure, and more freedom for Nyla.
Their decision to leave their well-paid jobs and comfortable lifestyle was met with concern from friends and family. However, the couple knew it was the right choice for them. “To get up and leave can feel daunting, but we knew deep down it was the right decision for us as a family,” Hayley said.
Planning the Journey
The family spent seven months planning their trip, including moving in with Lewis’ parents for six months to save money. They worked hard to strip back their lifestyle, making small sacrifices for the opportunity to live differently. Nyla’s school was very supportive of the family’s decision, and they found it simple to take her out of school. She continues her education through online tutoring aligned with the UK curriculum and has also enrolled temporarily at a multicultural school in Bali.
Exploring the World Together
The family kicked off their travels in Paris, celebrating Nyla’s birthday at Disneyland Paris before spending four weeks exploring Italy, including Lake Como, Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome, Naples, and Puglia. From there, they flew to Bali, where they will stay and explore until November. After Bali, they plan to travel to Australia, where they’ll rent a campervan to explore the country. In the New Year, they will move on to Singapore, followed by Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.
Making Memories That Last
While it’s hard for them to be away from home, the family says it’s a sacrifice they’re happy to make. “It’s all worth it because we’ll never get this time back,” Hayley said. “Nyla still wants to spend every second with us, and we know that won’t last forever. We wanted to make memories now, not ‘one day.’ When she looks back, she won’t remember us being stressed about work – she’ll remember chasing waterfalls in Bali.”
Despite the challenges of spending 24/7 together, the couple has no regrets. “It’s a huge adjustment from our old lives,” Hayley explained. “But compared to juggling the school run with late-night emails? We’ll take the chaos of travel any day.”
Advice for Other Families
Hayley and Lewis are grateful for the time they’ve spent reconnecting with each other and believe other families should consider taking the same leap. “I’d recommend to any family that has similar aspirations to travel as a family to do it – don’t wait,” Hayley said. “Don’t put it on hold until you’ve got the promotion or had the health scare, or lost a loved one. There’s no right timing – you’ve just got to be all in as a family.”