Joseph Oxley and wife Rebecca always found reasons to put the dream on hold until Rebecca’s cancer scare prompted them to move
A British family ditched the “hamster wheel” of UK life to move abroad and claim they’re saving £2,783 on their monthly outgoings.
Joseph Oxley, 37, and wife Rebecca, 37, who home-educate their three children, had discussed relocating abroad for years. Yet they continually found excuses to delay the dream until Rebecca’s cancer scare spurred them into action.
The family sold their four-bedroom property in Darley Dale, Derbyshire, for £390,000 and departed the UK for Thailand in February 2026. They’ve been based in Bali since April – spending just £1,760 monthly on all their expenses, compared to the £4,543 they were shelling out in the UK.
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 made their decision when Rebecca discovered a lump in her neck and medics warned there was an 80 per cent chance it could be cancer.
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 forked out for private medical tests and were greatly relieved to learn the lump was benign. However, the frightening ordeal convinced them they could no longer put off their plans to relocate abroad.
Joseph said: “Once we got that result, we weren’t waiting anymore. We were going.”
The family had originally set their sights on permanently moving to Australia — having fallen head over heels for the country during a family holiday in October 2024 — but struggled to find suitable employment 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 break to Spain in summer 2025 then sealed their resolve to quit the UK for good.
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. So we decided to put the house on the market and figure everything else out later.”
Within a week of returning home, the family had put their house on the market. The property fetched around £390,000, with an offer accepted in October 2025 before they departed the UK in February this year.
Their initial plan was to travel through South East Asia before ultimately reaching Australia, but global events forced them to rethink 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 has now been based in Bali since April, and say the more leisurely pace of life has completely 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 considerably lower cost of living has proved to be another huge advantage. Back home they were shelling out £1,387 a month on mortgage repayments, whereas their current private villa with a pool costs just £600 a month in rent – with the beach a mere 1km stroll away.
Joseph explained: “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 revealed that the warmth of the local community had come as one of the greatest surprises during their time there.
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 youngsters, aged 13, 11 and six, have also taken their new environment in their stride.
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.”
Cost breakdown
UK
Mortgage: £1,387
Energy bills: £290
Council tax: £316
Transport: £950
Food: £1,600
Total: £4,543
Bali as a non-tourist
Rent: £600
Energy bills: £0 – Included in rent
Council tax: £0
Transport: £60
Food: £1,100
Total: £1,760
