Carlie Donnelley and Matt Dearing made a bold decision two years ago.
Fed up with the grey skies and routine of life in Manchester, they packed up their family — including their three young kids — and set off for Bali, chasing a dream of island life and financial freedom.
What seemed like a perfect fresh start quickly became a rollercoaster of emotions and unexpected challenges.
Trading a Manchester Home for Paradise
Back in Manchester, the couple owned a three-bedroom house worth £365,000.
They sold it to rent a similar-sized home in Ubud, Bali, for just £2,000 a year — a huge saving.
Their plan was ambitious: start a construction company called Serenity Living Bali and build luxury villas to rent or sell, creating a lifestyle far removed from the stress of UK city life.
Dreams vs. Reality: The Relationship Breaks Down
Unfortunately, just one year after their move, Carlie and Matt’s 15-year relationship came to an end.
Matt moved out, leaving Carlie to raise their three children alone in a foreign country.
Speaking from her rented home in Bali, Carlie was honest about how things didn’t go according to plan.
“It’s paradise, but it’s also been really tough emotionally,” she shared.
“I never imagined it would be like this, but I don’t regret the move.
The people here are kind, driven, and positive — that’s helped me a lot.”
Navigating Single Motherhood Thousands of Miles from Home
Carlie’s TikTok account has become a space where she shares her life as a single mom in Bali, openly talking about heartbreak and daily struggles.
Despite missing the support of family back in Manchester, she’s determined to make the best of her new life.
“It’s hard, but my kids love it here,” she said.
“I want other single mothers to see that building a new life abroad, even when it’s tough, is possible.
The good moments still outweigh the bad.”
Matt’s Vanishing Act and New Paths
Since the split, Matt has disappeared from social media and their joint business accounts for Serenity Living Bali have been deleted.
It’s unclear what direction his life in Indonesia has taken.
This is a far cry from their original vision when they first moved.
Why They Left the UK in the First Place
Before the move, Matt was exhausted from working long hours and struggling to spend quality time with his children.
Despite owning five houses in Manchester, he felt stuck and wanted a quicker path to financial freedom.
“We sold our UK home and bought a plot in Bali to build two villas,” Matt explained.
“The weather’s great, the people are lovely, and it felt like we struck gold.
I finally get to drop the kids off and pick them up — something I dreamed of for years.”
Facing Challenges Without a Support Network
Even with the idyllic setting, the move meant losing their close family network.
“The hardest part is not having that support here,” Matt admitted.
They hoped to bring their extended family to visit and planned trips back to the UK for a few months at a time.
Carlie has visited Manchester once in two years to see her sick grandfather, but the kids haven’t left Bali since the big move.
Looking Ahead: Finding Strength in Change
Despite all the setbacks, Carlie remains hopeful.
She’s focused on rebuilding her life and continuing to raise her children in this new environment.
“Life can be falling apart and coming together all at once,” she reflected.
“I’m going through one of the hardest times, but also living some of the best moments.
Bali is where I’m healing and growing — and I’m determined to make it work.”