On the move - phase 1

Like most of you reading this this ultimate aim of what we do (investment wise) is to retire. How 'retirement' looks differs for all of us. However, I will use my definition as my definition.

As most of you already know I have been living and working outide of Austalia for a number of years. While many people have a goal to live and work in Australia, then retire on an island paridise, my aim is to actaully retire back in Australia - after traveling and living abroad extensively.

So - we implimented phase one of our retirment. We can now official say we live in Bali.
Mrs Blacky quit work last week and flew out today (with kids), and will meet our belongings in bali sometime in the next week or so. For the time being I will continue to work in Kazakhstan on a 28/28 rotation (28 days on 28days off).

We are ahead of the plan by about 2years with this move. And in actual fact it may delay my complete retirement for a couple of years. So a couple of years more working, at the expense of a couple of years living in Bali. A 'sacrifice' I am happy to be making.
Mrs Blacky has had a particularly difficult 18months and working full time with a new-born in the house is hard. Plus her work was kind of crappy (albiet lucrative) and she really wasnt enjoying life at all.
So we made the decision to move early and enjoy the island life for a few years.

So - why Bali. In short we wanted something closer to Australia, easy visas, kid friendly and a beach close by.
We took a 12month lease on a nice enough 4x2house (nothing too luxury) in the south east coast of the island. About a 15m walk to the beach.

The financial impact of this is quite significant to the family - however, we decided that we really do have 'enough' and working for 'more' while being misserable isnt in anyones best interest.
A couple of years of reduced travel, less work and a 'simpler' life will be good for all of us.

Blacky

 

Kudos.
What about the social impact for your children?

 

For the young one - nil. Hes happy with a cookie (18months).
For the older one it is significant - and we are not under stating it. We moved 4years ago to our current place, so uprooting him again isnt ideal. In saying that he too has struggled in our current location. The school is very small, in some instance he is the only student in a class. He has 4other kids the same age. He is looking forward to the move - though I know he will find the new school and environment hard (esspecially initially).

Blacky

 

Best of luck.
My partner's father was An Army Signals officer.
She spent 2 years in Darwin, 3 years in Vanuatu (year 9 & 10) and a few other places.
She turned out alright haha

 

Awesome stuff, I moved around heaps when I was younger. 7 schools primary schools, wasn't until high school where I stayed. Learned quickly to make friends, sport was the biggest help. Even lived in PNG for a couple of years.

 

Yes but he will learn Bahasa Indonesian - and with Indonesia likely to be one of the growing middle classes in the coming decade or two, that will place him well.

I assume by your description you are moving to the Jimbaran area or thereabouts?

 

That's awesome! Congrats Blacky the kids adapt and travel better than parents, they just come along for the ride you guys have to do all the work planning and packing!
It's a great experience for kids i think, they get exposed to so much more and they follow from your lead socially i feel. so if you're not out socialising or being positive about it then either will they. They feed off your mindset

 

I was going to ask how the eldest would go with the move - babies are easy, teenagers are much harder. So he will go to an international school? The good news is that he's likely to meet quite a few Aussies there which will ease the transition to Australia one day. And much easier to everyone to visit Australia.

 

Sounds like the kid goes to international school which does not have a lot of bahasa indo content, but pretty sure he/she can pick it up easily by interacting with the locals.

 

Yeah. This isnt our first international move. Im not sure that doing it more makes it any easier though.
The big one is already bi-lingual (russian/english). Throwing one more in wont hurt, though he isnt overly keen on languages. He will apply only the suffecent level of effort to pass his required course.

@Westminster being closer to oz (and friends and family) and giving him some exposure outside of the CIS will be good for everyone.

@euro73 We have picked a spot in Sanur.

Oldest will go to an international school in the area, and will ride/walk to school.

Blacky

 

Sanur is a nice village, and away from the crowds at Seminyak and Kuta ... you'll enjoy it there

 

I reckon its an opportunity of a lifetime. Such an adventure for the kids being exposed to different languages, cultures, viewpoints, ways of living etc. Personally I think it will give them a greater depth of character. I know heeeaps of kids who had 'stable' lives in Sydney all their school years and then fast forward 12 plus years haven't amounted to anything amazing.

 

(@Leo2413)
I was recently listening to a tim ferriss podcast and 2 x drs were talking about a bunch of things around addiction and traumatic experiences etc and stated that 85% of personality is formed before 7 years old

 

I agree with the above, but in the same vein, I am not sure of the impact it would have on the kids. I am torn between giving kids that 'exposure' versus 'disrupting' their routine. Though they get used to it lot quicker than adults do, it could affect an introvert kid negatively.

 

There are quite a few studies that basically support this. They say life events will affect our behaviour but much of a person's personality is formed before 10 years of age. That's what much of the literature says anyway.

 

Well I'm not a parent so I have the luxury of an opinion without actually 'feeling' the situation...unlike for you, it's obviously a lot more real when your deciding these things. For me growing up my parents moved me quite a bit, from Malaysia to Singapore to HK etc. I did feel sad to lose friendships when we moved but I don't ever recall feeling that disrupted by all the moves, although I understand all kids are different. I think if the kids feel totally supported and engaged by the parents during this adventourous period then it can make it that much more pleasant..

 

Congratulations Blacky. It sounds like a great move. It will be a fantastic experience for the whole family.

How old is your eldest one? Do have any reservations about your family being in Bali during your 28 days work rotation?

 

Thanks All

I agree. Its a unique opportunity. Basically we will slow down and settle down and can focus on the family for a bit.
The last 18months have been incredible. Both serious highs, and serious lows. And as busy as hell. Just as an indication - going back to Jan 2015.
Lost my MiL to cancer (passed away at our home).
2 days later our son was born
Travelled to at least 11 different countries - some of those we visited more than once
In excess of 40international flights (each)
Got married (legally - in Moscow) then celebrated in Lombok (arranged from a different country).
Had to get 3new passports (doesnt sound like much, but if you are in the middle of no where its a logistcal nightmare).
Applied for countless visas - including Australian migration visa (if you have ever tried something like this you would understand. As an example - my uni thesis was less work).

Somewhere in between all this we have both managed to maintain our full time jobs. Maybe we are just tired from burnout...? but anyway, we are tired. So change is required.

I think the change for our older son (16) although a challenge for him for all the obvious and usual reasons will be good for him in the long run. Initially he was against the move. Which is understandable. But we made sure we engaged with him, and spoke about where we would live, what he could do in his off time, the school etc. I think this school will be more of a challenge for him, which he will find a struggle to begin with. But will be good to challenge him.

Generally I believe that NOT living in another country is detrimental. 99% of people will continue to believe that 'home' is the best place to live. However, seeing other places is essential to understanding what you have, what you want and what you need.

@mrdobalina - I have been working a 28/28 rotation for a number of years now. Leaving the family for 28days is the hardest part of it. Esspecially as my son grows and better understands I am not at home. However, in general, to me it provides a good balance. I see my family more, and spend a lot more time with them than anyone I know who works a 'normal' 5day work week. Albiet it is in 'fits-and-bursts".

We are certainly looking forward to the change.

Blacky

 

I'm sure Mrs @Blacky will enjoy the change of pace too. I know in my instance with quitting work just before our eldest was 16 has been fantastic for him. I have time to work him out better and see 'who' he is. Before that the precious few hours I had at home where basically dedicated to whoever yelled the loudest - generally the 6 and 8yo (at the time) and he was in his room as a typical teenager not engaging with anyone. We've been able to fit in numerous difficult and agonizing conversations and really work out how he ticks and I'm glad I've been able to do that.
I swear that the silent teenager is the one who needs more parenting than the 'in your face' young child. Both have needs of course but it's the easy choice to think that all is well with a 16yo because they aren't in your face and telling you it's not ok.
So although it's a large change for him I have my vote of confidence in it. Mrs Blacky can stop juggling so hard for awhile and actually work out how life will be.
Now all they need to cope with is humidity and no snow for awhile - but there are direct flights to Japan for skiing
Blackminster meetings in Sanur yippeee!!

 

Is that tax deductible?

I did a couple of years of chasing the summer, and must admit that after about 4-5summers (2-2.5years) I was craving some cold weather. An Im a beach bum. Love my summer. But also enjoy winter.

Mrs Blacky, and Jnr(s) will find it very difficult Im sure. Essepcially our christmas, which just wont feel like christmas at all to them.
They will adjust and we will look to do a winter or two in Japan over the next few years as our annual break.

Blacky