I ditched the UK for sunny Bali with my kids – we were burnt out zombies so packed all our stuff and never looked back

The Irish Sun

14-07-2025

A BURNT out mum has revealed how she ditched the 9-5 grind in grey Britain and moved her whole family to Bali with just a few suitcases and no regrets.
Laura Richardson now lives on the tropical island with her partner and her three young kids.
2
Laura Richardson had enough of the UK so moved to Bali with her kids
Credit: tiktok/therichardsons04
2
The mum-of-three is now happier than ever
Credit: Instagram/therichardsons04
She explained how the couple were 'trapped in the system', feeling like 'zombies' who never saw their children and when they did, they were too stressed to be present.
'Every day felt like Groundhog Day,' she said in a Tiktok video.
'I had a breakdown. I remember thinking, 'Is this really it? Is this my life forever?''
So, they did the unthinkable and sold almost everything, packed their life into a few bags and boarded a plane to start again.
Read more on moving abroad
They had no savings, no backup plan, and no idea what would come next.
But over a year later, she says it was 'the best decision we ever made.'
She knew it was a "massive risk" to walk away from everything they had worked hard for 20 years.
But a year down the line, she says it was the best decision she ever made.
Most read in Fabulous
The family's first attempt to escape came in 2022 when they took a one-month trip to Thailand with their newborn, two-year-old and three-year-old.
It was magical, but tough. Travelling with three little ones wasn't easy and they realised the nomadic life wasn't for them.
I ditched my waitress job in London and moved to paradise island where rent is £200 and dates with men involve beach
They returned to the UK in January 2023 but their hearts stayed abroad.
She explained that despite trying to "go back to normal" they felt like they were "drowning" and fantasised about a new life.
But taking the leap with three kids and no financial or logistic plan was the biggest hurdle.
Eventually, after months of stress, home renovations, and running a business while raising three toddlers, they discovered a new way of life and a path out.
They listed their house on Airbnb to fund the move, despite having no savings.
They even put their relocation program, Boundless Life, on a credit card just to get going.
And in a final twist, to secure residency, the couple had to legally marry, so they had a last-minute shotgun wedding before they left.
Now based in
She's now urging other families to follow their gut if they feel stuck in the same cycle.
But despite the wave of support, the mum says her viral post was flooded with cruel comments about her appearance.
'I've got a thick skin, but still I would never write something like that on someone's post. My message wasn't about me, it was about showing people another way of living.'
But fans of her story were quick to rally round.
One commenter wrote: 'You're living your best life. If I had my time again I'd do the same.
"I love Bali, I've been 20 times! When my teens move out I'm planning to rent my home and follow in your footsteps.'
Another said: 'It's a brave move leaving behind everything you know. It takes a lot of strength and courage. I'm so glad you're enjoying life. Well done.'
So while she may have traded drizzle for sunshine, the real glow-up was emotional, not just tropical.
Meanwhile, another fed up mum-of-three left the doom and gloom of crime-ridden Britain for a soft life with her kids in Turkey.
Tired of grey skies, scary streets and a constant daily grind to make ends meet, one British mum said 'enough's enough' and packed her entire life into a shipping container to start fresh under the Turkish sun.
Elsewhere,
A young woman recently revealed how her
health
improved after she
, saying life at home was 'making her sick'.
Ela Reeves was struggling with a series of health conditions prior to the move, including
With her body 'crying out for change', she decided to try life in sunnier climes and jetted off to
How easy is it to move abroad?
Brexit means British citizens now have to apply for visas to move to countries within the EU. While some countries residency restrictions are easier than others, here's what you need to do at home before moving:
Notify HMRC about your upcoming move.
Let your local authority know and provide a forwarding address.
Contact your mortgage and utility providers and bank before leaving.
If you have paid enough UK national insurance contributions, you can qualify for a state pension abroad - contact the
You can sign up to the Royal Mail's
If you have outstanding student loans, contact the
If you have children, give due notice to childcares and schools.