We swapped our UK home for an exotic beach where rent is just £166 a month, but paradise ripped my marriage apart

The Sun

02-06-2025

A COUPLE who swapped their life in the UK to live out their dream life, paying just £166 a month to live a stone's throw from the beach, have split up.
Matt Dearing, 38, and his partner Carlie Donnelley, 37, left Manchester for Bali so their family could be " financially free".
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But two years on, the pair, who also moved their three children – Lincoln, Delilah, and Adelaide – across the world with them, have split.
As well as adding adventure to their kids' lives, the relocation was intended to bolster their bank balance after growing tired of ' living to work ' and spending cash on soaring bills.
The family sold their three-bedroom home in Denton for £365,000 to 'escape the rat race' in favour of life on the idyllic Indonesian island.
They exchanged it for a similar-sized home on the island that cost just £2,000 to rent for the whole year.
Whilst living overseas, the couple planned to start their own construction firm, called Serenity Living Bali, and intended to build their own luxurious villa, as well as a number of two, four, and five-bedroom properties to sell or rent out.
However, according to the Mail Online, the couple, who had been together for 15 years, have now split.
Carlie, who has 11,000 TikTok followers, explained that things 'did not go to plan' but she is now 'trying to navigate this new life, on the other side of the world, on my own.'
Despite 'living in paradise,' the single mum revealed that she is going through 'a really bad time' but doesn't have any regrets.
Carlie said she would still recommend Bali to other Brits as 'the people are amazing' and they are 'striving to be their best selves and it's definitely a more positive way of life.'
I ditched my retail job in the UK for island paradise…rent is just £225, dinner costs £2 & our poolside office has a spa
She also mentioned that the kids are happy, but it is just Carlie, who continues to co-parent with Matt, finding the breakup hard.
Carlie did not reveal details about the split, but both parents are remaining in Bali and are trying to continue to make a ' better life ' for their children.
The mum has also deleted her former Instagram account, which was filled with pictures of her and Matt.
Instead, she has a new account showcasing 'Bali living' and her life as a mum-of-three in her 'beach gal era.'
Family thoughts
The couple had bought one-way tickets to the country in November 2022, despite relatives thinking they were 'mad'.
Matt – who claimed he sometimes worked ten hours a day, seven days a week in the UK – says his family had "struck gold" in Bali.
Speaking previously, and prior to the split, Matt, who previously owned five houses in Manchester, said: "The return on your investment here is amazing. We sold the house we were living in [in the UK] for £365,000.
"With that money, we were able to buy a 1,200 square foot plot of land to build two four or five-bedroom villas on.
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"We have struck gold – this is everything we want.
"For us, being financially free is literally freedom to do whatever we want with the kids, compared to working 10 hours, seven days a week sometimes.
"I have always dreamed of dropping the kids off at school and picking them up – I can do that here.
"The people here are lovely and show a lot of gratitude – it ticked all the right boxes."
Signs your relationship is heading for a divorce
Persistent Communication Breakdowns
Constant misunderstandings, arguments, or a complete lack of meaningful conversation can signal deep-seated issues.
Emotional Distance
Feeling like roommates rather than partners, with a noticeable lack of intimacy or emotional connection.
Frequent Criticism and Contempt
Regularly criticising each other and showing contempt, such as sarcasm, eye-rolling, or mocking, can erode the relationship's foundation.
Unresolved Conflicts
Recurrent arguments about the same issues without any resolution can indicate deeper incompatibilities.
Loss of Trust
Trust is crucial in any relationship. If it's been broken and cannot be rebuilt, it may be a sign that the relationship is in trouble.
Different Life Goals
Significant differences in future aspirations, such as career goals, lifestyle choices, or family planning, can create insurmountable divides.
Avoidance
Preferring to spend time apart rather than together, whether through work, hobbies, or social activities, can indicate a desire to escape the relationship.
Lack of Support
Feeling unsupported, whether emotionally, financially, or practically, can lead to feelings of isolation and resentment.
Financial Disagreements
Constantly arguing about money, spending habits, or financial priorities can strain the relationship.
Infidelity
Whether physical or emotional, infidelity can be a major breach of trust and a sign of deeper issues in the relationship.
Changes in Affection
A noticeable decrease in affection, physical touch, or romantic gestures can indicate a loss of connection.