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The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
We swapped our UK home for an exotic beach where rent is just £166 a month, but paradise ripped my marriage apart
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". 5 5 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. 5 5 "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.
The Sun
12-05-2025
- The Sun
I ditched my waitress job to move to a paradise European island – rent is £250 & a cold beer only £2
A WOMAN has revealed why she ditched the UK to live her dream life on an idyllic island without worrying about bills or rent – but is now forced to make her tea in a saucepan. Olivia Mamode grew up in London but after finishing her studies, started growing sick of the cold British climate, and rising housing and living costs. 13 13 13 Fed up with not being able to enjoy her money, the 24-year-old, who worked as a waitress, gave up her old life and jetted off to Menorca with nothing but a suitcase and a dream to become an English teacher. Since moving, she says her quality of life has improved substantially. 'After a long visa process, I headed to Spain with about 25kg of personal belongings packed into a suitcase and hand luggage,' she told Luxury Travel Daily. 'I had no clear idea or plans about where I would be living but [figured I would] wing it when I got there. 'It felt extremely liberating to pack up and start a new chapter in a new, foreign place. 'At times, the moving process has been overwhelming – the Spanish bureaucracy is definitely not for the weak. 'But it has always felt worth it, since my lifestyle here is incomparable to anything I have experienced in the UK.' After hopping around a few hostels, Olivia soon found a flat with a Spanish woman. Her current rent is just over £255pcm – compared to her previous £1,000pcm room in London. Olivia, who is fluent in Spanish, has also joined a teaching programme to help locals learn English. She said: 'I feel absolutely settled and comfortable in Spain, it feels like home. 'Once I got into the swing of things and got accustomed to the process of 'building my life' here, everything started to fall into place. 'I don't feel like I'm breaking the bank anymore if I go out for a breakfast or drinks, since a beer here is usually less than €3 (£2.55) and a coffee is around €1.50 (£1.28). Low cost 'On top of that, I have very few other expenses since public transportation is free for residents in Menorca and I get everywhere either by foot or by bus. 'Also, my hobbies are very low cost, usually free in fact – like hiking and exploring beaches. 'I find that having fun here is usually inexpensive. 'I wake up every morning excited to get out of bed and take advantage of the day. 'I think that sums up how I feel about my life here.' 13 13 13 While most of her experiences so far have been positive, the young woman has been forced to make some adjustments – such as to her daily cuppa. She said: 'I now make my tea in the microwave or in a saucepan! 'None of the apartments I have seen or lived in come with a kettle here. '[Also], despite them [men] being known as 'princesos' [princesses] I have met a lot of lovely men here who I have loved spending time with. 'However unfortunately since my future plans are not clear, I have always been hesitant to commit seriously to another person. 'I love dating here, because the dates usually involve the beach, chill drinks, or a hike, all of which I am a big fan of. I find that having fun here is usually inexpensive Olivia Mamode 'Something spontaneous happens almost every weekend. 'The most unique one [experience] would probably be meeting a Portuguese Naval squadron who had been patrolling the Mediterranean for a few months by submarine. 'He offered me a guided tour of the sub the next day. 'We then had a great night partying together!' For now, Olivia is living life in the moment and is happy in Menorca, but there is no telling what the future holds. She said: 'I was drawn to the islands because of their stunning natural beauty and, of course, the proximity to so many beaches. 'Living here has given me an insight into the standard of living that I would like to uphold, and changed my outlook on the way life can be lived.' 13 13 13 13
