{
  "id": 8656220,
  "title": "I paid $45,000 upfront to rent this Bali home for 10 years. Here’s what it cost me to retire there.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/i-paid-45-000-upfront-to-rent-this-bali-home-for-10-years-heres-what",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-20T09:00:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/cost-of-living-american-retiree-bali-2026-9"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Debbie Welsch, a 57-year-old American, retired to Bali seven years ago with her 82-year-old mother. The couple moved from Los Angeles seeking a simpler, more affordable life. Debbie's 1,100-square-foot house in Bali costs $4,500 annually, which breaks down to $375 monthly rent. A $45,000 upfront payment was required for a 10-year lease. The couple's housing costs average $8,000 per year. While living in Bali, Debbie retired from her interior design career and now earns around $550,000 in retirement savings and investments. Her monthly expenses total roughly $1,300, primarily from savings, investments, and a modest income from hobbies like writing and YouTube. They live within walking distance of the beach and local amenities, with minimal transportation costs, primarily using a scooter. Their daily grocery budget is around $310, and they eat out two to three times a week at an average cost of $7 per meal. Debbie feels financially secure and finds immense satisfaction in life, attributing the abundance in Bali to the culture, people, and environment.",
  "summary": "Debbie Welsch, 57, retired from LA to Bali, where she lives on $1,300 a month. Her 10-year home lease cost $45,000 upfront, or $375 a month.",
  "key_points": [
    "Debbie Welsch and her mother moved to Bali seven years ago.",
    "$45,000 upfront lease for 10-year Bali home costs $375 monthly.",
    "Debbie retired with $550,000 in savings, enjoys Bali lifestyle."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}