In 1992, Darren and his wife flew to Bali for their honeymoon. It was their first real escape as a couple. That trip left a lasting mark. Even after they returned home to Canberra and life carried on, Bali stayed with them.
“We always thought we’d come back one day,” Darren says.
Retirement Plans, with a Bali Goals
As Darren got closer to retirement, the idea became clearer. He and his wife didn’t want to downsize and stay put. They wanted to split their time, half a year in Down Under, half in the Island of Gods.
Bali wasn’t just a place they loved. It felt like the right kind of change. Slower days, warmer nights, and a community that felt easy to join.
They started looking around the island, but it was Seminyak that pulled them in again. With its blend of fashion shops, lively cafés, and energy that still felt laid-back, it struck the right chord.
“Seminyak seems to be more established,” Darren says. “We really sort of looked at Seminyak as a place that we knew and understood.”
“We liked the fashion culture,” he added, “..the food culture, and the general vibe of Seminyak.”
Seminyak equals to high-end shopping, dining, and nightlife. Oniriq Property’s listings offer a wide range of luxury property in Seminyak. Browse them today!
The First Step Inside Villa Koya
They wanted a place that felt lived-in, warm, and stylish in a quiet way. When they stepped into Villa Koya, something clicked.
“Once we opened the (Villa Koya) door we just fell in love,” Darren says. “We knew that it was going to be the place, it just had that ambiance, the style.”
Villa Koya became their future Bali home, where they plan to stay for six months each year. When they’re not in Bali, the villa will be rented out to guests. It was never just about money, but if it could pay for itself, even better.
“We just knew from the moment we stepped in, that was we were after.” Darren added.
A Better Return Than Expected
Darren didn’t go into this thinking he’d make a fortune. He saw it as a long-term mix of lifestyle and investment.
But after running the numbers and seeing how often similar villas were booked, he started to understand the upside.
“We didn’t think that it would be a high performing return. So we’re happy with the increased returns, that we would get if we invested in Australia.” he admits.
Trusting the Right People Made All the Difference
Buying property overseas is not simple, especially when you’re unfamiliar with the legal process, ownership rules, and what to look out for. Darren knew he needed help, but he didn’t want pressure or sales talk.
That’s when he found Oniriq Property.
“They’ve guided us through the entire process,” he says. “We didn’t know, but we got a lot, some really, really good advice from a lot of professionals.”
Instead of just sending listings, Oniriq walked him through each step, from legal checks and permits to income potential and long-term planning.
We helped him avoid costly mistakes, and more importantly, helped him feel confident about every decision he made.
Darren continues it, “..and they’ve been helpful in guiding the way and making sure we didn’t do anything silly.”
“It never felt rushed. I always knew what was happening, and that made a big difference.”
Home, Finally
Now, Darren and his wife are spending their first few weeks in Villa Koya. They wake up early, cook their own breakfasts, stroll through Seminyak, and end the day by the pool.
The villa already feels like home.
Darren says he feels lucky, not just because the investment turned out better than he expected, but because the process didn’t wear him down. It felt manageable, even smooth.
Dreaming of your own place in Bali, just like Darren? Reach out to us. We’re here to guide you every step of the way.
