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Can We Live Here?
Last week, I was sitting in seven layers (two of them thermal) next to a fire, with a blanket wrapped around me. Now, I am sleeping in kickers and a vest under a fan. Let the mosquitos bite me. They can have me ... Can we live here? ... If I don't become roadkill in the next few days, I'll let you know my thoughts.
In 2009, Sarah and John Alderson quit their full-time jobs in London and headed off, with Alula, their three-year-old daughter, on a global adventure to find a new home. For eight months, they travelled through Australia, the US and Asia navigating India with a toddler in a tutu, battling black magic curses in Indonesia and encountering bears in North America asking themselves one defining question: Can We Live Here?
Inspirational, hilarious and fascinating this is an unforgettable travel memoir and a unique guide to quitting your job, following your dreams and finding your home in a far-flung paradise
In 2009, Sarah and John Alderson quit their full-time jobs in London and headed off, with Alula, their three-year-old daughter, on a global adventure to find a new home. For eight months, they travelled through Australia, the US and Asia navigating India with a toddler in a tutu, battling black magic curses in Indonesia and encountering bears in North America asking themselves one defining question: Can We Live Here?
Inspirational, hilarious and fascinating this is an unforgettable travel memoir and a unique guide to quitting your job, following your dreams and finding your home in a far-flung paradise
256 pages, Paperback
First published August 6, 2015
37 people are currently reading
419 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Alderson
28 books2,788 followersHaving spent most of her life in London, Sarah quit her job in the non profit sector in 2009 and took off on a round the world trip with her husband and princess-obsessed daughter on a mission to find a new place to call home. After several months in India, Singapore, Australia and the US, they settled in Bali where they lived for five years.
She finished her first novel, Hunting Lila (winner of the Kingston Book Award), just before they left the UK, wrote the sequel on the beach in India and had signed a two book deal with Simon & Schuster by the time they had reached Bali.
A third book, Fated, about a teenage demon slayer, was published in January 2012.
The Sound, a thriller romance set in Nantucket, was published in August 2013 and this was followed by the critically acclaimed Out of Control in May 2014.
Her first non-fiction book - CAN WE LIVE HERE? - based on her blog of the same name, was published in August 2015 by Blink.
She also writes New Adult romance for Pan Macmillan (UK) / Simon & Schuster (US) under the pen name Mila Gray.
You can find Sarah on facebook and at www.sarahalderson.com or follow her blog at www.canwelivhere.com
She finished her first novel, Hunting Lila (winner of the Kingston Book Award), just before they left the UK, wrote the sequel on the beach in India and had signed a two book deal with Simon & Schuster by the time they had reached Bali.
A third book, Fated, about a teenage demon slayer, was published in January 2012.
The Sound, a thriller romance set in Nantucket, was published in August 2013 and this was followed by the critically acclaimed Out of Control in May 2014.
Her first non-fiction book - CAN WE LIVE HERE? - based on her blog of the same name, was published in August 2015 by Blink.
She also writes New Adult romance for Pan Macmillan (UK) / Simon & Schuster (US) under the pen name Mila Gray.
You can find Sarah on facebook and at www.sarahalderson.com or follow her blog at www.canwelivhere.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
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February 2, 2019It's my new book! My first non-fiction - based on my travel blog of the same name.
If you've ever thought about quitting your job and travelling the world then this might inspire you and hopefully make you laugh too.
I'm doing a signing in London on August 6th at Stanfords too!
If you've ever thought about quitting your job and travelling the world then this might inspire you and hopefully make you laugh too.
I'm doing a signing in London on August 6th at Stanfords too!
August 10, 2017
I was at my home, browsing around my mom's bookshelf when I saw this familiar name on a book with a lovely color palette: Sarah Alderson! It's interesting how you can really remember an author's name even years after you last read their book, just because you once met her in person. I met Sarah Alderson in 2013 I believe, at the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival in Bali. I loooved that festival, and I bought two of her books, young adult fiction series called Hunting Lila which I really enjoyed. I knew around Goodreads that she wrote several other books, but I never found them on bookstores or bothered to order them specifically, but when I saw this book, I thought why not?
This is a non-fiction book, and a collection of blog posts Alderson wrote while she was traveling and living abroad. So it's really different from the two previous books I read from her. But you can really tell her writing style and her voice is so similar to the books she wrote. Alderson is generally a very fun and funny person, she jokes around a lot in this book, there are loads of sarcasm and entertaining anecdotes that makes me smile. She has a very strong personality which shows in her blog posts. In addition, I actually am an Indonesian and have gone to Ubud several times in my life, so I sort of understand her experiences living there. It was really fun to read the parts while she was living in Ubud.
Overall, the story itself was fun. Of course it's not really a story because it's a series of moments, usually around one or two small stories/blog posts per month, but it's really just small snippets of her life. I don't know how much editing she did to the blog posts, or if she actually edited them at all to actually make the whole book coherent and related to each other rather than small different writings, but it's interesting to read how much she's changed and all the experiences she's had for the past, maybe 3 years or so? Of course throughout that amount of time span, so many things must have changed, not only in a person's personality (Alderson mentioned this quite a lot, how she has changed to become more Ubud-y than she was before, how she used to be so British), and a person's growth (especially her toddler daughter), but also the author's writing style.
However I thought it was well accumulated and well edited, and everything felt fun to read and wonderful. It's definitely not the type of Eat, Pray, Love book (which I expected at first - I didn't like that book, I actually tried reading it and stopped before I reached the halfway point because it just wasn't my thing), which is a good thing. I also sort of felt like I now knew Sarah Alderson personally, just because I've heard her talk in real life and spoke to her (though only briefly) and has seen what she was like in person. It was a great fun reading this book. Not amazing, and slightly memorable, but a great summer read!
This is a non-fiction book, and a collection of blog posts Alderson wrote while she was traveling and living abroad. So it's really different from the two previous books I read from her. But you can really tell her writing style and her voice is so similar to the books she wrote. Alderson is generally a very fun and funny person, she jokes around a lot in this book, there are loads of sarcasm and entertaining anecdotes that makes me smile. She has a very strong personality which shows in her blog posts. In addition, I actually am an Indonesian and have gone to Ubud several times in my life, so I sort of understand her experiences living there. It was really fun to read the parts while she was living in Ubud.
Overall, the story itself was fun. Of course it's not really a story because it's a series of moments, usually around one or two small stories/blog posts per month, but it's really just small snippets of her life. I don't know how much editing she did to the blog posts, or if she actually edited them at all to actually make the whole book coherent and related to each other rather than small different writings, but it's interesting to read how much she's changed and all the experiences she's had for the past, maybe 3 years or so? Of course throughout that amount of time span, so many things must have changed, not only in a person's personality (Alderson mentioned this quite a lot, how she has changed to become more Ubud-y than she was before, how she used to be so British), and a person's growth (especially her toddler daughter), but also the author's writing style.
However I thought it was well accumulated and well edited, and everything felt fun to read and wonderful. It's definitely not the type of Eat, Pray, Love book (which I expected at first - I didn't like that book, I actually tried reading it and stopped before I reached the halfway point because it just wasn't my thing), which is a good thing. I also sort of felt like I now knew Sarah Alderson personally, just because I've heard her talk in real life and spoke to her (though only briefly) and has seen what she was like in person. It was a great fun reading this book. Not amazing, and slightly memorable, but a great summer read!
July 8, 2015
I'm a huge fan of Sarah Alderson's work so I was really excited to read her first non-fiction - a book about travelling in search of a home for her and her family. It's based on her blog of the same name and is a series of diary entries, mostly about life in Bali. I laughed out loud throughout this book, and having lived in Bali I could relate to a lot of Sarah's experiences - she really brings to life the scenery, the customs, the people, the craziness of cultures clashing and it's definitely an inspiring read that made me want to travel even more. If you've ever wanted to pack your life up and start something new somewhere else, here is proof that all it takes is strong will, determination and lots of mosquito repellant! Brilliant read - five stars from me!!
February 16, 2017
Made it halfway through. Can't do it. I adore travel and adventures and I am open to one day relocating to an exotic location, but this just seemed so incredibly self-centered. Lots about her daughter peeing? Not much about the incredible places and people I'm sure she encountered. Breaking point was her complaining about fat Americans and people who smile in Disneyland.
Give me a fat, well-traveled, interesting, intelligent American over someone whose only interest is where her daughter will pee, any day.
Give me a fat, well-traveled, interesting, intelligent American over someone whose only interest is where her daughter will pee, any day.
April 10, 2023
Hadn't realised before reading, but this is a book of compiled blog posts, which might be why it doesn't really have any flow, is quite repetitive and is very quippy in tone ("cool, huh?"). Enjoyed some of the observations as they move between countries tho. Just hasn't inspired me to up sticks n move to Bali.
September 2, 2015
If you have read any of previous reviews you will know of my obsession with Mila Gray's (aka Sarah's) NA books. It started off with noticing Come Back To Me (Book 2/Spin off: This Is One Moment) in my local library. After devouring it in utter bliss, I learnt a bit more about the author's life and the too-good-to-be-true journey she took with her husband to finding a new home in the tropics. My god I thought, you are actually living my dream... reading and writing YA and NA in Bali? Who could ask for more?
This book is brilliant. It goes into detail, starting from the seed of the idea of leaving London, to the travelling, to the settling and to what comes next. Its very easy to read and absolutely hilarious. The way Sarah writes- its like having a nice chat with a good friend and listening to the amazing but insane things she has seen and been up to. There are chapters on Indian railways, colonic irrigation in Bali (I'm actually so interested), ecstatic dancing and many more. It was such a treat, and so apt reading it on my tube journey to work.
There is also a lot of soul-searching. Sarah writes about the materialism, the tiredness and the cynicism that permeates life in the UK, especially London. Having recently moved to London, I know this on a daily basis. I am physically and mentally jogging to keep up with everything. The city is like a Twilight vampire, seductive and exciting, but draining all the energy from me. Soon I will be shriveled and bitter.
''So if you're out there and wondering whether working in an office for the rest of your life is it, or if you have an inkling that you could move to somewhere hot and figure out a way of making money that doesn't require sitting in a management team meeting [...] remember the power of saying 'Fuck It'. That's all we did.''
Anyway, its not all sunshine and detox smoothies. Sarah does write a lot about the realities of emigrating and the anxieties that shadow it. But there were some moments that were really touching and made me look up from the page and actually think- what the heck am I doing? This book is perfect for anyone who has an inkling that there is more than their usual 9-5. You would not miss out if you have not read any of Sarah's novels, and if you have then you are in for a treat :)
''Wouldn't it be more insane to keep on doing things I don't like?''
True that true...
This book is brilliant. It goes into detail, starting from the seed of the idea of leaving London, to the travelling, to the settling and to what comes next. Its very easy to read and absolutely hilarious. The way Sarah writes- its like having a nice chat with a good friend and listening to the amazing but insane things she has seen and been up to. There are chapters on Indian railways, colonic irrigation in Bali (I'm actually so interested), ecstatic dancing and many more. It was such a treat, and so apt reading it on my tube journey to work.
There is also a lot of soul-searching. Sarah writes about the materialism, the tiredness and the cynicism that permeates life in the UK, especially London. Having recently moved to London, I know this on a daily basis. I am physically and mentally jogging to keep up with everything. The city is like a Twilight vampire, seductive and exciting, but draining all the energy from me. Soon I will be shriveled and bitter.
''So if you're out there and wondering whether working in an office for the rest of your life is it, or if you have an inkling that you could move to somewhere hot and figure out a way of making money that doesn't require sitting in a management team meeting [...] remember the power of saying 'Fuck It'. That's all we did.''
Anyway, its not all sunshine and detox smoothies. Sarah does write a lot about the realities of emigrating and the anxieties that shadow it. But there were some moments that were really touching and made me look up from the page and actually think- what the heck am I doing? This book is perfect for anyone who has an inkling that there is more than their usual 9-5. You would not miss out if you have not read any of Sarah's novels, and if you have then you are in for a treat :)
''Wouldn't it be more insane to keep on doing things I don't like?''
True that true...
September 11, 2017
This is one of the best books I've read this year - possibly ever. It's incredibly well written, well thought out, witty, and completely inspiring.
October 13, 2022
An enjoyable and interesting read, I hope there is a part 2!
May 8, 2019
This was a really interesting non fiction account of a time where the author said 'f*ck it' and upped sticks with her husband and young daughter to travel the world, all the while pondering where they could settle down.
The book is set out in the style of blog posts so it's a bit different, and I wasn't too keen on it at first. Obviously I don't mind that style in an actual blog but in a book, oh no, it's not right. But then I got used to it and actually it was a great book to dip in and out of. And I found myself warming more and more to Sarah; so many of her reactions were the same as mine would be had I been in some of these bizarre situations, and her sense of humour and wit made me laugh out loud in so many places. I want a job like hers!
The book is set out in the style of blog posts so it's a bit different, and I wasn't too keen on it at first. Obviously I don't mind that style in an actual blog but in a book, oh no, it's not right. But then I got used to it and actually it was a great book to dip in and out of. And I found myself warming more and more to Sarah; so many of her reactions were the same as mine would be had I been in some of these bizarre situations, and her sense of humour and wit made me laugh out loud in so many places. I want a job like hers!
February 18, 2016
Saw this while traveling in Bali and remembered how I enjoyed reading the author's Lila series. Being a travel junkie and a sucker for travel memoirs, I picked up a copy in Periplus before heading home. I enjoyed reading about her trip around the world and seeing Bali from her perspective. This book is funny and witty, but it also comes out as whiney.
Not book related: I'm honestly a little appalled with her outbursts on raising a kid but hey, I'm not a parent so who am I to judge. The kid also seems lovely but there were times when she seemed like a huge brat.
Not book related: I'm honestly a little appalled with her outbursts on raising a kid but hey, I'm not a parent so who am I to judge. The kid also seems lovely but there were times when she seemed like a huge brat.
November 17, 2015
I loved this book. Sarah reminded me so much of myself. It was witty, honest and I can't wait to try one of her fiction books. I have The Sound. I hope it is as good as this one.
August 26, 2015
Easy read funny and having visited Bali could totally relate!
May 27, 2017
Lastig om te begrijpen, hoe een boek, over zo'n persoonlijke queeste, zo onpersoonlijk kan zijn. De schrijfster heeft humor en flair, maar lijkt de wereld om haar heen buiten zichzelf te plaatsen. Als een gebruiksvoorwerp. Haar man speelt een bijrol in haar materiële bestaan. Haar kind is een belangrijk item, maar meer omdat het zo lijkt te horen. Naar het einde to komt er iets van verandering in. In de laatste twintig pagina's vindt een prachtige reflectie plaats op wie haar dochter is en haar ontwikkeling tot de persoon die ze is geworden. Zelfs haar man komt als mens even aan bod.
Onderhoudend omdat het wel buitengewoon fascinerend is dat ze hun pullen gepakt hebben en zijn gegaan. Maar de diepere verbinding met henzelf, elkaar en de omgeving komt niet tot nauwelijks aan bod.
Onderhoudend omdat het wel buitengewoon fascinerend is dat ze hun pullen gepakt hebben en zijn gegaan. Maar de diepere verbinding met henzelf, elkaar en de omgeving komt niet tot nauwelijks aan bod.
December 31, 2016
I surprised myself with how much I actually enjoyed this. I found the perspective really interesting, especially with having a small child with them travelling as that's something you don't often find with travel books. If the Alderson's ever do a Can We Live Here 2 I'd be very interested, especially in Alula.
July 20, 2019
My favourite book ever! I bought this is Bali at the start of a 6 month world trip with my partner. We agreed if we ever had a daughter we would call her Alula after my favourite book, read at such a special time in our lives. And we did! We fell pregnant and had a daughter 3 months ago. Alula Rose Dainty 😊
not-for-me
September 27, 2025I love Sarah Alderson's thrillers. We share a love for travel. She seems like such a nice, likeable person. Unfortunately, this travel blog book, though well written in a very casual, quippy style, didn't grip me. I read maybe the first 10%, then put it down because despite liking Sarah, I wasn't gripped by her story. I will continue reading her thrillers.
March 31, 2019
Although the book is more of self centered and a bit boring in some parts of the book, but it has unpredictable ending and encouragement of how Sarah found a home. Like what written on the book, it’s good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters, in the end”
October 3, 2020
Very tedious memoir about a dippy British family spending some time in Bali and India Eye roll inducing. Very lightweight book "for the reluctant reader". Okay to read at the pool, but nothing substantial or interesting.
March 29, 2018
I lived this same story and can appreciate every thought and feeling Sarah had reading this book....only one year was enough for me. Very funny and very real.
March 13, 2019
Not great but ok, some of it sparked my intrigue to see Bali but was not my favourite read.
March 17, 2019
Her style did make me laugh out loud a couple of times but I don't feel like reading more of the same author :(
July 2, 2019
An interesting autobiography where Alderson explores what life can be when one breaks the traditional shackles of society and sets off to live a different type of life. Doing what many adults fantasize about, Alderson and her family leave England to explore different countries to find a home better suited to their values and desired lifestyle. This is definitely an interesting book as it explores both the benefits and romantic notions of a nomadic life, as well as the crippling anxiety and self-doubt. A great read for those thinking of following in Anderson's footsteps.
June 25, 2021
Tedious
This is a blog, I'm not finishing this meandering book. Amusing in places but can't tell where in the world they are at times.
This is a blog, I'm not finishing this meandering book. Amusing in places but can't tell where in the world they are at times.
October 18, 2023
A blog made into a book
Not a bad story
Not a bad story
July 2, 2025
Fun book! loved the adventures she shares on her & her families' travels...I loved reading about the adventures & challenges of living in Bali
September 23, 2016
Makes me feel wanderlust...
I stumbled across this book by accident. I'd just read a pretty hard going book and my head was a bit wrecked so I saw Ah, beach, holiday, pretty that will cheer me up!
I fully expected chick lit nonsense, what I actually got was a funny, honest portrayal of mothers motherhood, being a woman and of course travelling the world. I only took a star off as I kept waiting for you to go back to nice parts of Mexico and it didn't happen. Emigration to Mexico is our lottery plan.
Loved it. I hope you found your next paradise.
I stumbled across this book by accident. I'd just read a pretty hard going book and my head was a bit wrecked so I saw Ah, beach, holiday, pretty that will cheer me up!
I fully expected chick lit nonsense, what I actually got was a funny, honest portrayal of mothers motherhood, being a woman and of course travelling the world. I only took a star off as I kept waiting for you to go back to nice parts of Mexico and it didn't happen. Emigration to Mexico is our lottery plan.
Loved it. I hope you found your next paradise.
October 29, 2015
Sarah Alderson's first non-fiction title charts her escape from the rat race of London to a new adventure, trying to find a home somewhere in the world with her husband and young daughter. As they travel through places such as India, Bali, Singapore and Australia, she contemplates finding the perfect place to settle in and put down new roots.
I am not a big traveller myself and I definitely don't have the travel bug but what I could identify with in the book was Sarah's musings on escaping the trappings of day to day life and believing that there is something more out there - a simpler and less complicated way of living. A life away from the routines, complacency, bills and the never-ending cycle of work that threatens to sap out spirit. Sarah was brave enough to make the plunge into the unknown, which I really admired.
I enjoyed reading about all the places she and her family ended up visiting and the new and unusual experiences that they have. Some of her anecdotes are absolutely hilarious, such as in Malaysia, when a bus and a bottle are involved. I did have to laugh.
It was also interesting to discover more about Sarah herself and to find out her path to becoming a published author. I found it quite incredible how luck seemed to land in her lap, although she obviously had a talent for words all along and since then has worked incredibly hard writing lots of fantastic young-adult novels to keep all us readers entertained.
Overall, an enjoyable travel memoir for those looking for a glimpse of a simpler way of life.
I am not a big traveller myself and I definitely don't have the travel bug but what I could identify with in the book was Sarah's musings on escaping the trappings of day to day life and believing that there is something more out there - a simpler and less complicated way of living. A life away from the routines, complacency, bills and the never-ending cycle of work that threatens to sap out spirit. Sarah was brave enough to make the plunge into the unknown, which I really admired.
I enjoyed reading about all the places she and her family ended up visiting and the new and unusual experiences that they have. Some of her anecdotes are absolutely hilarious, such as in Malaysia, when a bus and a bottle are involved. I did have to laugh.
It was also interesting to discover more about Sarah herself and to find out her path to becoming a published author. I found it quite incredible how luck seemed to land in her lap, although she obviously had a talent for words all along and since then has worked incredibly hard writing lots of fantastic young-adult novels to keep all us readers entertained.
Overall, an enjoyable travel memoir for those looking for a glimpse of a simpler way of life.
August 8, 2022
I get really excited reading travel 'memoirs' and overall, I did enjoy the book. However, I was a little rattled by the authors self-obsession and got the feeling that this lady was very privileged to start with (she mentioned in the book that her parents had ignited her love of travel,) so she was well travelled to begin with.
Not a problem, but I got that 'middle-class' South-West London vibe despite her negative allusions to these 'mummy's with kids named Skye etc..'
The author has one child and writes on the beach every day - yet her 'diary' heavily focuses on every day normal circumstances involving raising a child (which she didn't entirely do all by herself,) as she had childcare and a cleaner.
I can't quite put my finger on it, but I just didn't warm to this author.
Not a problem, but I got that 'middle-class' South-West London vibe despite her negative allusions to these 'mummy's with kids named Skye etc..'
The author has one child and writes on the beach every day - yet her 'diary' heavily focuses on every day normal circumstances involving raising a child (which she didn't entirely do all by herself,) as she had childcare and a cleaner.
I can't quite put my finger on it, but I just didn't warm to this author.
March 15, 2018
Somehow many travel writers and bloggers seem to be able to make the most interesting things in the world sound dull, but this writer injects some personality and acerbic wit and I loved the results...for the most part. The writer comes across as very self-centred, mostly this was entertaining, but from time to time I was gobsmacked.
I was surprised how quickly they stopped travelling around and settled down in Bali, but I enjoyed reading about their life there too. And the added element of them having a toddler along for the ride added to the fun.
If there ever is a 'Can We Live Here? 2' I would read it.
I was surprised how quickly they stopped travelling around and settled down in Bali, but I enjoyed reading about their life there too. And the added element of them having a toddler along for the ride added to the fun.
If there ever is a 'Can We Live Here? 2' I would read it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews