The decision to move abroad
The shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, in 2022 was the final straw in the family’s decision to move away, according to CNBC. West and her husband wanted to raise their child in a place they felt was safe.
They spent a year hopping between different countries, including Portugal and Belize, before settling down on Syros, a Greek island in the Aegean Sea. West is a luxury travel concierge and content creator, which allows her the flexibility to work remotely. She was able to acquire a digital nomad visa and apply for permanent residency while in Greece.
Not only are they enjoying their new lifestyle, but they've found it to be more affordable than what it was in Texas. According to Numbeo, the cost of living, including rent, in Syros is around 45% lower than Austin, which is where the couple was living previously.
On top of being able to afford more small luxuries, such as eating at restaurants, the couple is able to aggressively pay down their large credit card debt, which was around $62,000 at time of publishing, per CNBC. West expects to pay off about $20,000 in debt by the end of the year.
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Learn moreThe cost to settle in Greece
Moving their entire life to Greece came with a hefty upfront price tag. West and her husband spent around $5,880 in moving expenses, CNBC says, including the cost of flights, visa application fees and lawyer fees.
Costs can be heightened during periods of transition, especially if you have a lot of stuff to move and a lot of paperwork to get through. But moving to a location with a lower cost of living can come with long-term financial benefits.
The broadcaster compared some of the family’s costs between Greece and the U.S.:
- Greece: $1,430 for rent, including utilities, internet and house cleaning; U.S.: $1,530 without utilities
- Greece: $500 for health insurance, without copays or deductibles; U.S.: $910 with copays and deductibles
- Greece: $300 for child care; U.S.: $1,000
If you’re thinking of moving abroad from the U.S., you should be aware of the challenges, such as visa eligibility and conflicting tax systems. Hiring an attorney familiar with both local and U.S. laws can be key, especially if any paperwork needs to be translated.
Your income and savings might ultimately guide your decision on whether or not to move abroad. But apart from the financials, West suggests you might find a more peaceful existence outside the U.S.
“It is truly such a more fulfilling, more richer life abroad,” she said. “Just being able to see the world, to meet new people, to experience a new language, cultures, traditions — it’s just so special and something that we aren’t really exposed to enough in the United States.”
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