Occasionally, while browsing properties in distant corners of the world, you might stumble upon the realization that the rent you shell out for a closet-sized room in your city could afford you a lavish house somewhere else. The idea of packing up and relocating somewhere more wallet-friendly can be exciting, but also scary.
While many of us might dream about it, a woman from the United States actually did it. The woman shared her journey of relocating abroad for a more affordable lifestyle on TikTok. Below, you'll find all of the details Ajla shared, as well as reactions viewers have had to her video.
The woman shared a video detailing how moving abroad made her salary go much further
Image credits: Timur Weber / pexels (not the actual photo)
"You're not broke; you just live in the US"
Image credits: ajlabrama
"I moved to a tiny country in Europe, and I plan on never coming back"
Image credits: ajlabrama
American TikToker Ajla Brama shared her journey of relocating to Albania for a more affordable lifestyle
Image credits: Vitaliy 🇺🇦 / unsplash (not the actual photo)
The main reason is that my expenses are significantly lower because everything is so much cheaper here. My rent is $1,500, and that's considered expensive here, and that covers water, electricity, Wi-Fi, literally all utilities, and Netflix.
Image credits: ajlabrama
I have no car payment because everything is walkable, or you can just take a scooter. Healthcare is free, but if you want to go to a private hospital, giving birth is about $2,000. And doctors' visits are about $30 each time. My groceries for two people are about $100 a month, but we do like to eat out a lot because the food is really good. And that alone maybe goes to like $200-$300 a month.
Image credits: Giorgio Trovato / unsplash (not the actual photo)
Self-care stuff like nails is going to go between $15 and $50, as is hair. A blowout is $10, and it can go up to $150 for other stuff. So our monthly expenses, give or take, are about $3,000–$3,500 a month. And this is for two adults and a baby.
Image credits: ajlabrama
Living abroad has given me so much more financial freedom. I can spend a little money here and get a lot more for it, which is the opposite in the U.S.
Watch the full video here
She also provided specifics about her work situation
Cost of living can vary significantly depending on the location
Have you ever wondered how you could spend less and get more with your current income? Consider swapping a small city apartment for a spacious home in the countryside, or exchanging expensive dinners for cheap and tasty street food. Well, your cost of living can vary wildly from place to place, affecting everything from housing and groceries to healthcare and entertainment.
In 2023, SmartAsset found that the median cost of living was higher in America compared to Europe. The average European spends about $1,746 per month, whereas an American spends about $2,508 per month. Sometimes it costs more to live in the most affordable US state than to live in many parts of Europe.
According to data, 26 European countries, including France ($2,240), Sweden ($2,100), Italy ($1,743), and Spain ($1,719), have lower costs of living than Kentucky ($2,275), which has the lowest cost of living in the U.S.
Various factors determine the amount of money required to sustain oneself in a city or country
However, Europe is not always cheap. It depends on numerous factors, including your location within a particular city or country you are residing in, your level of income, and your lifestyle, among others. There is a wide gap between the most expensive European countries and the most affordable ones. If you wish to live in a country like Switzerland, then your monthly cost of living will roughly be around $4,059, which is 4.5 times more expensive than Bosnia, Europe’s least expensive country ($900).
Housing is arguably one of the biggest factors to consider before moving to another country. Residential expenses depend on many factors, like location, utilities, and the local economy. For example, Copenhagen is known for its high rental market, while Oklahoma City offers affordable housing options. In this case, your rental budget would be cheaper in America.
Earning in euros while living in Europe means your income aligns with local standards, which might limit the financial benefits compared to earning in dollars. So, if you are earning in dollars while living in Europe, it might provide you with financial advantages due to favorable exchange rates. Simply put, individuals or families with dollar-based incomes are more likely to have a better standard of living in European countries like Spain and France.
You should also consider tax rates before deciding to relocate internationally
One must also comprehend the tax system before moving abroad. The taxes in Europe are very high, which could include a value-added tax that can go up to 27%. One of the biggest savings in the cost of living in Europe is healthcare, as most countries provide fully subsidized, free healthcare for their residents. This means you don’t have to pay premiums or any other medical costs, such as deductibles.
Overall, it seems like it may be cheaper to live in Europe than in the US; however, there’s a lot that comes into play here. All countries have their own advantages and disadvantages, so you need to make a choice that works best for you and your family.
Many people criticized her, claiming she's privileged because she earns in dollars
A few others empathized with her regarding the high cost of living in the US
She also made a video about how the quality of life is significantly better in Europe
Image credits: ajlabrama
You're not depressed, you just live in the US. I moved from the US to Europe and I plan on never going back. Living here has been so affordable and stress-free, I even had my baby here. It cost me about $1,300 to give birth here, and I got paid $400 by the state to have a baby here.
It's just such a different culture here, like people aren't only centered by their work and their job. You get to actually enjoy life and do things on your own time.
And I feel like right now is probably the best time to leave the U.S. And yes, that's everywhere in the world, but it's just so different when you live in a country other than the U.S. I moved to a tiny country in Europe for the past year and I am six hours ahead of the U.S. So that means 3 p.m. here is 9 a.m. there. So I have until 3 p.m. every single day to do whatever I want to do. It's been incredible.
So if you can, move out of the U.S. and live in another country because life is just so much simpler elsewhere. The food is better, the air is cleaner, the education is free, the health care is free. And you'll have a lot higher quality of life elsewhere other than the U.S.
The TikToker shared aspects she didn't like about Europe, mentioning that she found the people comparatively sterner than those in the US
Image credits: ajlabrama
You're not struggling, you just live in the US. I move from the US to Europe and I plan on never going back. The main reasons are because life is just stress-free here. The food is really fresh. Like even fast food is way healthier than the US. And I can afford a full-time nanny, house cleaner.
But there are things that I don't like about living in Europe. Number one, the etiquette. The etiquette is completely different than the US. Here everyone is really stern. Not a lot of please and thank yous. Like if you go to a restaurant, they're not going to introduce themselves. They're just going to take your order and go. But that's probably because they get paid a living wage instead of relying on tips for survival, like in the U.S.
Two, the smoking. Everyone everywhere is smoking around you and it's usually in your face. If you're pregnant, old, young, a baby, they don't care. They're still going to smoke around you.
Three, the slowness. People operate on their own time here. They'll get to it when they get to it and you have no choice but to wait. There's no hustle or urgency. They'll take a nap or go to lunch or have a coffee before they get to you.
Yet I still don't want to be in the U.S. where there's crippling debt, people can't afford a home, and definitely can't afford childcare.