'A more fulfilling, more richer life': This family moved away from Texas and now lives well on $136,000 income in Greece — why they feel like they no longer live 'paycheck to paycheck'

Now, her family is managing well on her income — she made $136,000 in 2024. Her husband, who previously worked as a restaurant manager, has become a stay-at-home dad to their daughter. They’re also on a path to paying off their sizable credit card debt.

“[It] has been the biggest change for our family — to be able to spend more time with each other, to just have a slower pace of life,” she said.

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 40% 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, per CNBC.

The 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.