Embracing a New Life Abroad: Cara Celeste West’s Journey to a Better Quality of Life

Cara Celeste West, a 33-year-old content creator, found herself at a crossroads when she became a mother in 2022. The challenges of parenthood in the United States, combined with the high cost of living and lack of support, left her feeling overwhelmed. Determined to provide a better life for her daughter, West and her husband made the bold decision to leave behind the stresses of American life and move to Portugal. This decision marked the beginning of a transformative journey that would take them across Europe, ultimately finding a sense of community andImproved quality of life.

The Struggle of Parenthood in the U.S. and the Decision to Move Abroad

Life in the U.S. was proving to be unsustainable for Cara and her husband. Living in a two-bedroom apartment in Austin, Texas, they faced a monthly rent of $1,600, not to mention the added expenses of car payments, insurance, and debt. Despite working opposite schedules to save on childcare, their monthly spending still hovered around $8,000. The financial strain was overwhelming, and the lack of support for new parents in the U.S. only exacerbated their struggles.

Cara began to explore the idea of moving abroad, drawn by the promise of a more affordable and relaxed lifestyle. She envisioned raising her daughter through travel and real-life experiences rather than the traditional American public school system. In the summer of 2022, a friend introduced her to a Facebook group for "world-schooling" families, and her plans began to take shape. The group connected her with a family who had participated in the Boundless Life program, a unique opportunity that offered housing, education for children, and coworking spaces in Portugal for a fee. This was exactly what Cara had been searching for.

Testing Life Abroad with the Boundless Life Program

In 2023, Cara and her husband took the plunge, joining the Boundless Life program for a three-month stint in Portugal. Before making the move, they took several steps to prepare. Cara retained her job in the travel and hospitality industry, while her husband took a three-month sabbatical. To make their new life more affordable, they downsized their living situation in the U.S., moving from Austin to a one-bedroom apartment in Houston. The rent was significantly cheaper at $1,410 a month, and they converted the living room into a bedroom for themselves and the bedroom into a nursery for their daughter.

When they arrived in Portugal, the Boundless Life program provided them with a one-bedroom apartment for $1,572 a month, a schooling program for $1,518, and a coworking space for $488. Although their overall expenses remained similar to what they had been in the U.S., their quality of life improved dramatically. Lisbon, where they settled, offered a slower pace of life, cleaner streets, and a walkable environment that made daily errands and explorations a breeze. The lower cost of living in Portugal allowed them to enjoy small pleasures, like coffee and pastries, without financial stress.

Embracing the Digital Nomad Lifestyle

After their initial three-month experience in Portugal, Cara and her husband were hooked. They decided to embrace the digital nomad lifestyle, joining another program called Noma Collective in Belize and later returning to Europe through Boundless Life in Syros, Greece. In Greece, they found a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment for $2,006 a month, a far cry from the expenses they had faced in the U.S. The island of Syros, with its magical charm and stunning views of the Aegean Sea, quickly became their new home.

By the spring of 2024, they had officially obtained digital nomad visas and residency cards for Greece, a decision that marked a significant milestone in their journey. Today, they live in a two-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Syros, paying $1,464 a month. While they navigate the challenges of summertime tourism by renting out their home and traveling to places like Albania, they have found a rhythm that works for them. Their monthly living expenses in Europe are comparable to what they were in the U.S., but their money is now allocated differently—toward experiences, debt repayment, and a more balanced lifestyle.

Building a Community and Finding Belonging

One of the most unexpected joys of their new life has been the sense of community they have found in Europe. As digital nomads, leaving behind a support network in the U.S. was challenging, but they have since built a thriving community of friends, both locals and fellow nomads. In contrast to the fast-paced, scheduled life they left behind, they now enjoy spontaneous gatherings and easier social connections.

Cara has also found personal growth in her new environment. As a Black woman, she often felt watched or judged in the U.S., but in Europe, she experiences a sense of liberation and acceptance. The absence of gun violence in public spaces has also brought her a newfound sense of safety and peace of mind. These subtle but profound differences have made her feel more at home in her new life.

A Brighter Future for Cara and Her Family

Cara’s journey abroad has not only improved her quality of life but has also opened up new opportunities for her career. She now works full-time as a contractor for an American company and earns additional income through content creation, helping others navigate the process of moving abroad. Her Instagram following of 119,000 allows her to share her everyday life in Europe, from laundry and grocery shopping to exploring new destinations.

Her husband, who left his job to become a full-time stay-at-home dad,