A 30-year-old moved from the U.S. to Budapest and pays $560 per month for a 1-bedroom apartment.

A near-death experience inspired Denae McGaha to move halfway across the world.

In 2011, a deadly tornado tore through McGaha's parents' house in Harvest, Alabama, while she, her brother, mother, and father were inside. To protect her from the wind and debris, McGaha's father, Ronnie, threw himself on top of her and was killed in the process.

McGaha, 30, recalls how her father's gift of a travel guidebook to Europe fueled her passion for travel. "I always had the travel bug," she says. "With that gift, it felt like all of my dreams [to see the world] were supported and confirmed."

From the moment she turned 18, McGaha began planning her move abroad. During her time in college, she spent two semesters studying in London and Copenhagen, and afterwards, she backpacked through Europe.

McGaha says that travel was a way for him to maintain excitement in life and recover from a traumatic experience that resulted in the loss of his father.

"The experience opened my world and made me yearn for more, while also demonstrating my ability to create a stunning life despite significant losses."

Upon her return from her trip, McGaha resided with her mother on Whidbey Island in Washington and secured employment as a barista at a coffee shop.

"She remembers feeling like an imposter, with everyone around her pursuing graduate school or job opportunities in big cities while she felt drained and uncertain. Despite not knowing her next move, she knew she wanted to continue traveling."

Her friend recommended considering teaching positions in Budapest, Hungary, due to the teacher shortage and quick visa processing time.

In 2017, McGaha landed a job teaching English to kindergarteners and has been living in Budapest ever since.

"Although I don't plan on staying here forever, I don't see any compelling reasons to leave just yet," she remarks. "This city still holds a lot of love for me."

Moving to Europe with $4,000 and a single suitcase

McGaha spent $800 on a one-way plane ticket to start a new life outside the United States.

She claims to have brought one suitcase with her and states that she saved approximately $4,000 for her relocation.

Her job paid about $7,800 a year and included a furnished one-bedroom apartment in Budapest with a monthly stipend to help cover rent and utilities.

McGaha says that navigating her new career in Budapest was relatively easy due to the fact that many Hungarians speak English. After working in the school for a year, she became proficient in Hungarian.

McGaha explains that working with kindergarteners taught him a lot because the children's Hungarian is simple and repetitive.

She quickly formed connections with other educators, expats she encountered via Instagram and local employees from various establishments in her community, including outdoor markets and Budapest's renowned ruin bars.

The biggest challenge for McGaha in relocating to Budapest has been being away from her family and friends in the US and adapting to what she refers to as a "coconut culture."

"In 'peach cultures,' such as Americans, individuals tend to be more outwardly friendly and approachable, but there is a hidden side to them that they keep private for select individuals. On the other hand, Hungarian culture is more like a coconut; they initially come across as reserved and distant, but once you get past their outer shell, they become warm and loyal friends who treat you like family."

Switching from teaching to a remote-first career

After relocating to Budapest, McGaha began a blog to document her life as an American expat and her favorite activities in the city.

Little did she know that her favorite hobby would turn into a career.

In March 2020, Hungary closed its schools to prevent the spread of Covid-19, resulting in McGaha's layoff from her teaching job.

McGaha's blog and social media accounts were promoted on LinkedIn and Instagram, leading to local businesses in Budapest reaching out to her for assistance in revamping their own online presence.

McGaha explains that through those opportunities, he was able to expand his portfolio and was approached by an acquaintance on Instagram who worked at Consumer51 to help them grow their international customer base.

She is currently a freelance travel writer and a part-time remote digital marketing strategist at Consumer51, a marketing agency located in Philadelphia.

Due to losing her teaching job and relocating to Budapest, McGaha has had to apply for multiple visas.

She was granted a work visa to teach English when she first arrived in Hungary. In the years 2020 to 2024, she applied and received approval for two different short-term visas, including a self-employed entrepreneur visa and a "visa for other purposes," each valid for approximately two years, consecutively.

In January 2024, the Hungarian government revised its immigration system. The "visa for other purposes" residence permit, which McGaha is attempting to renew, was abolished; however, since she submitted her application before it was invalidated, she remains eligible for it.

If McGaha's application is approved, she could be permitted to remain in Hungary for another year.

Although she's contemplating becoming a permanent resident in Hungary, she hasn't applied yet because part of her dream is to be a digital nomad and travel and work in various countries.

"Being in Budapest brings me joy, except when I have to handle immigration documents."

Living comfortably on less than $40,000 a year

McGaha's marketing job and freelance gigs last year brought her about $37,731, which she says has been sufficient to cover her monthly expenses and save money for travel and dining out with friends.

She relocated to a one-bedroom apartment in Budapest's 5th District in early 2020, which she discovered on Ingatlan, a widely used apartment-search platform. Her monthly rent, which has remained constant since her arrival, is approximately $560.

McGaha intends to spend no more than $150 per week after paying rent and utilities.

"McGaha remarks, "I appreciate the numerous opportunities for leisure and savings that living here has provided me with. Specifically, if I resided in Seattle with my current income, I wouldn't be able to maintain my financial freedom or sense of security.""

A monthly breakdown of McGaha's spending, as of May 2024, is available.

Food: $806

Rent and utilities: $664

Insurance: $82

Phone: $97

Subscriptions: $189

Transportation: $8

Business expenses: $25

Discretionary: $400

Debt repayment: $1,089

Total: $3,360

"In May, I overspent and believe that a significant factor was paying off credit card debt. Additionally, I was more generous with dining out and socializing with friends. However, I plan to curb my travel expenses this summer and be more mindful of my spending."

Building a new life abroad

McGaha says she rarely feels homesick for the United States.

Navigating the Hungarian immigration system and having conversations in Hungarian can be challenging, but she says, "I wake up every morning feeling grateful for this life."

Budapest's evenings are often spent cycling along the Danube River, sipping wine with friends at open-air bars, or indulging in lángos, a renowned European street food.

She enjoys picnics with friends on Margate Island, trying new bakeries in Budapest, and exploring the city's cultural offerings, including late-night museum exhibits and concerts at Puskás Aréna on weekends.

McGaha believes that her 16-year-old self would be proud of the life she has now in Hungary. She says, "If I could maintain the same level of comfort, peace, and quality of life, I would consider moving back to the States. However, for now, I am content with my life in Budapest."

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