A 30-year-old who left her job and relocated to Budapest now works remotely 25 hours a week: "It's a wonderful existence."

At 23, Denae McGaha faced a dilemma: she could either deplete her savings by relocating to New York City or accept a teaching position abroad.

In 2017, McGaha, who graduated college the previous year, had approximately $4,000 in her bank account. "That was the most money I'd ever had in my life," she remarks.

After graduating, McGaha spent the summer backpacking through Europe. Later, she moved in with her mom on Whidbey Island in Washington and got a job as a barista at a local coffee shop.

Despite not having a job offer or enough savings to cover expenses, she moved to New York with the hope of pursuing a career in marketing.

"McGaha recalls 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.

McGaha landed a job teaching English to kindergarteners within weeks of submitting her application. She quit her barista gig and moved to Budapest in August 2017, and has been there for seven years. "It's a beautiful life," she says.

Landing a remote job abroad

McGaha's teaching contract provided a one-bedroom apartment in Budapest, fully furnished, along with a monthly stipend to assist with rent and utilities. The job offered an annual salary of approximately $7,800.

Despite her love for teaching and plans to continue for at least five years, she was laid off in March 2020 due to Hungary's school closure to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

She relocated to a one-bedroom apartment in Budapest's 5th District, with a monthly rent of approximately $560 that has remained constant since her move.

McGaha perceived her job loss as a message from the universe to reassess her career aspirations in marketing, a field she had always yearned to pursue.

She revamped her blog, which she launched after relocating to Budapest, and now shares her expat experiences and favorite city activities on Instagram and LinkedIn.

In 2020, businesses began reaching out to her for assistance in revamping their blogs and social media accounts, having discovered her through her own blog.

McGaha explains that through those opportunities, he was able to expand his portfolio and received an approach from an acquaintance who worked at a marketing agency in the US about assisting them in expanding their international customer base through Instagram.

In 2021, she was appointed as a remote digital marketing strategist at Consumer51, a marketing agency situated in Philadelphia, earning approximately $50,000 annually.

McGaha states that working from Europe was never an issue for Consumer51, a remote-first international company based in the U.S.

To secure a remote job with a U.S. company while working abroad, McGaha advises focusing on companies that advertise as "work from anywhere" or "global remote" employers. Alternatively, emphasize the benefits of having a remote worker in a different time zone.

"In Budapest, along with my colleagues in other European cities, we can provide 24/7 availability to our clients and expand our network of potential clients abroad," she states.

McGaha explains that by working in a different time zone than her American colleagues, she is able to complete more graphic design and copywriting projects in less time, as her mornings are free from emails and meetings.

Achieving financial freedom, working 25 hours per week

McGaha reduced her hours to part-time to prevent burnout and expand her blog, a decision she claims would have been financially unfeasible if she resided in New York or Washington.

Compared to other European capitals and large U.S. cities, Budapest has one of the lowest costs of living.

She works as a digital marketing strategist with Consumer 51 for about 20 hours per week and also spends a few additional hours each week, usually five or six, working on her blog or freelance travel writing assignments.

In 2023, McGaha made approximately $37,731 from her marketing job and freelance gigs, which she considers "more than enough" to cover her monthly expenses and save money for travel and dining out with friends.

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. For instance, if I resided in Seattle with my current income, I wouldn't be able to experience the financial freedom and tranquility I enjoy now.""

Chasing dreams of becoming a digital nomad

McGaha has had to apply for several different visas in Budapest.

She was granted a work visa to teach English upon her arrival. In the years 2020 to 2024, she applied and received approval for two distinct short-term visas: a self-employed entrepreneur visa and a "visa for other purposes," both valid for approximately two years each, consecutively.

In January 2024, the Hungarian government revised its immigration system. The "visa for other purposes" type of residence permit was abolished, but since McGaha applied before it was invalidated, she is still eligible.

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

Although she has the option to become a permanent resident in Hungary, she hasn't applied yet because she also aspires to be a digital nomad and work in various countries.

"I appreciate the freedom and flexibility that comes with remote work, which allows me to incorporate more travel into my schedule," she remarks. "On some Fridays, I'll take a train to the Hungarian countryside for a weekend and work from there."

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