I'm Much Happier Living in Iceland Than In The U.S.— Here's How Much it Costs

Summary

Josh Chambers, un Américain de 38 ans, partage son expérience de vie en Islande depuis 2016. Passé de Brooklyn à Reykjavik, il a trouvé un nouvel emploi dans le marketing, gagnant 73 000 dollars par an. Son contenu 'All Things Iceland' a généré plus de 50 000 dollars en six mois, avec des projections pour atteindre 100 000 dollars cette année. Il aborde la vie quotidienne, les défis de l'hiver islandais, et comment la nature a amélioré son bien-être mental. Il exprime son amour pour la vie en Islande, malgré les obstacles, et son sentiment d'appartenance à cette communauté.

Takeaways

• 🏫 Josh Chambers a déménagé en Islande en 2016 après s'être marié avec une Islandaise et avoir trouvé un emploi dans le marketing.
• 💡 Il a ressenti une attirance inexpliquée vers l'Islande, qu'il associe à la nature et à un sentiment d'appartenance.
• 📈 Josh gagne 73 000 dollars par an et a créé un contenu médiatique basé sur l'Islande, qui a généré plus de 50 000 dollars au cours des six derniers mois.
• 🚗 Il bénéficie d'une entente avec une entreprise de location de voitures en Islande, ne payant que pour l'essence.
• 🏥 L'assurance maladie en Islande est universelle et subventionnée, avec des frais modiques pour les soins médicaux.
• 💰 L'Islande est un pays coûteux, en particulier pour les repas sortis et les cafés, qui peuvent coûter cher.
• 💳 Josh est sans dettes et utilise une carte de crédit américaine qu'il a payée en entier il y a quelques années.
• 🛒 Il privilégie l'achat de produits frais et locaux, en particulier lorsqu'il peut soutenir l'agriculture islandaise.
• 🏡 Josh vit dans le centre de Reykjavik, dans un appartement un peu cher mais bien situé, avec un parking et un espace de rangement.
• 🌞 L'Islande offre des conditions météorologiques extrêmes, avec peu de lumière pendant l'hiver et des journées entières de lumière pendant l'été.
• 🛃 L'un des aspects frustrants de la vie en Islande est les frais de douane élevés pour les achats internationaux, qui peuvent dépasser la valeur des articles.
• 🌍 Josh est devenu citoyen islandais et considère l'Islande comme son foyer, malgré le manque de sa famille aux États-Unis qu'il visite régulièrement.

Q & A

Pourquoi Josh Chambers a-t-il décidé de déménager au Danemark?

Josh a déménagé au Danemark car il s'est marié avec un Islandais et a également été offert un emploi dans le département marketing d'une grande entreprise de voyage au Danemark.

Combien gagne-t-il actuellement par an?

Josh gagne 73 000 dollars américains par an.

Quel est le nom de la compagnie avec laquelle Josh a un contrat de location de voiture?

Le nom de la compagnie n'est pas mentionné dans le script, mais il a un contrat à long terme avec une entreprise de location de voiture en Islande.

Quel est le montant que Josh paye pour son appartement à Reykjavik?

Josh paie un peu plus de 1900 dollars américains pour son appartement à Reykjavik.

Comment Josh gère-t-il ses finances après s'être séparé de son ex-partenaire?

Josh se paye lui-même 6000 dollars américains par mois avant les impôts et la pension. Il met également de côté automatiquement 10% de son salaire dans un compte d'épargne.

Quel est le coût approximatif d'un repas complet dans un restaurant à l'îlandais?

Le coût d'un repas complet dans un restaurant en Islande peut varier de 100 à 120 dollars américains.

Quel est le coût d'une consultation chez le médecin en Islande?

Le coût d'une consultation chez le médecin en Islande est généralement faible, souvent autour de 3 ou 4 dollars américains.

Quelle est la situation de Josh en termes de dettes?

Josh est sans dettes, ayant payé ses études et ses cartes de crédit américaines.

Comment Josh vit-il son expérience de vie en Islande en hiver?

Josh trouve que la vie en Islande en hiver peut être difficile en raison de la faible quantité de lumière du jour, allant jusqu'à seulement quatre heures sur le jour le plus court.

Quel est le principal défi que Josh a rencontré en vivant en Islande?

L'un des principaux défis pour Josh est l'impossibilité d'acheter n'importe quoi qu'il désire, car les frais de douane peuvent souvent être plus élevés que la valeur de l'article.

Comment Josh aborde-t-il la question de la race et de l'oppression systémique en Islande?

Josh reconnaît qu'il y a du racisme en Islande, bien qu'il n'en ait pas personnellement été la cible. Il exprime son espoir que la situation s'améliore avec une meilleure prise de conscience.

Quel est le sentiment de Josh envers la nature en Islande et comment cela l'a affecté?

Josh est profondément touché par la nature en Islande, qui l'a aidé de nombreuses manières et lui a permis de se débarrasser de l'idée que tout doit être centré sur la couleur de sa peau.

Josh a-t-il des plans pour l'avenir concernant l'achat d'un appartement avec son actuel compagnon?

Josh et son compagnon ont l'intention d'acheter un appartement et ils envisagent de le modifier pour répondre à leurs besoins, comme ajouter une deuxième salle de bain.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 Découverte de la vie à l'Islande

Josh Chambers, un Américain de 38 ans, partage son expérience de vie à l'Islande après s'être installé à partir de Brooklyn en 2016. Il parle de sa première révélation en classe d'économie, où il a ressenti qu'il ne devait pas vivre aux États-Unis. Après son déménagement, il a trouvé un travail dans le marketing pour une grande entreprise de voyages et a commencé à partager des conseils de voyage, des anecdotes et des entretiens sur son podcast. Il gagne 73 000 dollars par an, mais a connu une séparation et un divorce en 2023. Il aborde également les aspects pratiques de la vie à l'Islande, tels que la santé universelle, les coûts de la vie, y compris les repas sortis et le coût des médicaments.

05:00

🛍️ Vie quotidienne et consommation responsable

Josh décrit sa vie quotidienne à Reykjavik, y compris son appartement confortable avec une cuisine, un espace de travail et un salon. Il insiste sur l'importance de la nature et de la qualité de l'eau à l'Islande, qui est d'une telle pureté qu'il n'y a pas besoin d'acheter de l'eau embouteillée. Il partage également ses astuces pour un mode de vie responsable, comme le choix de fruits et légumes locaux et la consommation de poisson séché, un aliment traditionnel islandais. Il mentionne les défis liés aux achats en ligne et aux frais de douane élevés, ainsi que son processus de paye et d'épargne mensuels.

10:04

🏡 Ambitions et perspectives de vie à l'Islande

Josh parle de son processus d'acquisition de la citoyenneté islandaise et de son désir d'acheter un appartement avec son petit ami. Il envisage des changements pour l'appartement afin de répondre à leurs besoins futurs, comme l'ajout d'une deuxième salle de bain. Il exprime sa satisfaction de vivre à l'Islande, malgré les défis de la lumière naturelle en hiver et les contraintes d'ordre. Il reconnaît également les aspects positifs de la vie en communauté, y compris l'accueil chaleureux de sa famille et d'amis islandais, et son sentiment d'appartenance à la société islandaise.

Keywords

💡Iceland

Iceland est un pays situé en Europe du Nord, connu pour sa nature sauvage et ses paysages spectaculaires. Dans le script, il est mentionné comme le lieu où Josh Chambers a déménagé, influençant ainsi l'essence du récit. L'attrait de l'Islande pour Josh est lié à son environnement naturel, qui semble avoir un impact positif sur sa vie.

💡Brooklyn

Brooklyn est un quartier de New York, représentant l'origine de Josh. C'est l'endroit d'où il est parti pour déménager en Islande. Le contraste entre la vie urbaine de Brooklyn et la vie plus naturelle en Islande est un élément clé du récit.

💡Economics class

La classe d'économie est un contexte où Josh a eu une révélation sur son désir de quitter les États-Unis. Cela montre le déclencheur de ses réflexions sur son avenir et son désir de changement.

💡Marketing

Le marketing est le domaine professionnel dans lequel Josh a trouvé un emploi en Islande. Cela est crucial car il relie sa carrière à son choix de vie et démontre comment il a pu s'intégrer dans la société islandaise.

💡Divorce

Le divorce de Josh est un événement important qui marque un tournant dans sa vie en Islande. Il indique les changements dans ses relations personnelles et comment il gère ses affaires après un séparation.

💡Podcast

Le podcast est une plateforme que Josh utilise pour partager ses expériences et connaissances sur l'Islande. Il est un outil de communication qui permet à Josh de diffuser son message et d'interagir avec son public.

💡Revenue projection

La projection de revenu fait référence aux prévisions financières de Josh pour son entreprise. Cela indique son succès et la croissance de son activité en Islande, reflétant son intégration économique dans le pays.

💡Healthcare system

Le système de soins de santé en Islande est mentionné comme étant subventionné et accessible. Cela souligne les avantages sociaux du pays et comment ils ont un impact sur la vie quotidienne de Josh.

💡Plant-based

Le régime alimentaire basé sur des plantes de Josh est un aspect de son mode de vie qu'il maintient en Islande. Cela montre son engagement pour des valeurs personnelles et comment il trouve des moyens de les vivre dans un nouvel environnement.

💡Daylight

La quantité de lumière du jour est un aspect météorologique important en Islande qui affecte la vie des habitants, y compris Josh. Cela met en évidence les défis et les particularités de la vie en Islande, notamment les longues périodes d'obscurité en hiver.

💡Citizenship

La citoyenneté islandaise de Josh marque son appartenance et son engagement envers le pays. Cela reflète son processus d'intégration et la manière dont il se considère comme faisant partie de la communauté islandaise.

Highlights

Josh Chambers moved from Brooklyn to Iceland in 2016, driven by a magnetic pull towards the country's nature.

He earns $73,000 a year in Iceland, working in the marketing department of a travel company.

Josh's marriage to an Icelander was a significant reason for his move, along with a job offer in marketing.

His divorce was finalized in July 2023, but he continues to live and work in Iceland.

Josh shares Icelandic nature, history, culture, and travel insights through his social media platforms and podcast.

His business, 'All Things Iceland,' has made over $50,000 in six months with a projection of $100,000 for the year.

Josh pays himself $6,000 a month before taxes and pension, highlighting Iceland's unique monthly self-payment practice.

He enjoys a partnership with a car rental company in Iceland, paying only for fuel.

Iceland's universal health insurance is heavily subsidized, with minimal out-of-pocket costs for Josh.

Eating out in Iceland can be expensive, with main courses costing around $25-$30.

Josh is debt-free, having paid off his US credit card and student loans, and saves 10% of his income monthly.

He shops at Kronan for fresh, local produce, emphasizing the importance of supporting local Icelandic agriculture.

Icelandic water is pristine, eliminating the need for bottled water, according to Josh.

Dried fish is a common Icelandic product, with Josh warning of its strong smell.

Josh lives in downtown Reykjavik, paying over $1,900 for a one-bedroom apartment with indoor parking and storage.

Iceland's climate varies, with short winter days and long summer days, and mild temperatures year-round.

Importing goods to Iceland can be frustrating due to high customs fees, often exceeding the item's value.

Josh's Icelandic language skills are improving, with a focus on listening and understanding over speaking.

Living in Iceland has positively impacted Josh's mental health, reducing the emphasis on his skin color.

Josh acknowledges the existence of racism in Iceland but has not personally experienced it to the extent he did in the US.

He has a supportive social circle in Iceland, including Icelandic and non-Icelandic friends, and a loving boyfriend.

Josh is saving to buy an apartment with his boyfriend, considering renovations to meet their needs.

Despite missing his family in the US, Josh visits 1-2 times a year and has become an Icelandic citizen.

Josh considers Iceland his home and plans to stay for the foreseeable future, embracing the country as his own.

Transcripts

In high school is when I had some type of thought when I was sitting in economics class while

the professor was talking about, like US, economics and politics, something in my brain was just like, I

don't think I'm meant to live in the US.

When I moved to Iceland, it felt as if there was something magnetic that has been

pulling me in this direction, and I still haven't been able to put my finger on it

exactly, but I know it has something to do with the nature.

My name is Josh chambers.

I am 38 years old.

I moved to Iceland from Brooklyn in 2016 and I make $73,000 a

year. I was born and raised in Brooklyn,

specifically in Bushwick.

I moved to Iceland in June of 2016 and it was a huge change

for me. The biggest reason for me moving is that I had married an Icelander.

Besides love, I also was offered a job in the marketing department of a big travel

company in Iceland. My ex and I separated in 2022 and our divorce

was finalized in July of 2023.

Of all things, Iceland gives you the inside scoop on Icelandic nature, history,

culture and travel through the eyes of someone who moved here as an American in

2016, giving travel tips, advice and sharing fun anecdotes

about the country, as well as interviews on my podcast.

And really fun, helpful information across all of my social media platforms.

All things Iceland for the last six months has made a little over $50,000, and

for the rest of the year, the projection is revenue of $100,000 and the

company pays me.

In essence, I pay myself $6,000 a month before taxes and pension.

Because I have a great partnership, a long term contract with a car rental company here in

Iceland. I do not pay for anything regarding the car except for fueling it.

There is universal health insurance in Iceland that is heavily subsidized.

So once you've been living in the country for at least six months with a Niccola

or what would be considered your Social Security number, you're automatically rolled into the healthcare

system, and when you go to the doctor, you do have to pay some amount of money, but it

is normally not a lot.

Oftentimes when I've gone to the doctor, my cost might be like 3 or

$4. In general, Iceland is

expensive, and in particular when it comes to eating out, it definitely can be expensive.

It is normal to pay somewhere between 25 to $30 for one

course at a restaurant a main course.

Often when I've gone out and I had a three course dinner, that would be somewhere around 100 to $120.

A cup of coffee also varies depending on where you get it.

It could cost you as much as $7.50 to almost $8.

I have a credit card.

It's a US credit card that I've had for a really long time.

I was so happy when I paid it off a couple of years ago.

Thankfully, I do not have any debts any longer.

I did pay off my student loans.

Another thing that I was incredibly grateful to do.

It's amazing to say that I am debt free, and I'd like to keep it that way every month when I pay myself,

because in Iceland you pay yourself once per month.

That's usually how it happens.

I put away automatically 10% into a savings account.

So we're in Kronan, which is the store I normally like to shop at.

This section is my section.

Granted, in Iceland it's limited and the only reason why I love it is because at least I can get some fresh

things. It's because I am plant based.

I often am buying fruits and vegetables.

So bananas.

Of course. It's really important to me to try and shop as local as I can, just because I want to support the

fact that Iceland has certain vegetables, that it can grow and produce and gives

out. So I'm always buying cucumbers.

They're looking really fresh Because sometimes due to produce always being imported

and being in the country for a while, it's good to just like, look around it and make sure you know, okay,

this is a decent one.

I love mushrooms, they're so delicious.

So I'm really happy that Iceland does grow these two.

One hot tip though, that if you're visiting and you are wondering about the water in

Iceland, it is pristine.

It's amazing.

There's no reason to ever buy bottled water in Iceland, ever.

Another very Icelandic thing that you'll find in stores besides meat is dried fish in particular.

And this is hot pursuit.

So it's dried haddock. And this is 1699.

Do not do not open this in an airplane and someone's car without their

permission. Like it is a very intense smell.

I love living in downtown Reykjavik, and I specifically live in the 101 area on a

street that's a little bit busy, but I don't mind it, especially being from New York.

And for a one bedroom, one bathroom apartment with an indoor parking

spot. I'll just say that because that's important to me.

As well as a storage area downstairs, I pay a little over $1,900.

Welcome to my humble abode.

The bathroom is here.

It's small but cozy.

A nice big mirror and, like, storage space all over here.

You walk right into the kitchen.

I love having an island.

I feel like I'm doing something wrong, though, because I'm currently walking with my shoes on in Iceland in

the house. And that is not something that you do.

My workspace is here and over here is my chilling

out space. Huge couch TV.

Even though I don't watch a ton of television.

When I moved in here, my mom was like, you need to have a TV.

I think she was right.

This painting and the paintings that you see in this apartment are actually by my boyfriend.

He's a great artist and a musician in the last room of the house.

At least that's in this apartment is the bedroom.

I love the closet space.

All these closets are just for me, which is great.

And a super comfy bed.

I love Iceland, but it also can be really tough in the winter time when the

daylight is so much less.

We have about four hours of daylight on our shortest day in the winter, but then we have 24 hour bright

days during the summer.

It can be snowy, icy, rainy during the winter of course, wind any time of year, and

rainy during the summer.

Mild temperatures though, which is nice, meaning it doesn't really go that much

below freezing on average all during the winter time.

And in the summertime, we're getting temperatures of maybe a high of 60°F, but

more like 40 to 55 is fair.

One of the most frustrating things about living in Iceland is not being able to just order

whatever you want, and that's only the price that you pay.

If I order something from Amazon or from Iherb, which I've done in the past, paying the

customs fee can oftentimes be much more than what the item is

worth. And that is extremely frustrating to me because they're oftentimes not everything that you

want can be found in Iceland, so I need to order it from somewhere else.

I would say that my Icelandic is partly only because I feel like I'm

afraid to make really big mistakes, and that's something I'm working on.

So my understanding is quite high.

So I can often just like, listen.

And I totally get it. And then I'm just like, what do I say?

I'm stuck on what to say.

Living in Iceland has 1,000% had an amazing impact on my mental

health. The nature aspect has helped me in so many ways, shedding kind of this idea

that it always has to be about my skin color.

Being a person of color has many different layers in Iceland and everyone's experience is

different. I have had a wonderful experience when I moved.

I think the biggest weight off of my shoulders was that I didn't feel like my color was the thing that

was most part of my identity.

It felt like being from New York was what people were so interested in most of the time when we talked about,

and I loved that.

I loved being just Jules from New York.

I'm not saying no one paid attention to my color or asked me questions.

Definitely nowhere near the same type of weight that I felt in the United States.

Regarding the systematic oppression and racism.

I will never, ever say that there is no racism in Iceland.

There absolutely is.

And there have been people who have unfortunately been subjected to things, terrible things that have been

said to them or done to them.

I just have not been one of those people, and I hope that that doesn't ever happen and that it continues to

get better as we all gain awareness.

When I first moved over, a big part of being in an Icelandic family or marrying into

one is that you spend a lot of time together.

So it was great that my ex's family were so welcoming, so

loving, so kind, as well as the people that I've met as friends.

So I have Icelandic friends and I have non Icelander friends who are coming from other countries who

are really good friends of mine.

I have a boyfriend now who is Icelandic and is amazing and again I am

experiencing a very welcoming environment from his family.

I also have been putting aside money to buy an apartment with my

boyfriend.

Was over here.

We're talking about how we can change the apartment to meet our needs.

So currently it has one bathroom and we would like to have two.

So we were looking at taking the kitchen and transforming this room into the kitchen and making

another bathroom slash laundry area.

This is our second time checking out this apartment.

They lowered the price for this place and that of course intrigued us because it already had a lot of

appeal. It's really bright.

It's in a great location downtown.

There's a wonderful view.

Part of this apartment that you can tell, it's like a bit older and needs some love.

But we're we're good at we're loving.

Yeah, we're good at giving love.

So there's schools from when we start a family.

The number one thing I miss from the US is my family.

I visit the US 1 to 2 times a year, and I have family members that also visit 1 or 2 times a

year. My mother being the number one person that loves to come over to Iceland.

She was just here for seven weeks and that was amazing.

I am an Icelandic citizen and I have been for some years now.

Iceland is my home.

I've felt that ever since I moved.

When I made that decision and stepped my foot down that day when I came to the

country full time, it just felt right and it has continued to feel that way.

So for the foreseeable future, Iceland is my home, and I'm really happy that

I have the chance to say that