This American couple left Kansas to start a family in Spain, and quickly discovered some key differences

Jessica and Eric Smith, originally from Kansas, are an American couple who have made their new home in Logroño, northern Spain. Seeking a more relaxed and enjoyable lifestyle, they decided to leave the United States for the European country. “We totally fell in love with this country — the food, people, language, lifestyle... everything!”

Now, both Jessica, 35, and Eric, 37, claim to have found the perfect place to build their life together. The couple has fallen in love with Spanish cuisine, the climate, and the people. In short, they’ve fallen for Spain’s high quality of life.

Leaving Kansas behind

They believe Spain is one of the best countries in the world thanks to its dynamic nature and relaxed spirit. Stepping away from the American model, Jessica and Eric highly value the tranquility of living in Spain and everything their city offers.

“It’s true that we earn less than we did in Kansas, but we’ve realized that our lives are more important than any amount of money,” Jessica says.

Engaging in outdoor activities like visiting parks, dining at restaurants, or taking walks has become an obsession for the couple. They mention that in the United States, “all activities are indoors,” which eventually overwhelmed them.

The couple arrived in Spain with $49,500 in savings, supplemented by a monthly income of $828 from Eric, who started teaching English. They managed this way for the first two years until they began sharing their story on TikTok.

On the social platform, they created videos highlighting the differences between the United States and Spain, from supermarkets to utility bills. This gradually helped them build a small community, eventually allowing them to make a living from it.

Today, the couple earns between $1,100 and $4,400 through their online presence. This income covers their average monthly expenses of $2,300, including rent, food, and caring for their child, among other costs.

“I recognize that some expenses, like the $700 we spend on food, could be reduced, but we love the high quality of Spanish cuisine,” Eric says. He credits developing his taste for cooking in Logroño.

A risky decision

Feeling suffocated by the American lifestyle, Jessica and Eric left their respective jobs as a massage therapist and veterinarian to seek a change of environment, with Spain as their main choice. However, the high costs of cities like Madrid, Barcelona and San Sebastián led them to expand their search until they found their ideal city: Logroño.

Seven months pregnant and ignoring warnings from family and friends, they moved to La Rioja. Initially, adapting was challenging, Eric recalls the numerous doubts that plagued them during the first 24 hours.

However, shortly after, they adjusted to their new life. Alongside their child and two dogs, they were able to build their life project in Logroño, enjoying a quality of life they had never known before.

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