So, here’s the story: I’m Jenn Jamali, 34, and I grew tired of the loneliness creeping in while living in my suburb of Austin. It just felt too quiet and prescriptive.
In May, my husband, daughter, and I decided to pack up and head to Bogotá, Colombia, where my husband’s family is rooted. The shift has been refreshing!
- We now live rent-free and our monthly daycare costs are just $300.
- Also, we’re profiting from renting out our home back in Austin while living comfortably in a vibrant community.
- My life has definitely turned around—instead of isolating workdays, I’m soaking in community vibes and cultural richness here!
This piece stems from a conversation I had with another blogger about my family’s move to Colombia. It’s gonna be raw and real, letting you in on our feelings and thoughts.
To kick things off, I grew up in Houston, but calling Austin home for the last 9 years left me craving more. Everything was too similar—going to the gym, grabbing coffee, hustling back home. It struck me that I was missing out on life!
Fast forward to 2022, when I got laid off from Spotify right smack when I was eight weeks pregnant. Unable to shape events sometimes leaves you pleasantly surprised. Though it was tough, I quickly pivoted to start my own hustle as a money and career coach. But still, the same routine drained my spirit big time!
In 2025, ever-lingering grief pushed us to reflect. It finally dawned on us—why were we stuck living somewhere we weren’t happy and pouring money down the drain?
So, we decided it wasn’t merely about cost but life itself! That’s why we made the jump across borders to Bogotá, where everything just clicked.
Embracing Community in Colombia
Life in Bogotá feels like this vibrant urban rush. Think New York but with that sweet Colombian warmth! The energy, output, and friendliness affect how we roll through our days.
Honestly, being two blocks from my in-laws is golden! They’re always there to help out—especially handy when we get sick. Total blessing!
Being rent-free on an apartment set up by my in-laws has been a luxury we know not many get to enjoy. Yes, it’s much cozier than our former four-bedroom home in Austin, but guess what? We don’t miss having so much space. The active culture here encourages going out, being social, and it feels good. All this inactivity just kept me stuck previously!
Logically, walking my kid to school or hitting up marketplaces easily nets me around 10,000 steps a day! It’s wild. And, I was once terrified of sending my daughter to school—they care here, and meals are prepared daily with love.
Thanks to my loving in-laws and this newfound safety, my mental health is blossoming in Bogotá!
Childcare Costs Don’t Hurt Our Budget
The affordability of childcare here is unreal! Imagine paying just $300 for daycare while health services come straight to my door. It’s also super reasonable—about $120 monthly to enroll my husband and child in the local healthcare system.
I adored how groceries magically stay within budget. Buying eggs? A way cheaper… $4 for a huge pack. We’re living with instant access to local produce showing us daily how life can be uncomplicated once again.
As for our home back in Austin? Renting it online has been a money-minting move! We raked in $4,000 on an Airbnb listing since early July. We made a sound investment there with solid equity that’s paying us back while we live a pleasant life here.
Living Stress-Free in Colombia
The pace of life serves me better—slowy melting away all that undue anxiety. It’s liberating. If we escape to my in-laws’ serene mountain home, my positive creativity flows even smoother!
Being home in a relaxed and supportive space makes me kick butt with my ambitions while channeling creativity with social media branding.
No plans for heading back to the US! I don’t miss the hectic rush, cold interactions; it’s astonishing but utterly confirming to this stress-free life in Colombia. Community love and well-being arrive first, and I feel I finally belong.
