Life in Iceland: A Journey of Discovery and Challenges
Jewells Chambers, a 38-year-old woman from Brooklyn, New York, made the bold decision to move to one of Europe’s most remote nations. She relocated to Iceland in 2016 after marrying an Icelander and taking up a job at a local travel company. Although her marriage ended in 2023, she chose to stay in the Nordic country and now earns an annual salary of $73,000 (around £45,000).
Jewells has since launched a podcast and Instagram page called All Things Iceland, which highlights Icelandic life and culture, along with her adventures across the country. In a YouTube video, she discussed the financial realities of living in Iceland, which is ranked as the eighth most expensive country in the world.
Eating out in Iceland can be quite costly. Jewells noted that it’s common to pay between $25 to $30 (about £18 to £22) for a main course at a restaurant. A three-course dinner could cost around $100 to £120 (about £74 to £89). Additionally, a cup of coffee can cost as much as $8 (around £6), depending on where you are.
In June 2024, Jewells reported spending a total of $4,667 (£3,400), with £1,500 allocated for housing and utilities, and approximately £400 for her monthly grocery shop.
Despite the high cost of living, she benefits from Iceland’s universal healthcare system. She also believes the lifestyle in Iceland is more suited to her. She spends her free time exploring the country’s dramatic landscapes and natural wonders, including snow-capped mountains, dormant volcanoes, striking glaciers, and breathtaking Northern lights.
Jewells concluded, “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 nature.”
Iceland, with a population of around 376,000, was recently ranked third in the 2025 World Happiness Report, following closely behind Finland and Denmark. The report, published by Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and the WHR’s Editorial Board, found that Nordic countries dominated the top of the list, with Sweden in fourth place.
The report asked people around the globe to rate their lives to find the world’s happiest country. Rankings were based on a three-year average of each population’s average assessment of their quality of life.
The study found that sharing meals with others is strongly linked to wellbeing across all global regions. In the USA, the number of people dining alone has increased by 53 per cent over the past two decades. Household size also has a significant impact on happiness, with the happiest households being those that had four or five people living together. In Europe, many people are living on their own, which could affect happiness levels.
The number of young adults who say they have no one they can count on for social support has also increased by 39 per cent since 2006.
Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, director of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre, said, “This year’s report pushes us to look beyond traditional determinants like health and wealth. It turns out that sharing meals and trusting others are even stronger predictors of wellbeing than expected.”
Why Iceland Is a Top Destination for Immigrants
Iceland has become a top destination for immigrants in 2025, surpassing global favorites with its unparalleled quality of life. It is considered an expat paradise due to its unmatched safety and sky-high life expectancy. The country’s impressive earnings may outweigh its high cost of living, making it a top choice for Britain’s job seekers.
Could Iceland be your next high-salary haven, offering a staggering £23,000 more than the average wage in the UK? Its trailblazing approach to work schedules might be the blueprint for global happiness and productivity.