Additional Coverage:
- I downsized from a house in Nevada to a 104-square-foot studio outside of Paris. It helped me focus on what matters in life. (businessinsider.com)
Writer Finds “Joie de Vivre” (and Book Deal) After Swapping Nevada for France
Alice Hafer, a writer and adjunct English professor, found herself struggling to make ends meet in Nevada. Sharing a spacious 1,800-square-foot house with a roommate, her monthly bills still ranged from $3,300 to a staggering $5,000, significantly more than her $2,000 monthly income. Even with a house-cleaning side hustle, Hafer’s dream of writing a book seemed perpetually out of reach.
The solution? France.
Having experienced Europe during her master’s degree program in London, Hafer knew the cost of living could be considerably lower across the Channel. When her work situation shifted to allow for remote teaching and increased freelance writing, she decided to take the plunge.
Trading Nevada for a charming apartment 40 minutes outside Paris, Hafer found herself not only saving money but also embracing a new way of life. While her new apartment measured a cozy 104 square feet, the clever layout, featuring a lofted bedroom and skylit window, provided everything she needed. And at just €650 (around $740) a month, including utilities, the rent was a fraction of her previous housing costs.
The savings extended beyond rent. No longer needing her car, Hafer saved approximately $500 a month on gas and insurance.
Public transportation in France cost a mere €50 to €80 monthly. Overall, Hafer estimates she saved between $1,700 and $3,200 each month, allowing her to live comfortably on a budget of $1,600 to $1,800.
Even dining out became an affordable pleasure. From €1.80 pain au chocolat to hearty €12-€17 dinners, French cuisine offered delicious options at a fraction of the price she was used to paying in the US. Hafer quickly discovered the joys of lingering for hours at brasseries, enjoying happy hour wine for just €5.
This slower, more intentional pace of life allowed Hafer to finally focus on her writing. Scaling back to a 30-hour work week and embracing the French appreciation for holidays and leisure, she found the time and mental space to complete the final draft of her book. Trading the “American grind” for “joie de vivre,” Hafer discovered that sometimes, less truly is more.