Jewells Chambers, an American expat who originally hails from Brooklyn, New York, detailed how she felt a “magnetic” pull towards the stunning “Land of Fire and Ice”
An expat who abandoned life in the US and relocated to a remote European nation has revealed one particular disadvantage she’s encountered. Jewells Chambers, an American expat originally from Brooklyn, New York, explained how she felt a “magnetic” attraction to the breathtaking “Land of Fire and Ice,” with its striking landscapes filled with volcanoes and glaciers.
Jewells, who currently makes $73,000 (approximately £54,200), first relocated to Iceland in 2016, after marrying an Icelander (they divorced in 2023) and securing a position in the marketing department at a local travel company.
Alongside this role, the 38-year-old also established the YouTube channel and podcast All Things Iceland in 2018, which offers viewers the “inside scoop” on the Nordic country, with Jewells making the brand her full-time focus in 2020.
However, despite appearing to relish her life in the nation, she did acknowledge one downside of residing there; Iceland is a famously costly country (eighth most expensive globally in 2023), with a cost of living allegedly 15.8 per cent higher than the US, according to Business Insider.
Speaking to CNBC Make It, Jewells revealed her living costs: “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 (about £18 to £22) 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 (about £74 to £89).
“A cup of coffee also varies, depending on where you get it. It could cost you as much as $7.50 to almost $8 (about £5.60 to £6).”
Previously in the clip, the creators revealed a pie chart detailing Jewells’ monthly expenditure for June 2024.
Her total outgoings reached $4,667 (about £3,400), with $2,030 (about £1,500) going towards accommodation and utilities, plus $545 (about £400) on groceries.
However, her expenses have been mitigated somewhat thanks to a contract with a local vehicle hire company, which means she only covers petrol costs. She also takes advantage of Iceland’s free healthcare provision.
Iceland, a sparsely populated island in the North Atlantic, is known for its geothermal hot springs and geysers, as well as such natural attractions as the famous Blue Lagoon spa.
The country boasts 376,000 residents as of 2024, and this year secured third place as the world’s happiest nation in the 2025 World Happiness Report (just behind Finland in first place and Denmark).
The BBC reported that Iceland achieved the top score globally for social support whilst also earning impressive rankings for freedom and generosity, placing third and fifth.
Another element that allegedly adds to residents’ happiness is the country’s breathtaking scenery. US geologist Jessica Poteet, who also relocated to Iceland, discussed the matter with the corporation.
She revealed that living somewhere blessed with volcanoes, Northern Lights, “cotton candy-pink” skies, and snow-capped peaks during winter feels like a “dream” and something she “never” takes for granted.