30-year-old who left the U.S. for Denmark says she’s ‘much happier’ now: ‘My salary goes way further’

It doesn’t surprise me that Denmark is the second happiest country in the world. When I studied abroad in Copenhagen in 2013, I instantly fell in love with the charming architecture, delicious pastries and relaxed way of life.

Three years later, I finished my first year working as an elementary school teacher in Dallas, Texas. To celebrate, my friend and I booked a summer vacation in Europe, and we of course included Denmark in our itinerary.

That’s where I met my Danish husband on a dating app. We dated long-distance, and after we got engaged, I packed my suitcases and booked a one-way ticket to Copenhagen.

Once we got married, I applied for a family reunification visa in Denmark, which was approved within six months. I landed a teaching job at an international school, where I still work today.

Now, at 30, I spend a lot of time sharing my experience here on social media. I feel lucky to live in Denmark as a teacher and a mother. Here’s why it’s a much happier place to live and work:

In Texas, I was contracted to work about 45 hours a week (7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. daily), but it was more like 55 to 60 hours a week. I had little time for lesson planning, so I had to do it outside of my paid hours.

In Denmark, a standard workweek is 37 hours, and sometimes more to make up for the abundant time off during the summer and school holidays.

Most Danish people strictly work the hours for which they get paid.

We get a standard five weeks of paid vacation a year, and we use it all. Typically, Danish people take two to three weeks off during the summer and one to two weeks over Christmas.

As new parents, my husband and I use the time off to catch up on rest and be with our son. We often visit my family in the U.S., too.

I use Copenhagen’s metro buses and trains for my 40-minute work commute.

A monthly pass for three “zones” costs 639 DKK a month ($93 USD),…