Our Story: Moving to Iceland

For several years, we had been dreaming of moving north—but hadn’t yet figured out where. Iceland had long been high on our travel list, but for over 15 years, it remained a destination we were saving for the right moment. When we finally went, we knew we didn’t want to rush it or limit ourselves. No luxury hotels or tight schedules—just time and space to experience the country as fully as possible. That meant planning carefully and saving up.

We spent a month exploring Iceland in a 4x4, driving the full circle around the island: through the remote Westfjords, the classic Golden Circle, the dramatic coastlines of the south, and the quiet beauty of the north and east. We wandered through Reykjavík, explored the Reykjanes and Snæfellsnes peninsulas—and ventured into the highlands, still my favorite part of Iceland. For me, that’s where the country feels most raw and real.

During that trip, something shifted. Iceland didn’t just impress us—it felt like a place we could live. We’d been talking about relocating to the north for years, and suddenly this abstract idea began to feel real. We even contacted a local realtor to learn how things worked here—buying property in Iceland is quite different from Belgium or the Netherlands, and we had a lot of questions.

Of course, we knew the risks of deciding based on a holiday. Travel often feels magical by nature. But this was different. I’d never felt quite so calm or connected. Leaving Iceland was genuinely hard. And back in the Netherlands, I struggled to adjust. I wasn’t just nostalgic—I was homesick for a place I’d only just met.

We didn’t make the decision overnight. There were long conversations, many questions, and very real doubts. So we returned in winter. We’d seen Iceland in summer, with unusually good weather, but we knew the darker season could feel very different. That winter turned out to be the snowiest in over a decade. It was cold, dark, and icy—and still, we loved it. Maybe even more than summer.

That second trip confirmed what we already suspected: this wasn’t just a beautiful place to visit. It felt like home.

We’ve now been living in Iceland for a while, and the only regret I have is not doing it sooner. Has everything gone smoothly? No. The beginning was tough—there was doubt, stress, and lots to figure out. But we’ve found our rhythm, and we’re still learning every day.

If you're curious about our story, have questions about daily life in Iceland, or just want to say hello, feel free to reach out on social media.

Thank you for following along.

Sjáumst,
Catherine

Our first glimpse of the highlands was Landmannalaugar.
We drove there on the second day of our first trip to Iceland, and the moment we stepped into that lava field—surrounded by colored mountains and silence—it was overwhelming in the best way.
Since then, we’ve explored many other parts of the highlands, and I’ve found new favorites. But because it was the first, Landmannalaugar will always feel like the place where it all began.