I Left Atlanta For The Middle East — Here’s Why I'm Much Happier

Mikayla McGhee’s Life in Bahrain

Mikayla McGhee, 29, moved from Atlanta to Bahrain in December 2022 and says the move has made her much happier. She first visited Bahrain in 2020 to see her parents, who were stationed there with the U.S. Navy, and quickly felt at home. After living with them for about six months, she got a place of her own.

McGhee describes Bahrain as a peaceful, welcoming island with a deep culture and a strong sense of community. Although she had preconceived ideas about the Middle East, she says her culture shock was positive: she has felt safe and accepted, and found it easy to meet people in the small community. She particularly likes the climate, though summer temperatures can reach around 113–115°F.

Home and Work

McGhee lives in Adliya, a neighborhood in Manama, in a three-bedroom house with a spacious kitchen, home office, laundry room, garage, and private pool.

She works remotely as a senior performance marketing manager for a U.S.-based B2B software company. She earns a reported annual salary of $140,000 in U.S. dollars and pays U.S. taxes. Because she works Eastern Time, her workday typically runs from about 5 or 6 p.m. until midnight or 1 a.m. Bahrain time, leaving her daytime hours free.

Lifestyle and Practical Details

McGhee uses her mornings for exercise and personal time, and sometimes works from coffee shops for a change of scenery. She contributes to a high-yield savings account, a Roth IRA, and her employer’s 401(k).

She has health insurance through work and says healthcare in Bahrain is free for residents. She shops for groceries every two to three days because fresh foods spoil quickly. She has learned a few Arabic words so far and hopes to improve, though English is widely spoken.

McGhee also makes videos about daily life and costs in Bahrain to help counter misconceptions about the country. She hopes to buy property there, even if she does not stay permanently.

Notable Places and People

• Bahrain, including Manama and the Adliya neighborhood
• Dubai, which McGhee compares with Bahrain
• Mikayla McGhee
• McGhee’s father, a longtime Navy servicemember who had a suit shop in Bahrain