Courtesy of Suzy Cubberley
- In 2023, Suzy Cubberley moved from Texas to Colorado looking for a change in careers and politics.
- Cubberley said housing is more expensive in Colorado, but the quality of life is better.
- She and her boyfriend are DINKs, an acronym that stands for double income, no kids.
Suzy Cubberley, 26, has been a longtime advocate for women's rights.
Cubberley was born and raised in Texas but didn't feel happy living there. She said she was at odds with the state's conservative culture and restrictive stance on abortion — in 2022, after Roe v. Wade was overturned, the state's "trigger law" went into effect and banned almost all cases of abortion.
When looking for a new job last year, Cubberley decided it was time to move elsewhere. She left Frisco, a city part of the Dallas-Forth Worth metro area, and settled in Colorado. The state enacted a statutory protection for abortion as a fundamental right in 2022 and passed a shield law strengthening protections in 2023. What's more, this year, Coloradans will vote on whether to amend the state's constitution to protect abortion rights further.
"Being pro-choice, that was the biggest thing that influenced my choice to come here," she said of moving to Colorado.
While it's difficult to track how many people left Texas because of its abortion policies, the state has seen substantial migration patterns in recent years. For example, more than 668,300 people moved into Texas between 2021 and 2022, about 494,000 people moved out, according to Census data.
"I don't have to be just right where I was born," Cubberley said. "I can choose to move on to better things, new experiences, and happier memories."
Colorado's politics are appealing, but life is expensive
Cubberley was born in Richardson, Texas, a small city in the Dallas area.
She graduated from the University of North Texas in 2020. After working at a comic book store and then in mental healthcare, she felt emotionally drained and knew she needed a change.
In April 2023, Cubberley drove to Colorado and started a new career in retail. She said her job is enough to get by, but she's unsure what career path she may eventually pursue. She lives with her boyfriend, who she met in Colorado, and a roommate in Broomfield, a city about 15 miles north of Denver.
Courtesy of Suzy Cubberley
And while she celebrates the state's stance on abortion, she said everything from groceries to housing in Colorado is more expensive than in Texas. But she's willing to make it work to live in the state.
In Broomfield, Cubberley, her boyfriend, and their roommate split the $2,500 monthly rent for a 1,508-square-foot townhouse with four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a two-car garage, and an outdoor patio.
In Frisco, Cubberley lived alone and paid $1,225 for a 1,014-square-foot townhouse with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a small backyard, and a two-car driveway.
"I was going to do what it took to live where I wanted, and I figured that if I'm only paying for myself and no kids, there has to be a way for me to afford it," she said.
A DINK lifestyle provides financial freedom
Cubberley said the quality of life in Colorado is worth the high prices. What's more, she and her boyfriend are DINKs, an acronym that stands for double income, no kids. Business Insider has reported on DINKs, who said that being child-free has enabled them to focus on their careers and afforded them financial stability.
Cubberley said she enjoys the spontaneity of being a DINK, such as being free to travel and spend nights out with her partner without concern or the extra cost of childcare.
"We do get to enjoy much more disposable income than we would if we had a child," Cubberley said. "We go out at a moment's notice and enjoy our freedom and our ability to do whatever we want."
Yet, Cubberley said being a DINK doesn't just mean having money to spend frivolously. The couple strategizes how they spend their money. For example, her partner covers their dates while she covers the groceries.
She said she takes a weekly trip to the grocery store and spends about $400 on food a month. Meanwhile, she said their usual dates are mini golf or going out to bars, and they spend around $100 on each outing.
The financial freedom is appealing, and Cubberley said she doesn't want children after growing up in a divorced household and experiencing a tough upbringing.
"If you don't have that burning desire to be a parent, then perhaps you shouldn't just do what society is telling you to do," she said. "You should look into yourself and actually ask, 'Why am I doing this? What do I actually want out of my life?'"
Did you move states, and did it improve or damage your finances? Did being child-free factor into your decision? This reporter wants to hear your story. Please reach out at jtowfighi@businessinsider.com.