In a bold career change, Zoe De La Paz traded her mechanical design role in Chicago for a seamstress job in Yellowstone National Park, where she pays just $96 a month to live surrounded by natural beauty.
- Left a $75,000 engineering job in Chicago for Yellowstone
- Pays $96/month for dorm-style housing in Mammoth Village
- Mends uniforms and takes on creative sewing projects at the park
What happened
Zoe De La Paz was working as a mechanical designer in Chicago, earning about $75,000 annually, when a trip to Yellowstone National Park inspired her to rethink her life and career. Wanting a more creative path, she leveraged her sewing hobby and landed a seamstress job with Xanterra Parks & Resorts, which manages Yellowstone’s hotels and lodges.
Since June 2026, Zoe has worked full-time repairing uniforms for the park’s staff while living in affordable dormitory housing in Mammoth Village. The position lets her engage in creative sewing work and grants access to the stunning natural surroundings of Yellowstone, blending work and passion in a unique way.
Why it feels good
For Zoe, moving to Yellowstone was a chance to escape the confines of a traditional corporate career and find fulfillment in a more artistic, meaningful role. She appreciates the balance between work and play, especially knowing her housing costs are just $96 a month, including utilities and Wi-Fi, which significantly reduces her living expenses compared to city life.
The overwhelming beauty of living in one of the most scenic places in the world adds emotional richness to her daily life. Plus, the opportunity to engage in hobbies like horseback riding and hiking right outside her door brings joy and a sense of freedom that was missing before.
What to enjoy or watch next
Zoe’s seasonal contract will conclude soon, but she plans to continue working in the sewing and costuming field. Her story is a reminder that transformational career moves are possible when passion leads the way, especially in environments that nourish both creativity and well-being.
For those inspired by her journey, exploring creative careers outside corporate norms or considering work in beautiful natural settings might offer a fresh perspective on life and work balance. And if you ever visit Yellowstone, Mammoth Village’s affordable dorm rooms provide an inviting option for a night or two near the park’s wonders.