Last Sunday I shared an email from your fellow reader Barbara C.
Barbara and her husband began reading my publications 30 years ago.
They dreamed of moving overseas.
They looked at Mexico… at France… at Italy… at Portugal…
But, as Barbara explained, one thing got in the way… and then another.
Now Barbara and her husband are in their 80s… and they’re afraid they’ve missed out.
They fear it’s too late for them to act on their dreams.
This week I want to share another reader email… this one forwarded to me by Jeff Woodruff.
Jeff is the Member’s Liaison for our Portugal Circle.
He reached out to share good news. He’d just heard from one of his Portugal Circle members who has made her move and now calls Portugal home…
“I am (finally) retired and have been living in Povo a de Varzim in the region of Porto for the past 20 months!” wrote Lynn K. formerly of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
“My apartment overlooks the beach so in winter I watch beachcombers and surfers. In summer, there are visitors and locals who have rented barranca’s (beach huts) playing games, tanning, swimming, and just hanging out.
“I walk my dog (yes, I brought my dog—not as hard as I thought it would be) along the esplanade, greet other walkers, and, because I’m on a pilgrimage route to Santiago, I greet and give out small scallop shell charms to ‘perregrinos.’
“I don’t have a car, so I walk or take the wonderful metro system or bus system everywhere or Uber when I have to. The train system is extensive and growing to connect to Spain and other parts of Europe. The airport is just a 20-minute Uber ride away from my apartment.
“The people here are friendly and kind to a stuttering foreigner just beginning to learn their language. Many of the business people and the younger folks speak English very well so it’s hard sometimes to practice Portuguese with them. (I think they just don’t want me to mangle their language!)
“To live in Portugal requires some documentation, but that documentation allows me to receive free health care in the public system (or private with supplemental insurance); to receive discounts on prescriptions; and to get discounts (for seniors) on many other services and from businesses.
“I’ve met many other expats, including other Americans, Australians, Russians, English, Japanese, Germans, Ukrainians, Indians, Bengalis and many other nationalities. The Portuguese welcome us all.
“Food is excellent in restaurants, but I cook for myself most often, so I’m very happy about the fresh food and fruits that are available in season. I don’t drink alcohol, so I can’t speak for the quality of the wine, but my friends here say it’s wonderful and inexpensive.
“I love the free and easy style of the Portuguese and the fact that they do have time for family and friends. They’re not workaholics.
“I feel safe and secure here. Random crime is rare.
“Because I came alone with no family, I was invited to Christmas Eve dinner with a Portuguese family. It was a wonderful experience, but I didn’t have enough Portuguese to understand or make myself understood. So I’m taking courses and by next Christmas I should be able to participate fully!
“It’s a very good life here. I recommend it highly.”
If this single retired lady from Santa Fe can muster the courage to take the leap and reinvent her life in a new country all on her own… so can you.
Please don’t delay another day.
Don’t keep dreaming of a new life overseas.
Launch a new life overseas.
Sincerely,
Kathkeen Peddicord
Founding Publisher, Overseas Opportunity Letter
