A lot has happened in Portugal recently:
• The Non-Habitual Residents (NHR) regime expires on Dec. 31, 2023.
• The prime minister resigned amid accusations of corruption.
• Parliament was dissolved by the president, with elections scheduled for March 2024.
• The Golden Visa program has been significantly curtailed.
These kinds of events might turn the average reader away from Portugal as a new place to live… But my husband Joch and I beg to differ.
After living here for 44 months, we know that Portugal is indeed a great place to live and feel the benefits outweigh any problems.
Here’s just a few reasons why…
Laidback Living
Our pace of life slowed down after moving to Portugal. Even digital nomads and young families find considerable relief from the bustle of their previous
lives in the States.
Take, for example, Justin and Jen, who moved from Southern California with their two sons. They lived in Los Angeles for 15 years.
Justin says, “I worked in corporate finance, and about four months a year, I worked 80 hours a week and never saw my family.
“I got burned out on work and decided I needed a change and to take some time to be a stay-at-home dad.
“We looked at other cities in America, but nothing quite felt right. We were really into House Hunters International at the time and decided to take a
vacation to Lisbon for Christmas 2018, and nine months later we were here.
“It was all about quality of life and a lower cost of living.”
I understand Justin. Living in Northern California myself before retiring, it was not uncommon to have a maddening one-hour commute each way to work.
Quality of life is another benefit of living in Portugal.
Safe And Family-Friendly
When you see the news today, it’s hard to think of a safe place to raise your family. Wars, violence, domestic insecurities… It’s enough to keep any parent
awake at night.
But there is a safer place…
Portugal ranks #7 on the 2023 Global Peace Index of the world’s most peaceful countries. It’s a huge difference when you consider that the States ranks #131.
While living in Braga, we commonly saw families enjoying the open air on Sundays in the Praça da República, listening to Portuguese folk music, having picnics, and children playing on the jungle gym.
What surprised Joch and me most was that there was no evidence of helicopter parenting. Parents spend time playing with their children, but we often see
parents away from their children, within eyeshot, talking to other parents.
Incidences of violence and child abductions are incredibly rare in Portugal.
Brazilians are the largest group of immigrants in Portugal. Antonio and Daniela, our neighbors and the first friends we made after arriving in Portugal in 2020, had recently moved from Brazil.
Antonio grew up in Northern Portugal, and his wife Daniela is from Brazil.
They arrived with their charming new baby girl, named Vitoria.
Antonio, who speaks fluent English, told us that he moved to Portugal to provide a better future for his family.
He mentioned that most primary schools are private and costly in Brazil but in Portugal there are state-sponsored daycare creches for infants as young as three months old.
He and Daniela can work to support their family without worrying about spending exorbitant amounts of money paying for daycare.
Welcoming Locals
In expat conversations, posts, and blogs, we often hear that the Portuguese are friendly but cold…
Joch and I don’t agree. We see the Portuguese as reserved and cautious, but not cold.
At first, many of our friends were expats, many from other countries besides America. Joch and I kept our hearts and minds open and realized it would take time to get to know our Portuguese neighbors.
We have since found that locals prefer a more down-to-earth approach. The Portuguese can see the difference between a hustler and an authentic person
very quickly.
We learned to greet everyone in a group, even if we did not know them. The word amigo is frowned upon; locals prefer to be addressed by their names.
After living in Perafita for 16 months, our neighbors have invited us to lunches, family celebrations, games of dominoes, and even help with tutoring.
We like how Justin from Braga explains it: “I was also surprised at how welcoming all our neighbors have been, truly treating us like family.”
Is Portugal Right For You?
Heidi, a U.S. immigrant living in Porto, says that most folks who apply for Portugal’s residency visa ultimately do not make the move. She says, “American numbers have been very constant for 20 years.
“The first SEF immigration report from 2000 showed there were 8,000 Americans in Portugal. In 2021, there were approximately 8,000 U.S. nationals with residency.
“I think a lot has to do with people focusing on why they are leaving and not what they are moving to…
“Many immigrants move from the suburbs to either very rural (I want a farm and to raise chickens) or very urban (downtown Lisboa), which adds more
layers of change…
“Too many people make the jump without really considering what daily life will be like, without considering their ‘must haves’ because they are so focused on what they are leaving.”
It’s true that such a serious move requires doing due diligence. That is why Joch and I are so thankful for Live And Invest Overseas, who helped us with our
relocation.
They gave us the facts, introduced us to experts, and shared the nuts and bolts of making such a dramatic life change.
We put together a plan. That plan was not without serious sacrifices…
We do not own a car. We downsized our living space considerably. We arrived here with no furniture and only eight suitcases of treasured possessions.
While Joch embraced our new life in Portugal, I spent the first year struggling with what I left behind in the States.
I felt like we were refugees. It took some serious effort and soul-searching on my part to look at Portugal as a new opportunity rather than an escape from
what I had left behind.
However, I still nag my husband about that decision to not own a car.
So, remember, dear reader, to do your homework, footwork, and soul-searching.
You’re allowed to stay in Portugal for up to 90 days under a tourist visa. Joch and I recommend that you grab the opportunity for an extended stay in the
country to learn a little about its culture.
Make sure your goals are realistic. Moving to Portugal is a huge life change that might require giving up some of your creature comforts.
If you open your heart, have a little courage, and engage your patience, you just might find living here is worth it.
Sincerely,
Jeff Woodruff
Portugal Circle Liaison
