Move to Portugal

-Joch Woodruff wrote:

“The temptation to avoid unknowns is very human… very commonplace. My husband Jeff and I avoid doing new, untried things, too… like retiring overseas. Did you know that Jeff and I were tempted to avoid embarking on living in Portugal? If you are dealing with this same temptation… to avoid retiring overseas… then read on. This story is for you. 

By December 2019 we were well on our way to taking the leap to a new life in Portugal—a big unknown for us. Our home in California was sold. I retired in May of that year. By September the many steps to move our lives to Portugal had begun. Jeff worked right up until December 6, three days before new owners took possession of our house. 2019 was a blur… especially December, when Temptation suddenly lurked in the background. 

What was ahead of us? The appointment to apply for D7 Visas was set at VFS in San Francisco. We had until January to tie up loose ends, go to our appointment, and deliver our car to its new owner. We were about to live in a Las Vegas Airbnb until the end of March (to end California residency and establish Nevada tax residency). Our one-way flight to Portugal was booked for the 27th of March. 

All of our worldly possessions were stuffed into our Honda CRV and a U-Haul trailer on that December morning in Elk Grove, California. We departed on a road trip delivering ‘family stuff’ to loved ones in Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Wisconsin, and Minnesota… ultimately returning to Las Vegas. We catapulted toward the unknown of moving to Portugal. The temptation to avoid that move was about to confront us. 

Six hours into the trip we were already between Reno and Salt Lake City. Jeff was at the wheel of the car. Out of the blue he pondered aloud, ‘Are you sure you want to do everything that we still need to do to move to Portugal? Why don’t we look for a place to retire in northern Minnesota when we get there?’ Temptation finally grabbed us by the shoulders and held on. 

I need to explain that the dream to retire in Portugal always had been mine. I decided to retire to the country when I visited in 1979. I talked about it for the next 40 years. Regarding moving to Portugal, I was like the pig who was committed to providing bacon for your breakfast—that pig gave up its life to give you bacon. Jeff was like the chicken who was involved with providing eggs for breakfast—the chicken continued to live on. Quietly in my heart and head, I was worried that Jeff had doubts about our plans. But it didn’t feel right to begin a sales argument. My anxiety remained unspoken. I shook hands with the temptation to avoid unknowns, too. 

Following a few deep breaths, I agreed we could consider his alternative. Secretly I hoped for a nice December snowstorm when we arrived in northern Minnesota—our final destination. A December storm would change the mind of my southern California dude… hope for a snowstorm. As luck would have it, a snowstorm arrived in Wisconsin. Unfortunately for me, Jeff was like a little boy excitedly shoveling six inches of white stuff off the driveway. My heart sank; Temptation had scored points. 

I checked the forecast for our next stop—Eveleth, Minnesota—where we would see life-long family friends. Low of -17º F. Throughout dinner in neighboring Virginia, the temperature dropped. Much to my chagrin, Jeff smiled as we rushed to the car and exclaimed, ‘This is invigorating!’ When we got back to our friend’s house, Jeff made snow angels in their yard like a happy puppy. Temptation was winning! 

The next morning, the temperature was -18º F… no wind… and a sparkle in the air. Fifteen minutes out of Eveleth Jeff looked up from his cell phone and exclaimed, ‘Did you know the Koke’s Motel in Eveleth is for sale? We can buy it for the same amount of money we budgeted for a home in Portugal. And there’s an owner’s suite in the basement!’ 

A couple hours later, south of the Twin Cities, I stopped for gas. It was time to exchange drivers. Jeff popped open the car door. Suddenly a stunned expression crossed his face. The wind was blowing—a bone-chilling wind. Something we had not experienced in Eveleth. After filling up the tank Jeff asked if this cold was unusual. ‘Wind in winter is not unusual,’ I calmly explained. ‘We are driving through Minnesota’s Banana Belt. Yes, this wind is blowing in Eveleth, too… and yes, it feels colder than here.’ Jeff received his first introduction to wind chill—he learned everything he needed to know at that Minnesota gas station. 

By the time we crossed the border into South Dakota, Jeff abandoned the plan to buy the Koke’s Motel. Thanks to wind chill we conquered the temptation to avoid the unknown of moving to Portugal. Jeff was once again firmly dedicated to the original plan to retire in Portugal. 

It is fortunate that we did not succumb to Temptation and buy the Koke’s Motel. Our little condo with the large, covered patio in Perafita, Portugal is much nicer than an owner’s suite in the basement of a 14-room motel. Take that, Temptation. Please don’t get me wrong. I like northern Minnesota. But I love Portugal. I am glad I retired my snow shovel to live with Jeff just three blocks from a Portuguese beach on the Atlantic. 

Remember this story if you find yourself coming up with reasons to avoid taking the leap to retire overseas. Fulfilling your dream is worth every worrisome step along the way. ‘A vida é boa,’ as Jeff and I say to each other nearly every day. ‘Life is good!'”