1 YEAR in PORTUGAL! Looking back on why we moved here and how we feel now
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- čas přidán 3. 06. 2024
- We moved to Lisbon Portugal from Austin Texas a year ago, without having visited before. In this video, we're revisiting our original video we published where we listed 10 reasons for moving, and discussing what we got right and what we got wrong.
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// ABOUT US //
Dan and Michelle are travel writers and owners of HoneymoonAlways.com. We both left our corporate digital tech careers and sold our home in Austin Texas to live in Portugal to be able to work full time on our honeymoon travel website.
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0:00 Start
0:56 Cost of living
4:54 Healthcare
6:29 Climate
6:59 Travel opportunities
8:17 Ease of getting a visa
9:28 Safety
10:11 Community
11:19 Lifestyle
16:34 Language
18:07 Time with family
18:59 How we've changed
23:01 What we wish we'd known
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I'm almost two years into my retirement life here in Portugal. I spent many years in a high profile, high powered, high stakes corporate world in the USA before retiring. After a few years in Florida, I chose to move to Portugal to challenge my self as the CEO if my life :-D The experience so far has been the best decision I have made in a very long time. Thank you both for your high value info and content for future expats to join us here in this beautiful country and culture.
Joe, does Portugal tax your social security payments?
Doe I need to respect you? No, I don t
@@24DorseyStreet hello, sorry for the delayed response. I'm traveling so have been away from social media. The answer is it depends. Once you obtain residency status via D7 visa you need to apply for the NHR tax program within a year of your residency approval. You will pay 10% tax if accepted into NHR. If you don't get accepted into NHR tax program (there are rules and conditions), you may pay higher than 10%
I moved to Lisbon at the end of May as soon as I retired. Before I moved here, I did visit twice - once for two weeks and then I spent a month here just to make sure that I really felt like this was a place I would enjoying living. I rented an unfurnished apartment, so have had the adventure for the past weeks of buying furniture, getting it delivered, etc. One of the things that struck me when I saw this latest video was the difference in how you look now vs your earlier videos. You look healthier! You both have a glow about you that I didn't see in your earliest videos. It was quite noticeable to me. Thanks for making these videos - they are incredibly helpful and I appreciate your honesty.
Thank you Vicki, we feel it too! I honestly can’t watch our old videos. The process of moving isn’t easy but so glad we did.
@@HoneymoonAlways No - it isn't easy. You have to be committed. And I am by myself which was a little daunting, but it is working out, I'm glad that I did it! There are some discomforts, but I wouldn't go back. And hopefully I'm showing my children and grandchildren that they can do it too.
@@HoneymoonAlways what are your occupations?
The limiting of myself from following news from home (the USA) has been the most liberating feeling I’ve attained over my nearly 12 years here in the U.K. Britain is by no means perfect, but realizing that I don’t have to have a conversation or involve myself in a dialogue about gun rights, abortion, gay rights, or any other number of issues that occupy thought in America, has given me time to focus on more important things.
Agree! Since I still live in the USA (for now), I've given up on listening to US-based news media a few years ago and mixed it with news from other sources to minimize my depression and anger.
I think when it affects you personally, and when people around you are fighting about those things, it is more stressful.....so it will be nice to just kind of put all the stuff going on in the US in a box to be acknowledged, but since it will not affect you directly, you can just kind of let the hate and anger that goes on in the US slide off you. Gives you time to just appreciate life and enjoy life. At least that is what I am hoping will happen once we move.
@@sharilove6222 A friend I’ve worked with over 30 years ago visited me here with her family and she noticed the difference in myself and the overall contentment of the people seen in her travels through Europe. Hopefully you’ll be away from it all soon.
Well, well…. what about the constant discussion about Boris Johnson and his permanent lies, about a rising +++ inflation , or about UK wide train strikes. It’s going to affect your daily life….
Anyway, good luck for your new journey.
I just cut my cable and first thought I would miss the news. Now, I’m thinking I will be better off without seeing that twice a day! It is toxic!
I’m Portuguese (living in Lisbon) and I find your videos so interesting! It’s cool to learn from the perspective of foreigners living here :) Bem-vindos!
You live in a big city, the capital, it is normal for prices to be higher there. Try a city 30 to 40 Kms away, prices are already lower and you have everything Lisbon has to offer. Lisbon is for tourists.
We moved to Porto in November and have already noticed the lessening anxiety overall, we feel more comfortable letting our 16 year old hop on the metro and run around the city with friends etc. When we first got here we would have locals come up and try to help us if we looked lost (which happened a lot lol) and at first it was off putting because of our ingrained fear of strangers from the US, but they really just wanted to help us - now we are used to it and it's great :)
We definitely feel much safer here, but I will say I had an attempted pick pocket incident in a real touristy area. I wear a sling back pack and it was completely opened without me realizing it and I was surrounded by my 3 family members who didn't notice either - luckily my back pack is just for my bags (reusable bags for shopping I keep on me at all times lol), first aid kit, snacks for my kids, sanitizer wipes, and 2 water bottles lol. So they didn't get anything lol. So even with the safety keep your money/cards etc in super safe places on your person ;)
As a Porto native, I must congratulate you on the choice of the city :D. I hope you enjoy our beautiful city as much as we natives do.
@@ruialmeida818 we absolutely love it here! We spent some time in Lisbon first thinking we would like it there, but we came up to Porto and that was it ;)
@@ToniaHighers If you ever need some recommendations on restaurants or any other thing in Porto, let me know
You picked my favorite Portuguese city to live! I lived there for a while and people made me feel at home right away when I moved there. I found it strange also, believe it or not! Oh, by the way, I am Portuguese, I was born in Lisbon but lived in the north and center region of Portugal. Northern people are different from southern people. They are more easygoing and helpful. It's in their nature. I miss my northern friends a lot. It's just like this lovely couple said in the video, people are good and bad everywhere, but being friendly and generous is a personality trait of Porto inhabitants. At first, I was scared of walking in some streets and, yes, there are areas where it's not safe to walk alone or at night. With time I got much more relaxed. Porto has changed a lot since I left. In general, we don't fear strangers, even in the bigger cities. In fact, one of the things I do enjoy is talking to strangers I meet when I travel. I did not have any bad experiences so far, they are not a rule but they can happen.
We have so many more things we could say about all the ways we've changed since moving here. Let us know if you'd like to hear more about this, or if you have any other questions about moving abroad.
I would love to hear more about taxes in Portugal specifically for bloggers/vloggers and I'm sure there would be many others who would appreciate it too. We are considering moving to Portugal and are unsure if we would qualify for the NHR. I'm a self-employed food blogger and my husband is now working with me so we are in a very similar situation to you.
We love your channel, by the way! It's been fun watching your journey.
@@HungryHappenings we don’t like to give tax info because we have been told so many different things that I don’t want to give the wrong advice. It also changes so that makes it even more confusing so the best way is to speak to a couple tax experts in Portugal.
How has the 'machismo culture' affected you? Is it any better or worse than the states - or about the same?
I'd like to know more about the difficulties you've experienced regarding the healthcare system in PT you've alluded to. While I appreciate the pharmacy issue, it would be helpful to learn more about how the overall medical 'system' works, public and/or private, what resources did you use to find a doctor who speaks English, any tips/suggestions you can share, and more elaboration on the cultural aspect you mentioned. Cheers.
@@HoneymoonAlways yes we would love to hear part 2 and more you are both beautiful and transparent couple and we are grateful you share so much with us >>Hey Michelle MOM may have not visited yet? 😁but we will be in portugal next month and if possible would love to take you and Dan to dinner as a thank you for all your inspiration and vision .
We had to deal with my wife getting her drivers licenced switched for a Portuguese one and had my SEF appointment earlier in the week, and dealing with the bureaucracy is really just one part luck and another part being as nice as you can. Anyone walking into one of these places with an attitude (and I've seen it happen) get shut down very fast and have a horrific time. Luckily for us we had nice people both times, especially at SEF I brought along a Portuguese speaking lawyer because we had a lot going on in our lives with kids and sick family members we needed the help.
If anyone wants the details of a really good lawyer that can help them with the process let me know. He's not one of these immigration experts that bills you just to have an introductory chat and really does help you and can even attend your SEF appointment with you (I make no money from referral either, hes just that good I am happy to share his details)
@@GarethMcCumskey Gareth, could you please share your immigration lawyer's info. Thanks
How can anyone hate what you’re sharing? I appreciate the honesty and willingness to share your experience. Thanks!
You are so right about getting out of your comfort zone and the pandemic really made me aware that I was tired of being on this hamster wheel! Just tired of running running and getting back to travel and new experiences it just makes you grow so much and that to me is what life should be! And my husband and I are at the age of retirement and we don't want to be decrepit old American sitting in front of a TV! We want to be active and I think moving to a new country learning a new language can only help us as we age and it will be very hard and very challenging but I think our brains need that! And don't ever take what the haters say to heart! This is your experience and you're very brave to be sharing it and we love it!
Cool. From portland and went to Lisbon as a tourist. Tried to do something that I though might be complicated -> get new prescription glasses… Was easy. $20! Euro eye exam, pick the glasses (all in the same place) and even better, the shop/shops are open every day till like 9-10pm . In the US most eye glass places closed by ~6pm. And loved not driving a car to get things done (public transportation). Public transportation would be my number 1
That's great info Soc! It may be just me but when we visited PT late last year, I noticed an abundance of eyeglass places. Not sure why. Nonetheless I appreciate your feedback as I considered getting glasses in PT versus spending $1K in the US. Just curious-Did you use your US-based prescription in PT or did you start from scratch? Thanks.
@@lucchese20 started from scratch … 20 euro for the prescription exam and ~200 depending on frame and glasses for me
Great video as always! Appreciate your perspective!
This is so helpful! Thank you!
Great video!!!!
So helpful 😀
Great one year follow-up! Thank you!
Great review!
Thanks for your honesty!!!
This is really helpful, thank you.
Great video! Thanks so much
Very helpful. Thanks for the insight.
This was a really helpful video! Muito obrigado.
Great episode. Good to hear more from Dan.
Love you guys! Really enjoy hearing about your experiences.
I believe there is a place for all kinds of people. Portugal is definitely about being more relaxed and enjoying a simple life :)
But how can I rent a place for myself 250e ? Eventually my own place without sharing - but not to start with .I have not found where the advertisements are placed.
@@keepcreationprocess actually you can, when looking in the country side. There are little houses between 200-400$. But it's negotiated locally. Don't expect that in Porto or Lisbon 😀
always watch really enjoy thanks guys
Just love your honesty!! I think you’re awesome!
Guys! You are great! Thank you!!!
Y’all are awesome! Thanks for sharing your experiences! It is entertaining and educating.
I like your videos very much. Thank you for making them.
Thank you and hope to see you soon.
Great video! Really enjoyed it. We're hoping to move (retiring) next year from Portland also and looking forward to the changes and embracing the Portuguese people and lifestyle. Yeah the language is tough.. Been working on it for 6 months now and still feel like a moron with it. We'll be there in November for vacation for a couple weeks and hope that it'll help us get around a bit easier.
Good video! 😊
Thank you for sharing great content always! It is great quality and very well thought out. I’m so excited because we are about to board a flight to Lisbon to go apartment hunting, armed with all the great knowledge and encouragement you have shared with us. Here’s to many more fun years of travel and sharing for the two of you! 🥳
Appreciate your honesty and looking forward to your second year content.
you are definitely speaking my mind and validating my feelings and consideration to move to Portugal! thank you for your channel!!!!
Happy 1st Portugal Anniversary!
Appreciate your honest feedbacks about life in Portugal!
Awesome! Thanks for nice info and sharing! Have a great day friends
Thanks for the update guys. I saw your initial moving video a year ago so funny this is the next one I saw of you.
Great video, thanks so much for sharing your experience after 1 year. We have been actively talking about emigrating to Portugal and this is very honest and helpful.
This was amazing! Looking to move from Chicago to Porto after the first of the year. Thank you for putting this together.
Thanks for being honest and sharing how you have grown through this process. Glad to see you willing to move forward with your lives and go after what you want. A positive attitude, smile, and just being understanding and nice brings you the same in return. Thanks for sharing.
I love this keep it up guys this is good content for me, I have been researching moving to Portugal. You both have helped me get a better understanding. Please keep providing updates on your life in Portugal. Thanks💥💥
I've enjoyed your channel from the beginning. Thanks for a great 1-year wrap-up video! It's really helpful to hear your perspectives at this milestone, and I vote yes for another on this topic. Here's a "rah" for outwitting the haters! Saude!
Appreciate your update and amusing stories. And also your graciousness in experiencing the differences in culture. As a Canadian who has traveled and worked outside Canada, it has all been a grand learning about others but so much learning about Canadian culture and how I experience the world from that perspective.
I absolutely love your down to earth videos! Lots of good info! Please ignore the haters and keep putting out content!
I think you both summed up our experience in Portugal.
Love your vlogs, it gives so much positive energy. We are in the middle of the same process ( moving to PT ).
Your just trying to share your experience! Thank you for making these videos I personally have found them entertaining and insightful! 👍🏻😊
Welcome to the expat experience. Your analysis of how it has changed you is nice to hear. It would be nice for more people to be able to do that one way or another.
Kudos on the reality check. It’s the perfect antidote to disappointments and shattered expectations!
Bravo for your honesty! So rare in the plethora of moving to Portugal videos on CZcams.
i like that you guys discuss the negatives as well as positives, and don't worry about the haters, keep doing what you are doing; your videos are great, and honiest
I can't wait to retire and move to Portugal.
Great video and perspective! Appreciate how you laid out the reasons for your move and how expectations meshed with reality. I think many of us have the same aspirational reasons! Happy to hear that your realities are coming in pretty close to the dream! You touched on my 2 biggest fears - financial & adaptation to a new culture. We're looking at 2024 - trying to keep my FOMO to a minimum while we tie up our lives in the US in preparation for our next chapter. Patience and going with the flow!
We are thinking of moving to Portugal and your honest assessment after one year is quite helpful. Summer in Austin is brutal this year so be glad you are in Lisbon!
Great video! Love the honest attitude!
Good to see other CZcamsrs, also putting out information Portugal :-)!
Thank you 🙏
I think you both are awesome! I've learned so much from your channel. Wishing you both the best and much success!!
Thank you!
Why on earth would you get hate for this content? We are moving to Campo de Ourqiue in the next few months. Coming from Australia. Really happy to hear you are still enjoying your time! :)
Thank you for this video. You are such a wonderful couple! All the best to you two💐
Thank you Marina!
I’ve watched you from the beginning and you seem much more relaxed!!
Thanks for sharing. Don't mind the haters, you guys are doing great job 👍 Please share about taxes as a self-employed or having business expat in Portugal!
Great video. Thanks for your feedback. I think it’s a two way learning process. We in Portugal also learn from your experience. In the end I hope it will be better for us all as humans.
Thank you Dan and Michelle for this recent reaffirming post! We have followed you from the beginning and though never compelled to comment before, do want to express appreciation on your “growth “ and your evaluations. On a 10 day Christmas vacation to Portugal specifically to explore retirement possibilities we experienced many of these same thoughts you have now just confirmed: English was universal, the people (strangers) were gracious and accommodating, and indeed, the “lifestyle” one is accustomed to will remain with you! ( but apples to apples - or dollars to euros; you’re still coming out cheaper!) 😉. So, thank you again for the affirmation. We can’t wait to our next Portuguese exploration!
BTW: congratulations on your beautiful new apartment!👍🏼
The discussion of health care, apartments and challenges in general during the first year is similar to all the things my friends have been discussing during our first year. Love it.
Enjoy your content immensely. The changes to the Golden Visa program, specifically the residential investment requirement, have us looking more at Spain due to our desire to live closer to the action. Keep up the great work and grats on the one year anniversary in Portugal
Great content! I really respect you, as you are so young & just took the jump to the unknown! We just bought a place in Antigua, Guatemala and can't wait to move full time. I think regardless of the country you move to, we as Americans are used to a level of customer service that is not really seen in the rest of the world---so most are going to find that as one of the biggest culture shocks. Language obviously is huge, if you aren't fluent, but that comfort level comes with time. I was just excited for you watching the video. Congrat!
IF you got haters .. then you made it!!!
Keep up! the videos are very informative and thanks for sharing your experience
You guys are great and I appreciate the realistic description of your life in Portugal. You've provided a very helpful description (and examples) of the cultural differences for Americans migrating to Portugal. My wife and I are planning to move there in 3-5 years. We'll be there for a visit in October. Thanks & keep it up the great videos!!!
Great analogy! It's (the bureaucracy) like an escape room!
Thank you for your videos. As someone who is in the process of planning my retirement in Portugal for early 2023, I have found your videos really informative and entertaining. Please don’t worry about how trivial or stupid something may sound and wonder if you should include it in a video - it’s all the little tidbits of info and weird experiences that people have in learning how to deal with life in a new country that help others. Congrats on a successful first year of your new life and thanks for sharing your journey.
Thanks for the great information! You covered a lot of things my wife and I are curious about. Keep posting and don't worry about the haters. The bigger the channel gets the more haters you'll start seeing!
I really love that you get Portugal, you are a lovely couple. I wish you the best of luck for the future.
You are both lovely, authentic beings with a realistic, positive and balanced sharing of experience. Very, helpful as I navigate my definite calling to relocate from US. Being in Europe 2019-2021, I can relate to a lot of your experience. Coming home has allowed me to see I would like to return to Europe and Portugal is on the radar! Spent over one year in Berlin, one month in Lisbon but curious about the surroundings as well as a massage therapist. I am very happy for you and seeing the experience made you blossom....all be frustrate at times (for sure...I get it!)
Keep up the good work guys. You are just being truthful and informative. Haters are just going to hate and be miserable and there are enough of them on Twitter. Enjoy life And stay well.
Thank you so much for sharing. Its been helpful. Ive been watching you since you left and now I am here. Phew. Im 43 single female with a kid so its scary the idea to make such a huge change at this time in my life but I think it might be a good move. In the mean time Im looking forward to explore more of Portugal.
Portland?! I'm in Portland thinking of moving to Portugal. Thank you for your videos and great info!
Awww, love you guys. Thanks so much for your insightful and honest shares. Yes, we're all going to have different experiences but hopefully the viewers will see what is possible for themselves personally to make their own informed decisions. Like you, we are nearly completing one year here and we've had similar experiences with different institutions--some great, some good, some challenges. But overall, we are so grateful to be here. Hugs to you both.
Thanks you Lisa! Where are you living in Portugal?
Thanks for being honest 👌
This is one of the best and most straightforward review videos I’ve seen regarding living in Portugal! Great job. PS Don’t listen to the online trolls hating.
I appreciate that you guys are transparent about the challenges and difficulties of living in Portugal too, there’s nothing bad or wrong about that. Every country will have pros and cons and it’s important that we know the full picture when moving somewhere. As long as it’s shared respectfully, it should be done! I arrived here a week ago and have had a rough landing, and similarly to Dan, I’m currently working on my inner world (reactions, interpretations, etc). Thank you for the honesty, and keep it coming!
My bf and I are headed to Lisbon, Portugal in January for his birthday! We’ve watched a few of your videos and each one has been very informative! Can’t wait to see Lisbon and Porto!
Love watching your videos. I'm from UK and have spent a lot of time in Turkey so fully understand different bureaucracies within different countries. I've just sold my Turkish apartment to my brother and he was pulling his hair out with frustration... I kept saying 'this is Turkey so get used to it'... and you do! Funnily enough, its quite calming as you learn to take a more relaxed view on things. I still have Portugal on my radar... considering one crazy country for another it seems 😝
Thanks so much for this video :D We are looking to move for a few months in March :D Very helpful video
Glad we can help, good luck with the move!
@@HoneymoonAlways do you recommend the Algraves? We are a family so trying to find the best place for us for working and family life
Happy 1st year! Hope you realize many more...no hate here.
Sorry that you’ve had to deal with haters on the internet. I love your channel and content!
Thank you!
you guys just seem like such good, genuine people - no surprise that you've made so many friends there. Keep being awesome! :)
Thank you! 😊
I’ve only been in the Algarve for 3 weeks after moving from LA and this all resonates so much..
I'm happy to hear that you two have had a positive experience to date in Portugal. As a portuguese living in Canada since childhood, l continue to plan to move back but l guess l don't have the sense of adventure you all have. My wife and I are headed to Lisbon in a week and staying neat Obidos. We'll see where this takes us. Cheers
Really enjoy your videos - no haters here! We live in Portland Oregon and are moving to the Algarve in December. The one year recap was helpful and fun. We are retired so we are in a different situation, but your info in the videos is still very informative. Happy one year anniversary!
Retiring makes things a lot easier. 😊
Hi Dan and Michelle, it was good meeting up with you again at Jardim da Parada. Thank you for all the great videos. We still owe you a drink for the assistance on our D7 earlier this year. If you ever find yourselves in our neighborhood (Arroios Metro stop) we would be happy to oblige. Kind Regards, Trevor & Shannon
Great info guys, don't concern yourself with haters, live your life, if they hate watch your videos, that's more views for ya
As a current Portland resident strongly considering a move to Portugal, (probably a bit more interested in Porto) I am finding tour pieces far more helpful than the usual more touristy podcasts out there. Thank you. We’ll be visiting in October.
Very smart observations indeed. you mentioned most of the things I noted different between Portugal and US, but the fact that you are able to identify that it is not one that is right or wrong but just differences is very smart. For me it was a lot easier being neither American nor Portuguese. All in just one year, that is remarkable.
Nice video! We moved from Corvallis, Oregon a year ago this week and have experienced alot of the same issues , but are settling into a more tranquillo vibe. Many stressors and expectations are gone. We slow travel retirement and wander alot. We are in Porto and enjoy it . Have a good day!
Interviews with immigration in the United States must be a wonder...
Thank you for sharing your experiences. My husband and I have been watching your videos for quite some time and we have enjoyed following your journey. We are also from Texas (New Braunfels) and have just moved to Funchal, Madeira. Keep up the good work - ignore the haters.
I was born in New Braunfels! Love a fun day at Schlitterbaun
Loved this video!. Loved your honesty and I felt happy watching you two. You two radiate sunshine!. Those haters just feel uncomfortable seeing people happy. Continue doing what your doing. You are spreading joy❤️
HATERS JUST KNOW HOW TO HATE !
Thank you for your videos. My husband and I enjoy watching them as we hope to make the move in a year or two. We appreciate your insight and honesty. Sorry about your haters, but know there are people who appreciate you!
Thank you Carey!
Out of curiosity - how is the Portuguese experience for expats which practice any form of religion?
Portugal is, historically, a Catholic country, but people tend to be more secular and moving towards atheism nowadays. As a Portuguese, I find that we tend to be mindful of other people's religious beliefs, but we don't tolerate indoctrination or trying to force religious agendas into our politics. But that's my take as a native.
Thanks so much guys for being so honest. It is true about other people trying selling portugal as the magical place but of course like everywhere portugal 🇵🇹 have pros and cons. One think that it is real health care is cheaper. Love your channel. Best of luck 🤞