Thank you for this timely post. Our friends were generally supportive, though sad about our leaving. Interestingly enough, we are the ones that initiate Facetime calls, and will be visiting our old hometown later this year. Our first visitors to our new place are our kids. I don't have any expectations for other visitors, but will be happily surprised if it happens. It will be interesting to see how we feel during our first U.S. visit.
Your thoughts are beautifully articulated Carol. Thanks for sharing this article and other articles. I understand your feelings and reactions of others in your life journeys. I grew up in India, moved to USA without knowing anyone in my 20's (1985). Then moved from California to Seattle. Fast forward , moved to Sydney, Australia for 7 years and now back in Seattle for last 10 years. Now single, I am moving to Portugal soon on D7 visa ( I have been to Portugal 3 times, and drove through the country for 5 weeks and loved it). Hope to read more from you. You are open minded inspirational person. Again, thanks for sharing.
Thanks for your comment, Yogi and thanks for subscribing to my blog. It sounds as if you're an experienced world traveler! Best wishes on your new journey to Portugal - I think you'll like it here! - CW
Thank you is simply not enough words for me to express to you right now for the willingness to open your heart and write this. I come from a long line of wanderlust people and have travelled extensively all over the world. Less in recent decades while raising our now adult sons, but still, quite a bit compared to many. I married a man who is growing every single year and embraces my need for new experiences and thinking outside the box and for that I am eternally grateful. We decided in 2020 to pursue moving to Portugal in 6 years time at that point. We are halfway through that decision and while I was full steam ahead from the get-go, he took more time. I am a firm believer in speaking your dreams and goals into existence and did that from the start. That is where things got sticky for me/us. The reactions were just as you have listed above. Varied and very insightful, to say the least. Our children, both big travelers themselves, immediately embraced this and still to this day fully support it. We have recently found out we will be grandparents in 2023 and there is a tremendous amount of guilt that I am processing, as you listed above, with moving and not being near my kids and grandchildren and not because they want us to be near but out of fear of what others will judge us for. We have literally been told we are the most un-American people they know for being willing to embrace an 'ex-pat' mentality and this is the greatest country in the world. I won't go into details on every single thing in our lives that match up with what you wrote but I will say this: you have provided me with the hope and excitement that, despite this being a challenge for our relationship and other relationships, it is well worth the experiences and the personal growth that I knew we would find. Thank you, thank you, thank you! We will start 2026 in Portugal and cannot wait to see all of this planning, all of the scouting trips (the ones where I cry on the airplane coming home, 'cuz that happens) and all of the renewing of our spirits and minds while we still are able come to fruition.
Laura - Thank you for your comment. The one lesson Paul and I learned a long time ago was to believe in our own truth and not feel guilty or worry about what others may think. If you and your husband find your way to Portugal, I think you'll find many like-minded expats here - that at least has been our experience. Some people are comfortable living in their own box - others have a deep need to live in many boxes! Trust your instinct and your gut and I think you'll do just fine. - CW
Hi Carol, Your journey - and your experiences with family and friends left behind - are amazingly similar to ours. In 2006, we left behind the harsh Rhode Island winters for the blazingly hot summers of the Southwest, landing in southwestern Utah. The response from those "close" to us was to go silent.
We didn't dwell on it; the flip side of this is you find those folks that are "truly" close to you.
I think part of the reaction is related to Rhode Island. There are so many people that never live more than a few miles from where they grew up, work at the same jobs for years, and cannot fathom getting out of their comfort zones for any reason. From my perspective, it's their problem.
We left RI and very successful careers to move to a place so totally different than what we knew, with our talents and skills, and trust in each other that we would make it work. And work it did! We are so much better off in every way than the life we left behind.
What made you leave AZ for PT? Was it the water situation? That's one of the reasons, along with having to drive five hours to Salt Lake City for proper medical care.
PT came on our radar this spring; it looks almost too good to be true! We'll be making our first visit in April, visiting friends that moved there this past July. We would love to connect with you. We run into fellow RI'ers everywhere. As the saying goes, it's not a state, it's a state of mind! Cheers, Ron
Ron – Thanks for your comment and for being a subscriber to Our Portugal Journey. I do believe that some of the mentality of ‘staying put’ in one area for life is a Rhode Island thing, but not exclusively. We’ve met people in Arizona who would never think of moving away from their safety net either. There have been many excuses that we’ve been given as to why they cannot leave. And that’s fine. We’re not asking anyone to join us. This is our journey and one we embrace. We have met so many like-minded folks here in Portugal and we feel that our lives are fuller and richer for the experience.
For many years, we enjoyed Arizona but always knew that we weren’t going to retire there. Moving to another country was always on the horizon. We just weren’t certain where to live until after some time, we narrowed our choices down, with Portugal always seeming to move to the top of the list.
Arizona was good for the 18 years we lived there, but the increasingly hot temperatures, cost of living increases, pollution, water, angry people, and overbuilding with no infrastructure plans in place to sustain all the newcomers to the state, made us feel as if we had overstayed our welcome. We would have moved to Portugal earlier than 2021 if not for Covid.
Portugal is not perfect by any means. But it’s a lifestyle and culture that we’ve embraced and learn from every day. We enjoy living close to the ocean, we love the weather, we love exploring the country, drinking excellent (and inexpensive) wine, we share good meals with new friends, our pace is slower and less hectic, and we’re grateful everyday that we don’t have that ‘stay put’ mentality!
An unexpected part of writing this blog is the number of people we’ve met – mostly folks who visit to see if Portugal is a good fit for them – and some who do and eventually move here and we now call friends. Paul and I look forward to meeting you in April. Thanks again for your comment and perspective. - CW
We've been reconsidering our plans; we are thinking of using the money we would spend on a scouting trip and instead hiring professionals to help us obtain NIFs, find an apartment, etc. I see that you have a tax accountant; is there a person or a firm that you can recommend for these tasks?
Thanks,
Ron
PS I was born and raised in Pawtucket, while Barbara is from Barrington. We lived in Pawtucket, Cumberland, and Lincoln (I lived in Saunderstown as well) during our time in RI. I was an independent software contractor and Barbara was the marketing director for one of the large law firms in Providence.
Ron - Thanks for your message. I will respond to your inquiry via your email address if that's okay. I have it in my subscriber list. I do have recommendations for you. - CW
After being an expat for 18 years, I have experienced almost all the concersations you described. Excuses, rationalizations, and smug presumptions of superiority have all been encountered. Even after this long, I am still asked not "if" I am coming back to the US; it is usually phrased as "when". I don't see any value in forcing an encounter, even when someone has blithely made assumptions about what is in my best interest. I gently state that, at the current time, I feel that - all things considered - I think the best life for me and my family is to stay where we are right now. Number Two in terms of irritation is when they ask if I will send my 9-year-old son to the US for his college education. Once again, I don't respond abruptly, although the temptation is there. I just defer the question by saying that 9 or 10 years is too far in the future to be making decisions today.
I can end most of these unwelcome conversations with a simple question: Why do you ask? By throwing the focus back to their motivation or presumptions, they are placed in a defensive position and I am off the hook. However, if I am willing to have an actual conversation, I have found that, whenever I am given one of those platitudes or presumptions of superiority as a reason why they could never consider leaving the US, I can get to the real reason - sometimes, at least - by asking, "In addition to that, is there any other reason why you ...?"
Thanks for your insights. You handle those questions well and I'll be mindful of your grace and tact as Paul and I will have to have to go back to the States later this year for a few weeks (the first time since we arrived in Portugal).
I appreciate that you took the time to comment on my post!
Hi Carol, I just discovered your blog and Wow! This is an amazing post. So thoughtful and nuanced. I really appreciate your viewpoint and see my husband and I going through something similar, as we are seriously considering moving to Portugal soon (in 2 to 3 years). I look forward to reading more of your blog & benefiting from your observations. Thank you !!
Thank you for becoming a subscriber, Marcia. I appreciate the support and hope that through my posts I can help you and your husband on your own Portugal journey!
I grew up in Colorado which was more transient and not as many multigenerational families. I moved back to New Jersey for a few years and was amazed at how many people didn't travel and all the family lived in close proximity.
You have to remember the early history of the West was people who left family and struck out maybe never seeing family again.
I think people are all busy with their lives and usually if you go back to visit everyone is glad to reconnect. I agree with the person who said don't take it personally. We love your information and envy your adventures!!
I know exactly what you mean. When I was young, in my 20s, I was married and living in Virginia. I’m originally from Washington state but I was going to college in Virginia and was finishing up. I had a number of friends that I routinely spend time with and as we were about to move to Italy because I was in the military I noticed that some of my friends that I was close to began driving away and not inviting us like they used to to functions. When I asked them about this they said, “you’re right I guess we were actually just protecting our own feelings because we know you are about to leave.“ They were going to miss us and that hurts. And so they begin insulating themselves from us because they didn’t want to feel that pain. I think this is normal and natural but it is hard especially for the people leaving.
The box is so confining for me- and apparently for you as well.
I will enjoy every beautiful night sky with you and will think of you often when I learn new things and travel to places I have not yet seen. And we will, together, delight in adventure and discovery, appreciating and enjoying it all! Your posts are always a great read!
This was a great post Carol! In my life, I have moved nearly 40 times. While not all of it was because I wanted to move, I deliberately chose to embrace change because, simply stated, it is the most certain thing life has to offer. And it was clearly more pleasant to use each and every move as a learning experience than it would have been to resist the new expanse of experience.
I have known “have a nice lifers” and I have known those who, regardless of time, distance
or circumstance, have continued to communicate and embrace my movements because they possessed a perspective about life that goes beyond time, distance or circumstance. Most of my friends who follow in line with the second model are European and have, all of their lives, been immersed in travel, cultural differences and learning about others beyond their borders. Those are friends who will always have a place in my heart and soul.
I think life is rich and it does me a world of good to embrace that richness beyond time and distance and circumstance.
So know that goodbye is not forever, just for a long, long time except know when you are watching that spectacular sunset in Portugal, I am watching in Rhode Island and we all live in the same small sphere.
Barb - Thanks for your comments. We have one couple who are European/Americans and have always been supportive of us - no matter where we decided to move to. That's about all. Everyone else has had problems with our lifestyle. Maybe they said they supported us - but in reality - not so much. We understand. It's just what they're accustomed to and they're not able to move outside of the box.
Anyhow...it's a beautiful June evening here in Portugal and I'm hoping you're enjoying the same night sky in Rhode Island.
You have hit upon such an important topic--especially because it's one that we expats and immigrants shy away from discussing. We've all heard such comments, in some shape or form or another. All too often, it becomes an albatross of guilt around our necks. To reckon with such a serious and sensitive topic so eloquently is a blessing to behold.
I believe that many people would benefit by reading this article. It would give them a sense of peace, of "See, we're not the only ones," of something concrete and tangible that they can ponder, perhaps discuss with friends, and -- most importantly -- take to heart.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. So much of it resonates with mine. Such astute observations you have made. I moved from CA. to London (30 years) than from London to St Petersburg FL (2015-2021). We recently settled in Lisbon & have certainly encountered many reactions, similar to what you have described…before, & after our move. It’s a very unsettling situation, especially the metaphorical distance…Thanks again & I wish you the best!
We have experienced this. Our initial move was selling our house to travel the US in an RV, and boy...the responses we received. On our very last dinner with our super close, you could say the best friends, the husband could barely even talk about our leaving. He so strongly felt against it, that he would rather not talk about the subject. Needless to say, despite our attempts to keep the relationship going, it has been almost non existent. Now, we are planning our move to Portugal in the next few months and I can't imagine the response we will get.
I think you have provided most of the reasons why there is this disconnect. I immigrated once and am looking to do so again; and I am in my early fifties. I have to look at working remote as I am not at the point of retiring and don’t have sufficient passive income. I experienced this disconnect when I first immigrated and found it was either jealousy, avoiding the reality of how things are not good in the home land, or just a case of “well it will be too difficult to communicate and maintain a relationship”. Well over 20 years down the road, the technology and mindset should have helped facilitate a bit more of a global inclusion. For me, it doesn’t matter if we did not meet for 20 years, we can still be friends and find other avenues to connect. And, if the relationship is strong, we would go out of our way to meet in person, even on the other side of the World. Signed “from the other side of the world”.
Thank you for this timely post. Our friends were generally supportive, though sad about our leaving. Interestingly enough, we are the ones that initiate Facetime calls, and will be visiting our old hometown later this year. Our first visitors to our new place are our kids. I don't have any expectations for other visitors, but will be happily surprised if it happens. It will be interesting to see how we feel during our first U.S. visit.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I also immigrated to Portugal. I better understand the perspective of those who feel left behind.
Your thoughts are beautifully articulated Carol. Thanks for sharing this article and other articles. I understand your feelings and reactions of others in your life journeys. I grew up in India, moved to USA without knowing anyone in my 20's (1985). Then moved from California to Seattle. Fast forward , moved to Sydney, Australia for 7 years and now back in Seattle for last 10 years. Now single, I am moving to Portugal soon on D7 visa ( I have been to Portugal 3 times, and drove through the country for 5 weeks and loved it). Hope to read more from you. You are open minded inspirational person. Again, thanks for sharing.
Thanks for your comment, Yogi and thanks for subscribing to my blog. It sounds as if you're an experienced world traveler! Best wishes on your new journey to Portugal - I think you'll like it here! - CW
Thank you is simply not enough words for me to express to you right now for the willingness to open your heart and write this. I come from a long line of wanderlust people and have travelled extensively all over the world. Less in recent decades while raising our now adult sons, but still, quite a bit compared to many. I married a man who is growing every single year and embraces my need for new experiences and thinking outside the box and for that I am eternally grateful. We decided in 2020 to pursue moving to Portugal in 6 years time at that point. We are halfway through that decision and while I was full steam ahead from the get-go, he took more time. I am a firm believer in speaking your dreams and goals into existence and did that from the start. That is where things got sticky for me/us. The reactions were just as you have listed above. Varied and very insightful, to say the least. Our children, both big travelers themselves, immediately embraced this and still to this day fully support it. We have recently found out we will be grandparents in 2023 and there is a tremendous amount of guilt that I am processing, as you listed above, with moving and not being near my kids and grandchildren and not because they want us to be near but out of fear of what others will judge us for. We have literally been told we are the most un-American people they know for being willing to embrace an 'ex-pat' mentality and this is the greatest country in the world. I won't go into details on every single thing in our lives that match up with what you wrote but I will say this: you have provided me with the hope and excitement that, despite this being a challenge for our relationship and other relationships, it is well worth the experiences and the personal growth that I knew we would find. Thank you, thank you, thank you! We will start 2026 in Portugal and cannot wait to see all of this planning, all of the scouting trips (the ones where I cry on the airplane coming home, 'cuz that happens) and all of the renewing of our spirits and minds while we still are able come to fruition.
Laura - Thank you for your comment. The one lesson Paul and I learned a long time ago was to believe in our own truth and not feel guilty or worry about what others may think. If you and your husband find your way to Portugal, I think you'll find many like-minded expats here - that at least has been our experience. Some people are comfortable living in their own box - others have a deep need to live in many boxes! Trust your instinct and your gut and I think you'll do just fine. - CW
Hi Carol, Your journey - and your experiences with family and friends left behind - are amazingly similar to ours. In 2006, we left behind the harsh Rhode Island winters for the blazingly hot summers of the Southwest, landing in southwestern Utah. The response from those "close" to us was to go silent.
We didn't dwell on it; the flip side of this is you find those folks that are "truly" close to you.
I think part of the reaction is related to Rhode Island. There are so many people that never live more than a few miles from where they grew up, work at the same jobs for years, and cannot fathom getting out of their comfort zones for any reason. From my perspective, it's their problem.
We left RI and very successful careers to move to a place so totally different than what we knew, with our talents and skills, and trust in each other that we would make it work. And work it did! We are so much better off in every way than the life we left behind.
What made you leave AZ for PT? Was it the water situation? That's one of the reasons, along with having to drive five hours to Salt Lake City for proper medical care.
PT came on our radar this spring; it looks almost too good to be true! We'll be making our first visit in April, visiting friends that moved there this past July. We would love to connect with you. We run into fellow RI'ers everywhere. As the saying goes, it's not a state, it's a state of mind! Cheers, Ron
Ron – Thanks for your comment and for being a subscriber to Our Portugal Journey. I do believe that some of the mentality of ‘staying put’ in one area for life is a Rhode Island thing, but not exclusively. We’ve met people in Arizona who would never think of moving away from their safety net either. There have been many excuses that we’ve been given as to why they cannot leave. And that’s fine. We’re not asking anyone to join us. This is our journey and one we embrace. We have met so many like-minded folks here in Portugal and we feel that our lives are fuller and richer for the experience.
For many years, we enjoyed Arizona but always knew that we weren’t going to retire there. Moving to another country was always on the horizon. We just weren’t certain where to live until after some time, we narrowed our choices down, with Portugal always seeming to move to the top of the list.
Arizona was good for the 18 years we lived there, but the increasingly hot temperatures, cost of living increases, pollution, water, angry people, and overbuilding with no infrastructure plans in place to sustain all the newcomers to the state, made us feel as if we had overstayed our welcome. We would have moved to Portugal earlier than 2021 if not for Covid.
Portugal is not perfect by any means. But it’s a lifestyle and culture that we’ve embraced and learn from every day. We enjoy living close to the ocean, we love the weather, we love exploring the country, drinking excellent (and inexpensive) wine, we share good meals with new friends, our pace is slower and less hectic, and we’re grateful everyday that we don’t have that ‘stay put’ mentality!
An unexpected part of writing this blog is the number of people we’ve met – mostly folks who visit to see if Portugal is a good fit for them – and some who do and eventually move here and we now call friends. Paul and I look forward to meeting you in April. Thanks again for your comment and perspective. - CW
Hi Carol,
We've been reconsidering our plans; we are thinking of using the money we would spend on a scouting trip and instead hiring professionals to help us obtain NIFs, find an apartment, etc. I see that you have a tax accountant; is there a person or a firm that you can recommend for these tasks?
Thanks,
Ron
PS I was born and raised in Pawtucket, while Barbara is from Barrington. We lived in Pawtucket, Cumberland, and Lincoln (I lived in Saunderstown as well) during our time in RI. I was an independent software contractor and Barbara was the marketing director for one of the large law firms in Providence.
Ron - Thanks for your message. I will respond to your inquiry via your email address if that's okay. I have it in my subscriber list. I do have recommendations for you. - CW
Feel free to DM me.
After being an expat for 18 years, I have experienced almost all the concersations you described. Excuses, rationalizations, and smug presumptions of superiority have all been encountered. Even after this long, I am still asked not "if" I am coming back to the US; it is usually phrased as "when". I don't see any value in forcing an encounter, even when someone has blithely made assumptions about what is in my best interest. I gently state that, at the current time, I feel that - all things considered - I think the best life for me and my family is to stay where we are right now. Number Two in terms of irritation is when they ask if I will send my 9-year-old son to the US for his college education. Once again, I don't respond abruptly, although the temptation is there. I just defer the question by saying that 9 or 10 years is too far in the future to be making decisions today.
I can end most of these unwelcome conversations with a simple question: Why do you ask? By throwing the focus back to their motivation or presumptions, they are placed in a defensive position and I am off the hook. However, if I am willing to have an actual conversation, I have found that, whenever I am given one of those platitudes or presumptions of superiority as a reason why they could never consider leaving the US, I can get to the real reason - sometimes, at least - by asking, "In addition to that, is there any other reason why you ...?"
Randy -
Thanks for your insights. You handle those questions well and I'll be mindful of your grace and tact as Paul and I will have to have to go back to the States later this year for a few weeks (the first time since we arrived in Portugal).
I appreciate that you took the time to comment on my post!
Carol.
Hi Carol, I just discovered your blog and Wow! This is an amazing post. So thoughtful and nuanced. I really appreciate your viewpoint and see my husband and I going through something similar, as we are seriously considering moving to Portugal soon (in 2 to 3 years). I look forward to reading more of your blog & benefiting from your observations. Thank you !!
Thank you for becoming a subscriber, Marcia. I appreciate the support and hope that through my posts I can help you and your husband on your own Portugal journey!
Oh my goodness, you have already! Just read your post on VSF in SF, and ordering 13 pocket folders today 😅
Too true!
It always surprises me when I mention I'm moving to Portugal and people respond with the reasons why they could NEVER do that. Did I ask? No.
They don't ask me why or what appeals to me about Portugal.
But then I've read that what someone says often tells you more about them, than it does about you.
And remembering that helps :)
I grew up in Colorado which was more transient and not as many multigenerational families. I moved back to New Jersey for a few years and was amazed at how many people didn't travel and all the family lived in close proximity.
You have to remember the early history of the West was people who left family and struck out maybe never seeing family again.
I think people are all busy with their lives and usually if you go back to visit everyone is glad to reconnect. I agree with the person who said don't take it personally. We love your information and envy your adventures!!
I know exactly what you mean. When I was young, in my 20s, I was married and living in Virginia. I’m originally from Washington state but I was going to college in Virginia and was finishing up. I had a number of friends that I routinely spend time with and as we were about to move to Italy because I was in the military I noticed that some of my friends that I was close to began driving away and not inviting us like they used to to functions. When I asked them about this they said, “you’re right I guess we were actually just protecting our own feelings because we know you are about to leave.“ They were going to miss us and that hurts. And so they begin insulating themselves from us because they didn’t want to feel that pain. I think this is normal and natural but it is hard especially for the people leaving.
The box is so confining for me- and apparently for you as well.
I will enjoy every beautiful night sky with you and will think of you often when I learn new things and travel to places I have not yet seen. And we will, together, delight in adventure and discovery, appreciating and enjoying it all! Your posts are always a great read!
This was a great post Carol! In my life, I have moved nearly 40 times. While not all of it was because I wanted to move, I deliberately chose to embrace change because, simply stated, it is the most certain thing life has to offer. And it was clearly more pleasant to use each and every move as a learning experience than it would have been to resist the new expanse of experience.
I have known “have a nice lifers” and I have known those who, regardless of time, distance
or circumstance, have continued to communicate and embrace my movements because they possessed a perspective about life that goes beyond time, distance or circumstance. Most of my friends who follow in line with the second model are European and have, all of their lives, been immersed in travel, cultural differences and learning about others beyond their borders. Those are friends who will always have a place in my heart and soul.
I think life is rich and it does me a world of good to embrace that richness beyond time and distance and circumstance.
So know that goodbye is not forever, just for a long, long time except know when you are watching that spectacular sunset in Portugal, I am watching in Rhode Island and we all live in the same small sphere.
Barb - Thanks for your comments. We have one couple who are European/Americans and have always been supportive of us - no matter where we decided to move to. That's about all. Everyone else has had problems with our lifestyle. Maybe they said they supported us - but in reality - not so much. We understand. It's just what they're accustomed to and they're not able to move outside of the box.
Anyhow...it's a beautiful June evening here in Portugal and I'm hoping you're enjoying the same night sky in Rhode Island.
You have hit upon such an important topic--especially because it's one that we expats and immigrants shy away from discussing. We've all heard such comments, in some shape or form or another. All too often, it becomes an albatross of guilt around our necks. To reckon with such a serious and sensitive topic so eloquently is a blessing to behold.
I believe that many people would benefit by reading this article. It would give them a sense of peace, of "See, we're not the only ones," of something concrete and tangible that they can ponder, perhaps discuss with friends, and -- most importantly -- take to heart.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. So much of it resonates with mine. Such astute observations you have made. I moved from CA. to London (30 years) than from London to St Petersburg FL (2015-2021). We recently settled in Lisbon & have certainly encountered many reactions, similar to what you have described…before, & after our move. It’s a very unsettling situation, especially the metaphorical distance…Thanks again & I wish you the best!
We have experienced this. Our initial move was selling our house to travel the US in an RV, and boy...the responses we received. On our very last dinner with our super close, you could say the best friends, the husband could barely even talk about our leaving. He so strongly felt against it, that he would rather not talk about the subject. Needless to say, despite our attempts to keep the relationship going, it has been almost non existent. Now, we are planning our move to Portugal in the next few months and I can't imagine the response we will get.
I think you have provided most of the reasons why there is this disconnect. I immigrated once and am looking to do so again; and I am in my early fifties. I have to look at working remote as I am not at the point of retiring and don’t have sufficient passive income. I experienced this disconnect when I first immigrated and found it was either jealousy, avoiding the reality of how things are not good in the home land, or just a case of “well it will be too difficult to communicate and maintain a relationship”. Well over 20 years down the road, the technology and mindset should have helped facilitate a bit more of a global inclusion. For me, it doesn’t matter if we did not meet for 20 years, we can still be friends and find other avenues to connect. And, if the relationship is strong, we would go out of our way to meet in person, even on the other side of the World. Signed “from the other side of the world”.