Why Portugal?
How curiosity, heritage, and a changing perspective gradually pointed us toward Portugal.
For many years, Paul and I subscribed to International Living magazine, one of the first resources we encountered when we began imagining what life abroad might look like. It offered inspiration, beautiful imagery, and a broad overview of places where people were choosing to live differently. While no single publication can tell you exactly where you belong, it gave us a starting point and encouraged us to ask bigger questions about how we wanted to spend the next chapter of our lives.
In 2018, we attended the International Living Retire Overseas Bootcamp in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a three-day conference designed to introduce attendees to a range of countries popular with expats. Representatives shared their experiences living “boots on the ground” in places like Spain, Italy, Portugal, Mexico, Belize, Malaysia, Panama, Costa Rica, and Ecuador.
What struck me most wasn’t just the information, it was the people. The audience reflected an incredible mix of backgrounds, ages, identities, and life stages. Some were retired, others still working; some arrived with substantial resources, while others were carefully planning a modest future abroad. There was a sense that everyone was searching for something - not necessarily escape, but possibility. For Paul and me, the conference helped us begin shaping a direction rather than finding a definitive answer.
Before attending, we believed Costa Rica might be our top choice, especially since we already had friends living there. But by the end of the conference, Portugal had quietly moved to the top of our list. It wasn’t one single factor that convinced us, it was a collection of impressions that, together, felt right.
Portugal felt safe and stable, a country with deep history yet a contemporary outlook. Its coastal setting appealed to us immediately; after years in the Arizona desert, the idea of living near the Atlantic felt like returning to something familiar. English was widely spoken in many areas, making the transition feel less intimidating, and the country’s infrastructure - healthcare, transportation, and everyday services - reflected a level of stability we were seeking.
At the time, Portugal also offered a relatively accessible residency pathway and a cost of living that appeared manageable compared to many parts of the United States. Like any financial decision, those numbers were deeply personal and subject to change, and over the years we’ve watched the landscape evolve significantly. Even so, the broader lifestyle - walkable communities, fresh food, historic architecture, and a slower pace - continued to resonate with us far more than any spreadsheet ever could.
Another factor that drew me in was something more personal: my Portuguese heritage. My grandparents were born in Portugal, some near Viseu, others in the Azores, and emigrated to the United States in the early 1900s. Moving here offered an opportunity to explore those roots more deeply and to better understand the stories that shaped my own family history.
Looking back now, our decision wasn’t based on a single statistic or promise. It was a gradual realization that Portugal aligned with how we wanted to live - curious, connected, and open to new rhythms. The reasons that once felt like a checklist have since become part of a much larger journey, one that continues to evolve with every passing year.
Until next time…
Obrigada!
Carol.