Why we Decided to Move from the U.S.
The moments, reflections, and quiet realizations that led us to begin again somewhere new.
There wasn’t a single moment that led us to leave the United States. It was a series of realizations that slowly gathered momentum over time. Like many people approaching retirement, Paul and I began asking deeper questions about how we wanted to live, not just where.
Affordability was certainly part of the conversation. We were increasingly concerned about maintaining a comfortable retirement lifestyle, particularly as healthcare costs continued to rise. Over the years we had both witnessed changes in the healthcare system that left us feeling uncertain about long-term access and affordability, and we knew we wanted to explore alternatives that felt more sustainable.
Lifestyle and environment also played a role. After nearly two decades in the American Southwest, we found ourselves longing for a milder climate and a slower rhythm. Summers felt hotter each year, wildfire seasons grew more intense, and daily life began to feel increasingly fast-paced and stressful. We weren’t running away from anything, we were simply searching for a place that felt calmer and more aligned with the next chapter of our lives.
We also began thinking more intentionally about safety, community, and balance. The cultural atmosphere around us felt increasingly tense, and we found ourselves craving a quieter environment where everyday life felt a little less hurried and a little more grounded.
For several years, we talked about the possibility of living abroad, but like many people, we waited for the “right” time - a moment that never quite arrived. Then, between 2019 and 2020, a series of events shifted our perspective.
We sold our home, beginning the long process of letting go of decades of accumulated possessions, a task that was both practical and emotional. Around the same time, Paul lost his older brother suddenly, a moment that reminded us how unpredictable life can be and how quickly time can change direction.
Then COVID arrived. Like so many others, we watched the world slow down and grow uncertain. The isolation and constant news cycle made us reflect deeply on what mattered most and how we wanted to spend the years ahead. Conversations that had once felt hypothetical suddenly felt urgent and real.
Another difficult moment came when a close friend shared that she had been diagnosed with a hereditary form of dementia at a relatively young age, a reminder that even carefully planned futures can change without warning. These experiences didn’t push us toward fear; instead, they clarified something we had already begun to feel: if we wanted to live differently, we needed to begin now.
Personally, I reached a point where I knew I was ready to step away from a career that no longer energized me. I wasn’t looking for another promotion or a higher salary, I wanted time, creativity, and the freedom to explore new possibilities alongside Paul, who had already retired.
So rather than waiting for perfect conditions or for a scouting trip that kept getting postponed, we made the decision to move forward. We began gathering documents, conducting research, and slowly turning a long-held idea into a real plan.
Looking back, the decision to move wasn’t driven by one issue or one moment. It was a quiet accumulation of experiences - loss, reflection, hope, and curiosity - that ultimately guided us toward Portugal and toward a life shaped less by urgency and more by intention.
Until next time…
Obrigada!
Carol.