MICHAEL’S PERSPECTIVE
When Phillip and I first started talking about leaving California, our conversations weren’t about square footage or property prices.
We talked about how we wanted our everyday lives to feel. Did we want to spend another decade sitting in traffic? Did we want weekends to disappear into errands and obligations?
Could we imagine living somewhere that encouraged us to walk more, slow down a little, and spend more time enjoying where we lived instead of constantly planning what came next?
Those conversations eventually led us to Portugal.
That experience has shaped how I work with my clients today. We almost always begin with lifestyle rather than real estate. Once you know the life you’re trying to build, choosing where to live becomes much easier.
Every move is personal, but a handful of themes come up again and again:
A Better Quality of Life
This is by far the most common answer.
People aren’t necessarily trying to escape their lives in the United States. They’re trying to create a life that feels more intentional.
They talk about wanting more time outdoors, shorter commutes, walkable neighborhoods, and evenings that don’t revolve around rushing from one obligation to the next.
Portugal isn’t perfect, but many people find that everyday life here encourages a different pace.
Safety
Safety means different things to different people.
For some, it’s feeling comfortable walking home after dinner. For others, it’s allowing children greater independence or simply feeling less anxious during everyday activities.
Many Americans tell me they notice this difference almost immediately after arriving.
It doesn’t mean crime doesn’t exist. It does. But the overall sense of everyday security is one of the reasons Portugal consistently ranks highly in international quality-of-life discussions.
Healthcare
Healthcare is another topic that comes up in nearly every conversation.
Some people are approaching retirement and want to understand their options outside the U.S. system. Others are simply curious about how healthcare works in Portugal and whether quality care is accessible.
While the systems are very different, many Americans are pleasantly surprised by both the quality of care and the affordability of private healthcare compared to what they’re accustomed to.
We’ll explore this topic in detail in a later chapter.
Access to Europe
Living in Portugal changes your relationship with travel.
Weekend trips that once required long flights become realistic possibilities. A short flight can take you to Spain, France, Italy, Germany, or dozens of other destinations. Did you realize you can fly to Africa in 45 minutes!.
For many people, accessing Europe stops feeling like a once-in-a-lifetime vacation and starts feeling like part of everyday life.
Climate
Portugal’s climate is another major attraction.
Depending on where you live, you can enjoy mild winters, long summers, abundant sunshine, and a lifestyle that encourages spending more time outdoors. They say Portugal has 300 days of sunshine per year - I think that’s a bit ambitious, but it has a lot!
Of course, climate varies across the country, and choosing the right region is just as important as choosing the right property.
Financial Considerations
People often assume moving to Portugal is simply about spending less money. The reality is a more nuanced than that.
Housing, taxes, and everyday expenses vary considerably depending on where you live and the lifestyle you expect.
I’ve met people whose overall cost of living decreased significantly, and others whose expenses remained similar but who felt they were receiving much greater value in return.
The important thing is to approach your planning with realistic expectations rather than assumptions based on headlines or social media.
Continue Exploring
Photography credits
- Casa de Santa Maria and Santa Marta Lighthouse — Rúdisicyon / CC BY-SA 4.0; cropped and resized. Adapted image licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Braga, Avenida Central — K. Kendall / CC BY 2.0; cropped and resized.
- Nazaré. Portugal. (53455930119) — Miguel Ángel García / CC BY 2.0; cropped and resized.
- Nazaré. Portugal. (53455677051) — Miguel Ángel García / CC BY 2.0; cropped and resized.
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