We’re leaving Portugal after 5 years | Expectation vs Reality

Comments · 662

• MA

  @marklee1960 · 10 months ago

  The straightforward delivery is much appreciated. You go to the point as quickly as possible without any phony banter or unnecessary giggles.

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• AN

  @AndNowIWrite · 11 months ago

  Too many people come to Portugal and forget to assimilate. Housing is incredibly affordable outside of Lisbon and Porto. I've lived here for six years, and my experience has been totally different than yours, thank goodness! It's wise to remember that the minimum wage in Portugal and the US is the same, but with access to healthcare the quality of life for the Portuguese is so much better. I've traveled extensively to other European countries and will say no one tops the Portuguese when it comes to kindness and helpfulness. I've not had any delays with my residency at all, I push a few buttons on my computer.  Good luck with your new adventure, everyone deserves to be where they are comfortable.

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• ED

  @edrisd.1285 · 10 months ago (edited)

  Most of the people I interacted with were Portuguese when I lived there for a year and a half.  I could see the writing on the wall and that everyone was going to get angry because of the increase in rents.  Just because one person doesn’t experience the drama doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.  A lot of people came to Portugal bragging about all their money, flipping homes, and helping to raise the rents, so I ended up moving to France.  Europe is just a different beast. I’m still dealing with apartments that are paper thin and not as luxurious as the homes in the US, which I miss. When you’re used to living in a certain type of environment most of your life, you will miss it. It’s just normal. I’m now thinking about moving somewhere like Panama only because the housing looks a lot better, there’s more of an Expat community, and the flight to the US is much easier and quicker.  I do understand why you are leaving.  The one thing I miss, and will always miss is the big El Corte Ingles in Lisbon and the supermarket down below.

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• OU

  @OurBlackUtopia · 6 months ago (edited)

  My husband and I have been living in Lisbon for four years and we love it. We have lots of friends, mostly English-speaking Black people. But we also have Portuguese friends who speak English because our Portuguese is still very pedestrian. We travel a lot we’ve been to almost every continent and right now there’s no place we’d rather live.

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• TE

  @teacheraugust · 8 months ago

  you moved to Portugal around the same time as I did.  I havent seen your videos in years.  its so good to see you again and its not a surprise you are leaving.  truly its 75% of us that leave by the 5 year mark.

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• DA

  @danfox5430 · 5 months ago (edited)

  I've lived in Porto for 5yrs and bought my house outright. Prices have literally doubled. I really don't understand people paying for rent if they can afford to buy. And without rent or a mortgage, our fixed outgoings,( water, electrics, internet, house insurance) are just over €200 per month.

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• NO

  @NoName-zm1ks · 2 weeks ago (edited)

  I do agree that sometimes  the talk about “slow bureaucracy/laid back attitude” is camouflage for problems within a system.

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• MR

  @Mr.S65 · 10 months ago

  ⁠Chicago is a lovely city. I’m from Boston, I’d never change my city for the world, but I kept my condo there  because I never wanted my moving to Portugal to be too drastic.  Chicago is more affordable than Boston and it’s a great choice without breaking the bank. You are digital nomads hence you can travel to any place you want and handle winters as you see it fit. Not having a car will be a plus. No attachments whatsoever! Good luck.

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• JO

  @joricmclean · 11 months ago

  Great video! The challenges of a move are daunting, but worth it. Looking forward to seeing your vids on GV opportunities!

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• HJ

  @hjdreams1429 · 11 months ago

  Great insights- thanks 🙏

• JO

  @josephsaraceno2734 · 11 months ago

  helpful, thank you

• LJ

  @ljrontheroad3078 · 10 months ago

  As someone with a Portuguese Golden Visa (started in 2019) and having already applied for PT citizenship last year I feel the GV is a VERY risky option to pursue at this point.  As some people have commented the PT government is constantly changing the rules on these visas and the GV is a very expensive path with little guarantee of future benefits.  Based on the fact that the PT government has changed the rules around immigration and nationality constantly I would not count on the GV remaining a path to citizenship even after 10 years (if this new law is enacted).  As someone who has lived the GV process (and under MUCH better terms than are currently being offered) I wouldn't recommend a PT Golden Visa to anyone.

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