Living in the heart of a city was a major change for us since Harold and I have always lived in the suburbs, except for a stint in rural Iowa on a farm. The transition to Porto (the urban area boasts a population of 2.4 million) has changed all that. Here’s what we've learned and how we’ve adapted.
Since we last posted we've:
1) Moved into an AirBnB in Atlanta 2) Held an Estate Sale 3) Donated the remainder of our earthly goods to various charities 4) Shipped a carton of possessions to Portugal 5) Closed on our House 6) Moved into a Residence Inn for a week 7) Then both of us moved to Porto a few days apart, complete with cat While we're still stocking our apartment with furniture and scouting the neighborhood, the next few blogs are going discuss what it took to locate and rent our new home in Porto, along with some of the pitfalls associated with that decision. So far it's been a blast. You're not only relocating to a new country, but if that move involves a partner/spouse, the changes to your relationship can be profound. This recent article from ExPatFocus.com explains what you might expect as you and your significant other adjust to your new home.
There have always been a number of intrepid souls that relocated to another country, but recently, at least in the United States, that number is increasing. Faced with a higher cost of living, especially in regards to healthcare, retirees (and younger folks as well) have been looking beyond their borders for a place to live.
It seems that Portugal is *the* place to visit nowadays, with celebrities such as Madonna making a pilgrimage to this country's shores. In the last year we've watched Portugal's popularity soar, which is great news for their economy. Here's a recent article Is Portugal the New Iceland? that explains why you might consider a visit as well. Hi! We’re Harold and Jana and we'll be chronicling our move from Georgia (USA) to Portugal later this year. The decision to move from our native country to an entirely new one was not made lightly. There were many factors involved, and we'd like to take a minute to give you an idea of a few of those just in case you're considering something similar.
First, we are childless, so we won't be living far away from any kids or grandkids. Our parents have all shuffled off this mortal coil, so there are no elder care issues. And finally, we needed to REBOOT, as we put it. |
Your HostsHarold is a former software engineer. Jana is an author. Together they're exploring their new life in Portugal. Archives
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