11 Causes We Selected Portugal When Transferring Overseas

We thought about going abroad for several years. We did research and visited many wonderful countries. Portugal has always been at the top of our list. This small nation is located in southwestern Europe, bordered by Spain to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. When viewed on a map, it resembles the state of California but is only about the size of Indiana.

If you are looking for a place abroad to make a new home, you should consider visiting to explore this beautiful country. Here are some of the reasons why we chose Portugal when we moved abroad.

Brunch by the sea in Cascais, Portugal (Photo: Sue Reddel and Diana Laskaris)

1. Amazing food

We admit it. Food is one of the most important aspects of our lives. Of course, writing about food and travel is no coincidence. So when we started looking for places to relocate to, we knew there had to be quality food with fresh ingredients and enough variety to keep our interest going. Portugal meets all requirements.

Incredible fresh seafood and produce, meat, dairy, bread and baked goods abound in Portugal. Each region of the country also has its own specialties, making them fun to explore. Everyday restaurants are affordable and delicious. And if we want to spoil ourselves with Michelin stars, we have 28 restaurants to choose from. We won’t even go into the phenomenal wine regions here. It’s an embarrassment of wealth.

2. Friendly people who accept foreigners

Another consideration for us was how easy it would be for us to start a new life when moving abroad. Luckily, Portugal has a well-deserved reputation for being warm and welcoming. This friendly attitude extends to both visitors and foreigners like us who decide to stay in the country long-term. We’ve had wonderful experiences with everyone from fellow drivers to people we happen to meet at restaurants and walks in the park. There is a special sense of belonging here, even if you have just started a new life or are planning to retire in Portugal.

Duna da Cresmina in Cascais, Portugal (Photo: Sue Reddel and Diana Laskaris)

3. Diverse landscapes

We love varied landscapes. The landscapes that spark our enthusiasm include mountains, oceans, valleys, farmland and vineyards, rivers, lakes and everything in between. Luckily, Portugal has all these landscapes and more. It’s not uncommon to go from a sandy beach to a pine forest in under an hour. While we don’t miss the snow in the Midwest just yet, when we find we need a dose of the white stuff, we can even head into the Serra da Estrela mountain range to build snowmen, go skiing, and have a hot chocolate at the to sip fire. There’s also Madeira and the Azores if we fancy an island vacation.

Caldas da Rainha Sculpture Park (Photo: Sue Reddel and Diana Laskaris)

4. Art and culture abound

While not as familiar as its larger neighbor Spain, Portugal has a long history of exploration. Art and culture abound. Whatever our interest, there are many places where we can find education, information, entertainment and pure enjoyment. The architecture is stunning, from churches and historic buildings to churches and the tiling of train stations. Portugal has symphony orchestras, ballet troupes, opera companies, live theater and cinemas. It has art museums as well as unique attractions that celebrate Portuguese heritage, natural history, science and even the sea. There’s also a lot of pop culture and we love the variety of options waiting for us to enjoy.

Cascais Marina (Photo: Sue Reddel and Diana Laskaris)

5. Moderate weather

Many who, like us, experience cold, wet, and snowy winters in places like Wisconsin and Chicago, at some point consider moving somewhere warmer. We like Portugal’s temperate climate, which varies across the country. The weather is cooler near the coast. The north can get quite cool and very wet in winter. Larger cities can be warmer and drier, as can the Algarve in the south and some of the areas further inland. We like the fact that the temperature we live in is generally mild and usually not too hot. We definitely feel the seasons changing, but nothing like the Midwest.

6. Security

As we considered where to move abroad, our personal safety became more and more important. Not only do we have to consider the fact that we are a same-sex couple, but we also began to worry about the increasing violence around us.

Portugal is a peaceful country. We weren’t afraid of gun violence, carjacking, and violent crime in general. Drugs have been decriminalized here and are nowhere to be seen. We feel safe everywhere, even as two women walking alone through a city late at night. Many friends here feel the same way. Portugal is LGBTQ-friendly, recognizing same-sex partnerships since 2001 and same-sex marriages since 2010 when it was included in the country’s constitution. What is important is that in reality we have not experienced any discrimination and continue to feel safe.

7. Visa Requirements

When choosing a stay abroad, practical considerations sometimes have to play a role. One of the places we considered was Greece, where Diana has family associations, but the process was long and arduous. Portugal has several different visas, each with their own requirements. For us it was a fairly straightforward process that took several months to prepare and only a month to get approved. It doesn’t always happen that way, and as we often say, we’d rather be lucky than clever. But overall, the visa requirements were clear and we were successful with our first application.

8. Value for money

While we don’t want to fool anyone into thinking that you can live for next to nothing in Portugal, the value and quality of life here is excellent. Housing can be expensive as it can be anywhere, but the location, size and amenities we have are comparable to what we had in the United States at the time. We can have wonderful food and enjoy wine and dessert at reasonable price in local restaurants. Using public transport is easy and saves a lot of money. Plus, there are so many places, activities, and experiences that cost us little or nothing to enjoy, leaving us plenty of time to keep ourselves busy while staying on a reasonable budget.

9. Strong expat/immigrant communities

Moving abroad can be scary, especially if you don’t speak the local language. Luckily, Portugal has some wonderful expat and immigrant communities that we tapped into before we arrived. Facebook Groups, Meetups, and other groups of people who share languages, interests, and locations are easy to find. Friends of friends living in Portugal introduced themselves. From there we met some of their friends, introduced them to some new friends we had made and kept expanding our own social circles. We also enjoy meeting up with others who come to Portugal to explore or just for fun. We have met some who fell in love with Portugal like we did and soon they will join us as friends here too.

City shot of Lisbon (Photo credit: Photo credit: Sue Reddel and Diana Laskaris)

10. World-class city centers

Enchanting villages and fairytale towns were certainly an attraction for us, as they are for many who choose to move to Portugal. But for everyday life we ​​need access to cosmopolitan cities with many amenities in the modern hustle and bustle of life. With three major airports, one in each region, Portugal has accessible and vibrant big cities as well as charm.

Lisbon is a world-class city center with industry, technology and all types of business imaginable. It is home to an annual Web Summit that brings tens of thousands of technologists to the city to learn and advance the state of the art. Lisbon is a city that works. Up north, Porto is another phenomenal city that could be compared to San Francisco for its creative, slightly less buttoned-up vibe. There are many resources in both cities.

Editor’s Note: Stuck between the two cities? Here are the main differences between Lisbon and Porto.

Beyond the established metropolitan areas, areas like Oeiras are quickly becoming home to corporate headquarters from around the world.

Santa Maria Lighthouse Museum in Cascais, Portugal (Photo: Sue Reddel and Diana Laskaris)

11. A great home base

When deciding where to live abroad comfortably, practically, safely and affordably, Portugal was the right place for us. Being in Europe makes it a great base for many of our trips. There is a good infrastructure and means of transport that make it easy for us to get around Portugal and explore other parts of Europe. We can also fly non-stop to the United States from Lisbon, making visits to family and friends manageable.

These are just some of the many reasons why we chose Portugal when we moved abroad. We love our new home and look forward to exploring its many wonders in the years to come.

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