ExpatsEverywhere Presents: Let's Move to Portugal

Zé, originally from South Africa, shares his experience of moving to Portugal and the challenges he faced in terms of cultural differences and integration. He discusses the importance of the expat community in providing support and connection, especially for those with Portuguese roots. He shares his experience of moving to Portugal with his wife and daughter and the difficulties they faced in settling in, particularly with language and cultural differences. Zé also talks about the rising cost of living in Porto, especially in terms of housing, and the impact of Portugal's low minimum wage. Living abroad has transformed Zé's life by giving him more time for himself and his family and a greater appreciation for the importance of work-life balance.

In this episode, Dallas advises residency seekers to be in the country when searching for long-term accommodations and emphasizes the importance of being in residential mode rather than tourist mode. He also discusses the option of using property management companies for turnkey services and warns about the potential pitfalls of gaming the system. Dallas explains the two primary programs offered by Lusitano Dreams: room rentals and soft landing leases. He highlights the importance of intention when using a room rental for consulate applications and advises clients to find long-term accommodations for their AIMA appointment. Dallas also discusses the emotional and relationship aspects of moving to Portugal and the potential challenges that couples may face. He concludes by explaining the changes in Lusitano Dreams' business model, which now focuses on reducing the front-end costs for clients. 

Watch a different Youtube video featuring Dallas here: https://www.youtube.com/live/yV2lNPnBJS4 

The conversation discusses the current state of the real estate market in Portugal and how foreigners can secure a mortgage with income from abroad. It highlights the stability of prices in the market, the high demand for rental properties, and the hot markets in Portugal. It concludes with a discussion on popular locations for investment, including Porto, Lisbon, and smaller towns in the interior of Portugal. 

Susan Dzieduszycka-Suinat, the founder of Overseas Vote Foundation, discusses the process of voting as an expat. She explains how her foundation helps Americans abroad register and request their absentee ballots. The foundation provides online tools and services to streamline the voting process. Susan emphasizes the importance of having a voting residence address, which is the last place you lived before leaving the US. She also highlights the convenience of online registration and ballot tracking. Susan's foundation is nonpartisan and focuses on informing and educating voters. The conversation covers the topic of voting as a US citizen living abroad, including the process of receiving and sending ballots. It also touches on the low voter turnout from overseas citizens and addresses concerns and myths about voting from abroad.

Overseas Vote Foundation

https://www.overseasvotefoundation.org

U.S. Vote Foundation

https://www.usvotefoundation.org

The conversation discusses the requirements for Portuguese citizenship, with a focus on the language component. It explores the A1 and A2 levels of language proficiency, the different routes to obtain the Portuguese language certificate, and the technical aspects of the exam. The certified classes that exempt individuals from the exam are also discussed, along with the formation of CIPLE Master, an online platform that offers flexible and learner-friendly certified courses.

Josh and Amanda cover a range of topics related to personal development for expats, including the cultural differences, language learning, safety concerns, and social dynamics. It also delves into the broader concept of personal development and the importance of understanding oneself as an expat. The discussion provides insights into the challenges and strategies for building a social circle in a new country, taking into account the differences between introverts and extroverts. The conversation covers the social dynamics of introverts and extroverts, the phases of expat life, personal growth, and resilience. It also delves into the challenges of the phases of expat life and the impact of living abroad on personal transformation.

https://app.springcast.fm/player/podcast/17705?theme=springcast

Michael, an expat living in Portugal, shares his experience of remote work, living in Cascais, and the diverse expat community. He discusses the time difference, rental prices, moving with pets, learning Portuguese, and the vibrant social scene in Cascais. Michael also compares living in Portugal to his experiences in China and Germany, highlighting the accessibility and transformational impact of living abroad. 

Mike's resources: PoliticiansArePublicServants.org

The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including expat life, passport privilege, settling in Portugal, and economic privilege. Mariam shares her experiences of living in different countries, obtaining citizenship, and the challenges of moving to Portugal. She also discusses the themes of cultural diversity, language acquisition, and the transformative experience of living in a foreign country. The interview also highlights the release of Mariam's debut novel set in Portugal.

Takeaways

• Living as an expat in different countries provides a unique perspective on passport privilege and the disparities in treatment based on nationality.
• The process of obtaining citizenship and settling in a new country can be challenging, especially during a pandemic.
• Economic privilege plays a significant role in the expat experience, and it's important to be aware of the impact on the local community.
• The conversation highlights the cultural exchange and growth that comes with expat life, as well as the need for respect and responsibility toward the host country and its people. Gentrification in Portugal has led to economic privilege and displacement of local businesses.
• Living abroad comes with a responsibility to be aware of economic impact and to contribute positively to the local community.
• Language acquisition and cultural diversity play a significant role in the transformative experience of living in a foreign country.
• Mariam's debut novel explores the impact of place on personal identity and the cross-cultural experiences of individuals living in Portugal.

Doug and Monique, a retired teacher and police detective, share their journey of moving abroad and retiring early in Portugal. They discuss their decision to leave Canada, their professions, and their research process in choosing Portugal as their destination. They discuss how living abroad has transformed their lives by exposing them to diverse cultures and perspectives. They express their gratitude for the people they have met and the experiences they have had while living abroad.