Meet our lovely friend Bob Tapper, former California realtor turned digital nomad.

After spending 40 years in California, Bob yearned for the European experience, living in Austria + the UK before deciding to put down roots in Porto, Portugal last year.

We chat about:

* what made him choose Portugal when settling down and traveling less

* how to build community and accept a slower culture than the hustle life of the USA

* his advice for those considering a move abroad solo (hint: he says go for it!)

Connect with Bob ⬇️

💫Website: https://www.lifeabroadinportugal.com/

💫Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebobtapper/

💫Our episode on Bob’s Podcast ⬇️⬇️⬇️

THE GOOD STUFF…⬇️

➡️If you have questions for us about moving abroad and want to schedule a 1:1 call with us, book a time on our calendar here:

https://stan.store/portugaljunkies/p/book-a-11-call-with-us-o146p

➡️If you’d like help designing the perfect Portugal itinerary from the world famous Mark “The Brit” Burns, for just $249, book a FREE consult call here:

https://stan.store/portugaljunkies/p/lets-start-planning-your-portugal-adventure

➡️If you need help with visas or tax information, check out our partners Joao Pinto + Rui Borges (who are the experts) here:

https://stan.store/portugaljunkies

➡️For other key resources + 💫FREEBIES💫 about Portugal and moving abroad, visit our website:

https://stan.store/portugaljunkies

Cheers y’all!

Meredith + Mark

Meet our friends Jazz + Eric.

They said goodbye to active shooter drills + bulletproof backpacks in Ohio and said hello to the 7th safest country in the world, Portugal.

In today’s episode, we chat about:

* the experiences in the USA that led them to choose a better life for themselves and their kids

* international + public schools here in Portugal and how they began their research about what location best met their family’s needs

* “touching grass” in Portugal - living our best lives outdoors and amongst the locals to immerse ourselves in the culture

Connect with Jazz + Eric ⬇️⬇️⬇️

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pizzazzwithjazz?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

If you think that having kids makes the idea of moving abroad overwhelming or even impossible, your kiddos may actually be the ultimate reason why you absolutely SHOULD do it.

THE GOOD STUFF…⬇️➡️If you have questions for us about moving abroad and want to schedule a 1:1 call with us, book a time on our calendar here:https://stan.store/portugaljunkies/p/book-a-11-call-with-us-o146p➡️If you’d like help designing the perfect Portugal itinerary from the world famous Mark “The Brit” Burns, for just $249, book a FREE consult call here:https://stan.store/portugaljunkies/p/lets-start-planning-your-portugal-adventure

➡️If you need help with visas or tax information, check out our partners Joao Pinto + Rui Borges (who are the experts) here:https://stan.store/portugaljunkies➡️For other key resources + 💫FREEBIES💫 about Portugal and moving abroad, visit our website: https://stan.store/portugaljunkies

Cheers y’all!

Meredith + Mark

[us in Tavira on Mark’s 55th birthday]

One day I was having a coffee alone at a cafe in Tavira and a woman approached me and said…”Meredith?”

👀👀👀

That’s how I met Genie. She had seen us on TikTok (or Youtube?) and had also recently moved to Tavira and recognized me from our social media content. (I’m convinced it was my GRAY locks.)This week’s episode is all about Genie + her moving abroad story that actually started before she was even born.

Let’s just say she comes from a family that sees the world as opportunity!

Enjoy!

THE GOOD STUFF…⬇️➡️If you have questions for us about our move abroad and want to scheduled a 1:1 call with us, book a time on our calendar here:https://stan.store/portugaljunkies/p/book-a-11-call-with-us-o146p➡️If you’d like help designing the perfect Portugal itinerary from the world famous Mark “The Brit” Burns, for just $249, book a FREE consult call here:https://stan.store/portugaljunkies/p/lets-start-planning-your-portugal-adventure➡️If you need help with visas or tax information, check out our partners Joao Pinto + Rui Borges (who are the experts) here:https://stan.store/portugaljunkies➡️For other key resources + 💫FREEBIES💫 about Portugal and moving abroad, visit our website: https://stan.store/portugaljunkies

Cheers y’all!

Meredith + Mark

We are thrilled to return from our longer-than-intended break with a new Portugal Junkies Podcast episode, where Mark + I recap all the things we’ve been up to since we last published the podcast in August.

AND now that we are back - you’ll be getting a new episode every Friday so make sure you are subscribed wherever you listen - YouTube, Substack or Apple!

(We are also on other platforms but you get the idea….)

In Part 3, our final update from the break, we catch you up on:

✅ To buy or not to buy - houses and cars!

✅ What it takes to create a SIMPLE life abroad

✅ Our take on real estate in Portugal where we are in the Algarve

“What is meant for us will not miss us.”

THE GOOD STUFF…

➡️If you have questions for us about our move abroad and want to scheduled a 1:1 call with us, book a time on our calendar HERE.

➡️If you’d like help designing the perfect Portugal itinerary from the world famous Mark “The Brit” Burns, for just $249, book a FREE consult call HERE.

➡️If you need help with visas or tax information, check out our partners Joao Pinto + Rui Borges (who are the experts) HERE.

➡️For other key resources + 💫FREEBIES💫 about Portugal and moving abroad, visit our website: www.stan.store/portugaljunkies

Cheers y’all!

Meredith + Mark

We are thrilled to return from our longer-than-intended break with a new Portugal Junkies Podcast episode, where Mark + I recap all the things we’ve been up to since we last published the podcast in August.

AND now that we are back - you’ll be getting a new episode every Friday so make sure you are subscribed wherever you listen - YouTube, Substack or Apple!

(We are also on other platforms but you get the idea….)

In Part 2, we catch you up on:

✅ WE SOLD OUR HOUSE IN THE USA!

✅ What we did in Portugal when our 28-year-old nephew came to visit (Obidos + Nazare for the win!)

✅ Our future travel plans over the next few months and the holidays

Stay tuned for Part 3 coming your way for the next week!

THE GOOD STUFF…

➡️If you have questions for us about our move abroad and want to scheduled a 1:1 call with us, book a time on our calendar HERE.

➡️If you’d like help designing the perfect Portugal itinerary from the world famous Mark “The Brit” Burns, for just $249, book a FREE consult call HERE.

➡️If you need help with visas or tax information, check out our partners Joao Pinto + Rui Borges (who are the experts) HERE.

➡️For other key resources + 💫FREEBIES💫 about Portugal and moving abroad, visit our website: www.stan.store/portugaljunkies

Cheers y’all!

Meredith + Mark

[Obidos, August 2025]

We are thrilled to return from our longer-than-intended break with a new Portugal Junkies Podcast episode, where Mark + I recap all the things we’ve been up to since we last published the podcast in August.

AND now that we are back - you’ll be getting a new episode every Friday so make sure you are subscribed wherever you listen - YouTube, Substack or Apple!

(We are also on other platforms but you get the idea….)

In Part 1, we catch you up on:

✅ Our new apartment in Tavira - why we moved, the pros + cons and how much we pay here in rent

✅ Where we’ve been traveling over the break

✅ How we are feeling as we celebrate our 2 year anniversary in Portugal!

Stay tuned for Part 2 and Part 3 coming your way for the next two weeks!

THE GOOD STUFF…⬇️➡️If you have questions for us about our move abroad and want to scheduled a 1:1 call with us, book a time on our calendar here:https://stan.store/portugaljunkies/p/book-a-11-call-with-us-o146p➡️If you’d like help designing the perfect Portugal itinerary from the world famous Mark “The Brit” Burns, for just $249, book a FREE consult call here:https://stan.store/portugaljunkies/p/lets-start-planning-your-portugal-adventure➡️If you need help with visas or tax information, check out our partners Joao Pinto + Rui Borges (who are the experts) here:https://stan.store/portugaljunkies➡️For other key resources + 💫FREEBIES💫 about Portugal and moving abroad, visit our website: https://stan.store/portugaljunkies

Cheers y’all!

Meredith + Mark

Can you believe we have published our 50th episode?! We are so thankful for your support, for listening, for every note of thanks.

August is vacation month for lots of Portuguese, so we are following suit at Portugal Junkies Podcast!

But - we will be back soon, we promise.

In the meantime, tune into our top episodes + resources until we get back:

* Five Easy Steps To Pin Point Your Perfect Place In Portugal

* Top 5 Must Have Resources For Moving To Portugal

* Ask Your Partner These 10 Questions Before Moving Abroad

* Believe You Can: Your Move Abroad Resources for 2025

* Our D7 Process in Fall 2023 »» Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 (Disclaimer: NISS, apostille and FBI background checks requirements have changed but this is a good overview of what to expect regarding the process.)

* Our Stan Store - book a 1:1 call with us anytime!

Cheers, y’all!

Meredith + Mark

PS - if you have content or ideas that you’d like to see us cover in future podcast episodes, send us a message below!

So here’s the thing.

Two years ago, when we were preparing for our visa interview + appointment, we did DIY. The process is doable, albeit frustrating at times when your total understanding of the process is toddler-level, and many times in the first year, I doubled-down on the DIY route.

But in the past two years, we’ve seen drastic + rapid changes in the process that can catch you off guard if you are navigating the process alone.

Enter Joao Madeira Pinto, our immigration attorney. You know - the guy we wish we had known in 2023? Because now that we know all that he does to help people navigate the visa process, we’d likely have said, please help us!

In this week’s episode, we give you Part 2 with Joao, where he highlights what he can offer someone who is interesting in moving to Portugal. Top prize goes to obtaining your NIF, opening a bank account within a week + even finding an apartment and securing that elusive lease requirement!

To talk directly with Joao and get customized advice based on your plans + needs, Joao offers a FREE consultation call + discount to our listeners here. FYI - he’s the best.

Tune in and make the decision that works best for you.

Cheers, y’all!

Meredith + Mark

[Joao Madeira Pinto, Certified Immigration Attorney]Website: www.madpintolaw.com

Friends, don’t let the misinformation on the “interwebs” kill your Portugal dream before it starts.

The amount of inaccuracies we’ve seen written recently about Portugal’s recently PROPOSED immigration changes (ahem, not official yet) is shocking.

So, recognizing that we are not the experts on this topic, we invited our immigration attorney here in Portugal on the podcast this week to stop the chaos and get to the truth.

Enter Joao Madeira Pinto, certified immigration attorney, Portugal Junkies ally + friend.

In just a few minutes, Joao overviews the proposed immigration changes currently being considered in Portugal, the extension of the time required in country before one can apply for citizenship and the changes to the timeline for family reunification.

He also brilliantly talks about the goals behind some of these proposals, whether they might get push back because they could violate the Portuguese constitution + gives his predictions of where this is all headed.

The moral of the story - nothing has changed yet. Nothing. And it may be a while before we know more.

So hold your horses if this has sent you reeling - as an immigrant or as a future visa applicant. Listen in + learn from the experts.

Cheers, y’all!

Meredith + Mark

To talk directly with Joao and get customized advice based on your plans + needs, Joao offers a FREE consultation call + discount to our listeners here. FYI - he’s the best.

[Joao Madeira Pinto, Immigration Attorney]Website: www.madpintolaw.com

New episode is live! 🎙️🎙️We answer these questions from our listeners ⬇️

* What are the pros and cons of living in the Algarve?

* Do you still feel the same about not having a car a year and half later?

* What have you adjusted to living without?

* How is Charlotte doing? What’s her care like there at the vet?

Planning a trip to Portugal but hate the actual PLANNING part? We got you. We built customized Portugal itineraries based on how YOU like to travel.

Start by booking your free call with us here

Cheers, y’all!

Meredith + Mark

[Praia do Caroveiro, Portugal - February 2025]