We moved from the Seattle area to Lagos one year ago and pinch ourselves often for our great decision! Back in October Conde de Nast travel came out with the top 20 countries to live in the world and Portugal was #1. We went back to the states for the month of November. I felt my health going downhill too. Life here is healthier, much slower paced and more friendly.
It's amazing the number of people who say the same thing about their health. I never looked but I'd guess things like Cancer or Diabetes are a much lower rate there.
Great post! (my first time…now a subscriber). I moved to Mexico in June and when I return to the US, it is the political environment that seems so toxic! I don’t miss it at all. I haven’t noticed digestive problems when back in the states, but I have returned several times in my six months. I hope people don’t attack you for sharing your personal opinions… I cannot wait to see your food video!
You're spot on with your assessments. The problem is these folks giving you grief are folks that have no passport and have never been anywhere else. I refuse to dumb myself down to appease these people. I lived abroad for over 20 years and have moved back to the states gor a short while. Can't wait to wrap up my business and move back to Europe. Keep putting your videos out there to entertain and educate folks. ✌🏽
With the Us you have better selection buying healthy foods at good products at places like costco. But when you eat out the food quality you have no control and you can feel rotten after a restaurant in Us.So there are differences. When i went to Portugal i was eating fresh food right out of the quick markets. I was able to even eat the fresh breads there and yogurts unlike in the Us. So more selections in Us while better over all food quality in Portugal. I totally agree with the aggression in the Us, its out of control! I cant wait to retire to Portugal. I just hope all the Californians that move to Portugal don t bring their politics. Is it easy and quick to get amazon products there? I don’t think so and thats gonna be hard as i like the convenience, variety, and speed of Amazon . It will probably get better in time. The wonderful medical is the game changer and access to all the local countries at a cheap airfare.
We visited Portugal in October 2021. Tasted a strawberry at a restaurant in Sintra. The rich flavor blew my mind. Oriente mall food court meals, served on real dishes with metal flatware, also rocked our socks. Our Texas house goes on the market in February. On our way to soon become Portuguese!
When I moved to Italy 40 years ago, I experienced culture shock. Took me a year to adjust. Then when I returned to America 2 years later, I experienced culture shock again. I hated that I couldn't walk anywhere (or even easily catch a bus). In the U.S., I had to walk 45 minutes to reach the nearest store, and it was tiny. In every town or city I lived in in Italy, I could walk across half the city in that length of time. A walkable city is the thing I miss most AND STILL DO 40 YEARS LATER.
You guys are spot on about the things you have said. I am Portuguese and live right across the river from you in Portland. When I leave this country and go to Portugal it just seems like an elephant has been lifted off of me. The craziness in this country is not only sad but very destructive for our health. Keep it up with your videos.
It's fun to hear your perspective as we have felt many of these things as we've bounced back and forth from living on different continents back to the US. - Josh & Kalie
My wife and I lived in Asia for six years in our 20s. I am a remote worker now and she is on her way❤️. We are planning our next chapter in Portugal this coming summer. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences!
Dan and Michelle, I have been following you since you started your adventure and love it. Keep up with the good reporting and advice. I just spent Christmas and New Year's in PT and concur with all you say about Covid awareness and compliance on both PT and the US. I am in the US and follow what is happening here, as well. Here's to a great 2022 for both of you and all of the Portuguese and US people.
Thanks so much for talking about the politicizing here of the virus and how unhappy and stressed we all are. As a therapist I have just seen so many people hurting and confused everyday. I keep telling my clients I am moving to Portugal to escape this mess! It would be amazing to be in a country where people care about the general health and welfare of each other. Can't wait to eat there too, I have celiac in the states but don't get sick in Europe. Just noticed you guys are getting closer to 5K......
Wierd Q but I am working through similar problems. How has the change helped your gut health and overal drowsiness? I live in NYC and it’s literally a daily battle…timing is everything lol.
Always appreciate your honesty. We’re moving to Porto from the U.S. in April (waiting for visa approval), and know there will be both positives and negatives, but know for a certainty that the positives will far out way the negatives, so we are excited about our journey 😊.
Hi there... if i may, my advice is not to see things in positive or negative ways. Take all as different, then the experience will flow much much better. And think, how cool is it to be learning new things? 1 other thing, if you have doubts don't hesitate asking, most Portuguese speaks english (especially under 40/30, defenitely younger will know) and they are always kind and glad to be helpfull) Enjoy your staying
I wanted to say THANK YOU for giving you honest opinions of things and these comparisons between living in the USA and abroad... I know you are sometimes saying things that make people upset or hurt their feelings, but your honest feelings and the struggles and changes you go through are so helpful to hear for those of us at the stage of deciding if we WANT to move abroad or not. Hearing about how you miss things in the USA but you have learned to also love things in Portugal, and how you deal with the differences, and how some differences that seemed bad at first (not as much choices in food) turned out to be actually a blessing (but that Portuguese food doesn't bother your digestive system as much because it is so much healthier) is SO helpful in thinking about these major decisions in context of our own lives. I hope people saying negative things or giving you grief about "talking smack" about things you have struggled with or honestly didn't/don't like won't make you censor yourselves in the future, because really your willingness to say those things is what sets your channel apart and makes it unique and useful... at least to me. Thank you for all the great info! Just wanted to drop an encouraging note of appreciation.
You’re spot on. It’s uncanny the similarities with our move to France and coming back here to the States for Christmas. I found myself with a headache how much I was vigorously agreeing with you guys 🤣🤣🤣
Hi Nadine, Myself, Wife and 8 year old son are seriously looking at retiring to France (I I used to work in St Nazaire a long time ago, plus I'm English so know the country pretty well). I was just wondering where you now live and do you like it?
France is in no way comparable to Portugal it is also a violent and dystopian society and lots of people are legally or illegally armed ( hunters in the countryside , drug traffickers in big and small cities). Besides that Paris under Hidalgo is a ruined city in all acceptations of the word.
What a great video - I have been exhausted since coming back to the US from the UK and Europe. I am planning on moving to Portugal soon and this was so refreshing to hear!
You guys did a fantastic job describing the differences between Portugal and the USA. Spot on and perfectly stated. Thank you for your honest and accurate comments. Great job!
Not your imagination. So true. By the way, thank your husband for me, he is one of the reasons that I now live in Portugal. He was so honest and straight forward about how you two went through the Visa process. It helped me tremendously. He did not ask to be paid for the information Obrigado
So much yes about the level of general stress… I was in the US for 4 months and now I’ve been in Lisbon for a week and I can feel my shoulders dropping a little more every day. So grateful to be here.
Hi Dan & Michelle & Happy New Year! Thanks so much for your U.S. visit updates. I really appreciated hearing your perspectives on the emotional state of the U.S. vs. Portugal. It’s a relief to know that a less anxious, positive, respectful to community quality of life exists somewhere!! So happy for you guys & I can’t wait to book my trip!❤️
Hey Dan and Michelle, we're just across the river from you right now in Oregon. I'm enjoying your videos since coming back to the states and the things that stick out to you in comparison. One of the things that is attractive to me about Portugal is the less politicized climate. Life is so much more! I think COVID and distancing have really heightened that in America, sadly. Enjoy your visit! Thanks for taking the time to make videos while you're here! ♥️
Thanks Miranda! I think people spend so much time in front of the computer seeing people with similar views and less time with people face to face they forget how to act when they do encounter someone who thinks differently.
Another great video. I am not a person who writes many comments, but I want to say that you guys are spot on with your views on this topic. We were in Portugal three times and we fell in love with the country, people, life style and food. I immigrated to US in early 1980 to look for better live and the live was better in general until 2016. Now I'm affraid what next two years will bring here. Too many angry people with guns and radical antidemocratic views. I hope I'm mistaken on this view. I wish you guys all the best in Portugal and maybe we will run into each other on the Lisbon street someday.
Greetings from Seattle! Welcome back. Every time I leave USA and then come back I notice things similar to what you noticed. I do hope despite all the problems America is having that you enjoy your stay here in WA. Safe travels and thanks for sharing. Heather
Thanks for sharing! My wife and I just got back from a two week trip to Portugal, to explore & evaluate if we may want to move there. We notice some of the same differences. The food quality is definitely a big one.
We are from the UK living in Central Portugal. 100% re non politicalisation of Covid here compared to UK. Govt debates it, explains it, implements it and everyone just does it. End of. They also don't have pointless laws here, like the swimming lifeguard has headphones on in local pool, would never be allowed in the UK but who cares, he is still watching. People park cars wherever and no one gets annoyed, in fact never seen any one annoyed in over a year. School kids wander around during lunch hour, they have a laugh but are no problem and even say hello to grown ups. Crazy. All in all Portuguese people are just nice and level headed.
Had to smile reading this, its the same things I notice too! I've lived in Portugal for 2 years now, currently visiting family in the states and the differences are unbelievable. I cant wait to return!!!
Very refreshing to hear your views. I’m Canadian and some anxiety here too but less politicizing of course. I’m planning to spend more time in Portugal again when I can , as I love it’s chill vibe too. Community matters!
After living in Portugal for a little over two years I'm here in the states visiting family. I'm heartbroken, the differences are overwhelming. The " things" I thought I missed don't seem so important anymore. I wish I could pack up my entire family and take them back to Portugal with me. Travel is the key to awareness, dont wait for the right time, make it happen and go see the world!
Yes! Thank you for speaking your minds. I am so ready to move away and right now am hoping it will be Portugal. I understand the main challenge will be to learn Portuguese! Love your channel!
Really well done guys! Love the honesty and the reality of the food reactions coming home. My wife and I live in Porto part of the year, Ukraine another part, and back in the US for a few months with family -- though we live in the Portuguese colony that is Southeastern New England... so there is no food shock for us.. just a different Portuguese cook !! When we do stray into an all-American food situation, we CAN feel it... Too much processed food, added sweeteners, glutamates... my wife actually says she can TASTE the difference in American bread, because it is sweeter (not a good thing)! When we come home to the US we definitely notice the food is less healthy and the people are more overweight.
good morning my beautiful people if you plan on living in Portugal check figueira da foz it's in the center of the country's coast standard of living much cheaper than Lisbon or Porto and close enough to go to Lisbon or Porto as often as you want
Thanks for sharing! I moved from Portugal to the US and definitely had a bit culture shock regarding the amount of stuff people buy here, the house sizes and all the food waste. I think due to the low income people have in Portugal just makes us be more creative in buying and gifting. We value the small gestures and the simple things. Obrigada!
I love how in-depth and real you guys make these videos, i am moving to Portugal next year, i am a designer and creative director and your views on things have really helped a lot ! Thanks, keep up the good work please!
Good perspectives. Your view points seem quite common for Americans who have moved overseas to see how life works in other countries. That is the reason why I am moving to Portugal so my two kids can see the world outside their current home.
Thanks for this post! It's an interesting topic, and your comments are thoughtful. I recognize the problems you describe in the U.S. and suspect that other people will as well - even if they've never lived anywhere else.
I could not agree more with everything you say, especially about COVID being politicized, the food, and being able to walk everywhere in a city in Portugal. The latter especially makes life so much more interesting. This video just makes me want to move there even faster than I have planned. Thank you for a refreshing video.
Enjoying the channel!!! 💯💯 Couple years ago I spent about 10 days in Europe and for months I tried to replicate a salad 🥗 to die for!!! The freshness of everything is truly missed here in the US!
Nailed it!🔨 I am anxious and rightly so in the States; guns, politics, healthcare all cause me to lose sleep. We had "reverse culture shock" after traveling the world for a year. A relative told us we had taken the red pill (The Matrix reference) and will never look at our lives the same again and it's true. Travel is a wonderful education and I can't wait to provide that for my son.
Thanks for sharing your experience - great insight into cultural differences between the US and Portugal. I've spent the last 30 years dividing my time between living in America, Asia and Europe and saw (see) many of the same attributes even before the pandemic. I'm planning to relocate permanently to Europe (part-time in Portugal) at the end of 2022 and can't wait to be there! Honestly, I don't think there's anything about America I will miss.
my family moved to North Carolina and we miss walking in a city. we lived in Lisboa, Graça. That is the thing that makes us more unhappy here. We miss bread and pastry also. Thank you for charing!
I lived in Spain for 2.5 years and came back to the US in May to work on my D7 and I agree with this video so hard! The food was either too salty or too sweet and upset my stomach. Groceries were astronomical. Let's not even discuss going out to eat. A lot of consumerism. Everyone is VERY opinionated lol I also was not used to the A/C anymore. I got used to dressing for the season so I was so cold everywhere lol And wow did I quickly start to miss being somewhere walkable. Coming back to very suburban Miami was rough. When I went to NYC to visit some fam it confirmed that I NEED to live somewhere walkable. But I did love the variety of everything and it was fun to come back to my Latin culture in Miami. Love your videos! Can't wait for my big move.
Completely agree with your perspective on life in the US right now. If I weren’t single, retired and overwhelmed at the thought of all the logistics, I would move to Portugal in a heartbeat! I’m visiting next spring and I’m afraid it will make me want to move there even more. Love your videos!
I think you have explained your experiences in a clear and non-judgemental waly, and I agree with you 100%. We have been in Portugal for almost 5 months now, don't watch at American news (although we do read the headlines). Although I am still waiting to become eligible for my booster shot, I feel 1000% safer here, than in California. We don't have any regrets on our move, and our stress level has significantly decreased with our new way of life.
So good to see you. Hope you get back to Portugal soon, can't wait to see more! Sun , sand ,sea. Ooooooh! I miss Portugal so much as haven't travelled these last 2 years sadly. Hopefully soon?! Have a great day. See you next time 💖☃️❄
You couldn’t be more right on all topics, especially COVID reporting and how it’s being handled in the US. I was in Lisbon in September and cdc advised against travel “ level 4”, but the climate there was to different and relaxed. Same in Spain just got back Saturday, it was nice to get away during this hype!
What you're describing about the chaos of the US as compared to Europe was exactly what I felt when I came home from Italy. It's funny to hear you say it because you sound so logical and grounded. Yeah, let's focus on eating good food, knowing our neighbors, drinking good wine and playing with our neighborhood dogs instead of worrying about what political party we each belong to.. I was blown away by how huge the cars seemed in the US as compared to Europe!
Hey, just got back from Portugal 🇵🇹 on Wednesday, we live in Portland, OR. My belly is going crazy! I appreciate that you guys are willing to touch on "sensitive" topics and share your experiences. We felt a lot of the same feelings and observations you touched on in this video. We were tested every 48 hours in Portugal and felt good about maintaining that so we could go out to eat and enter certain places. I think the most we paid was $25 euro for a test at the Lisbon airport. All the others were free. Before we left for Lisbon we took back to back rapid PCR's, $600 US dollars. That hurt worse than the swabs.
Very interesting moved from UK to Portugal - I no longer need some prescription stomach drugs and losing weight without trying. Better and healthier food. More walking, more vitamin D obviously benefits my health too. A very stress-free environment.
I just LOVE you both!!!!! Im in Battle Ground and moving to OPO in October 2022. This video was beyond wonderful!!! Oh! And I have so many food problems here. My husband and I went to PT for 3 weeks, nothing! No reaction to any food there!!
I have lived in Portugal for 😉the past 5 year´s...Originally from Texas...Not one family member or friend has come to visit me here, heck I barely get an email or phone call...and you know what...I´ve never been more happier or healthier in body, mind and spirit in my entire life...You are in control of your happiness, health and well being, period...Blessings and Positive Energy from good Ole Monte Estoril today...🤠
Oh, small world, I live in Camas! We renovating an old home near downtown. Our plan is to finish this renovation and then head off to either Spain or Portugal next spring. :)
So hood to hear your comments re US versus Portugal. I live in UK and things can be very political here too. The more l hear about Portugal, the more l feel it would be the right place for me at this time. I've been watching Portugal for some time now, maybe 2022 is the year l spend some quality time there 💛 Enjoy the rest of your time with family and friends in the knowledge you will soon be back to a more tranquil lifestyle 🙏
We can definitely relate! Once you experience European lifestyle and food it’s hard to return without a severe reaction! Embrace your experiences … enjoy 😉 we return to Sicily in 6 weeks…. But who’s counting! 😂
Thank You!! America has been soo full of Stupid the past two years to the point that I just need a break!! My husband and I are considering eventually moving to Portugal just to take a moment away from the crazy here. There doesn't appear a way to remove yourself from toxic people here in the States, and being a teacher and healthcare worker I am desiring an escape. Just a few years of no politics, no guns, no carjackings, better healthcare, no American politics, and actual COVID restrictions when needed would be phenomenal!
You guys are so right…. the political situation here in the USA is exhausting, and depressing! We’re on our path to moving overseas right now, this is certainly one of the biggest advantages to getting out! Love your videos!
Taking the vaccine, then a booster shot, disliking to see guns being sold so easily, asking a person to wear their mask or wear it properly, it’s all common sense. The collective thinking for everyone’s wellbeing is crucial to the functioning of society always let alone under a pandemic. However, your train of thought which is my train of thought, puts us in one side of the political arena in the US even though we don’t see it as political whatsoever. As I said before, it’s simply common sense and non political in any way, shape or form.
I agree completely with your comment about Portugal and Covid. I was there and our guide in Lisbon said “we are 85% vaccinated and we are very proud of it. You see, in our country we care about our family and friends so it was not an issue to get vaccinated as soon as it was available. Us tourists looked at each other and my husband said “imagine that? What a concept!” Plus we needed to get a test to come back in to the USA and it was super easy in any pharmacy! Every country we went to in Europe seemed to be pretty united in the way they were trying to combat Covid “as a country” but sadly , not our own USA. Thanks for confirming what we saw with our own eyes.
Thoroughly enjoyed this video, as usual. We just returned from a visit to PT and then stateside for Christmas with the fam. We believe the science and acted accordingly. We are actually expats living in Abu Dhabi, a country that has a super-low rate of infection, and they take Covid very seriously, proving that mandates work. The U.S.? Not so much. Domestic flights don’t require a test to board? Price-gouging of Covid testing runs rampant! My advice is to make an appt way ahead of time to be sure you can get in and make your flight back into Portugal. The U.S. has changed and not for the better. Yes, it was good to find/buy things when you need them, but even with that, my stress level remained high. I found I have rearranged my priorities since living abroad. Sorry for the rant. Keep these honest, real vids coming!
I love all of your videos. We recently got back from Portugal and loved it. We are looking to move there. Watching you both have made me want to move soon! We are from Oregon :)
Really excellent video, You Two! Solid information. Although I appreciate your efforts in delicately framing certain topics I feel it is still an important comparison and should be mentioned. You did a great job with that!
We left the USA to go to Okinawa in 1988 and spent 8 years there, then 2 years in the Azores . Lots of traveling throughout the world in that 10 years. When we returned to the USA in 1998 we were shocked to come back . We didn’t recognize the country we were raised in. Your shocked after 6 months. Give it a few more years . You will never want to come back. Looking forward to a few years in the future I’ll be able to move over to Europe for.good. Do not get me wrong, I love my country, the USA I was born and raised in. That USA is not the country we are now.
Hello Dan and Michelle, I don't comment very much (lazy) but wanted to let you know I very much appreciate your videos, info, observations, insights, etc... so wanted to send a shout-out of appreciation. Hope you continue to share your life experiences. Best!
All I have to say is AMEN AMEN AMEN I totally agree continue to stay true to your feelings👍 keep your tough skin when reading the negative and keep your videos coming
I can definitely relate about the food thing. I always have some kind of mild stomach issue living in the US, but in most European countries (Portugal included), the Middle East, and Japan it totally went away. Really gets you thinking...
I studied abroad in Germany and Austria for two years and loved it. I came back to the US and missed the walkability, the connection to people and the food quality in Europe. Reverse culture shock is certainly a thing. But over all I will say America has many advantages. You can do things with less red tape. For example, in the US you can paint your house whatever color you want and you don't have to tell the government about it first. In Portugal, where we will be moving to in a few months, our real estate attorney told us that we must inform the city what color we want to paint our house first; the city won't stop you; you just have to tell them what color you will paint. That was a real surprise to me. So I do feel that there are more liberties in America. But all in all, I feel life in America is a more stressful place.
ivanxyz..depends on where you live in America, because the county in which I live that is not the case. We have to alert the county association on what color we want to paint our front door, have to have a specific kind of fence around our yard and sidings. Can't have a ground pool or a certain kind of roof and windows. Although we live in a decent county we don't feel like our house is ours at times. So not all part of America are as you described.
Going with what I hear from my family in the US and the TH-cam channels I follow, you’re spot on. I haven’t checked the food comparison video yet, but my impression and experience is that the US cuisine variety is ginormous, same for the supermarket choices, but the actual produce taste may be a bit of an issue, with people complaining that produce in the US tastes less “fresh,” whatever that may be.
Canada has several walkable cities. I am 69 and everything I need is within walking distance. I walk to the doctor, dentist, medical lab, pharmacy, bakeries, Portuguese bakeries, coffee shops, restaurants, organic food store; as well as a choice of four large Supermarkets that are within walking distance.
What you say makes so much sense to me. I am excited about the future and I am really thinking of crushing my timeline. We are visiting in April and then we were going to do a month in Lisbon while we feel it out, and then make the decision, but I think I want to get it done before summer this year. I wonder if we can make it happen.
The positives FAR OUTWEIGH the negatives. Coming from a country 🇨🇦 that doesn’t allow handguns or semi-automatic weapons either, it’s difficult to understand the ‘need’ for US citizens to have them. In the end, isn’t your health the most important thing? The choice is obvious!
I am always surprised that there are folks who watch your videos who are so easily triggered by you sharing your own experiences and beliefs. Why are they here? Apart from the sharing in your videos, you also bring a sense of positivity which is so refreshing when so much we see and hear is toxic. Thank you.
Bonjour from the south of France. Your video is refreshingly honest. I disliked living in the US since I was a child so I am living my dream 40 years later. There are very few things that I miss about the US. Old Bay, Texas Pete, salad dressing….things visitors can bring to me. I am famous for saving that not even my ashes will return to the US. The stress, unending bills and financial scams, not being able to answer my own phone… I could go on. The horror of it all was too much. I felt that I was being mistreated on a daily basis there and I deserved better. The formality of French culture, the politeness, the minimalism ( compared to the US) feel so natural to me. It is hilarious that my family and friends in the US tell me to be careful. Seriously. Anyway, merci beaucoup for the videos and your courage in sharing your experiences.
I’m 💯 with you on the COVID situation here in the USA I went to Spain in September, more than 80 percent of the population is vaccinated and we were walking in the street and taking the bus and the metro and everyone was wearing a mask my god and here is such a big deal, is so frustrating
Hi there! I have your video on my television screen right now, but responding to you/it on my computer. I am a geography geek, so I was not one of those people who could not find Portugal on a map. I know about the country, it's history, good and bad, and much about it today, but the country became of greater interest to me because of a fascinating journey toward discovery. Both my wife and I are from the Caribbean (St. Thomas, U.S Virgin Islands - me and Guyana - her, respectively). The fascinating part is that we BOTH are great great grands of 4 people who migrated from Portugal to the Caribbean back in the mid/late 1800s and early 1900s. This means that I am descended from Portuguese ancestors on both my mother and father's side and the same goes for my wife. How and why is a story I am telling in a piece I am writing, full of intrigue, Christopher Columbus and ties to Middle Ages Marquis and such. Our ancestors actually all came from Madeira, a place most people on the western and southwestern side could not tell you where it is at or probably never heard of it. I sure had never heard of it until about 10 years ago and I'm the geography nerd. So when my wife and I were considering a place to go for our 7th year anniversary, we decided to go to Madeira and all I can say is when we got there, it blew away all of our expectations, so much so, we plan to move there within the next 6 months and bail out of the ever increasing cost of living in South Florida, a place I fled New York for to get away from high prices, but now South Florida rivals NYC. I love South Florida and do NOT want to live anywhere else in the U.S, so if I can't afford to live here, then it's overseas of bust! We have a toddler starting school this September and private school cost has gone from $750 per month when we first moved here to over $1,200. Our rent is expected to go up as much as $675 when our lease expires in October and a sign behind us for new homes were first saw in October 2020 when we moved here from NYC said "New homes starting at the upper $400ks" has been updated to now say "lower 700ks" and they're still building. Good news is, my wife can maintain her decent paying job in Portugal, which would well exceed the required amount Portugal looks for us moving to the country and I may also get a job at her company soon and can do the same. Now, for the week we were there (partly in Lisbon too), we noticed just about everything you stated: 1. We felt safe 2. Tackling COVID seemed like a countrywide effort. No one was over there ranting about masks and tossing out Conspiracy theories. It just seemed like everyone understood "this is what we NEED to do." 3. The place was clean though graffiti was a thing 4. I felt a deep sense of history in the place 5. I saw the most beautiful architecture and Madeira had jaw dropping views, looking much like Hawaii. 6. I never knew the deliciousness of lettuce and tomatoes until I ate some there. FRESH, and so was all the food we at there. 7. Just did not feel the tension that I feel here in the states, that has been heightened since the last administration where this "in your face" bad behavior has become "cool," and "owning libs" has become more important than coming together to do what's best. When I hear people saying they don't want to wear a mask because they "don't want to look like a democrat," well, I'm not sure if I want to be around such stupidity. 8. I heard an ambulance ONCE 9. I saw police activity ONCE, and that was to pull someone over for excessive speed. 10. My phone, set to South Florida and U.S national news, was going off with crazy headlines about party and club shootings, car jackings, burglaries, local shootings, abductions, kids bringing guns to school, stabbings and the other usual stuff n the U.S. While in Portugal, I don't recall seeing or hearing of any such crazy things, notably murders, etc. Now, we get ready to start the process to get out of here and have to do it through the Miami Consulate, but heard they are notoriously slow.
@@HoneymoonAlways Hi, that was my mistake. I thought the Miami Consulate was where we had to go. Now I realize there are 3 locations - D.C, S.F and New York. We are going to through N.Y for our D7 visa.
Hi guys, I'm Portuguese living in Canada for 34 years now, Canada being a safe country with a good health care system the cost of living is very high and the politics around covid are a bit too much. I still have 10 years to retire in my beautiful country but I don't know if I can wait 10 more years. Take care and enjoy life.
Agreed with the food comments. After only one week in Austria I stepped onto the escalator in Atlanta international airport. The smell of fried foods hit me hard and fast and not in a good way.
Thank you. Your videos are very well structured and informative -- much better than the narcissistic, wannabe-TH-cam stars who treat Portugal as a backdrop to their personal photoshoot. Subscribed!
We moved from the Seattle area to Lagos one year ago and pinch ourselves often for our great decision! Back in October Conde de Nast travel came out with the top 20 countries to live in the world and Portugal was #1. We went back to the states for the month of November. I felt my health going downhill too. Life here is healthier, much slower paced and more friendly.
It's amazing the number of people who say the same thing about their health. I never looked but I'd guess things like Cancer or Diabetes are a much lower rate there.
Love Lagos! Moving there soon too!
Great post! (my first time…now a subscriber). I moved to Mexico in June and when I return to the US, it is the political environment that seems so toxic! I don’t miss it at all. I haven’t noticed digestive problems when back in the states, but I have returned several times in my six months. I hope people don’t attack you for sharing your personal opinions… I cannot wait to see your food video!
Can you explain how you obtained residency there in Portugal. Looking to retire there in the near future or sooner.
@@luisRoma747 watch their other channels. D7 visa if you're working age or golden visa if you're retired.
You're spot on with your assessments. The problem is these folks giving you grief are folks that have no passport and have never been anywhere else. I refuse to dumb myself down to appease these people. I lived abroad for over 20 years and have moved back to the states gor a short while. Can't wait to wrap up my business and move back to Europe. Keep putting your videos out there to entertain and educate folks. ✌🏽
Thanks Marcus!
Marcus how can I apply to live in Portugal
With the Us you have better selection buying healthy foods at good products at places like costco. But when you eat out the food quality you have no control and you can feel rotten after a restaurant in Us.So there are differences. When i went to Portugal i was eating fresh food right out of the quick markets. I was able to even eat the fresh breads there and yogurts unlike in the Us. So more selections in Us while better over all food quality in Portugal. I totally agree with the aggression in the Us, its out of control! I cant wait to retire to Portugal. I just hope all the Californians that move to Portugal don t bring their politics.
Is it easy and quick to get amazon products there? I don’t think so and thats gonna be hard as i like the convenience, variety, and speed of Amazon . It will probably get better in time. The wonderful medical is the game changer and access to all the local countries at a cheap airfare.
We visited Portugal in October 2021. Tasted a strawberry at a restaurant in Sintra. The rich flavor blew my mind. Oriente mall food court meals, served on real dishes with metal flatware, also rocked our socks. Our Texas house goes on the market in February. On our way to soon become Portuguese!
Make the move, you won't regret it! You'll be happier, healthier, and most importantly, less stressful.
Welcome to Portugal in 2022
Yanks struggle to settle here, because they are universally bad at learning languages!
Just be aware.
@@maxflight777 thanks for your broad brushstroke of encouragement
Welcome.
When I moved to Italy 40 years ago, I experienced culture shock. Took me a year to adjust. Then when I returned to America 2 years later, I experienced culture shock again. I hated that I couldn't walk anywhere (or even easily catch a bus). In the U.S., I had to walk 45 minutes to reach the nearest store, and it was tiny. In every town or city I lived in in Italy, I could walk across half the city in that length of time. A walkable city is the thing I miss most AND STILL DO 40 YEARS LATER.
You guys are spot on about the things you have said. I am Portuguese and live right across the river from you in Portland. When I leave this country and go to Portugal it just seems like an elephant has been lifted off of me. The craziness in this country is not only sad but very destructive for our health. Keep it up with your videos.
So awesome to hear you saying that you feel good and happy in my country! Be welcome in Portugal ❤️
It's fun to hear your perspective as we have felt many of these things as we've bounced back and forth from living on different continents back to the US. - Josh & Kalie
You guys are awesome as well!
Spot on vid.
I moved to Portugal from the states this past summer, and absolutely agree with everything you said :)
My wife and I lived in Asia for six years in our 20s. I am a remote worker now and she is on her way❤️. We are planning our next chapter in Portugal this coming summer. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences!
Dan and Michelle, I have been following you since you started your adventure and love it. Keep up with the good reporting and advice. I just spent Christmas and New Year's in PT and concur with all you say about Covid awareness and compliance on both PT and the US. I am in the US and follow what is happening here, as well. Here's to a great 2022 for both of you and all of the Portuguese and US people.
Love this video! This is the video that explains exactly why Im moving to Portugal! Thanks guys! 🥰
Thanks so much for talking about the politicizing here of the virus and how unhappy and stressed we all are. As a therapist I have just seen so many people hurting and confused everyday. I keep telling my clients I am moving to Portugal to escape this mess! It would be amazing to be in a country where people care about the general health and welfare of each other. Can't wait to eat there too, I have celiac in the states but don't get sick in Europe. Just noticed you guys are getting closer to 5K......
Wierd Q but I am working through similar problems. How has the change helped your gut health and overal drowsiness? I live in NYC and it’s literally a daily battle…timing is everything lol.
Always appreciate your honesty. We’re moving to Porto from the U.S. in April (waiting for visa approval), and know there will be both positives and negatives, but know for a certainty that the positives will far out way the negatives, so we are excited about our journey 😊.
How exciting for you guys! We are visiting Portugal for the first time in Feb 2022, our first stop is Porto :).
Congrats. Hope my husband and I are not too fsr.behind you!
Excellent choice of (my) city! Wishing you the best!
Hi there... if i may, my advice is not to see things in positive or negative ways. Take all as different, then the experience will flow much much better. And think, how cool is it to be learning new things?
1 other thing, if you have doubts don't hesitate asking, most Portuguese speaks english (especially under 40/30, defenitely younger will know) and they are always kind and glad to be helpfull)
Enjoy your staying
I wanted to say THANK YOU for giving you honest opinions of things and these comparisons between living in the USA and abroad... I know you are sometimes saying things that make people upset or hurt their feelings, but your honest feelings and the struggles and changes you go through are so helpful to hear for those of us at the stage of deciding if we WANT to move abroad or not. Hearing about how you miss things in the USA but you have learned to also love things in Portugal, and how you deal with the differences, and how some differences that seemed bad at first (not as much choices in food) turned out to be actually a blessing (but that Portuguese food doesn't bother your digestive system as much because it is so much healthier) is SO helpful in thinking about these major decisions in context of our own lives. I hope people saying negative things or giving you grief about "talking smack" about things you have struggled with or honestly didn't/don't like won't make you censor yourselves in the future, because really your willingness to say those things is what sets your channel apart and makes it unique and useful... at least to me. Thank you for all the great info! Just wanted to drop an encouraging note of appreciation.
You’re spot on. It’s uncanny the similarities with our move to France and coming back here to the States for Christmas. I found myself with a headache how much I was vigorously agreeing with you guys 🤣🤣🤣
Thanks Nadine!
Hi Nadine, Myself, Wife and 8 year old son are seriously looking at retiring to France (I I used to work in St Nazaire a long time ago, plus I'm English so know the country pretty well). I was just wondering where you now live and do you like it?
France is in no way comparable to Portugal it is also a violent and dystopian society and lots of people are legally or illegally armed ( hunters in the countryside , drug traffickers in big and small cities). Besides that Paris under Hidalgo is a ruined city in all acceptations of the word.
What a great video - I have been exhausted since coming back to the US from the UK and Europe. I am planning on moving to Portugal soon and this was so refreshing to hear!
You guys did a fantastic job describing the differences between Portugal and the USA. Spot on and perfectly stated. Thank you for your honest and accurate comments. Great job!
Not your imagination. So true. By the way, thank your husband for me, he is one of the reasons that I now live in Portugal. He was so honest and straight forward about how you two went through the Visa process. It helped me tremendously. He did not ask to be paid for the information Obrigado
So much yes about the level of general stress… I was in the US for 4 months and now I’ve been in Lisbon for a week and I can feel my shoulders dropping a little more every day. So grateful to be here.
Hi Dan & Michelle & Happy New Year! Thanks so much for your U.S. visit updates. I really appreciated hearing your perspectives on the emotional state of the U.S. vs. Portugal. It’s a relief to know that a less anxious, positive, respectful to community quality of life exists somewhere!! So happy for you guys & I can’t wait to book my trip!❤️
Hey Dan and Michelle, we're just across the river from you right now in Oregon. I'm enjoying your videos since coming back to the states and the things that stick out to you in comparison. One of the things that is attractive to me about Portugal is the less politicized climate. Life is so much more! I think COVID and distancing have really heightened that in America, sadly. Enjoy your visit! Thanks for taking the time to make videos while you're here! ♥️
Thanks Miranda! I think people spend so much time in front of the computer seeing people with similar views and less time with people face to face they forget how to act when they do encounter someone who thinks differently.
Another great video. I am not a person who writes many comments, but I want to say that you guys are spot on with your views on this topic.
We were in Portugal three times and we fell in love with the country, people, life style and food. I immigrated to US in early 1980 to look for better live and the live was better in general until 2016. Now I'm affraid what next two years will bring here. Too many angry people with guns and radical antidemocratic views. I hope I'm mistaken on this view. I wish you guys all the best in Portugal and maybe we will run into each other on the Lisbon street someday.
Thank you for your inputs. We’ll be taking a trip to Portugal next Spring & can’t wait to explore.
Greetings from Seattle! Welcome back. Every time I leave USA and then come back I notice things similar to what you noticed. I do hope despite all the problems America is having that you enjoy your stay here in WA. Safe travels and thanks for sharing. Heather
Thanks for sharing! My wife and I just got back from a two week trip to Portugal, to explore & evaluate if we may want to move there. We notice some of the same differences. The food quality is definitely a big one.
We are from the UK living in Central Portugal. 100% re non politicalisation of Covid here compared to UK. Govt debates it, explains it, implements it and everyone just does it. End of. They also don't have pointless laws here, like the swimming lifeguard has headphones on in local pool, would never be allowed in the UK but who cares, he is still watching. People park cars wherever and no one gets annoyed, in fact never seen any one annoyed in over a year. School kids wander around during lunch hour, they have a laugh but are no problem and even say hello to grown ups. Crazy. All in all Portuguese people are just nice and level headed.
Had to smile reading this, its the same things I notice too! I've lived in Portugal for 2 years now, currently visiting family in the states and the differences are unbelievable. I cant wait to return!!!
Hmm, Portugal also has a lot of rather dangerous practices too.
@@robertp.wainman4094 specially driving :D. I think we are less stressed. And that makes it look/feel less stressful for other people.
Yep, that's Portugal, even the revolutions were made with flowers
@@alsdesign94 April 25, 1974, when a florist went in front of a battalion and put a carnation in a soldier's gun, and it went viral
Thanks so much for this! I appreciate your honesty--just what I was looking for.
Very refreshing to hear your views. I’m Canadian and some anxiety here too but less politicizing of course. I’m planning to spend more time in Portugal again when I can , as I love it’s chill vibe too. Community matters!
After living in Portugal for a little over two years I'm here in the states visiting family. I'm heartbroken, the differences are overwhelming. The " things" I thought I missed don't seem so important anymore. I wish I could pack up my entire family and take them back to Portugal with me. Travel is the key to awareness, dont wait for the right time, make it happen and go see the world!
Good to know u are happy in Portugal. Aproveite o verão.
Yes! Thank you for speaking your minds. I am so ready to move away and right now am hoping it will be Portugal. I understand the main challenge will be to learn Portuguese!
Love your channel!
You don´t have to, everybody (almost) speaks English.
Really well done guys! Love the honesty and the reality of the food reactions coming home. My wife and I live in Porto part of the year, Ukraine another part, and back in the US for a few months with family -- though we live in the Portuguese colony that is Southeastern New England... so there is no food shock for us.. just a different Portuguese cook !! When we do stray into an all-American food situation, we CAN feel it... Too much processed food, added sweeteners, glutamates... my wife actually says she can TASTE the difference in American bread, because it is sweeter (not a good thing)! When we come home to the US we definitely notice the food is less healthy and the people are more overweight.
I live in the US and your observation is spot on!!!!
Love this video - can’t wait to get there this summer!
Sent you a message on WhatsApp - you must still be in the states and not checking…
You are welcome and have a nice live
Haha I've been getting all my LLC advice from your channel before my move this summer too!!! Connect in Lisbon maybe
@@zuki-tv too funny!
good morning my beautiful people if you plan on living in Portugal check figueira da foz it's in the center of the country's coast standard of living much cheaper than Lisbon or Porto and close enough to go to Lisbon or Porto as often as you want
Thanks for sharing! I moved from Portugal to the US and definitely had a bit culture shock regarding the amount of stuff people buy here, the house sizes and all the food waste. I think due to the low income people have in Portugal just makes us be more creative in buying and gifting. We value the small gestures and the simple things. Obrigada!
Just subscribed!
What you say is so true! I loved thecfact the living overseas I felt better-less tummy issues-better transportation:)
I love how in-depth and real you guys make these videos, i am moving to Portugal next year, i am a designer and creative director and your views on things have really helped a lot ! Thanks, keep up the good work please!
Good perspectives. Your view points seem quite common for Americans who have moved overseas to see how life works in other countries. That is the reason why I am moving to Portugal so my two kids can see the world outside their current home.
No guns, better healthcare. Two main reasons we are heading to Portugal from Seattle this spring.
That’s coming up quick!
@@HoneymoonAlways Right? We're super-excited. :D
Plenty room no worries !
How was your move?
Thanks for this post! It's an interesting topic, and your comments are thoughtful. I recognize the problems you describe in the U.S. and suspect that other people will as well - even if they've never lived anywhere else.
I could not agree more with everything you say, especially about COVID being politicized, the food, and being able to walk everywhere in a city in Portugal. The latter especially makes life so much more interesting. This video just makes me want to move there even faster than I have planned. Thank you for a refreshing video.
Enjoying the channel!!! 💯💯 Couple years ago I spent about 10 days in Europe and for months I tried to replicate a salad 🥗 to die for!!! The freshness of everything is truly missed here in the US!
Thank you for your video. So encouraging. Looking forward to traveling more.
Those reasons are so true! I lived outside of the US for a couple of years and when I came back I didn't want to live there anymore haha
Nailed it!🔨 I am anxious and rightly so in the States; guns, politics, healthcare all cause me to lose sleep. We had "reverse culture shock" after traveling the world for a year. A relative told us we had taken the red pill (The Matrix reference) and will never look at our lives the same again and it's true. Travel is a wonderful education and I can't wait to provide that for my son.
P.S. We noticed the amount of salt and sugar in the food in the States was also eye-opening when we moved back.
Love it! one of my favorite videos. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Aracelis!
Thank you so much for sharing. We’re planning our move to Portugal from South Africa and all this information is so helpful. 🙂
Thanks for sharing your experience - great insight into cultural differences between the US and Portugal. I've spent the last 30 years dividing my time between living in America, Asia and Europe and saw (see) many of the same attributes even before the pandemic. I'm planning to relocate permanently to Europe (part-time in Portugal) at the end of 2022 and can't wait to be there! Honestly, I don't think there's anything about America I will miss.
There are things we miss, but overall it’s a positive for us.
my family moved to North Carolina and we miss walking in a city. we lived in Lisboa, Graça. That is the thing that makes us more unhappy here. We miss bread and pastry also. Thank you for charing!
I lived in Spain for 2.5 years and came back to the US in May to work on my D7 and I agree with this video so hard! The food was either too salty or too sweet and upset my stomach. Groceries were astronomical. Let's not even discuss going out to eat. A lot of consumerism. Everyone is VERY opinionated lol I also was not used to the A/C anymore. I got used to dressing for the season so I was so cold everywhere lol And wow did I quickly start to miss being somewhere walkable. Coming back to very suburban Miami was rough. When I went to NYC to visit some fam it confirmed that I NEED to live somewhere walkable. But I did love the variety of everything and it was fun to come back to my Latin culture in Miami. Love your videos! Can't wait for my big move.
Completely agree with your perspective on life in the US right now. If I weren’t single, retired and overwhelmed at the thought of all the logistics, I would move to Portugal in a heartbeat! I’m visiting next spring and I’m afraid it will make me want to move there even more. Love your videos!
I think you have explained your experiences in a clear and non-judgemental waly, and I agree with you 100%. We have been in Portugal for almost 5 months now, don't watch at American news (although we do read the headlines). Although I am still waiting to become eligible for my booster shot, I feel 1000% safer here, than in California. We don't have any regrets on our move, and our stress level has significantly decreased with our new way of life.
So good to see you. Hope you get back to Portugal soon, can't wait to see more! Sun , sand ,sea. Ooooooh! I miss Portugal so much as haven't travelled these last 2 years sadly. Hopefully soon?! Have a great day. See you next time 💖☃️❄
Thanks Carol!
You couldn’t be more right on all topics, especially COVID reporting and how it’s being handled in the US. I was in Lisbon in September and cdc advised against travel “ level 4”, but the climate there was to different and relaxed. Same in Spain just got back Saturday, it was nice to get away during this hype!
Those CDC travel advisories have always been a joke, Covid really highlighted it!
What you're describing about the chaos of the US as compared to Europe was exactly what I felt when I came home from Italy. It's funny to hear you say it because you sound so logical and grounded. Yeah, let's focus on eating good food, knowing our neighbors, drinking good wine and playing with our neighborhood dogs instead of worrying about what political party we each belong to.. I was blown away by how huge the cars seemed in the US as compared to Europe!
Great video and spot on! The negative things about the U.S. is what makes me want to leave…I feel it daily and it’s not easy.
Good video, Dan and Michelle! I totally agree about the politics and the fear of guns being exhausting! I feel so safe in Portugal!
Great video and your comments are spot on. Thank you for sharing. Hope to travel to Portugal this year!
Good video!
I really like your analysis.
Keep up the good work on this channel 👍
U guys have a good time 🙂
And be safe 💕
Hey, just got back from Portugal 🇵🇹 on Wednesday, we live in Portland, OR. My belly is going crazy!
I appreciate that you guys are willing to touch on "sensitive" topics and share your experiences. We felt a lot of the same feelings and observations you touched on in this video.
We were tested every 48 hours in Portugal and felt good about maintaining that so we could go out to eat and enter certain places. I think the most we paid was $25 euro for a test at the Lisbon airport. All the others were free.
Before we left for Lisbon we took back to back rapid PCR's, $600 US dollars. That hurt worse than the swabs.
Very interesting moved from UK to Portugal - I no longer need some prescription stomach drugs and losing weight without trying. Better and healthier food. More walking, more vitamin D obviously benefits my health too. A very stress-free environment.
I just LOVE you both!!!!! Im in Battle Ground and moving to OPO in October 2022. This video was beyond wonderful!!! Oh! And I have so many food problems here. My husband and I went to PT for 3 weeks, nothing! No reaction to any food there!!
I have lived in Portugal for 😉the past 5 year´s...Originally from Texas...Not one family member or friend has come to visit me here, heck I barely get an email or phone call...and you know what...I´ve never been more happier or healthier in body, mind and spirit in my entire life...You are in control of your happiness, health and well being, period...Blessings and Positive Energy from good Ole Monte Estoril today...🤠
Oh, small world, I live in Camas! We renovating an old home near downtown. Our plan is to finish this renovation and then head off to either Spain or Portugal next spring. :)
Great video, I’m actually moving back from Florida to Lisbon this coming February, I’m so exited. Thank you so much
So hood to hear your comments re US versus Portugal. I live in UK and things can be very political here too. The more l hear about Portugal, the more l feel it would be the right place for me at this time. I've been watching Portugal for some time now, maybe 2022 is the year l spend some quality time there 💛 Enjoy the rest of your time with family and friends in the knowledge you will soon be back to a more tranquil lifestyle 🙏
We can definitely relate! Once you experience European lifestyle and food it’s hard to return without a severe reaction! Embrace your experiences … enjoy 😉 we return to Sicily in 6 weeks…. But who’s counting! 😂
Great vídeo. I’m actually moving back from Florida to Lisbon this February.
Thank so much 👍
Welcome to this tiny bit of paradise!
Thank You!! America has been soo full of Stupid the past two years to the point that I just need a break!! My husband and I are considering eventually moving to Portugal just to take a moment away from the crazy here. There doesn't appear a way to remove yourself from toxic people here in the States, and being a teacher and healthcare worker I am desiring an escape. Just a few years of no politics, no guns, no carjackings, better healthcare, no American politics, and actual COVID restrictions when needed would be phenomenal!
There is so much stress in the USA. I want to escape & return to SE Asia. I've been back over a year & it's terrible.
You guys are so right…. the political situation here in the USA is exhausting, and depressing! We’re on our path to moving overseas right now, this is certainly one of the biggest advantages to getting out! Love your videos!
I think you are right. Here in the USA COVID-19 from the beginning was politicized early. Its sad and at one point we were all in the same boat.
Taking the vaccine, then a booster shot, disliking to see guns being sold so easily, asking a person to wear their mask or wear it properly, it’s all common sense. The collective thinking for everyone’s wellbeing is crucial to the functioning of society always let alone under a pandemic. However, your train of thought which is my train of thought, puts us in one side of the political arena in the US even though we don’t see it as political whatsoever. As I said before, it’s simply common sense and non political in any way, shape or form.
Totally agree!
I agree completely with your comment about Portugal and Covid. I was there and our guide in Lisbon said “we are 85% vaccinated and we are very proud of it. You see, in our country we care about our family and friends so it was not an issue to get vaccinated as soon as it was available.
Us tourists looked at each other and my husband said “imagine that? What a concept!”
Plus we needed to get a test to come back in to the USA and it was super easy in any pharmacy!
Every country we went to in Europe seemed to be pretty united in the way they were trying to combat Covid “as a country” but sadly , not our own USA. Thanks for confirming what we saw with our own eyes.
Thoroughly enjoyed this video, as usual. We just returned from a visit to PT and then stateside for Christmas with the fam. We believe the science and acted accordingly. We are actually expats living in Abu Dhabi, a country that has a super-low rate of infection, and they take Covid very seriously, proving that mandates work. The U.S.? Not so much. Domestic flights don’t require a test to board? Price-gouging of Covid testing runs rampant! My advice is to make an appt way ahead of time to be sure you can get in and make your flight back into Portugal. The U.S. has changed and not for the better. Yes, it was good to find/buy things when you need them, but even with that, my stress level remained high. I found I have rearranged my priorities since living abroad. Sorry for the rant. Keep these honest, real vids coming!
Thanks Donna!
I love all of your videos. We recently got back from Portugal and loved it. We are looking to move there. Watching you both have made me want to move soon!
We are from Oregon :)
Really excellent video, You Two! Solid information. Although I appreciate your efforts in delicately framing certain topics I feel it is still an important comparison and should be mentioned. You did a great job with that!
Thank you!
We left the USA to go to Okinawa in 1988 and spent 8 years there, then 2 years in the Azores . Lots of traveling throughout the world in that 10 years. When we returned to the USA in 1998 we were shocked to come back . We didn’t recognize the country we were raised in. Your shocked after 6 months. Give it a few more years . You will never want to come back. Looking forward to a few years in the future I’ll be able to move over to Europe for.good. Do not get me wrong, I love my country, the USA I was born and raised in. That USA is not the country we are now.
Hello Dan and Michelle, I don't comment very much (lazy) but wanted to let you know I very much appreciate your videos, info, observations, insights, etc... so wanted to send a shout-out of appreciation. Hope you continue to share your life experiences. Best!
Thank you so much!
All I have to say is AMEN AMEN AMEN I totally agree continue to stay true to your feelings👍 keep your tough skin when reading the negative and keep your videos coming
I can definitely relate about the food thing. I always have some kind of mild stomach issue living in the US, but in most European countries (Portugal included), the Middle East, and Japan it totally went away. Really gets you thinking...
Portugal wants you back.
Thanks Luis, we’ll be back in 2 weeks!
@@HoneymoonAlways Nice. I am in the Seattle area missing Lisbon a lot.
Once again! Great video! Love watching you two! Not sure if you are still in the US or back home, but safe travels and stay safe!
I studied abroad in Germany and Austria for two years and loved it. I came back to the US and missed the walkability, the connection to people and the food quality in Europe. Reverse culture shock is certainly a thing. But over all I will say America has many advantages. You can do things with less red tape. For example, in the US you can paint your house whatever color you want and you don't have to tell the government about it first. In Portugal, where we will be moving to in a few months, our real estate attorney told us that we must inform the city what color we want to paint our house first; the city won't stop you; you just have to tell them what color you will paint. That was a real surprise to me. So I do feel that there are more liberties in America. But all in all, I feel life in America is a more stressful place.
ivanxyz..depends on where you live in America, because the county in which I live that is not the case. We have to alert the county association on what color we want to paint our front door, have to have a specific kind of fence around our yard and sidings. Can't have a ground pool or a certain kind of roof and windows. Although we live in a decent county we don't feel like our house is ours at times. So not all part of America are as you described.
Going with what I hear from my family in the US and the TH-cam channels I follow, you’re spot on.
I haven’t checked the food comparison video yet, but my impression and experience is that the US cuisine variety is ginormous, same for the supermarket choices, but the actual produce taste may be a bit of an issue, with people complaining that produce in the US tastes less “fresh,” whatever that may be.
You are right on about the produce, very inconsistent where in Portugal it is usually better.
Canada has several walkable cities.
I am 69 and everything I need is within walking distance. I walk to the doctor, dentist, medical lab, pharmacy, bakeries, Portuguese bakeries, coffee shops, restaurants, organic food store; as well as a choice of four large Supermarkets that are within walking distance.
I agree wholeheartedly about the political landscape here and can’t wait to get to Portugal in February 🇵🇹
What you say makes so much sense to me. I am excited about the future and I am really thinking of crushing my timeline. We are visiting in April and then we were going to do a month in Lisbon while we feel it out, and then make the decision, but I think I want to get it done before summer this year. I wonder if we can make it happen.
The positives FAR OUTWEIGH the negatives. Coming from a country 🇨🇦 that doesn’t allow handguns or semi-automatic weapons either, it’s difficult to understand the ‘need’ for US citizens to have them. In the end, isn’t your health the most important thing? The choice is obvious!
its a culture thing. The defending the private property in the very begin of the usa land colonization. But you should evolve.
Totally agree with you.
I am always surprised that there are folks who watch your videos who are so easily triggered by you sharing your own experiences and beliefs. Why are they here? Apart from the sharing in your videos, you also bring a sense of positivity which is so refreshing when so much we see and hear is toxic. Thank you.
Bonjour from the south of France. Your video is refreshingly honest. I disliked living in the US since I was a child so I am living my dream 40 years later. There are very few things that I miss about the US. Old Bay, Texas Pete, salad dressing….things visitors can bring to me. I am famous for saving that not even my ashes will return to the US. The stress, unending bills and financial scams, not being able to answer my own phone… I could go on. The horror of it all was too much. I felt that I was being mistreated on a daily basis there and I deserved better. The formality of French culture, the politeness, the minimalism ( compared to the US) feel so natural to me. It is hilarious that my family and friends in the US tell me to be careful. Seriously. Anyway, merci beaucoup for the videos and your courage in sharing your experiences.
I’m 💯 with you on the COVID situation here in the USA I went to Spain in September, more than 80 percent of the population is vaccinated and we were walking in the street and taking the bus and the metro and everyone was wearing a mask my god and here is such a big deal, is so frustrating
Hi there!
I have your video on my television screen right now, but responding to you/it on my computer.
I am a geography geek, so I was not one of those people who could not find Portugal on a map. I know about the country, it's history, good and bad, and much about it today, but the country became of greater interest to me because of a fascinating journey toward discovery. Both my wife and I are from the Caribbean (St. Thomas, U.S Virgin Islands - me and Guyana - her, respectively). The fascinating part is that we BOTH are great great grands of 4 people who migrated from Portugal to the Caribbean back in the mid/late 1800s and early 1900s. This means that I am descended from Portuguese ancestors on both my mother and father's side and the same goes for my wife. How and why is a story I am telling in a piece I am writing, full of intrigue, Christopher Columbus and ties to Middle Ages Marquis and such.
Our ancestors actually all came from Madeira, a place most people on the western and southwestern side could not tell you where it is at or probably never heard of it. I sure had never heard of it until about 10 years ago and I'm the geography nerd. So when my wife and I were considering a place to go for our 7th year anniversary, we decided to go to Madeira and all I can say is when we got there, it blew away all of our expectations, so much so, we plan to move there within the next 6 months and bail out of the ever increasing cost of living in South Florida, a place I fled New York for to get away from high prices, but now South Florida rivals NYC. I love South Florida and do NOT want to live anywhere else in the U.S, so if I can't afford to live here, then it's overseas of bust!
We have a toddler starting school this September and private school cost has gone from $750 per month when we first moved here to over $1,200. Our rent is expected to go up as much as $675 when our lease expires in October and a sign behind us for new homes were first saw in October 2020 when we moved here from NYC said "New homes starting at the upper $400ks" has been updated to now say "lower 700ks" and they're still building.
Good news is, my wife can maintain her decent paying job in Portugal, which would well exceed the required amount Portugal looks for us moving to the country and I may also get a job at her company soon and can do the same.
Now, for the week we were there (partly in Lisbon too), we noticed just about everything you stated:
1. We felt safe
2. Tackling COVID seemed like a countrywide effort. No one was over there ranting about masks and tossing out Conspiracy theories. It just seemed like everyone understood "this is what we NEED to do."
3. The place was clean though graffiti was a thing
4. I felt a deep sense of history in the place
5. I saw the most beautiful architecture and Madeira had jaw dropping views, looking much like Hawaii.
6. I never knew the deliciousness of lettuce and tomatoes until I ate some there. FRESH, and so was all the food we at there.
7. Just did not feel the tension that I feel here in the states, that has been heightened since the last administration where this "in your face" bad behavior has become "cool," and "owning libs" has become more important than coming together to do what's best. When I hear people saying they don't want to wear a mask because they "don't want to look like a democrat," well, I'm not sure if I want to be around such stupidity.
8. I heard an ambulance ONCE
9. I saw police activity ONCE, and that was to pull someone over for excessive speed.
10. My phone, set to South Florida and U.S national news, was going off with crazy headlines about party and club shootings, car jackings, burglaries, local shootings, abductions, kids bringing guns to school, stabbings and the other usual stuff n the U.S. While in Portugal, I don't recall seeing or hearing of any such crazy things, notably murders, etc.
Now, we get ready to start the process to get out of here and have to do it through the Miami Consulate, but heard they are notoriously slow.
I haven’t heard much about Miami. Which VISA are you coming with?
@@HoneymoonAlways
Hi, that was my mistake. I thought the Miami Consulate was where we had to go. Now I realize there are 3 locations - D.C, S.F and New York. We are going to through N.Y for our D7 visa.
Hi guys, I'm Portuguese living in Canada for 34 years now, Canada being a safe country with a good health care system the cost of living is very high and the politics around covid are a bit too much. I still have 10 years to retire in my beautiful country but I don't know if I can wait 10 more years. Take care and enjoy life.
Agreed with the food comments. After only one week in Austria I stepped onto the escalator in Atlanta international airport. The smell of fried foods hit me hard and fast and not in a good way.
Thank you. Your videos are very well structured and informative -- much better than the narcissistic, wannabe-TH-cam stars who treat Portugal as a backdrop to their personal photoshoot. Subscribed!
Miss seeing your vlogs. Wishing you a good day guys 🙂
Thank you Carol! We’ll get back on it soon.
In America is a lot of change . I
Love just walking to the shops and know the owners
So many good thing away from US