In December, we made the big leap—leaving behind our lives in the Pacific Northwest to start fresh in Portugal. It was both terrifying and exhilarating, but more than anything, it felt right. This is a brand-new chapter, and every day brings something new.
Of course, this journey is far from a straight line. There have been highs, lows, and plenty of moments in between. Over the next year, we know we’ll experience culture shock, growing pains, and the occasional “What have we done?” moment—but we’re ready to embrace the unknown. Along the way, we’ll share our experiences, from hidden gems to travel tips, and hopefully inspire others to explore more, travel deeper, and say yes to the world.
Why Did We Decide to Move?
There were many reasons we chose to take a sharp left turn from the path we were on. At the top of the list? Burnout from the corporate world, our insatiable desire to travel, and a longing for a different quality of life.
For the past 19 years, working in big tech consumed nearly every aspect of my life. Yes, I was burned out—but it was more than that. I had become disenchanted with the corporate grind, and I realized that my happiest, most fulfilled self was when I was traveling—exploring new corners of the world, immersing in different cultures, and experiencing life beyond a career-driven identity.
We didn’t want to wait until we were 70 to start living the life we had dreamed of—a life filled with travel, adventure, and deep cultural experiences. More importantly, we wanted to redefine how we lived, beyond just what we did for work.
How Long Had We Been Planning This?
Moving abroad had been a lifelong dream, but life kept pushing it to the back burner. About two years ago, we started taking it more seriously—we met with a financial advisor, mapped out retirement options, and compared the cost of living in Seattle versus places like Portugal. The numbers were striking.
Then came the tech layoffs. In a way, it ripped the band-aid off. While we had originally planned to make a move in another year or two, we suddenly found ourselves asking: Why wait?
I started looking for job opportunities in the EU. After a four-month interview process for a role in Barcelona, I was offered a position—but there were enough red flags that we ultimately decided to move on our own terms to our first-choice destination: Portugal.
Why Portugal?
Europe was always at the top of our list for its lifestyle, incredible food, and easy access to travel. We also considered destinations in Asia, like Bali and Thailand, where the cost of living is low and the beach culture is incredible.
In the end, Portugal stood out for several reasons:
- Lifestyle & Culture – A laid-back, welcoming atmosphere with a strong expat community
- Affordability – A much lower cost of living compared to the U.S.
- Weather – Moderate climate with plenty of sunshine
- Food & Wine – Need we say more? 🍷
- Path to Citizenship – Portugal’s five-year timeline is one of the shortest in Europe
Beyond all the practical reasons, there was also something less tangible—a feeling. When I first visited Portugal, it just felt right. I could see a life for us here.
Of course, we went into this knowing there were no guarantees. This could fail miserably in ways we can’t yet predict. But we also knew that if we didn’t try, we’d always wonder what if?
Why Porto?
To get a better sense of where we wanted to live, we did a scouting trip to both Lisbon and Porto. Initially, we thought we’d buy property right away through the Golden Visa program, so we worked with real estate agents and explored different neighborhoods.
We were drawn to Porto because:
- It has a great balance of city life while still being walkable and charming
- The historic architecture gives it a unique character (unlike Lisbon, which was heavily impacted by the 1755 earthquake)
- It’s closer to the coast, which we love
- It’s significantly more affordable than Lisbon—real estate prices were nearly half the cost
In the end, Porto felt like the perfect fit.
Looking Ahead
This move is just the beginning. Over the next year, we’ll be figuring out how to truly integrate into life here—navigating bureaucracy, making new friends, and adjusting to a slower, more intentional way of living.
We’re excited to share our experiences along the way—the good, the challenging, and everything in between. If you’ve ever thought about making a big move or just shaking things up in your life, we hope our journey inspires you to take that leap.
Because sometimes, the best adventures come from saying yes to the unknown.
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