CNN
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Transferring to a international nation generally is a scary choice. Notably if it’s a rustic you’ve by no means even visited.
In 2021, Katie Meyer, a worldwide hospitality communications skilled from California, selected to do exactly that.
Meyer, who had beforehand lived and labored in London earlier than returning to the US, relocated to Portugal in the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, settling within the idyllic seaside resort of Cascais, near Lisbon.
“My dream was to sometime to return to Europe,” Meyer, 66, tells CNN. “As soon as distant work turned commonplace and I bought my actual property within the US. I knew that relocation to Europe was a ‘now or by no means’ proposition.”
Her private {and professional} travels had taken her to many international locations in Europe all through the years, however by no means Portugal.
Whereas the sunny Mediterranean local weather and Portugal’s laid-back vibe had been a part of the attract, Meyer was prepared for a brand new chapter in her life.
Security, high quality of life, reasonably priced medical care, and a comparatively easy path to everlasting residency and citizenship, had been excessive on her checklist of priorities for her future nation of residence, and Lisbon ticked all of her bins.
Indicators of the pandemic had been nonetheless very evident when Meyer arrived within the Portuguese capital with 5 suitcases in tow in August 2021.
“Few accommodations and eating places open, a fraction of the variety of typical vacationers, mask-wearing the norm, I felt like I had Lisbon to myself,” she says.
Meyer rented an residence for 3 months in Lisbon at first. However after exploring the realm, she fell in love with the charms of close by Cascais, a former fishing village that has been luring many expats lately.
She was struck by Cascais’ unplugged and considerably sleepy really feel, which was one thing she wasn’t accustomed to, and the truth that locals didn’t appear to make use of cell phones on the market or cafes.
“Right here, time stands nonetheless, and other people relish time collectively,” she says. “Issues take longer. Instead of any sense of urgency you discover a happier, extra laid-back way of life.
“However one that may be very irritating to Individuals hooked on frenetic beats and trapped within the rat race.”
She says she was stunned by the genuineness of the Portuguese individuals, their pleasure and pleasure in studying that an expat had chosen their nation as a brand new residence, and their willingness to assist when she was struggling to speak.
“Portuguese is a really tough language to study, however they’re at all times prepared to assist with pronunciations and utilization,” she says. “It is extremely a lot a welcoming tradition.”
Later that 12 months, Meyer purchased a 95-square-meter, two-bedroom, split-level residence with a roof terrace in a quiet neighborhood, near cafés and cultural points of interest.
Located on a hill above the middle of city, it presents placing views stretching from Cascais Bay and the ocean to the well-known mountains and palaces of Sintra.
The acquisition value was 595,000 euros (round $651,000). Regardless that Portugal noticed an general property value enhance of 13.8% in 2021, with costs persevering with to rise within the years since then, Meyer estimates that an residence in an analogous spot in California would have value her no less than triple.
Happily, Meyer was capable of profit from Portugal’s “golden visa” system, a five-year residence by funding program aimed toward non-EU nationals, which is not accessible for actual property purchases.
To qualify, candidates had been required to make an actual property buy of a minimal of 500,000 euros ($547,000.)
The golden visa grants her visa-free journey by means of Europe’s Schengen Space. She additionally has the choice to use for Portuguese citizenship after holding a golden visa for 5 years, according to a recently amended law aimed toward dashing up procedures.
However for Meyer, one of many cons to transferring to a vacation spot with such a slower-paced way of life has been getting by means of pink tape, and she or he confronted a wait of round two years to acquire her residency because of the Portugal’s earlier lengthy approval course of.
“Phrase of mouth from others who’ve been by means of it reigns supreme,” she says. “And my recommendation can be to discover a good legal professional.”
Meyer says that Cascais’ sturdy sense of group performed a component in her choice to construct her new life there.
“Persons are very social and family-oriented,” she says. “On weekends I meet pals on the in style mercado, the place, along with a farmers’ market, butchers, cheese and fishmongers, crafts, stands with clothes and family items on the market, you possibly can socialize and simply watch the world go by.”
Savoring a creamy pastel de nata (egg or custard tarts) or a tosta mista (a grilled sandwich) at one of many native pastelaria outlets can be a well-liked pastime right here.
In response to Meyer, the standard and velocity of service in eating places and accommodations is slower than within the US, and deliveries and residential repairs are additionally more likely to take longer.
“On the upside, a restaurant server would by no means, ever current a invoice with no buyer asking for it,” she provides.
“That may be thought-about impolite, even with a line of shoppers ready for a desk. And also you gained’t see individuals consuming or consuming on the go, as you’ll within the US.”
Meyer has seen that the absence of a tipping tradition in Portugal is one thing that Individuals discover tough to understand.
“A small tip is at all times appreciated for good service and general expertise,” she provides. “However not obligatory. Individuals over-tipping may even be thought-about moderately vulgar in some circles.”
She’s picked up some native habits, like forsaking a garments dryer, thought-about “the Portuguese approach.”
Nonetheless, Meyer hasn’t been ready to surrender air-conditioning – a 2022 examine by actual property platform Idealista discovered that just one in 4 properties available on the market in Portugal had air-con – and has a unit put in at her residence.
Adapting to the native local weather has additionally meant studying to cope with the excessive coastal humidity and the propensity for mould in winter.
“Because of totally different constructing requirements than these we’re accustomed to within the US, dampness and mould is frequent,” says Meyer.
“I’ve discovered to stay with numerous dehumidifying units and the frequent airing out of my residence throughout winter months. Simply a part of the brand new routine.”
Meyer’s additionally needed to adapt to the intricately-designed cobblestones on the sidewalks of Portugal – calcada portuguesa – which might be “stunning to the attention however treacherous to the physique.”
“I slipped and fell on these slick stones a number of occasions after I first arrived, and shortly discovered that that is merely a ceremony of passage,” she says, including that she now wears sneakers to deal with them. “In Portugal, it’s perform over model within the shoe division.”
She’s additionally needed to get used to the Portuguese queuing methods. The phrase, “take a quantity,” has all-new which means in Portugal, says Meyer.
“To get served at publish workplaces, hospitals and pharmacies requires you go to a machine for a senha, a piece of paper containing a code indicating your house in line,” she explains.
“You might proceed to a desk solely as soon as your quantity is illuminated on a display screen and referred to as.”
Nonetheless, Meyers feels that the reasonably priced value of residing in Portugal outweighs any challenges, though costs have risen within the years since she’s been there.
“Once I arrived an Uber journey throughout the larger Cascais space began at 1.50 euros (round $1.64),” she says. “Right this moment that’s nearer to three.50 euros or 4 euros (about $4.38.)
“Not too long ago, I had pals inform me {that a} spherical journey Uber journey they took in NYC – from Decrease Manhattan to the Higher West Facet – was $100, together with tip, in fact. Sticker shock is frequent for anybody residing in Portugal and returning to the US.”
Again in late 2021, Meyer says that lunch for 2 (a fish, steak or stew principal, vegetable and potatoes, two glasses of wine, bread and bottled water) would value her 16 euros (round $17.50.) Extra lately, the value was 22 euros (round $24,) which she nonetheless considers to be a relative cut price.
Though Meyer has tailored properly, she says she’s nonetheless making an attempt to completely soak up the Cascais vibe and really feel like an area.
“When residing exterior of the US, I take into account myself firstly a foreigner,” she says.
“I do know that I have to adapt to a brand new and totally different tradition, not vice versa. Embracing that mindset is key to residing overseas.”
Meyer will get homesick every so often, however says she has no plans to return to the US, and wouldn’t swap her new life for something.
“I miss my family and friends within the US, however residing in a secure, peaceable, reasonably priced and eye-opening atmosphere is an indeniable trade-off,” she says.
“Portugal is a fairly fantastic journey vacation spot – and I’ve had extra US guests these previous two years than I in all probability would have had time to see if I had been nonetheless residing within the US.”