Realities of Living Abroad vs. Fantasies

This is going to be a difficult post to write.  And in subsequent posts I will dive more deeply into realities of living abroad.

We love living here in Portugal, but some people seem to imagine that we are on an eternal vacation.  If you want to keep your fantasy of “unicorns and rainbows” about life in Portugal, stop reading here.

The truth is, immigration means leaving behind The Known World. No matter where you go, you are leaving the comforts of home – the friends, the communities, the routines, the familiar stores, the health care providers, and all those small things that create the foundation of daily life.

For Tim and me, this wasn’t just a move; it was a big shift. We left the home we built over 42 years -- a ranch-style adobe in a beautiful landscape, where we could watch wildlife through the windows of every room. In 2022, we left that house and the community of cherished friends who had enriched our lives for four decades. Those connections still matter to us today.

Although we chose this journey, the losses have been significant.  We didn’t leave everything behind just to live an eternal vacation.  We came to Portugal to find peace – both social and psychological peace -- which we have found.

We came here to step away from the growing divisions in the US, and to step back from the hatred, polarization and othering that have been unraveling the fabric of US society.

We are grateful that we found what we were looking for.  But let’s be clear:  it hasn’t been a cake walk.

We are Deeply Tied to the U.S.

We stay informed about what is going on in the U.S. and the world. Our connection to our home country runs deep -- not just through loyalty, but also through love.  We are heartbroken by all that is happening there.

Like most American immigrants in Portugal, we have family and friends who are in danger because of their ethnicity, skin color, their LGBTQ identity, their political views, or even their employment. We are deeply concerned for all of them.

Our ties are economic as well.  As a friend put it, “When your finances depend on the dollar vs. another currency, you notice.”   For example, Social Security income has dropped 20 percent for Americans living in Europe due to the decline in dollar against the euro. Did you know that all U.S. citizens, no matter where they live, are still required to pay taxes to the U.S.?  And we also pay taxes here in Portugal. We vote in U.S. elections.  We care. We are still Americans.

Real Challenges

I recently asked fellow American immigrants to Portugal about their biggest challenges. The responses came pouring in. Topics ranged from difficulties securing healthcare, the residency process, driving issues, language barriers, shopping, bureaucracy, and homesickness. Almost everyone admitted to facing struggles in at least a few of these areas.

I will dive into each of these topics in future posts.

Please understand that our decision to move here was a process over several years.  The move itself was very difficult, and the adjustments we have had to make since arriving?  Let’s just say they have not been a magical unicorn ride over the rainbow.

Still, we are grateful.

Ceramic art by Emma Inman https://www.emmainmanstudios.com/

Tim and Penelope

Still imagining... living life in peace.

COMING UP:

Healthcare Driving Adventures Bureaucratic Struggles Residency Insecurity

Language Adventures Forever Outsider