A New Chapter in Portugal
I was born in Kent and lived in southeast London for the first 25 years of my life. I have always loved the UK, but the weather has never been great. By my mid-twenties, I was working in hospitality as a general manager of a restaurant when I received a birthday gift that allowed me to visit New York.
Like many others, I found New York amazing. After several holidays there, I made the decision to move in 1996 and ended up spending 25 years in the city. It was a significant career move, as I progressed from being a waiter to becoming the director of food and beverage for two hotels.
Despite the success, the job was very stressful. I had little time for anything outside of work. The pandemic hit the hospitality industry hard, prompting me to re-evaluate my life choices. I asked myself whether I wanted to continue working long hours, six days a week, and be on the other side of the world while my family, including my aging father and stepmother, were in Europe.
As a workaholic, I realized that if I didn’t make a change after the pandemic, I would remain in the same situation. My sister, who had been in a similar role for 28 years, also considered a change. I called her and suggested moving, and to my surprise, she agreed. Her children had left home, and she and her partner were eager for a new experience.
Choosing Between Spain and Portugal
We quickly narrowed our options down to Spain or Portugal. Both countries are close enough to London, allowing us to check in on family if needed. I had visited Spain and had a basic understanding of Spanish, but something about Portugal felt more appealing, even though I had never been there before.
To ensure it was the right decision, we did thorough research. My sister made a couple of visits and took videos to capture the essence of life there. That was enough for me. In 2021, my sister, her partner, and I arrived in Cascais, a beautiful seaside town near Lisbon.
Since I had moved abroad before, I knew the basics of securing visas and dealing with post-Brexit issues. For additional guidance, we approached a company called Global Citizen Solutions. The process turned out to be straightforward.
I initially came over on the D2 Entrepreneur Visa, which requires demonstrating funding and a business plan to set up a business in the country. I also needed to show at least €10,440 in my bank account. My sister and her partner came on the D7 Passive Income visa, which requires access to at least €9,840. This visa allows living, studying, and working in Portugal, with the option to apply for permanent residency or citizenship after five years.
Adjusting to Life in Portugal
In the first year, I focused on settling in and living off savings without working, which was a big change from my previous lifestyle. I later started a catering company part-time, hiring staff as needed for small events. I also took on a role as head of citizenship programmes with the company that advised us on our visas.
Communication has not been an issue. English is widely spoken, and I understand some Portuguese, which helps me grasp conversations. However, I plan to learn the language properly once I pursue citizenship.
Portugal has its share of bureaucracy, but after nearly four years, I’ve learned to accept it as part of the process. There are many things I love about living here. I wanted to move somewhere where I could feel relaxed and less concerned about money, and this place has delivered.
The weather is fantastic, and the cost of living is incredible. I rent a one-bedroom apartment for between €900 and €1,200 a month. A good meal with a few glasses of wine costs around €15. As a single person, groceries cost about €60 a week, and petrol is roughly €30-€50 per week. Taxis are affordable too, with rides costing around €3-€4 in cities like Lisbon.
Embracing the Lifestyle
I haven’t encountered any hostility from locals. While rowdy tourists may not be welcome, I’ve met many friendly Portuguese people and made numerous local friends. Traveling to work by train and watching the sea from the window is a unique experience. My office overlooks the water, which I absolutely love.
My sister enjoys the sunshine and living by the sea. If there are downsides, it’s the cold water at the beaches and the slower pace of life. I recently bought a car, but it hasn’t arrived yet, and I’ve learned to accept that things take time here.
Looking back, I don’t regret my decision to live in Portugal. In fact, I’m still amazed by how well it has worked out. Friends visiting for my 50th birthday remarked on how relaxed I had become, and they were right. Moving here achieved exactly what I wanted.
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