The Real Reason Americans Are Leaving Portugal: Has the Dream Soured?

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As an American, I find that many times when we move a broad, we don't adapt to the culture. We want all the benefits of the US and none of the negatives of the new country. Life doesn't work that way. To enjoy a new country, you really need to learn the language and the culture. Also, we can complain about bureaucracy etc...but at the same time the US also has it. We just didn't have to experience it, because we were born there. Also, I really dislike the term expats. If we leave US and go to a new country, we are immigrants. The glory days of being special because we are American are over. We have to come to grips with that. If we want to be accepted in a new country, we have to play by there rules...

One very important point to remember is, wherever country you go, respect the country, the culture and the people. If you do all these 3 things you most certainly will be just fine.

The main question should be: Why are americans leaving the US...?

Expat 17 years now. I rarely intermingle with other expats and thats the secret to my success!

People don't understand some of these challenges are the same in the US as a foreigner entering....You can't do anything without an SSN but you need a phone, bank account, drivers license etc. You have to roll with the punches, understand and accept the things you have no control over. Pick your battles! Expats always congregate to come and complain about the same topics, every place always has good and bad and if you don't stop to smell the roses you will regret it. Live in the moment, be patient and think about why you left your country of residence.

I'm a Portuguese/South African currently living between the Netherlands and South Africa. Portugal is a much softer landing than say the Netherlands. People are way more friendly and accepting of foreigners in Portugal. But culture is always different wherever you go, so learning the language and culture is a must to find some connection. If you're straight out of say the US, then avoid the rural areas, you'll be lost there. If you're looking for good work opportunities and a bump-up in your career then the Netherlands is a great European destination for that. Portugal is an extremely safe and child-centred society. If you are looking for good weather, cheap accommodation and beautiful landscapes then South Africa is your place, but safety and basic services are hugely problematic and getting worse. So hey, in my view pick-your-poisin as there is no perfect place on this planet. Practice humility and gratitude and that will take you far anywhere you go. Muito obrigado e bem apresentado!

Good video. Came here for retirement in 2018. Bought a small house in a village and have been there for 6 years. We wanted a quieter life after 30 plus years in nyc. We have been welcomed. All the problems you mentioned are real but your insight into the bad effects of negativity is spot on. One has to move to portugal and embrace it. My wife and I have found the adventure of adopting a new homeland invigorating and satisfying.

I originally was going to retire to Portugal, but chose France instead. I preferred the language and being closer to the rest of Europe. Now, after being in France for the last five months, I've decided to head back to the USA. For me, it is the beurocracy and just how difficult it is to get anything done. I knew this going in, but knowing something and living it are two different things.

You are the perfect expat. Seriously, any immigrant that's willing to work hard, learn the customs and culture and language adds to the society that they're adopting. I hope for continued success for you and your family.

I am Vietnamese living in America and I LOVE Portugal!!! I LOVE the warm, friendly Portuguese people, culture, language, history, DELICIOUS FOOD and society. I want to live among one of the nicest peoples in the world!! VIVA PORTUGAL!!! 😍🥰

I bet who you havent met in Lisbon, because I never met one in Barcelona... a parent whos burried a child to violence. We left FL after the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas shooting. My daughter was tired of worrying if her school was next. We moved to Spain and everyone gained a level of personal safety that cant be explained to the average American. No a single person says... be safe or call me when you get home or let us know your ok... we just hug eachother, say "love you, see you next week" and at 0100, walk our separate ways home after a night of rooftop tapas and cava. Really an amazingvfeeling to have your 15yo walk out the door to meet friends at a noodle bar across town, and not be on pins and needles until they come back home. All the USD cant replace our babies. I hope we reach a point where we refuse to raise the next class of kindergarteners who have active shooter drills.

The world is geting very difficult to live all over

thank you for the post. I am originally from the Azores, came to the US back in 1971 as a very little girl. US Citizen, have loved growing up in the States, but now am going to move back to Portugal for retirement. I want a different quality of life and we find it in Portugal.

I think it is essential that those who want to move anywhere should always go and visit a few times. ALWAYS do the homework prior to any major move especially to a different country.

Unfortunately the prices in Portugal have been going up which is making it hard for people who are from there and those of us who were born there and have dreamed of retiring there one day.

This video is spot on. I got to know my favourite part of Portugal over 14 years. Made connections and friends in advance. Moved in 2023 and hitting all the usual issues re bureaucracy, residency card delays etc. But love it here. The people, the beauty, the climate. Nothing in life is permanent but embrace the adventure. Happiness and positivity come from within

It’s the same here in Italy, we too are happy and retired in our slice of paradise one hour out of Roma. We too have a great community of expats that surround us. La vita e bella❤

Some Americans are leaving Portugal but others are arriving. The ones that arrive unprepared may not stay, the ones that arrive prepared will probably never leave.

Thanks for this video. I had a good laugh about the expat groups. I lived in Denmark 20 years ago for two years and I specifically avoided expat groups and had only Danish friends at that time. I understand the soft landing concept but these groups are not always what they are cracked up to be. These groups had people I normally wouldn't have hung out with in the US, so I didn't think being abroad would change that...