Recently we wrote about the process we used to select Portugal as our home. Our reasons were long - and varied. It got us wondering - how did Portugal work out? In St. Louis we had dear friends who decided to move to Iowa. They wanted to retire to a small town in the Midwest, and figured why not move there now and spend time building a community? They made a list of what matters to them and spent the next nearly 2 years visiting different places till they found one that fit. And then off they went. We were talking to them one day in their lovely home in Iowa and it sparked a conversation that we have done yearly for the past 10+ years. We call it
Love this post. And I especially appreciate the fact that you're no longer mired in the anxiety of US politics. Something that is hard to imagine when you're still living in the US- there is SO much anxiety, and frankly, downright horror at times, that it's very hard to imagine what it feels like not to have that heavy weight floating around with you. Or how it must feel to know healthcare will be reasonable and affordable vs potentially catastrophic. I can catch a glimmer of what this must feel like thru your post- and I needed it. Thanks!
Your writing, once again, cheers me up! Thank you for continuing to share your perspectives. We’re looking forward to feeling less mired in US politics and shopping for good umbrellas. Did you bring some or get them when you arrived? And how about rain gear?
I distinctly remember last fall. It was a relatively warm considering it was torrential rain. I was in full rain gear, top to bottom. A man was walking, quickly!, towards me, hair simply plastered, and his thin white dress shirt had become one with his flesh. I have never seen anyone as wet as him.
I would recommend bringing a small, foldable umbrella with great ability to withstand wind. The ones I have seen and thus used (admittedly from the Lojas Chinese) being not being up to the challenge.
We brought good rain gear with us - rain coats and rain pants, no umbrellas - only to discover that nobody - and I mean nobody - here wears rain coats. We have since bought umbrellas (and we do wear our rain coats once in a while).
If you have good waterproof shoes, bring them. You will need them.
Now that - is some useful advice! Thank you Scott! No one wears rain coats? What do they wear instead? I'm assuming they don't wear rain pants then either? I guess I was thinking about walking/hiking during the winter in bringing ours, but we don't need to bring them if they won't be worn. Noted on the shoes! We will bring some!
I'm talking about just walking around in Lisbon. People use umbrellas over their regular clothes, jackets, et al. If you're out hiking that's probably a different story. And you can wear whatever you like, no need to follow everyone else. 😆
I'm assuming you guys have MGEN too? If so, I second your advice about signing up early. We just let out a huge sigh of relief when we passed the year mark (Kevin has significant pre-existing cardiac issues). If we knew then what we know now, we would have signed up several months before we left the U.S. to reduce the risk of something happening and not having coverage yet.
I also agree with your comments about leaving the toxic political environment of the U.S. I, however, like to keep up to date on American news because it reminds me of why I left. That comes in handy on days when things get tough here.
Leaving all the angst of US politics behind must feel wonderful. It is the main reason I would leave . Living with the end of our Democracy dangling overhead is exhausting.
Every time I read one of your posts I fell like we are twin sisters from different mothers. I grew up in NJ We lived in Ridgefield CT for 12 years before moving south for better weather in 2016. We had the most wonderful friends in Fairhope,AL But the political climate became unbearable. So far I’ve had excellent experience with private healthcare instance and we even got a 30% discount with our Continente card!
We were in Ericeira and Santa Cruz in October and November and the weather was not that bad. We are anticipating the weather here in Madeira our first winter.
I suspect that you guys create community wherever you go. And that is a great bedrock. Cheers!
Sep 14, 2023·edited Sep 14, 2023Liked by Amy Redfield
Hi Amy & Scott! I’m really enjoying your writing and reading about your initial experiences of living in Portugal. I arrived here 21 years ago and I’m still learning new things after all this time! I wonder if you would mind letting me know who the amazing endocrinologist is? I’m in need of one but they are hard to find here in the Algarve where I live! If you are ever in my neck of the woods, feel free to get in touch! Obrigada! Kim 😃
Love your posts! We have been here almost 2 years and our thoughts definitely mirror yours. I am curious who your TMJ doctor is? I suffer from it too and I’m looking for someone. TIA
Hi Amy & Scott, Great writing and wonderful sense of humor. We are making our first trip to Portugal in a few weeks and have made contact with Heather Youngman. She is going to reach out to you and hopefully link us up. We are giving serious consideration to getting out of Dodge(South Carolina) soon
We to are animal lovers. I am a volunteer member of American Humane’s Red StarEmergency Response Team.
I saw what you did there; the gastroenterologist brings up the rear? Very clever!!
Thanks, Lynn! I try to slip a pun in now and again. It's like I'm reverting to a 12 year old boy!
It really made me laugh!
Love this post. And I especially appreciate the fact that you're no longer mired in the anxiety of US politics. Something that is hard to imagine when you're still living in the US- there is SO much anxiety, and frankly, downright horror at times, that it's very hard to imagine what it feels like not to have that heavy weight floating around with you. Or how it must feel to know healthcare will be reasonable and affordable vs potentially catastrophic. I can catch a glimmer of what this must feel like thru your post- and I needed it. Thanks!
Shanette, we couldn't imagine how freeing it would be until we were here. Sometimes you don't know just how bad it is until you're out of it.
Your writing, once again, cheers me up! Thank you for continuing to share your perspectives. We’re looking forward to feeling less mired in US politics and shopping for good umbrellas. Did you bring some or get them when you arrived? And how about rain gear?
I distinctly remember last fall. It was a relatively warm considering it was torrential rain. I was in full rain gear, top to bottom. A man was walking, quickly!, towards me, hair simply plastered, and his thin white dress shirt had become one with his flesh. I have never seen anyone as wet as him.
I would recommend bringing a small, foldable umbrella with great ability to withstand wind. The ones I have seen and thus used (admittedly from the Lojas Chinese) being not being up to the challenge.
Thank you Amy! That was SO helpful! We will get some.
We brought good rain gear with us - rain coats and rain pants, no umbrellas - only to discover that nobody - and I mean nobody - here wears rain coats. We have since bought umbrellas (and we do wear our rain coats once in a while).
If you have good waterproof shoes, bring them. You will need them.
Now that - is some useful advice! Thank you Scott! No one wears rain coats? What do they wear instead? I'm assuming they don't wear rain pants then either? I guess I was thinking about walking/hiking during the winter in bringing ours, but we don't need to bring them if they won't be worn. Noted on the shoes! We will bring some!
I'm talking about just walking around in Lisbon. People use umbrellas over their regular clothes, jackets, et al. If you're out hiking that's probably a different story. And you can wear whatever you like, no need to follow everyone else. 😆
You can? 😂 That’s good! Thanks! That actually was very helpful with our packing.
I'm assuming you guys have MGEN too? If so, I second your advice about signing up early. We just let out a huge sigh of relief when we passed the year mark (Kevin has significant pre-existing cardiac issues). If we knew then what we know now, we would have signed up several months before we left the U.S. to reduce the risk of something happening and not having coverage yet.
I also agree with your comments about leaving the toxic political environment of the U.S. I, however, like to keep up to date on American news because it reminds me of why I left. That comes in handy on days when things get tough here.
DITTO! We so wish we had signed up when we first realized we would be leaving, rather than when we arrived!
It is important to keep up with the main issues, for whatever reason ;-)
Leaving all the angst of US politics behind must feel wonderful. It is the main reason I would leave . Living with the end of our Democracy dangling overhead is exhausting.
Yes, Yes. Yes.
I am so happy that you all (including Josie) are so happy in Portugal.
Every time I read one of your posts I fell like we are twin sisters from different mothers. I grew up in NJ We lived in Ridgefield CT for 12 years before moving south for better weather in 2016. We had the most wonderful friends in Fairhope,AL But the political climate became unbearable. So far I’ve had excellent experience with private healthcare instance and we even got a 30% discount with our Continente card!
So glad, Wendy!
Where are you located?
We were in Ericeira and Santa Cruz in October and November and the weather was not that bad. We are anticipating the weather here in Madeira our first winter.
I suspect that you guys create community wherever you go. And that is a great bedrock. Cheers!
Awwww, that is so sweet of you, Lori! Hugs!
Hi Amy & Scott! I’m really enjoying your writing and reading about your initial experiences of living in Portugal. I arrived here 21 years ago and I’m still learning new things after all this time! I wonder if you would mind letting me know who the amazing endocrinologist is? I’m in need of one but they are hard to find here in the Algarve where I live! If you are ever in my neck of the woods, feel free to get in touch! Obrigada! Kim 😃
I've sent an email to you!
Thank you so much! 😍
Love your posts! We have been here almost 2 years and our thoughts definitely mirror yours. I am curious who your TMJ doctor is? I suffer from it too and I’m looking for someone. TIA
Katie
The level of amazing he is..... Doctors from Italy and Mexico have shadowed the two procedures he did.
And the people there could NOT be nicer. I am wishing you all luck with yours.
https://www.ipface.pt/en/ipface-medical-team-prof-doctor-david-angelo
Hi Amy & Scott, Great writing and wonderful sense of humor. We are making our first trip to Portugal in a few weeks and have made contact with Heather Youngman. She is going to reach out to you and hopefully link us up. We are giving serious consideration to getting out of Dodge(South Carolina) soon
We to are animal lovers. I am a volunteer member of American Humane’s Red StarEmergency Response Team.
Hope to meet soon. Mike & Diane