Moving from the USA to Portugal: Highs, Lows, and Tips on Settling In

Moving from the USA to Portugal: Highs, Lows, and Tips on Settling In

Author: Kristin Wilson | Traveling with Kristin October 11, 2023 Duration: 58:14

Find out the pros and cons of moving to Portugal with two California natives who now live in Portugal and run their online business, Bordr. Bordr helps people get their Portuguese tax IDs, file taxes, open Portuguese bank accounts remotely, and other bureaucratic processes you need to go through when moving to Portugal.

Kathleen and Richard share why they chose Portugal as their home base, what it's like to live there and have a baby there, and how they maintain friendships as a digital nomad family. 

They also give their opinion on the downsides of living in Portugal and why they think other foreigners are moving away.

Plus, they break down Bordr's relocation services and prices, giving you insight into how they can help your move go smoothly!

 

Special Offers:

 

Topics Discussed:

  • Portugal's healthcare system & Having a baby in Portugal
  • What inspired them to leave San Francisco and move abroad
  • Co-living in Taipei, Thailand
  • Living in Portugal as an Asian-American family
  • Downsides of living in Portugal (why they might leave)
  • Cultural differences and culture shock in Portugal
  • How social dynamics have changed since the pandemic
  • Maintaining friendships as digital nomads
  • Transitioning from freelancer to business owner
  • Portugal's d7 visa / Digital Nomad Visa
  • Bordr Services + Prices: Tax ID/NIF, opening a Portuguese bank account remotely, NHR tax consultations, and more!

 

Questions Answered:

  • What is your neighborhood like?
  • Why did you choose Portugal as your home base?
  • What places did you visit while slow traveling as a digital nomad?
  • What is it like to have a baby in a foreign country?
  • Why do you love living in Portugal more than other places?
  • Are Portuguese people welcoming to foreigners?
  • Are Americans ruining Portugal's housing market?
  • Why and how did you transition from freelancing to entrepreneurship?
  • and more!

 

Episode Resources: 

Recommended Videos:

 

Related Podcasts:

 

Connect with Kristin and Support the Show:

 Become a Patron

 Buy a Coffee

 Follow on Instagram

 Join the Facebook Group

 Leave a 5-Star Review

 Subscribe on YouTube

 

See the show notes pages on BadassDigitalNomads.com or TravelingwithKristin.com/podcast  for more details.


There's a certain rhythm to building a life that isn't tied to a single address, and that's the beat Traveling with Kristin moves to. Hosted by Kristin Wilson, a veteran digital nomad who has been navigating the world as an entrepreneur for years, this podcast feels like a series of candid conversations with a friend who's already figured out a lot of the logistics so you don't have to. Each episode digs into the practicalities and the personal shifts that come with choosing a borderless existence. You'll hear honest discussions about the financial realities of retiring abroad, the unexpected challenges of working from a new time zone every few months, and the cultural nuances that you only learn by being there. It's not just about destination highlights; it's about the mindset and the mechanics of designing a sustainable international lifestyle. Kristin brings a grounded perspective, stripping away the glossy social media filter to talk about what global living actually requires-from visas and banking to building community and maintaining relationships on the road. If you're contemplating a permanent move overseas or simply want to weave more extended travel into your remote work, this podcast serves as an essential, deeply relatable guide. Tune in for a mix of solo reflections, interviews with others who've made the leap, and actionable advice that makes the world feel a little more accessible and your dreams a lot more possible.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Traveling with Kristin
Podcast Episodes
The Best Travel Tuesday Deals for 2023 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:10
Happy Thanksgiving weekend! You know about Black Friday, but what about Travel Tuesday? Travel Tuesday has the most travel-related deals and discounts of any other day of the year. In this episode, Kristin shares the top…
Travel Hacking and Maximizing Your Credit Card Rewards with Travel AF [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:00
Want to get free and discounted travel through credit card points? Learn how from Austin Riffe, the Founder of Travel AF, as he shares his favorite credit card tips and travel hacking strategies for saving on flights, ho…
Travel to Lisbon Portugal and the Algarve With Kristin in 2024 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:57
Is Portugal at the top of your list of places to travel or live abroad? If so, now you can visit Portugal with Kristin as your host! Kristin will be leading her first-ever group trip from Lisbon to the Algarve April 15-2…
Join Me on Nomad Cruise 12 from Spain to Brazil In December [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:24
Want to travel with Kristin in 2023 or 2024? Find out how to join Kristin on Nomad Cruise 12 from Spain to Brazil this December 2-12, 2023 and if the Nomad Cruise is right for you. You can save €100 on any cabin by using…
10 Countries To Live Well on $1,000 Per Month [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:09
After traveling to 63 countries, these are Kristin's top picks for 10 places to live abroad under $1k per month, giving you a complete budget and full cost-of-living breakdown for each location. Plus, info on healthcare,…
Bridging Borders: A Ukrainian Family's New Chapter in Poland [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:13
Hear the inspiring perspective of Olga Pylypchuk, a Ukrainian refugee and digital nomad currently living in Poland with her mother and younger sister, while her father and teenage brother are still living in Ukraine. Lea…