Editor’s note: “Where to Retire: Portugal” is part of an ongoing series on retiring abroad. To see all the articles in the series, jump to the end.
Considering retirement in Portugal? You won’t be alone. Over 14,000 U.S. citizens currently reside in Portugal, and the number of Americans is rising rapidly—increasing by 239% from 2017 to 2022. Retirees are attracted to Portugal for its warm climate, low crime rate, affordable living, beautiful beaches, and generally low cost of living.
Of course, there are challenges: the language barrier for non-Portuguese speakers and the distance from the U.S. (3,367 miles from New York City and 5,664 miles from Los Angeles).
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more – straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice – straight to your e-mail.
Despite these hurdles, more and more Americans are choosing to call Portugal home.
What living in Portugal is like
Take Alison Rudolph, a retired environmental health and safety specialist. She and her husband Scott, who runs an accounting practice, now live in São Martinho do Porto.
“Portugal offers something for everyone; it depends on your preferences and budget,” Rudolph says. “We chose the Silver Coast for the weather and low cost of living. Many prefer the Algarve’s warmth, while others enjoy city life. All options are available.”
Like any move abroad, there was an adjustment period. Rudolph notes this is normal for American retirees.
“Things are different here,” Rudolph says. “The language is different—finding familiar products was a challenge, and even when I found them, the labels were hard to read.”
Eventually, Rudolph embraced Portugal’s relaxed lifestyle.
“I’ve become accustomed to the culture and lifestyle,” she says. “I’ve learned enough Portuguese to get by, and I’ve grown to love the country, even missing parts of it when I return to North America. I now know how to find what I need here instead of seeking it elsewhere.”
Rudolph also found the Portuguese bureaucracy challenging but says they’ve adapted. “We’ve gotten used to the slower pace and traditional methods. I would have rented a property first to find the best location before buying.”
If you’re considering retirement in Portugal, here are five key factors to consider.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
<5>www”>
additional for retirees like Ingrim?”.
advertisement
iF title=”
’m going back: the country with
>>
4,
“, “please find it takes”/
;
