Renovating Life: An American Family’s Move to Portugal

In this episode of the Armchair Expat podcast, Shannon interviews Allison, an American expat living in Portugal. They discuss Allison's journey from New York to Portugal, the challenges of moving abroad with children, the process of finding a suitable school, and building a community in a new country. Allison shares her experiences with language learning, the pursuit of citizenship, and the cultural differences she has encountered. The conversation highlights the joys and challenges of expat life, particularly for families, and offers valuable insights for those considering a similar move. In this conversation, Allison shares her experiences and insights about moving to Portugal, including navigating healthcare, creating resources for newcomers, and the importance of personal growth. She discusses her projects aimed at helping others settle in Portugal, the challenges of finding housing, and the emotional journey of relocating abroad. The conversation emphasizes the value of community, reliable resources, and the transformative power of embracing change.   TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction to Allison's Journey 01:11 The Decision to Move Abroad 03:09 Researching the Move to Portugal 05:01 Planning the Move and Choosing a Location 08:29 Moving with Children: Challenges and Advice 11:45 Choosing the Right School for Kids 13:38 Building Community in a New Country 16:47 Personal Challenges of Living Abroad 19:08 Pursuing Citizenship in Portugal 21:03 Navigating American Identity Abroad 22:41 Daily Life in Portugal: A New Routine 27:25 Navigating Trust in Healthcare and Services 28:41 Creating Resources for Moving to Portugal 32:10 Connecting People with Reliable Resources 33:29 Hands-On Support for New Arrivals 35:02 Understanding Visa Requirements and Housing 37:22 Tips for Finding a Place to Live 42:10 Personal Growth and Renovating Life 50:11 Embracing Change and Moving Abroad   CONNECT WITH ALLISON Instagram Website   Armchair Expat is hosted by Shannon Acton, founder and Chief Bargain Hunter of Bargain Homes Abroad Follow on Instagram  @bargainhomesabroad Visit our Website: https://www.bargainhomesabroad.co Subscribe to our E-Mail Digest: https://www.bargainhomesabroad.co/subscribe Join for VIP Access: https://www.bargainhomesabroad.co/membership If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and leave a review. It helps us reach more future expats and keep these stories coming. ENTER THE REVIEW CONTEST If you're interested in sponsoring or partnering with Armchair Expat, please reach out to Shannon at the following email: info AT bargain-homes DOT com