An American's Tough Transition to Portugal
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- Опубліковано 27 лип 2024
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Angie sits down with Kalie from ExpatsEverywhere to talk about moving to Portugal, struggles with bureaucracy, what it's like having kids in Portugal, and so much more.
* ABOUT US *
Josh and Kalie left the US for a life abroad in 2009 and haven't looked back. They have lived in Spain, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and are currently in Portugal. Yes, they realize they only moved to countries starting with the letter "S" until they spoiled that streak with their move to Portugal. Follow ExpatsEverywhere as we aim to get information to you through expat interviews, city breakdowns, expat life, travel, vlogs, and more.
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This video was sponsored by Outschool
Video Chapters
00:00 - Intro
00:51 - Why did you decide to move to Portugal?
01:46 - Where did you move from?
02:27 - How did you end up in Portugal?
03:55 - Is Portugal like Seattle?
05:22 - What visa did you move to Portugal on?
06:36 - How do you keep from going crazy with the bureaucracy?
08:34 - Tell us about your kids?
11:43 - Are there any online resources that you like and recommend? (Outschool)
13:44 - Have you moved around Porto and found the right place?
14:50 - Would you say that someone needs a car to live there?
15:55 - What foods do you like and/or dislike?
17:45 - How are you Portuguese classes going?
20:59 - Will you continue with Portuguese classes?
21:46 - Is your plan to get citizenship?
23:48 - How has living abroad transformed your life?
Click this link for Outschool: bit.ly/ExpatsEverywhereOS and use this code to get 20% off: EXPATSEVERYWHERE
Great interview! I'm Brazilian and Portuguese, but I love the channel.
She spoke few words in Portuguese, but she did it very well! It is essential to change your mindset when you decide to live in another country. Never take your country in your travel bag.
Many Americans avoid learning a new language due to the ease of speaking English in other countries. Learning a new language is always important to be able to deal with everyday situations, but it is also good for understanding the local culture. One of the great benefits of being able to move to Europe is the rich culture and having several countries so close together.
However, if she wanted a sunnier place, she could have moved to the Algarve. But I still love Braga...
Thanks for the love, Alessandro! To be honest, most Americans that we know that live here in Portugal are actively learning Portuguese. Like, the vast majority. - Josh & Kalie
When it's hot, Braga usually has temperatures similar to Central Portugal, the Alentejo or the Algarve, and sometimes even higher, so the stereotype that Braga is cold all year is false.
@@module79l28 There is little difference in temperature between North and South in Portugal. However, the North is rainier, which brings a colder thermal sensation. Many summer days are very hot in Braga.
"Never take your country in your travel bag".... Great saying love that! :)
Good to see intelligent, successful and articulate Americans moving to Portugal 🇵🇹
Great interview. Love her view on life in Portugal as an expat. These are the type of Americans residents we love to welcome in Portugal. Hope they stay with us forever. As for Portuguese, It's so true...once you learn it relatively well, all other Romance languages fall thru like a house of cards. So well worth the effort to learn it.
Thank you very much. We hope to highlight more of these people in the coming interviews. - Josh & Kalie
Thank you! - Josh & Kalie
Ok Karen. Karens unite
@@ExpatsEverywhere I complained about the recent episode with Andrew, so I'm giving this episode 5⭐ and double 👍👍!! Such a thoughtful, informative, and pleasant guest - with details spot-on for your loyal subscribers. Thanks!
I also like to listen to Portuguese radio stations and the news/ sports on television for more pronunciations. I agree that it needs to get in your ear to process the words correctly. The Porto/ Gaia citizens are very kind and helpful with the language too. The language learning definitely keeps my brain active!
Nice! Thanks for sharing that. - Josh & Kalie
As a Portuguese native I appreciate this lady very much. Bem-vinda e boa sorte
Thank you for the kind message! - Josh & Kalie
Angie, my husband and I also live in Porto near Norte Shopping. I so relate to the language situations that you described and the mixed feelings when the Portuguese (and Brazilians, too!) so graciously switch to English when I come to the end of what I can do in the conversation Many of them try to make me feel better by saying that English is relatively easy for them compared to Portuguese for me. I feel the same commitment not to be a burden to the local people because many of them I meet cannot or do not want to speak English. It's really cool because I can read Spanish now and a little French just from studying Portuguese. I've been working on the language for over 2 years and got the A1/A2 certificate last summer. Just recently I'm finally understanding people on the street better. It took so long for me! 😆
Congrats! Keep on studying...
Congrats on your cert! Keep it going. Great job on all your momentum and success. - Josh & Kalie
In order to be a global citizen you also have to face a lot risks...a lot adjustments and that takes a huge task on your health, and security.
Wow!…Great video! I am born and raised in the Seattle area, and seasonal depression there is very real! Because of that, I’ve moved. I’ve heard that the winters in Porto are cloudy and rainy which made me nervous. But hearing there are sun breaks sounds great. Winter sun breaks can have a very positive impact on your mental state!
I don't know Seattle by winter in Porto is just like summer. Plenty of sun.
This winter was particularly bad and it was Angie's first so for her to not be too negatively impact, that needs to be noted. :-)
Thank you for watching. We appreciate the compliment. - Josh & Kalie
Great interview and what a lovely energy Angie has. Her wise words were a good reminder when things get a little frustrating!! Thanks for sharing 😊
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for your comment. Please let us know if you're ever in Porto so that we can get together for an interview. - Josh & Kalie
Great job, thanks guys!
Thank you very much. - Josh & Kalie
Nice to hear from someone that did the same thing we did. Good luck
Thank you. - Josh & Kalie
Another great interview Kalie, obrigada ~
Thank you, Jen! :-) - Josh & Kalie
I loved this interview. It's nice to hear from an American who realizes that your host country owes you no obligation. You must bend to their expectations. I love this lady! Great interview as always Kalie. 😊
Thanks for the love! We appreciate it. - Josh & Kalie
Enjoyed this interview! Appreciated Angie's honesty and sound approach to living abroad. I like the mindset tip and accepting the new environment
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you very much for watching. - Josh & Kalie
Angie, great interview! You should introduce your child who wants to be a polyglot to the channel Liga Romanica. They are content creators from Portugal, Spain, Italy and France and talk about the differences and similarities of the 4 languages in a very fun and informative way.
Thank you, Veronica! We hope that Angie sees this. - Josh & Kalie
Porto weather is definitely much better than Seattle's and San Francisco's weather. Porto winters can be rainy sometimes (also with many weeks with plenty of sunshine in between) but not as rainy as other parts in the North and Centre of Portugal for sure. North coast is also less windy than the central coast of Portugal and also less cloudy specially in the summer. Porto is an Amazing city. I moved here after living in London for almost 6 years and I could not be happier!
Nice, João, thanks for sharing. Are you Brazilian or Portuguese? - Josh & Kalie
Great interview Kalie! Even though I've been in Portugal for 2 years'ish it's nice to hear not only others experiences and how they are similar to my own. But I also appreciate the sharing of knowledge, tools, tricks, tips, etc.
I know editing can be a pain, but I'd love to see the interview videos time stamped with titles. ❤
Thank you very much. Do you not see timestamps where each question was asked? We put them. - Josh & Kalie
@@ExpatsEverywhere They're there now! For some reason they weren't displaying when I first viewed it. 👍
I can so relate. Just finished A1 and everything she says applies to me. Great interview.
:-) Great job finishing A1. Thank you for watching and commenting. - Josh & Kalie
Great interview
Thank you! - Josh & Kalie
Thanks!
Thank you very much for the channel support! It's great to have you as a subscriber too. - Josh & Kalie
You keep bringing interesting guests, and I really like the politeness and Angie's soft vibe. One word of advise, we do tend to switch to english quite a lot to speed up the conversations and make both our lives easier and yours too. The easiest way that i can think of to overcome that, pick a local friend with whom you can have bilingual chats. You do your best in Portuguese, your friend in English, you correct each other while having fun, and the both of you get to learn and practice more. I can't imagine how to meet half way any better than this.
Also, it's good that you are trying to learn grammar, but as you rightfully stated, it's one thing to know how to read and write, and a completely different thing to talk to people on the street, or when you visit your GP, get groceries, or any of the countless day to day interactions that we all have. Make it as a part of your mastering of the language just taking it in. You can dissect a language to oblivion in technical aspects, but you will never make it your until you start taking it in. Just let your brain do what it does best, and let things flow at their natural pace.
Children become proficient at speaking their first, and even second or third languages not because they go to school, but because they take it in. Day to day interaction with people who know more than them brings them up to a higher standard. Somehow we seem to lose that along the way, and we want security in everything. Adults are for the most part boring people. I wish that wisdom would gel better with fun, maybe it's just me. Never mind. Did I just say that out loud?
Risk making mistakes, use some self deprecation, and locals will laugh with you. Getting people to laugh is a heck of a good way to have them feel like helping you out.
I really liked Angie's attitude. Not imposing at all, comes across as owning her space but open to anything new that may come her way. I can't fault that. If all of that is legit (I'm not saying that I don't trust it isn't, it's a figure of speech), she has everything going for her anywhere she lands. It's a pleasure having people like that coming over. Gives us a chance to learn something about other cultures as well.
Another great conversation, it was a pleasure watching this video. Cheers guys, keep them coming.
Thank you very much for watching and providing your insight into things here in Portugal. We're glad that you have been enjoying our guests from a locals perspective. We really enjoy the process of finding and talking to new and interesting people. Angie is now a person that we can call a friend and it all came about because of this whole crazy UA-cam thing. - Josh & Kalie
@@ExpatsEverywhere Don’t mention it, you guys are doing a good job with your videos, and I think that your effort deserves honest and constructive comments. I assume that the other family members may be a bit shy or busy, in which case it’s not good to try to pressure them into actively participate in the videos, but it would add an interesting layer to see other perspectives from the same household.
Maybe someday down the line they will have something else to add and it could be interesting to have a catch up video.
I’ll tell you something else about UA-cam videos, I hear people complaining all the time that it’s such hard work to edit them, the equipment is expensive, and I totally agree that to be true. My point is, why do people feel the need to be Spielberg? A good video starts with good content, meaning a good story to tell. Even if the footage isn’t the best, I will still watch it. Personally, I’m not put off by less than perfect video quality or editing. People watch documentaries of both world wars, and there is no editing that can make that to modern technological capabilities. Do they write strongly worded letters to the producers complaining about the quality of the image or the sound?
I have nothing against good looking videos, if we have the technology and know how, and can spare the time for it, go ahead. But I get the sense that many think that the most important thing is showing off the equipment and the time and effort they put into the production. I’m curious about your opinion. It’s way off topic, but it came to me while watching the video, I found myself thinking that this was the type of delightful conversation that I like, laid back and honest, and although you have clearly done editing to get it as it is, it doesn’t seem to be OTT. It sort of feels more honest, if I’m making any sense here.
Just to clarify, I’m not complaining one bit about how you guys are doing things, you just gave me something to think about.
You know, we've started doing that with our podcast. The more open one will be on camera in an interview and the other family member will be on our podcast since it's much more casual, in front of computer screen.
Our opinion is that it's been proven that story on UA-cam is the most important thing. The equipment and shooting skills and editing skill are secondary. Our issues really is that we're bad storytellers. It's something we desperately need to improve on. Also audio is more important than video as people can put up with bad video more than bad audio, which is another problem of ours. We sometimes don't produce good quality audio. We're working on it though.
These kind of interviews especially, we try to capture the interviewee doing life and weave that into the video without the use of stock footage. It feels more natural to us.
Thanks for the feedback! - Josh
I agree with the things take forever. I've reached out to several builders out in Chaves and yet to get a single response. Very frustrating. Fortunately I will be there in August and hope to find a builder while I'm there. Also, I LOVE Alheira. I helped my family make them a few Christmas' ago. So good fried, making them crispy on the outside. God I miss them!
It's really hard to get emails responded to especially in the contracting industry. We feel your pain. - Josh & Kalie
As a Brazilian living in Lisbon, I completely agree that the buses in Porto are ineffective. Additionally, I believe the traffic jams in Porto city center are worse than those in Lisbon city center.
If you like the sunny weather and you lived in Florida, you have to try Algarve....You will be in love!!!
How can you compare dealing with immigrant burocracy in portugal when you never dealt with it in your own country?
Exactly, none of us native born Americans know what it's like to go through immigration in the USA.
It's not exactly the comparison here. Angie has moved to Australia and Mexico as well, which is where more of her comparisons are coming from. - Josh & Kalie
Well, I lived in the US and the tax bureaucracy, for instance, was way more complicated than here in PT…
Likely as a foreigner, it's always more bureaucratic and challenging than your home country. - Josh & Kalie
Absolutely love Angie’s global citizen perspective and mindset-and that she gave a thumbs-up to Porto after saying she needed sun. Point Porto.
We love her perspective too. Thanks for watching, Gerald. - Josh & Kalie
Good interview. I would’ve liked to learn about where else Angie and her family has lived since she said they’ve traveled a lot, and how their experiences have been similar/ the same. Just the general experience of being a world citizen with her family after leaving the US. Unless she meant they moved a lot around the US and not abroad?
Anyway, i do love these interviews with new immigrants, esp those with kids! Thanks for all your hard work!
Thank you for the feedback! Would you like Angie to come on the podcast maybe and give those answers in a longer, more open format? Let's make a challenge. If we can get this comment to 50 likes, we'll 100% invite Angie onto the podcast for Season 3 of ExpatsEverywhere Presents: Let's Move to Portugal Podcast. Deal? - Josh & Kalie
@@ExpatsEverywhere I love the podcasts for when I’m driving or otherwise can’t watch video. ESP for the in depth experiences of those making the big move. I hope it gets 50 likes!!!
PS. Isn’t it super late there?? Get yoself some rest! 😊
@@esg9758 Thanks for the love. We're really happy to hear that! Honestly, I don't remember what time I replied. HAHA. We're usually in bed by 11 PM though. - Josh
Porto is more closely comparable to Portland than Seattle. Porto even resembles Portland or vice versa.
Your exactly right but even then having only 3 weeks of sun in Seattle is laughable
Not according this... weatherspark.com/compare/y/32397~757~913/Comparison-of-the-Average-Weather-in-Porto-Portland-and-Seattle
@@ExpatsEverywhere regardless, if you live in both places, Seattle rarely has breaks in the weather and it’s almost always cloudy where Portland, like Porto, frequently has breaks in the winter where you get nice weather for a week or more. Not as much about the amount of rain where Porto has them both beat
Great website resource, @@ExpatsEverywhere!
I guess the paperwork pre Brexit for british to stay in Porto was a lot easier than the D7 ? Because I didnt find the paperwork so bad? A nice interview to find the positives of loving in Portugal
You're right, Rachel. That paperwork was more like any European person moving here for residency. It's more streamlined. Also, at that time, there was far less immigrations and almost no backlog. - Josh & Kalie
Great vídeo. I love alheira 😋
Thank you. Thanks for sharing. - Josh & Kalie
Funny, we get it, also FL to WA state transplants and heading to Portugal soon. Your saying “ wherever you go there you are” did you know that was from Buckaroo Banzai?
We were going to quote it but then found that multiple sources have been credited with it. - Josh & Kalie
Just thought it a fun fact 😊
@@scottmacconnell470 🙂
I wish the NHR was still available. I'm ready to leave the U.S. in the next 18 months.
Who said it's not still available? ;-) We believe there will be a lot more information coming out about this soon. If you're not on Kalie's newsletter, you should probably join so when news breaks, you'll know. (info@expatseverywhere.com to join the newsletter) - Josh & Kalie
@@ExpatsEverywhere Yeah, I'm referring to the NHR with the previous tax regime. I don't think I can afford to pay the much higher tax rates on my retirement income in Portugal. That's the big sticking point for me. I signed up for the newsletter and I'm a long-time viewer so thanks for all the info. You guys are in Porto. I want to be in the Algarve with the warmer winters.
@@chuckmurray1825 Just pay the tax, after all you are benefiting from the countries culture weather lifestyle etc. etc.
@@carracingsongs I don't mind paying taxes but I can't afford a 48% tax on my retirement income.
@@chuckmurray1825 Holy moly, indeed 48% is quite much. Perhaps a good accountant could advise on a good strategy to reduce taxes. Unfortunately it seems that Portugal taxes quite heavily on income, a lot of it goes to social security contributions , which I argue if the money is being well spent.
Meanwhile corporate tax goes around 17% to 21%
Interesting interview thank you for sharing! 🌿 re kids & learning styles - also astrology is good for that to help to understand your children and people better, if the birth time is known especially, a professional astrologer can help to get some insights on that as well.
Thanks for watching, Tatiana. - Josh & Kalie
Dealing with foreign bureaucracies is like having another job. Learning fluency in foreign languages is another job. You need to learn the culture also. Some people cannot adapt because they are used to the relative ease and convenience of living in America.
I have nothing but congratulations for anyone willing to put up with the absurd amount of time and nonsense the discombobulated Portuguese public services force everyone to suffer for getting anything done!
It’s good to know that these families are making Portugal their home, paperwork not withstanding! 🥂
P.S. Her palatal L (the LH sound) is actually pretty good!
Thank you, Paulo! We'll share your feedback on the palatal L with Angie! Thanks for the encouragement too. - Josh & Kalie
That is what kills me.....never ending paperwork.....the bureaucracy is nuts.
You'll love the video on Saturday then. :-) - Josh & Kalie
July 2024 - Watch video: Lawyer Explains 2024's Major Immigration Changes in Portugal. Finally help has arrived to tackle backlog
Did you like that one? :-) - Josh & Kalie
Morning. I am looking for university for my daughter. Her Portuguese is not so good as Portuguese is not very widely offered here. Is there a English university perhaps
We coming out for a visit next year and would like to fit in these visits.
Thank you in advance
There are some universities that offer courses in English as there's an international student scene, however, she might be required to take some courses in Portuguese. - Josh & Kalie
@@ExpatsEverywhere so she can do graphic designing in English?
@@beladegouveia621 You'll need to check with each university for that. - Josh & Kalie
ohhh My good CABIDELA my favorite plate...if well done is superb...forget the ideia of the blood, its just a sauce , if you take stake it to has blood...and even more raw so...any meet has blood...so dont think about it, cos is very good
It's just souce 😆
Basically if you moved into the USA it's basically the same thing on being legal you have bureaucracy that you are learning yeah cabidela and trippe is gross I don't eat that
Yeah, we don't mess with tripe. - Josh & Kalie
What Seattle did you live in. It certainly wasnt Seattle Washington. Ive spent my entire life back and forth between Seattle and Portland Oregon and you may be right about winters but especially the last 10 years or so we get at least a full 3 to 4 months straight of 75 to 100 degree weather witg very little rain in the summer and fall . 3 weeks my *** lol.
porto has had colder and wetter summer than us this year. As far as not being trees goes i admire your desire to expose your kids to other cultures but your cavalierattude about how people should just move somewhere else if yhey dont like where they are is a bit tone-deaf . Most off us can work very hard our entire lives and not be able to afgord travel let slone relocation. My msin intrest in this channel is because theres a slim chance that by retirement it might be better to live there at min wage equivalency than stay here at less than min wage/ ss income. Its not so easy for those without money snd opportunity, Otherwise id be there now
Hopefully my comment didnt dound mean or angry i just thoght her comment was ridiculous and didnt know how else to word it
@@JasonBrownafewmomentsl8er I do not think you did but you also have to keep in mind that often we all are in different positions in life. Some have more dollars than others and can switch places easily.
On a side note, when I moved here I was not wealthy or full of cash and there was no NHR or tax exemptions. It was not particularly easy money wise, that said there were some great advantages that could translate in actual savings - cost of life is one often mentioned but - and this is my perspective - healthy life style was a huge bonus. My health improved considerably, part of it I guess was due to moving more, and the hills of lisbon are as good for cardio as going to gym.Then there was also the quality of the food (that is way better than in the states with far less chemicals) combined with an higher exposure to sun light and considerably less stress , and I just noticed progressively I got more healthy , and as you probably know not having to go to the doc or need regular prescriptions is money in the pockets.
Other added bonus (but does not apply to everyone) was my kids education, they went to public school, was a bit tricky at first but now they are on their way to public university, and quite honestly getting a degree without having to take a loan and have debt for dozens of years can be a game changer for their and my life.
I 100% agree! It's all a game changer living abroad. @@Solrac-Siul