I’m semi-retiring at 34 because I want freedom and a slow pace of life while I still have health on my side. And I’m choosing to do it abroad to experience what it’s like not just to travel, but to live, in a different country

Wow! Great message, thanks!

I love how you two shared realistic view of early retirement and living abroad. I can totally see all of these things you mentioned could happen to anyone. Embracing what a country has to offer is a way to go 🙂 and I'm definitely a minimalist mover thanks to my husband's military relocations. I left Japan and moved to America because it called me and now Portugal is calling me 😉 Thank you so much for another great video!

We're running towards convenient travel throughout Europe with a home base in an affordable country with great weather. Oh, and safety and healthcare for bonuses 😎

Omg yall are glowing so much more compared to your old videos. Thanks for sharing.✨🌟

One subject I have not seen addressed yet (and I haven't watched that many videos so far) is what happens when you need assistive services in the home, or medical assistance long term. We don't all get to live well until we die in our sleep and one partner usually dies first. Here in the U.S., I bought long term care insurance when I was 49. I am now 74 and the insurance company just went belly up, so $465,000 in benefits are now zero. I'm the last one standing in my family and none of my friends are capable of caring for me (I wouldn't want to burden them, anyway). I'm hoping Portugal offers something for their elderly, including residents who came from elsewhere. I'd like to regain my peace of mind for my welfare in the future.

I'm very impressed by how little "stuff" you brought with you. I've seen many photos of others who brought so much more. Well done. And as a guitar player and bass player myself, I will have a decision to make about which one I bring, if any. I told my wife I'll just bring a ukulele, ha!

American arrogance! Telling others how stupid they are!

Thanks Doug and Monique! How much of a pension/monthly income in Canadian dollars is required to move and live in Portugal? Even a ballpark figure would help greatly. Thanks in advance.

This video couldn't have been better timed for us. We were just looking at container shipping prices from the UK! We've been going back through your video catalogue and have found a number of answers to questions we were still on the fence about. Thank you both so much!!

My husband and I really enjoy your videos on Madeira! We have decided Madeira is the retirement destination for us. Quick question: is there a timeline we can follow or the chronological steps for starting the D7 process, selling our house, finding an apartment with a years lease, etc?? Can you give us a step by step picture of how you all did it? We don’t know what the first step is. Keep up the great informative videos…they are very helpful. We love following you all!11. Thank you

Really great points dear Doug and Monique. Point #4 reminded me of a book by Jack Kornfield that was published back in 2000, title of which was "After the Ecstasy, The Laundry". In the end I think it's about learning to let go of what was and to accept with grace and work with what is. As the old saying goes, wherever we go, there we are. So the learning is to experience contentment and joy regardless of place and circumstances. Of course, like with many such aspects of life, all this is easier to say than do and I continue to work on it myself. 🙂 Thank you for another wonderful video filled with important life / spiritual lessons.

Looking forward to what you want is 100 times more important than running away from something. New adventures, experiences, cultures and better weather.

I think many of those who run from something will not be happy for long wherever they go. Their personalities tend to look more at the negatives than the positives.

Just found your videos. You two are so darn likeable! 🤗. Really great info and inspiring for someone at the beginning of their journey! Looking forward to hearing more. 🇵🇹💕

Thx for sharing guys.

Note: You focus a lot on retired people but i think a large part of your audience might be people like me, not retiring yet, but just keen on 'learning' about your experiences on Madeira from a costing perspective etc.

That said you mentioned before that you purchased a car recently. What was that process like and how expensive are vehicles there?

Doug , enjoying the view , with the view your two have from your new place , I bet it’s hard to leave the place for any reason
I would recommend to get a ( Costco size coffee bag ) and just enjoy it with a couple pastéis the nata every morning instead of going even to the neighborhood shop
That’s just my opinion !

Hi Doug and Monique! I couldn't agree more with all your comments in this video. Too many people do exactly what you said about trying to make their new lifestyle like their old one. One of the main reasons to move is to experience a new country, new culture, and new lifestyle. I think people who are prepared to accept that and who are willing to move on from their old life will be happier in their new life. Cheers!

Hi Doug & Monique,

Hope you’re both well!

Great suggestions! Now if I can just convince Lynda to let go of stuff. Mind you, we’re getting there, we’ve sold 85% of everything so far! Hope to see you late October time if all goes to plan.

Great points 👍 ☺️! Love your channel and it is nice to see you are gaining more and more subscribers. Well deserved, your videos always contain such great and valuable information. Thank you very much.

Nice tip on Leroy Merlin.

love it!

New follower from Texas. Planning a move within next two or so years.

Another excellent helpful video, great insight. Leaving the US because, well the US with ridiculous health care system, over priced and high cost of living, toxic political and social climate: To explore and be part of a different culture. With regards to your comment of the availability of goods, albeit different than back home, what can you say about delivery time of furniture and appliances as we are expanding our options to include unfurnished apartments?

Great tips guys, keep up the good work !!!

Hi Doug & Monique, we are visiting Portugal in October to travel around and experience small towns. Your videos have been inspiration for us. We hope to retire soon. Thank you!

Another great video and tips, please do let us know of the beaches in Madeira.
Thanks

G’day Doug and Monique
As always, you have excellent
Content and valuable insight.
I remember moving from Australia directly to Las Vegas and my family shipped a container (6 months later and so much damage). After the honeymoon period was over, reality set in and you realize that you move on with daily living. I am looking forward to meeting the local butcher, the smell of the bakery and cafes, visiting the local owned stores, spending time learning about the culture, making new friends and waking up each morning and Just “being in the Moment” and enjoying each day on the beautiful island of Madeira.

Cheers
Andrew and Monica

A beautiful realistic video👌thank you 🌺🍹

Great video Doug and Monique, all of your advice is very much appreciated we are slowly getting there with it all and will make the move as soon as we can but at present we are unable to leave France as we have an old but beautiful boxer dog he is my world 🐶 but unfortunately has health issues but when that very sad time comes we will start our new Portuguese life. We have actually got our NIF number the other week and are in the process of opening our bank account. Looking forward to next weeks video.

Now that you're living in Europe, you must learn to pronounce names (brands) in the original accent. Leroy Merlin est français. Just kidding. best of luck to you, and enjoy our (yours also) island..

Thank you Doug & Monique for the great content and wonderful insights. I've been following since you started (sub #72!), and have enjoyed and valued our videos. We, too, are planning on an international move, and you've put Madeira high on the list to check out. Obrigada!

EXCELLENT video, Doug & Monique. Totally agree with everything you perfectly stated. I have moved internationally several times, always with my Steinway grand piano, etc. in a 20-ft container costing a ton of money and time, plus it is cumbersome especially the logistics in getting a piano specialist to come around and crate the piano for moving, then getting the next piano specialist in the new country to uncrate the piano on arrival! My next move will be just ME + my $MONEY only. Will buy a new piano at my final destination and live a minimalist lifestyle too.

I am running to more and different history, culture, new stuff for my senses and safety to name a few.

Great content & presentation as always! I especially appreciated your points about leaving stuff behind & not trying to recreate your old home in the new country (though leaving my car behind will be difficult).

When Carrie & I got started on this path, we were focused on maintaining or even improving our quality of life, while keeping costs down. But that vision grew over time to include the idea of using our new home as a base of operations from which we could visit and explore other countries in a cost effective manner, and Portugal certainly meets those requirements.

Totally agree with your views of retiring abroad, although in a different perspective, one thing I've noticed over the years, people, specially technology educated, using any of the social media platforms, more often than not, make friends with other compatriots self entitled "expats" what's wrong with emigrants, like in my case, I'm Portuguese, from Funchal, Madeira Island, I leave in England I'm an emigrant in the UK, should I change it to the more fancied expat?. Anyway, because of that, they find it hard to gel into the Portuguese society, to learn the language, to make real friends with us, my advice: loose yourself, be genuine and respectful, embrace the culture and ways of life, we are very friendly, but we test you first, because for us real friends are family, we help each other on the good and bad times, once you proven yourself, and got accepted by the "Portuguese friendship club" your a friend and family member for life, isn't that what life is all about? family, friends, health, memories, love and laughter, be there for each other without asking for anything, your mates will be there in a flash, I'm I telling you porkies? NO! why don't you give it a go? let us know the result, prove me wrong.

How to you manage your money living as expats abroud?

Reasons to live in Portugal and leaving England… Weather!, beaches, healthier lifestyle, inexpensive living, better food, new experiences, zero stress (apart from bureaucracy), Good transport, better internet speeds, meeting new friends, both foreigners and local people, the safe environment, the kindness of strangers, the humour of the Portuguese people – especially when I mangle their language! Money is NOT the most important thing here – family and friends are. The simple act of leaving our apartment every morning – to be greeted by people – 'Bom dia' is a lovely way to start the day!

“…previous life”. I liked that. Do they have antique shops in Madeira? I enjoy perusing them to see what I can find and buy. I’ve been retired for a few years now and I’m on vacation, an eternal vacation. It’s after my previous life, my afterlife, lol

Enjoy an amazing "Second Half of Life" by starting your retirement or move off right with these tips! All the best! 😊 Doug & Monique