It's funny how native English speakers expect everyone to speak English. In tourist places, this might even make sense. However, in everyday matters it would not be mandatory. Therefore, if someone intends to live abroad, it is essential to learn the local language, at least for the most common everyday situations.
The language is just the first step to integrate with the locals and begin to understand the culture of the new country.

Then, it is necessary to be more open to new experiences.

I enjoyed your content. Thank you for your honesty.

I am curious what other countries are you considering to expat that? As someone who has not actually made the jump yet to move to PT, but is scouting in the spring…..Always looking for other options and why ……especially from people who have seen the world much more than I have.

Really appreciate the honest, balanced feedback.

Thanks for the insights! Loved living there and would second all you described in the video. Not the reasons we left but we definitely experienced what is reflected in the video. Miss you guys tons!

Great video. And love nuance you brought here. See you in Portugal in 2023.

I thought this was a fair and balanced presentation from an expats point of view. I’m glad I watched it. Some viewers (their comments) read too much into this video. Keep up the good work!

Public sector workers are leeches (with the exception of healthcare) of the system, usually 40s and 50s year olds with minimal studies and are all from the same families. No surprise they don't talk english

you know you have a long way to go to improve your portuguese…

Happy Anniversary!

Wow. Here's an exercise: go pick any of your videos 2 years ago, listen to that excitement and then watch this one again. Quite a difference. And yeah – SEF could do better job, and get a private health care it's cheaper in Europe and quite good.

I am learning Portuguese but you guys are totally right that if medical vocabulary is not in your day to day conversations, you’re going to have a harder time remembering that vocabulary when it’s time to use it. My question is, is English more widely spoken in the private medical sector? I have a spine condition and if I’m in excruciating pain I can’t imagine having to communicate in Portuguese in that moment.

I feel compelled to weigh in because my experience contrasts with regard to some of what you shared. For example, I recently had a bit of an emergency in my apartment and needed a plumber. I was so amazed to find a company in Porto where not only the person handling appointments but the plumber himself, speaks English. I couldn't get over it. They were very courteous and took care of my problem within one day. Also, with regard to healthcare, I have been navigating the system lately using my private insurance. I have had appointments with different specialists, all of whom speak English and I am amazed at how efficient and functional the system is here. I was able to schedule and be seen within a very short time for non-urgent procedures. In some cases, I have been seen the same day I schedule or the following day. I have not had to wait more than 2 weeks to be seen in other cases. Test result turn around time has been remarkably fast as well. With regard to the public system, I know there are glitches, long wait times, inability to get a doctor assigned which has convinced me not to surrender my private insurance which is a lot less expensive than it would be in the U.S. in any case. I do agree that it can be nerve-wracking to show up for an appointment at Financas for example, and not be able to communicate in English but there are work arounds for that as well, like mentioning in advance on the portal when you schedule your appointment that you need help in English and/ or showing up with a script already translated in your phone app. My Deepl translator app has solved a myriad of potential communication issues for me in every sector of life here and when you do use whatever limited Portuguese you have learned, people are generally very appreciative and encouraging. Having said the positive stuff, my one BIG concern about living in Portugal is the outrageous tax rates. Even with NHR, I am quite concerned about the added taxes I will be required to pay and I really wish I had taken the time to seriously look into the tax structure here, before making Portugal my home. Thanks guys. Love your content as always.

Portugal as beautiful as it is, runs and is like a developing country only geographically located in the EU. My country of origin in LATAM is exactly like Portugal in every single aspect but is much more developed. It is very obvious why Portugal is the poorest country in the EU. People are very nice but the mindset alone (mediocracy, slow and the "saudade") doesn't lend for it to be more advance. The lack of wanting to change is stagnating and with such an old population, it makes it even worse. I think young foreigners will bring a bit of a spark (innovation, new businesses, investments, etc) and I think it has opened itself up to new blood by being one of the easier countries to emigrate to in the EU. Unfortunately, young Portuguese have to leave their own country to find better pastures somewhere else, and with them, they take innovation, creativity and new ways of thinking that the country desperately needs. Portugal is great for a retired person but if you are young or are still working and want to produce, unfortunately it doesn't offer enough stimulation or opportunities, and the culture itself is just too laxed. Portugal will always be a beautiful country and no place is perfect, However, you need to be self motivated otherwise the culture and environment will curtail your aspirations.

Great video as always guys! Also love that you were able to make it to the Azores, been waiting on that video : ) Have you been living there with a car? If not, have you been finding it difficult to get around? Ill be making my scouting trip to the Azores soon.

Congratulations on two years! And thank you for this honest reflection of your experiences in Portugal. It’s greatly appreciated and helps a lot when trying to paint a picture from afar of what life might be like there, especially for a family with young kids (I have 3 little ones).

I am really curious about the lifecycle of the expat. it seems like within 3 years 50% of us move on. I cant find stats for this. Have you? If you compare how you felt 18 months ago to how you feel today, it's surprising, right? Maybe we dont want to know too much about how quickly we will want to resettle, bc the excitement that comes with the first year is needed to power through all the changes and challenges. This is my 40th residence. Ive done this a bunch. But as I get older, I have less and less motivation to pack up and start all over from scratch. Of course it's never really from scratch, bc you learn so much about yourself and it should help you navigate the next move and avoid some of the frustrations.

Maybe bureaucracy is slow for expats. For portuguese people it is a very well oiled system. Everything works through an app or online. Knowing a few more countries in Europe, Portugal is very advanced in this aspect. SNS is also very good and its mashing with the private system. You don’t meet portuguese people because maybe you live in a touristic area. Go outside of Lisbon and you’ll get to know just portuguese people.

Sorry guys but forget SEF, Portugal received thousands of immigrants from Brazil, India, Nepal and from Ukraine for example 40 thousand refugees, more the expats from UK, USA, France, etc…and don't forget that the Covid19 made the government services to work even worse 😩I think that now with the war Russia-Ukraine, the inflation, costs of energy rising the life in Portugal and in Europe could be more difficult. Congrats for the channel and have a good life in Portugal 🙏

Portugal pertence aos portugueses… e sao os estrangeiros que teem que se habituar aos portugueses e nao o contrario.. em alguns comentarios ate parece que america adora receber estrangeiros. E que os américains parle plusieurs de langues 😝 sejam benvindos à portugal…nao gostam. Vao embora. Mais nada. Greats from France 🤩

Thanks as someone that was raised in different countries and now live partially in Portugal, i recognize everything you said. Although i believe you where a bit kind to the healthcare system.

Obrigado, for this video. We never thought about the distinction between slowing down and calming down. We were able to slow down within a few months of moving to Lisbon. We did not calm down until the start of this month which is our twelfth. We started to realize it when watching Jonah Hill's movie "Stutz" on Netflix last week. Yesterday we were getting a new drain hose for the kitchen sink at our local plumbing store, and I was trying to ask the Genteman for a 90-degree elbow in addition to the drain hose. He of course did not speak English. We tried a translate app and he politely refused to engage with it. He just said use the drain hose I have given you. We departed with an Obrigado and no stress. The hose worked without the 90-degree elbow. Calming down is much more useful then slowing down!

Hey I must say that the sound quality of this video is so good even though it was filmed outdoors, so I appreciate that your videos are improving with time!

Thanks for sharing your personal insights! And about exploring new places? It's all about adventure. Right? Love you guys!

If they went to live in the Algarve, they wouldn't have so much language problem, because the level of English is higher than in the rest of Portugal, where everyone has to speak English because it's a tourist area

I love watching and listening to you both. When I was younger I dreamed of living in another country, but now at 65 with some health and mobility issues I feel that it would be difficult. I'm glad you and your daughter are healthy and have no problems walking everywhere, even pushing a stroller uphill as I saw you do in one of your videos when you were apartment hunting. You both have such a wonderful energy about you.

Wat do Americans know about health care, there is no health care in America

Thanks for this wonderful video n for sharing your lovely experience living in Portugal.

Sorry guys, you got me confused, how well does the immigration in the US deals with non english speakers especially portuguse pppl? Don't know wich arm of the US government caters to the portuguse, and which hospital I can visit in the US which I would not be struggling if I do not speak english?!
Don't be so full of yourselves and learn the language of the country welcoming you, instead of complaining.
Is not the welcoming country's job to learn your language becsuse you're to lazy to do it so, 2 years is more than enought time to know more than the basics.

As an Army "brat", I traveled from Texas to Kansas to Germany to France. Then, I turned … three. Around the world 1.5 times by age 19, and that, folks, is living, breathing, eating, schooing: not as a tourist. Five years in UK. Seve years in France. Contractor in Venezuela and Scotland. Multiples of moves in USA. And I do not want to retire in USA! Place bores me senseless! I cannot wait to get rid of my car! I love walking Caminos in Spain and figured Portugal is close, less expensive and I love fado guys ..and sardines a plus. Hired Atlantic Bridge as my D7 paper shuffler and aiming to rent a modest T1, furnished and all mod cons, in Coimbra-ish.. Here's y'alls catch: you are too young to settle down. You still have dirt out there in this big world you want to put under your feet. And, you have a child to school. Army brats had no choice: Oklahoma to VietNam. Kansas to Germany. Paris to Virginia. We said our farewells one day and our hellos the next. But you do not have the (luxury) of a military infrastructure supporting you: you support you. The settling-in honeymoon is over. You do face a challenge: meet it with an asolute commitment to harmony, matrimonial transparency and eyeball to eyeball love. Otherwise, it shall be an unhealed sore, too frequent silences, an infrquency of trust. Consider, reflect, decide and do. Peace out!

I dig your videos. Keep em coming!

Look, I get the fact that you expect people to speak English even though you're not in an English-speaking country; it's frustrating, especially if you need help with something such as your health. Now imagine me speaking Portuguese in the US or UK, going on youtube and uploading a video moaning about the fact that people do not speak Portuguese in areas such as Healthcare. Can you see what I mean? I reckon I would get a considerable amount of abuse and comments such as why don't you learn English and so forth. I live in the UK, and to get UK citizenship, you need to speak English and be able to communicate in English. Otherwise, you'll not be approved. I like your content, and it's nice to see the perspective of other foreigners living in my country.
Nevertheless, after living in Canada and spending considerable time in Seattle and Portland, I find it difficult to agree that people should be able to speak other languages in their own country to satisfy foreign needs. If I had to pick a downside to your content that would be the fact that you moan that Portuguese speak Portuguese in Portugal (as if they should speak other languages). I can see that most of your viewers will share your views because they mostly do not speak Portuguese. Apart from that detail, great content.

Yep- coming in the comment section to say: if you are having issues with language barrier in a country that you have moved to, learn the language. You say “it’s not that easy guys, these aren’t words you normally use..” Well, learn them properly so they will be something you normally use.
The entitlement people in the US have for others to speak English is unfair.

just listened to some of your episode and made me frustrated and may be the last time i follow – the entitlement you have is ridiculous is it a western world or American one that i not sure- tell me what foreigner moving to the USA or any other country that has it easy with the language- no government office in the USA has portuguse or french of chinese etc assistance you learn the counrty language and muddle through to understand it is not the country's responsibility to over backwards to accomodate you its the other way round you immigrate you adjust learn the language or stay home………. why does portugal have to accomodate you OMG learn the language you have been there LONG ENOUGH……any where you go you will have to learn the language stop making it portugals problem ——its yours

What other places are you guys considering?

I saw an interview from an immigration business because of the huge influx of people moving there, plus the native people the system is overwhelmed even more. Now you know how people feel moving to the U.S. not speaking the language and people treat them bad. I'm sure native people are not happy about the gentrification of the culture. Honestly, I think Americans except everyone or cultures to bend toward them, instead of adopting to their culture.
I think it depends on where you are in life in regards to making friends. People in there 20's and 30's I feel like they always have to have a "group" to be with. As where retired people don't really require that.
Maybe try an English speaking country.

Congrats on 2 years! Your youtube's was a big part in giving me the confidence to move to Portugal. Keep us updated, lol. Love your authenticity!!!

Hi K&J—I really love these honest videos that don’t describe how wonderful everything is. So I thank you for this and encourage more. 👍🏻

Having lived for many years in Italy (and visited um-teen times), I can replace your use of Portugal with Italy—and it would be correct as well. I found most of the services that cater to visitors/tourists in Italy absolutely must know other languages (not just English) for survival. Government employees? Yeah—who cares? What’s the point? The frequency of a visitor/tourist is not that high. Besides, they have a secure government job that they’ll have for life. Actually, I find it odd that industries that cater to visitors/tourists in the US (like a hotel) don’t speak anything but English—unless they happen to know another language anyway.

In terms of staying in PT—you MUST, MUST get that EU/PT passport for yourselves and Cia. Time will fly and three years ain’t much. Also recall, laws can always change. IOW, what’s true today may not be true tomorrow.

‘Underwater basket weaving’ 🤔 Not bad. Where do I sign up? 😂

Totally resonated with your comments about opening up the world for Cia. Yes for 5 years at least!

Two Years! Wow! Congrats! 🥂 I'm sure that time flew by! 3 years from now you'll look back at where you are now with great nostalgia. So very happy to know you and share this incredible City with you. A million thanks for the priceless information and inspiration.

Tbf as a portuguese that lived in other countries abroad, it is quite a difference to be able to afford alternative channels that locals can't. None of those are real issues per se if you have the means. Which leaves not fluently speaking the native language as the only inconvenience. Personally to learn a few words and sentences is good enough in the first couple of years to show that you care. Beyond that…let's be honest, the only portuguese you'll meet are digital nomads like myself or people that own a local business. Expat lifestyle is a deterrent for many locals especially if you're of a certain age and also starting a family. Local families that earn little (and that's the majority) won't feel comfortable near expats to the poing of meeting in each other houses or going out. Chances are that you will meet people in their 30s still living with their parents – crazy rents! – or discouraged knowing that they won't be able to spend the day in a nice place because it's too expensive or that their house is not spatious enough. You're worlds apart from the local majority's lifestyle and that can only be mitigated if you do speak the language fluently, so yeah in the end it's a necessity.

The Portuguese NHR system is a no-brainer. There are no better deals in Europe, and this one has a run time of ten years! No wonder their economy is taking off, the Portuguese are smart.

Josh, you can calm down easy. Just come across the street with me for a super bock breakfast and then a copo de vinho tinto for lunch!

I've been here almost a year and absolutely understand. I keep getting frustrated by what I perceive to be my lack of personal productivity. I'm wondering if some of it has more to do with the fact I am mostly retired, or does it have anything to do with living overseas. I'm thinking a job provides structure which results in productivity. I'm thinking I need more structure, I'm just not interested in a job. This was fantastic content and I likes the format of sitting outside in a quiet location.

It is heartwarming to hear such honesty… and you filmed this on the island where my family originated! I visited Sao Miguel for the first time in June 2022 and am ready to return. I am also working on citizenship and Portuguese skills, and the pace of things here is just part of the texture.

Now I'm nervous about permanently relocating from Calif. to Portugal (Algarve area.) We're retired and in our 60's and, I assume, we'd need private healthcare to go along with our aging and age related illnesses that may pop up along the way. I think I'd better start learning Portuguese now. I know the Brazilian Port. is easier to learn/speak. Does it work with the Portuguese bureaucracy? or is that still a huge slow down? I also wonder about caregiving and assisted living needs in Portugal if they arise. You're too young, but do you have any brief insights on that aspect of a permanent move?