Josh from ExpatsEverywhere sits down with Jim, a lawyer from the US, who decided to move his family to Portugal. Why did they decide to move? Was it because of money? Was it for a better work/life balance? He explains the reasons for moving and gives insight as to what that move was like with kids. He and his family live in Lisbon and have found the adjustment period difficult. They are still working on the language so Jim recommends finding someone to help you navigate the cultural and language barriers. He gives great tips on what things were like for their visa process, how to adapt and do things when you first arrive to Portugal, certain realistic things to expect, the pros and cons for a recent move from the US, and much more.
Interview with Honeymoon Always:
* 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.
* D7 VISA FOR PORTUGAL *
We have a course to help DIY the D7 visa for Portugal. The course includes step-by-step videos, checklists, resources, recommendations, discounts, and more. It breaks down the timeline and when and how to do things, plus gives action items to keep you on task but not be overwhelmed. Check it out here:
* USEFUL RESOURCES *
Below are a list of other services that we use/recommend for living abroad. If you have any questions about them, feel free to email us. Some links we provide we might make a commission and you might receive a discount or promotional offer. We always try to make a deal with companies we like to create a win/win for us and YOU!
* TRANSFER CASH *
Wise (formally TransferWise) | Banking/Transfer Partner (affiliate link) Get free transfer fees (conditions apply)
* WATCH YOUR SHOWS *
SurfShark | VPN Partner (affiliate link) Get 40% off subscription at
* YOU NEED THESE FOR YOUR D7 *
Need your NIF and/or bank account for Portugal? Use our special link with Bordr to receive €10 off for each. No code needed. The discount will be applied at check out when using this link:
* INSURANCE ABROAD *
Need insurance? Use Insured Nomads or William Russell!
Insured Nomads:
William Russell:
*LEARN A LANGUAGE*
Ling is a fun way to learn and practice a language. Use our special link:
Want something more intense?
Join the journey with Portuguese with Carla:
Mia Esmeriz Academy
* FORWARD YOUR MAIL *
Wanting to get your mail forwarded to you while abroad? Use Anytime Mailbox! Be sure to use this specific link when you sign up:
* TAXES *
Are you an expat who wants help with your taxes? Use our link here for Taxes for Expats and get $25 off:
* GET IN TOUCH *
Questions? E-mail us at info@expatseverywhere.com
Want more? Go to
Follow us on Facebook:
Follow us on Instagram:
Follow us on Twitter:
Check out our Patreon page:
#ExpatsEverywhere
* EXTRA HELP *
Looking for an expat consultant? Check out Expat Empire ( and get 10% off when you tell them that ExpatsEverywhere referred you!
source
Interesting interview. You can tell he's a bit stressed, for good reasons, considering some of the logistical and financial pressures they have at the moment. Would be interesting to hear from him again in six months or a year. Also, would like to know how his older child (middle school age) is adjusting and how they chose a school.
Great interview! A lot of good information covered. Your content helps me with my expectations. I feel like I'm well adjusted already and I'm not even there yet. Thanks guys! 😊👍🏾
Nice interview. I’m wondering how Jim is still practicing law in the US while living in Portugal.
Another excellent video, especially on the realities and adjustments of moving to Portugal! This one along with your recent one with the couple who moved a year ago to Lisbon was very helpful. Thanks again, Josh and Kalie! 😊
We live in Lisbon and appreciate if Jim’s “fixer” would mind if he would share his contact info. I could email Josh if they did not want it blasted to the world. We will be moving to a new apartment in March and would also appreciate Jim’s attorney’s info. Thankful for those that pave the road ahead! Great interview for both of you.
Great interview. Just finishing up week two after having moved to Matosinhos. After our third unsuccessful trip to Finanças we were talking about what a booming cottage industry a fixer could build. Definitely trying to identify certain cafes and shops to regularly visit in hopes of developing relationships. Really like that idea.
Welcome to Portugal. Enjoy.
Accept and embrace the diferences….. Apples and Oranges are both Fruits but not the same and yet you can still enjoy both.
Excellent and informative! Picked up a couple of tips, particularly about involving a lawyer in the leasing process for the first year. We are not, however, beholden to Lisbon as my wife is Brazilian and speaks Portuguese, so it might be a bit easier. we'll see. Love the channel.
Josh did a great job on this interview! 35 euro for the electric bill for family of 5 seems low. Our friend and her boyfriend live in Lisbon, their electric bill was more than 35 euro in the Summer, they don’t have AC. The lawyer fee for finding his apartment is ok.
Great insight on the practical stuff – but that's just the tip of the iceberg when adjusting to a new country. 😉😉
wow why are there so many issues with the visas?
Best advice: learn the language before you move. There are numerous language schools in the Lisbon area that offer online courses and of course regular classes in person once you arrive. Continental Portuguese is different from Brazilian Portuguese. Also, there are private bus companies that transport kids to the various English language schools in the Lisbon area. Enjoy the process of settling in!
Re: Language Training — there are many trsined people, also language schools that teach Portuguese online. I myself had 15 months of Language Training with an English speaking portuguese teacher who live in Tomar. VIRTUAL Training is big after COVID.
What are the obvious reasons you do not want your passport on you at all times? (please do a video on passport handling). Thank you Tebby Wafer
Wonderful interview. Thank you Josh and Jim
What a great interview, so helpful and interesting to hear people’s stories and perspective. I am curious about his term “fixer”, obviously made up, but we will be interested to find such a service to help navigate bureaucracy etc. Any suggestions would be helpful?
I agree with the idea of a stronger community focus but keep in mind if you are coming from the U.S. and your neighborhood wasn't full of fences it will be an adjustment. I love the privacy of the fence/trees/hedges of the home we are renting but it also doesn't allow for easy relationship building in the neighborhood. The dogs barking at you while walking down the street also creates a barrier for conversations. The local cafe has helped with some relationship building. It takes time…
This was a great interview! Always great to hear different perspectives and experiences. In my case, especially of those folks who have kids and have moved abroad. Thank you!
Great interview! How do you find a fixer?
Great interview Josh; always good to get different perspectives on moving to PT 😊
This was great! And I'd like to know, if possivle, which Portuguese lawyer Jim worked with and his or her contact info so that I'd be able to in near future please.
It's so interesting to hear both the similarities and the differences experienced by those of us who immigrate to Portugal. Thank you for sharing. With regard to carrying around your passport, in the car for example, I have always heard that it's sufficient and safer to simply carry a notarized copy of the cover page.
We are a family of 4 and a dog. Moved to Porto 2 weeks ago from the US. Going through the same problems and challenges as Jim and his family, yet enjoying the lifestyle/climate/food of this wonderful country!
What an interesting interview. This family is projecting. I mean they’re thinking of their future. Kids in school now, private, learning a second language and living in a community driven society. That’s HUGE in their book for a lot of good reasons.
Very informative video, as usual!
👍👍 👍 👍 👍👍👍 😻😻 😻😻 😻😻 💯💯 👋👋 👋
Great interview! As always and ever. 😊
🙌🙌