A woman from California, Paula Dreyfuss, decided to relocate to Portugal five years ago in search of a more affordable retirement. Despite never having visited the country before, she has no regrets about her decision, citing the lower cost of living and better quality of life.
A New Life in Portugal
Dreyfuss, a single mother of two, was a teacher in San Diego before moving to Portugal. She had thought that her retirement income would be enough to provide her with a comfortable lifestyle, but the increasing cost of living in San Diego made her realize that this might not be the case.
After considering moving within the United States, Dreyfuss decided to explore European countries and discovered that Portugal offered a visa program for non-EU nationals with a stable passive income. She applied for the Portugal D7 visa and, after it was approved, sold her townhouse in California and moved to Portugal with her dog, Charlie.
Dreyfuss initially spent some time in Lisbon but found it too big and crowded. She then moved to the city of Porto, where she fell in love with the beauty, diversity, and welcoming atmosphere. She has since made many friends and enjoys a rich social life, frequently meeting with friends for games, dinner, wine, and coffee.
A Better Quality of Life
Dreyfuss loves the local food and eats out at least three times a week, something she couldn’t afford to do in San Diego. She also appreciates the sunny weather, the walkability of Porto, and the fact that she feels safe walking alone in the evening. Portugal is considered one of the safest countries in the world, according to the Global Peace Index.
In addition to the lower cost of living, Dreyfuss has found that the healthcare system in Portugal is better than in the United States. She has been able to afford vacations several times a year, including trips to Spain, France, and the United Kingdom.
While Dreyfuss admits that there have been some challenges, such as getting used to the banking system and buying real estate, she is happy with her decision to move to Portugal. She has recently begun the process of applying for Portuguese citizenship and feels very much at home in her new country.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
