18 Years in the USA After Leaving Portugal: Was It Worth It?
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🇵🇹🇺🇸 What’s life really like in the United States compared to Portugal? In this video, a Portuguese expat who has lived in the U.S. for 18 years breaks down the biggest cultural, economic, and lifestyle differences between these two countries. From work culture, healthcare, and cost of living to food, weather, and everyday habits—you’ll get a raw, honest perspective from someone who’s experienced both worlds. Whether you’re planning to move to Portugal, retire abroad, or just curious about how life in Portugal compares to America, this expat interview has the insights you need. If you’re searching for “living in Portugal vs USA,” “Portugal expat lifestyle,” “moving to Portugal from the US,” or “Portugal cost of living,” you’re in the right place. Portugal vs. USA: A Portuguese Expat Reveals the Biggest Differences
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🇵🇹 MUST-HAVES BEFORE MOVING TO PORTUGAL
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18 Years in the USA After Leaving Portugal: Was It Worth It?
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⏰ TIME STAMPS
00:00 Introduction
00:35 Meet Filipe: A Portuguese Expat living in Wisconsin, US
01:04 Cultural Shocks and Daily Life
01:17 The Importance of Health Insurance
01:52 Adapting to Life in the US
02:54 Pace of Life: Portugal vs. USA
03:57 Family and Friends: A Portuguese Priority
04:53 Portuguese Expat Communities in the US
06:08 Work Culture Differences
07:15 Career Opportunities: USA vs. Portugal
08:59 American Perceptions of Portuguese Culture
09:58 Adopting American Habits
11:23 American Culture Preferences
12:16 Weather and Its Impact
14:05 Food Culture: Fresh vs. Fried
15:58 Mentality and Social Interactions
17:40 Identity and Change
19:32 Job Opportunities and Returning Home
20:49 Advice for Moving to Portugal
22:39 Final Thoughts
📍 WHO WE ARE
We are a group of independent professionals and remote workers, some born in Portugal and others who have made this country our home for over 20 years. Together, we’ve explored Portugal deeply and experienced the challenges and opportunities of visiting, living, and relocating here. Our platform serves as the ultimate unbiased guide for those planning to live, retire, or visit Portugal. Whether you’re preparing for a move, seeking investment opportunities, or exploring a remote work lifestyle, we provide expert advice and actionable insights to help you make the most of your journey.
#PortugalVsUSA, #ExpatLife, #LivingInPortugal, #MovingToPortugal, #LifeAbroad, #PortugalExpat, #CostOfLivingPortugal, #AmericanInPortugal
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✅ Protect Yourself While Traveling
► Get our top-recommended health and travel insurance for nomads and expats:
https://bit.ly/4hiTI9g
📩 Stay Ahead of Portugal’s Changes!
► Sign up for our free newsletter for exclusive insights & alerts:
https://www.remotelifept.com
📚 Download Our FREE Guide – "From Nomad to Neighbor: Your Guide to Living in Portugal
https://www.remotelifept.com
🌍 Join our free Facebook group and connect with expats, nomads, and more.
► Join us today: https://bit.ly/4aXkbGx
🇵🇹 Need Expert Help? Get a Personalized Plan for Your Move!
✅ 1:1 Consultation – Talk to a Portugal Expert! (video or email):
Video consultation: https://bit.ly/4iiwKAj
Email consultation: https://bit.ly/40SKwCg
✅ Budget & Relocation Toolkit – Avoid Costly Mistakes!
► Get a custom budget plan tailored to your lifestyle & housing needs!
https://bit.ly/40XROoE
Rebot de M…e!
Portugal could offer many more opportunities for young people. It is a peaceful and conservative country, and this was never really an issue until housing prices became unaffordable.
A major factor is visa programs for non-EU citizens, requiring a €500K real estate investment, which set a high price floor. Foreign buyers, often willing to pay, finance their mortgages by renting out properties on Airbnb.
Many U.S. citizens and others, whether retirees or those leaving the U.S. for financial reasons, move to Portugal because it’s more affordable. However, since they earn in U.S. dollars, they don’t feel the housing inflation they contribute to.
In fact: Locals who can no longer afford housing often end up living in small, overcrowded apartments within Portugal, struggling to make ends meet. Meanwhile, foreign investment continues to drive up home prices, making it even harder for residents to find affordable housing.
I’m not saying that high housing prices are the fault of immigrants. Rather, the issue lies in the government policies designed to attract foreign buyers and encourage real estate investment. This makes it difficult to predict whether the situation will improve, but I don’t think it’s likely.
Countries like Taiwan and Israel are as small as Portugal, yet they have a much stronger economy. In my view, Portugal is a country stuck in time, where people have no desire to progress. That’s why hundreds of thousands of well-educated young Portuguese leave every year, never to return. Due to the lack of growth, Portugal has become a country of the elderly and immigrants.
Experience is always WORTH IT