HUGE ISSUES Many AMERICANS Are Disillusioned Because Of Simple Mistakes

[@ItllBeFun]

Bom dia!!!! Come Visit Our TRUSTED VENDOR LIST on www.itllbefunretirment.com Ready To Purchase our A-Z Moving Abroad Program well go to the It'll Be Fun website and use code FREE1TO1 at checkout. Join us on Patreon www.patreon.com/itllbefun

[@antoniobarros9778]

Pay attention, your site is miswritten, correct it...

[@BrockMcLellan]

After living in Norway since 1980, we know many north Americans throughout the Nordic countries, but none of them have moved here to retire. Instead, most have come as young adults, working and raising families. Many think they will retire to the places they grew up in, but reality says that by the time someone reaches retirement age, they are too old to easily adapt. I have just been on vacation to Canada for two weeks with my 40 year old son. I found it much more stressing to adapt than he did, even though he was born in Norway, and I was born in Canada. My conclusion is that age has a major impact on a person's ability to thrive in a new setting. I wonder if this is a problem in Portugal as well? It is easier to say something like, housing prices are too expensive, rather than, I am too set in my ways to change.

[@ItllBeFun]

You bring up an additional set of very good points. We just wanted to plant some food for thought.

[@walsakaluk1584]

@@BrockMcLellan Reverse culture shock is real. I've lived in Asia for 30 years and going back "home" to Oz isn't fun. I turned up one day early in error for my flight out of Sydney. I figure I was really ready to get out of Dodge again.

[@andre1987eph]

you develop emotional connections to places as an adult that are more relevant than your childhood emotions for a place, because your adult emotions are more rooted in reality. 33 years ago I would have chosen to live the rest of my life in Europe. But since I have struggled the past 33 years here in Southern California - with some success - I have emotions and memories. Its difficult to walk away from that, despite how more divisive America has become. Im sure if I retired to Europe, at 63 I would grow to love it, and not look back. You get comfortable. Thats the issue.

[@OakIslandMorkie]

I hope this never happens in my lifetime, but my youngest and I have a Plan B location, if we are forced by the DISEASE OF LEFT WING LIBERALISM to leave the U.S. I am too old to adapt to any other culture, and no matter where I moved to, I will always be AMERICAN.

[@12567NoYouCannot]

NO, REALITY IS, Housing PRICES ARE TOO EXPENSIVE, and if you have NOT tried to live elsewhere, then YOU DON'T KNOW. So, his POINTS ARE VALID.

[@gmm5550]

My experience from working in Bangkok 15years and being from Sweden is that american expats seems to have a extremely hard time learning any language..even a few words and Adapt to other cultures food and ways to Live.. Understandable because America is very isolated and many Americans isn't used to really travel abroad..

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá! Thanks for sharing. I would have to agree. We struggle with language well as traveling to new cultures. But we are still willing to try!!!

[@gmm5550]

​@@ItllBeFuntrue.. Most of my american friend's here are Vets. Many of them are on disability pension and living a quiet normal comfortable life cheap away from the tourist scene and streets

[@ItllBeFun]

We aren't so bad.

[@celestecarrera2963]

You’re so wrong, why is that Europeans like to criticize Americans when they don’t know anything about them.

[@gmm5550]

​@@celestecarrera2963 promise u that a Average "European " knows more about America than a average American knows about Europe. Haha 😂 U do know that the European continent is bigger than north america and have more ppl ? And no Paris isn't the "capital of Europe " and yes we do have internet cars ac and alot better food, even in cheap supermarkets. 😅 And I been personally in 12 states in America over the years. That's Probably more States than a average American..

[@John_McFadden]

Hey guys! This video doesn't paint the usual perfect picture for those moving abroad. Instead, it offers realistic factors to take into account when making the move. It's better to be aware of these things upfront so they won't be a shock later that pulls the rug out from under your plans. Thanks for covering this topic! Cheers!

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for being here. We are glad you understood our message. We love it here but moving Abroad may not be for everyone. The more you know the better you can plan.

[@ruinunes8251]

I agree with you

[@paulomendes4892]

@@ItllBeFun yes go home. Yanks are riff raff at heart. Poir boys with money

[@ItllBeFun]

Sorry to hear you be so ...

[@ruinunes8251]

@@ItllBeFun 😀😀

[@desertdweller8520]

Interesting. I have so much gratitude that I got through the Portuguese bureaucracy and purchased a condo here without too much grief. I am not sure what people are expecting. I wasn't inspired to come to Madeira because of the hype. I visited this island with opened eyes. It looked like a beautiful and peaceful place to live life for at least a few years. I read the comments below. Trying to compare Southern Europe with Asia doesn't make sense. These regions have very different cultures, food, and histories. Each part of the world has its merits and none is perfect. Adjusting to life in a foreign country depends upon your ability to integrate into the local culture and way of life. Here on Madeira, most of the people I have met have been kind, welcoming, and helpful. I have been learning Portuguese because it's necessary for establishing a deeper connection to this place. While mainland Portugal and Madeira were more affordable a few years ago, increased housing prices appear to be a global reality. There really is no established country in the world that hasn't been impacted by major increases in this economic sector. If you relocate with illusions about life elsewhere, you are bound to be disillusioned once reality kicks in. Moving to another country is a grand adventure. Embrace it with an open mind and heart.

[@ItllBeFun]

Exactly. Thank you for sharing.

[@patriciaobrien2775]

I share the very same opinion. 19yrs in Brazil, +33 in the states and past 6 in PT. I know a thing or two about being an immigrant, adapting and learning the culture. Burocracy here is beyond discouraging and so one is forced to have lower expectations and be better prepared. Brilliantly put.

[@lindadorman2869]

The allure of moving abroad is high for those who travel for vacation but have never lived in another country. It’s easy to think a 2-week vacation can be turned into a new life but this is rarely the case, as you mentioned the reality of doing so. My experience was the reverse as I lived and worked outside the US for 15 years, returning to America in 2018 to start my own business. Now I have the best of both worlds - a small live/workspace as a home base in the US while traveling to Europe and Asia 4-6 months a year.

[@ItllBeFun]

Your story is pretty darn perfect. Kind of the new American dream!!! We are so happy for you!

[@surfsiren1026]

I can't imagine moving to another country that has another language and not immediately immersing myself in the language with classes and focus. I went on a scouting trip there and started learning Portuguese before I even got on the plane.

[@ItllBeFun]

Great job! Nice to hear from you. Have a wonderful day!

[@martinadegraaf9228]

I am living now for 9 years in Portugal, the centro Portugal. Nice people, friendly ans always want to help. BUT I am coming from Holland and I am still dealing with the culture shock. The way the Portugese people talk to each other is different. The standards are low because the people dont have much money. Even the people dont understand the politics around here because they stop to have interesting in it. So many things. Buying a house take months not to say years. Hire a good lawyer. Tip - find a cafe because the owner is the most trust full one they are walking encyclopedias. I found a good car in one day. for 700 euro. That are the locals and no I dont speak Portugese. Just come to Portugal its a great country. You just need help from the locals and you just need to ask and they help you. They know the best.

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá Martin, Thanks for sharing your story. We love it here as well.

[@teddydavis2339]

I appreciate this family and their honesty. Let's be honest, Portugal looks good on paper. I believe that they embellished crime rate to attract people. It's a small country, but Portugal does have its share of crime. I listen to the news, and it tells a different story. Yes, the people can be friendly on the surface, but that doesn't mean that every friendly person wants to be your friend. It can feel lonely in a new country with no friends. No one is going to fully appreciate the culture without learning the language. It's one thing to listen to Fado, but it's another to be able to understand the lyrics. Americans must be open to learning Portuguese instead of expecting Portuguese to speak English. I'm sure that's part of the frustration. Go on - learn a new language. It will be fun. Vai ser divertido.

[@ItllBeFun]

Bom dia Teddy, Muito obrigado!

[@Alfablue227]

Teddy, Portugal is not crime free, but when out of 206 countries in the world, it placed last year at nr. 7, that is quite good. It used to be nr 3 but the recent crazy influx of people has hiked our crime stats, unfortunately...

[@ItllBeFun]

We agree the crime here is minimal. We lived in Memphis Tennessee for many years. Now that is truly a bad area of the world for crime.

[@Alfablue227]

@@ItllBeFun Exactly. I lived and worked in NYC and Phoenix. The crime in Portugal is negligent compared, and the language despite not being easy, certainly is not Chinese, Japanese or Thai, yet... many expats move to these countries and learn their languages, why not in Portugal? Why should the Portuguese language dessuade anyone from choosing Portugal is beyond me!

[@ItllBeFun]

It shouldn't. At least we don't think it should. But we do feel it is important for folks to be aware of some aspects which could be difficult. That way they are able to make good decisions.

[@zairoart]

Exagerate much? You are over generalizing and dissimilating incorrect information. This is Portugal, not the USA. The language is Portuguese and no one is required to speak other languages. There are laws pertaining to building construction due to earthquakes, and that's too bad if you don't like them. Don't expect clerks to speak English. Get a proper translator and be precise. Attorneys don't work pro bono, so you will have to pay for one. In Boston attorneys charge a minimum 1,600 dollars for simple legal filings. In Portugal they charge less. No one ever told you Portugal was on the Mediterraneo, just look at a map. Algarve is influenced by the currents and the north of Africa, so it is warmer... This is a poor country, go work elsewhere. You have to pay taxes to have free health care and free education. (Have a few friends who relocated to Portugal in order to complete a Ph.D. which they could not afford in the USA. In Portugal they pay one thousand euros per year, and offered a payment plan, and in the USA they were paying 40 thousand dollars per semester.) If you think French people will speak English and will welcome you, dream.on. I went to Sorbonne and spoke French as a Parisien but other Americans didn't fair as well. Be respectful and drop the attitude.

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for watching and supporting our channel.

[@ruiddd956]

@@zairoart The best comment.

[@teresareinhardt497]

I agree! it is the best coment.People like this need to do a much better homework before they leave the US thinking that they are moving to another US State instead of another country.

[@flordi8235]

Best comment so far! Americans complaining about Portugal 😅😅 Portugal is the best country in the world! I've been in several countries! And NO! Portugal is the best! I’m very sorry you don’t think so!

[@shyamdevadas6099]

Great video. I don't know how people can so impulsively sell everything and move. I've been studying moving abroad for years. The deeper I study the more complicated things seem. In the end, the warts become visible. That's how I eliminated Portugal, Italy, Thailand, Panama, and others. The devil is in the details. As a result, I've begun a new strategy. I will keep a small, cheap rural home in the US. I'll find spots in Latin America. I'll make lots of trips and stay for substantial stretches, until I know what things are really like. I'll also become fluent in Spanish.

[@ItllBeFun]

Great plan!!!! Most people actually do all the research and everything turns out fine. But sometimes we all get excited about something and regret it later. We just wanted them let folks know some things to be aware of

[@shyamdevadas6099]

@@ItllBeFun I guess I was lucky, in that I began thinking of this about 6 years ago and I'll only be 60 this coming February. I do love my career, so I'm not in a particular rush to stop working. But, I now see that this isn't something that you can decide on overnight. I'm a bit of a homebody and I would want to have a base in whatever country I went to. At the moment, Bogota, Colombia seems to check the boxes...on paper. I need to prove this hypothesis. I've lived overseas before in Mainland China and loved it. So, I know what its like to deal with extreme language and cultural differences. We'll see. I'll be watching your videos. Thanks!

[@ItllBeFun]

Muito obrigado!

[@ruinunes8251]

Very valid points. You forgot to mention that in Madeira you don't need to shovel snow and if there is a tornado or a hurricane, your house will not end up in the neighbours garden because houses are made of concrete. One thing is for sure, perfection doesn't exist. The quicker everyone understands this the better.

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá Rui, It's nice to here from you. We hope is going well. Do you get a lot of snow in London? Let us know when you are visiting the island again. Have a wonderful day!

[@ruinunes8251]

@@ItllBeFun It doesn't snow much, but it rains a lot 😀. Where we live it hardly ever snows, good for me, I don't like snow that much.

[@ItllBeFun]

The rain makes the landscape look good! But it sounds like you don't have a fire up a snow thrower. You got that going for you.

[@celestecarrera2963]

I take the USA anytime rather than any other country and those who might think I haven’t travel they would be wrong.

[@ItllBeFun]

Bom dia Celeste, The USA is always part of us. We love it. But new adventures were calling our names. Thank you for sharing.

[@kevinl1492]

Why do Americans want to own real estate overseas so badly? Can't they rent? It would save so much trouble and provide a lot of flexibility. Do they think they will make lots of money if they own? Rent and enjoy life! You will probably want to move soon anyway. Don't get tied down! And if you make no effort to learn Portugese, I guess this isn't going to be permanent. I plan to be in Porto in November. If we like it, we will come back for visits. Moving in permanently? No chance.

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá Kevin, Sounds like you have a good plan for yourself. Porto is lovely. Have a wonderful day

[@acastro5197]

Portugal has changed the tax rules for retirees. France has a treaty of non taxation for retirement income. Portuguese is not an easy language to learn. The Portuguese society is closed. Finally, the housing situation has changed. Not the most ideal place to relocate.

[@ItllBeFun]

Bom dia! Thanks for sharing. Yes some things can be very expensive.

[@andreToliveira]

The Portuguese society closed? France without taxes? What kind a world you live? France it's being one of the worst country in Europe.

[@tj5308]

This is great news! So, France doesn’t tax US Social Security Benefits?

[@randychurchill201]

Government is always the biggest problem in most places. The places where you can find a good degree of freedom are places no one wants to live.

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for sharing. For us everything works out you may just need to be more patient.

[@peterwatler8711]

It probably is worth saying that a lot of these issues also would happen in many countries around the world. Portugal and Madeira arent uniquely with the issues described.

[@ItllBeFun]

Exactly. Yes u are correct but.many people somehow think it will always be like a vacation.

[@12567NoYouCannot]

@@ItllBeFun I think What you mentioned on this Video Are Valid Points.

[@ItllBeFun]

Obrigado

[@hermanosoares3860]

Buy a house,It’s expensive?welcome to our world!Language barrier? We “All” know English,so you should try to learn Portuguese!?Going to France?They are coming to Portugal to retire and you still have the language barrier and they don’t speak English as we do and life is much expensive in France.The only thing I agree is the red paper in Portugal is dificulte to handle.Forgot to say,Portugal is much SAFER than France,just watch the news. Living in Portugal is by far the best option You have hot water in Algarve and you can travel to Europe easily.And the wine is great and cheap and the food is top Have a good life 🇵🇹👍

[@ItllBeFun]

Hi! Thank you for watching and supporting our channel.

[@simonledoux8519]

It may not seem as cost effective for most people. Instead of investing all that time and money into buying property in any other country, why not rent an apartment for a few months? Do an Airbnb or VRBO for a few months to see if you really like the area. It will give you an idea of what the day in day out of living in Portugal or anywhere else, is really like. Buying a place is a huge commitment and you better be sure that the area is really for you. I have learned Portuguese over the past few years and can manage pretty well. It had been a dream of mine to live in Lisbon but I know I would not have the patience to deal with all the bureaucracy. Instead I would like to spend 3 months a year there and I think it would be just more cost effective to do an Airbnb. I wouldn't have to worry about paying the electricity, water, internet bills. Plus I dont want to be tied down to one place. Another minus could be difficulty to resell property should you decide to leave. It's a romantic notion to own another property in another country but the reality can be quite different. Not to be a total naysayer and if some people can make it work for them then all power to them.

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for sharing

[@marg3153]

Madeira, a beautiful island❤

[@ItllBeFun]

Yes it is!

[@tamaramadelin4831]

Ya, good luck in France!! My husband is French and I lived there for 14 yrs...NEVER going back! Ok, except to visit because of family and it's beautiful! France is WAY more expensive than Portugal !! I do agree that foreigners should not move to a foreign country unless they do their homework...NOT the US!! The sugar-coated reality is not reality so thx for your realistic vlog!! Good luck on your adventure, but my heart and home is Portugal 🇵🇹!!

[@ItllBeFun]

Bom dia! Don't worry we are not leaving Portugal but we are going to France. Thanks for watching and sharing. Have a wonderful day!

[@tj5308]

Does France tax US Social Security Benefits?

[@FelizPete]

Many thanks for this video. Hopefully you are doing well, we are still searching for our property in Madeira :)

[@ItllBeFun]

Ola Pete Nice to hear from you. It is out there and you will find it sometime in the future.

[@ConanNYC]

Great video. I plan to use my vacations scouting retirement spots.

[@ItllBeFun]

That's what we did for years. Until we found Portugal!!!

[@annikadegroot596]

I so agree with you about how easy it is to become disillusioned with moving abroad. Even though Madeira still haunts me with how magical and beautiful it is (and I will return for at least a month or so next time), I don't think it's the place I will settle. And that's because of something you mentioned - it's so very hilly! I'm still considering moving but have set my sights on a more northern clime, perhaps France (where I need to do a lot more exploring) or the UK, where I've lived in the past. Plus, I want to thank you for your generosity and meeting me when I was in Madeira last year! It was a highlight of my trip.

[@ItllBeFun]

It is great to hear from you and we are glad you will be coming for visita in the future. France or England would be lovely as well!!!

[@annikadegroot596]

@@ItllBeFun wherever I settle, please do come for a visit!

[@has25252]

Many of the same problems regarding housing happen in Hawaii - building permits for an SFR take nearly a year to get on Maui, for instance. But everyone thinks theyll move to paradise island.

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá! I know it happens all around the world. It is not just here but somehow when we plan our new lives we forget to plan in the stressful things.

[@has25252]

@ItllBeFun You make excellent points in this video. Moving abroad, especially when if you're not very familiar with the language, culture, business mentality, can be tough. Finding the right place to be takes work and flexibility.

[@ItllBeFun]

You are right getting settled no matter where you are takes time and is hard work.

[@lizcoleman5229]

I live in Madrid, Spain, and a lot of the bureaucracy that you mention is similar to the bureaucracy in Spain.

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá Liz, Thank you for sharing. I think there is some form if bureaucracy everywhere. It is harder to deal with when you don't understand and some folks truly struggle. As for us, we figured if we could live through the Ohio DMV we could live through whatever Portugal, Spain or Italy threw at us. ;)

[@manzahalem8845]

Great video & insights. Good of you three to do this. Thank you. 🙏

[@ItllBeFun]

Bom dia! Muito obrigado. We truly appreciate your support. Have a wonderful day

[@leonard.castillo1937]

Learn the Language and culture first and foremost, travel and rent before you decide where to buy .keep expectations low and stop comparing to the US , I mean that’s why your moving abroad so stop comparing standards. Make meaningful friendships with locals they will guide you. Be respectful to their culture goes without saying .

[@ItllBeFun]

Fantastic! You are correct!

[@IvanFedorets]

This "brutal truth with a piece of wisdom" is gold! Very informative, thank you! Looking forward to watching more videos like that

[@ItllBeFun]

Bom dia! Thanks for watching. We love it here and we want everyone to find a place they love. But with their eyes wide open.

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for being here!

[@exploreconmigo9090]

Excellent videos. Thanks for sharing! Greetings from Canada! 🇨🇦 🍁 🇨🇦 🍁

[@ItllBeFun]

Bom dia! From a little island off the coast of Africa!

[@cybilm133]

Wolf already pronouncing Madeira like a native😊 well done. Its most important to speak the local language.

[@ItllBeFun]

Muito obrigado!

[@TheAquarius1978]

Yes and no lol, he's pronoucing it as a native Portuguese indeed, but not as a Madeiran lol " Madaira " lol

[@ItllBeFun]

That's alright since his family is from Madeira, Ohio where we pronounce it completely different.

[@frankassispereira]

After reading most people stories on this issue about what is good or what is bad to relocate from one country to another. I've lived in Calif for 58 years at first was hard for me to adapt this life style with so much isolation on a cow farm hardly anyone to talk too but our whole family survived after so much hard work it wasn't easy, and I new others folk's with same situation if we could walk home we wouldn't look back twice, now America is my home and I love it .

[@ItllBeFun]

Thank you for sharing your story. We truly appreciate you being here. And we are happy you found a wonderful new home in California. Muito obrigado!

[@pandrefreitas]

I believe it’s not fair to compare old buildings from Madeira Island with the ones from US. Don’t forget it’s an island so development can’t be compared, even with mainland Portugal. Also, AC was usually not part of Madeira culture in constructions. I still see new houses being built without AC, when heat it’s an obvious issue in the summer. Expensive houses? Yes!! Welcome to the reality of Portuguese real estate. Things are overpriced and it’s good that you acknowledge :) Madeira is actually one of the most expensive regions in Portugal to buy an house. Also please don’t move to a new city or country without visiting first and stay a bunch of days trying to get used to the place so you are confident you can fit in. Anyway, I like the American culture, but Portuguese one is different, so don’t expect living like an American in Madeira. Good luck folks!

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá Thank you for sharing. The points are actually for all of Portugal not just Madeira. We always like to expand learnings so that we all can make good decisions.

[@andyw248]

Your video is the first one I have watched that actually goes a little deeper and helps us understand why exactly things might be more difficult than expected for us Americans abroad. Well done!

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks. We are glad you are here. We always struggle with saying something that might hurt someone's feelings but we also want folks to make good decisions. We love it here!

[@IvanovTchaikonsky]

You have a wonderful family, and it's clear you share a lot of love. If I may offer a suggestion, it would be great to see your videos become a bit more informal, showcasing your daily lives with fewer cut scenes. It feels like your American cultural background might influence how you experience Portugal, and embracing more of the local language and customs could help you feel even more at home. While I understand that learning the language is important, it's not necessarily critical for settling down, especially since your income comes from the US and you're not looking for local employment, except perhaps for your son. The bureaucracy and challenges with things like the post office are just part of the experience. I live in Norway, and it's similar here, despite a very different cultural background. It's all part of the learning process. That said, living in Portugal seems like a fantastic choice-certainly better than being in the US. Keep enjoying your life there!

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks we love it here. Have a wonderful day!

[@madmadeira1]

More and more people is refusing to speak languages outside of the working hours and working places. Because outsiders are taking advantage of locals.

[@ItllBeFun]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful day.

[@Beyondabsence]

Geographic displacement is the ultimate truth serum, the greatest killer of illusions.

[@ItllBeFun]

Very true. Have a wonderful day!

[@allancurme]

Authority building at its best. Great, tough-love style video that will really help those dedicated to a move.

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá Allen, Nice to hear from you. Thanks for being here. We hope your day is wonderful. Alan and Leslie

[@youtubechannels9205]

You can always go back and buy $500k condo in Florida with $10k property tax, $36k HOA, and $200k assestment for future repairs. Make sure you carry a gun, like I do. I was a political refugee from communist country and moved to the USA. Now, I am a refugee again, moved to Panama.

[@ItllBeFun]

Bom dia! Thanks for sharing. We can't afford that. We looked at Panama. How do you like it? Would you recommend it for others looking to create a new adventure in life?

[@youtubechannels9205]

@@ItllBeFun being independent, I can choose almost any country. What counts #1 is climate. In Panama highlands 1000m above ocean level is 18-20 C year round. No crime. Clean food. Good people. Lots of info on youtube, much more than I can write here.

[@hasppl9005]

You can get condo on Florida for 100K. Depends where you want to live. Portugal isn’t that great. There are other countries in Europe better than Portugal. At least you live in bigger city ok but the rest are village people and the mentality is Stone Age.

[@axelm5300]

One has to ask, why was it a dream in the first place? Enticing TV shows, films, instagram photos? Online narcissists desperately wanting to escape dreary lives so they post photos showing that everything is perfect? Sadly, TV shows like "Emily In Paris" are creating new dreamers, they move to Paris, only to watch their dreams wither within two short years.

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá! I think each person has a vision of the things they would like to do through out their lives.

[@dmigous]

Same thing works vice versa. US film industry sells American dream, which makes lots of people migrating to the USA, and obviously not all of them see what they expected.

[@galacticambitions1277]

This is an absolutely amazing summary. So accurate! You have kept it real.

[@ItllBeFun]

Muito obrigado. We are glad you found it good. It is still a wonderful place and we totally live it here. But for others it is harder than they had hoped.

[@anna3046]

Sorry… but the standards of constructions or electrical works here in Madeira are of high standard, you are probably buying an old property that has not been lived for many years and back in the old days, there was very low standards.

[@ItllBeFun]

Yes, that us what we were talking about. Older buildings are not at the standards that we are used to. When you compare a 1934 building to a 1934 building in the USA. There is no comparison. Or a 1980 to 1980. As for the new builds the standards are now up to snuff. Very nice, high quality.

[@anna3046]

In the big metropolitan cities, building standards are usually quite high. However, when you head out to the countryside, like in the Deep South where people often built their own homes, the standards can sometimes be a bit more relaxed!

[@birdynumnum3473]

Well, well, well! Rrrrrrrrrrex the cat does a cameo! Excellent video, food for thought…

[@ItllBeFun]

OMG! Finally, someone noticed!

[@gloriabeckley7464]

Having a property fixed up in America is a pain. I can image how it would be with a language barrier, and ignorance of zoning/property laws.

[@ItllBeFun]

Yes, remodeling is not a painless process no later where you are. Have a wonderful day

[@estelladog1]

French isn't an easy language either. I took a year of it in HS and 3 years of Spanish (MX) at college. I knew I didn't want German. But now, Portugal and Italy seem so nice! My nephew and his family want to move where his wife's family are from in Andulucia Spain. They said move 10 hrs from us over the border in France. I've looked in several region and it is stunning! But, you have to want to assimilate, just like you say, for sure, language most definitely included.

[@ItllBeFun]

Bom dia! It's nice to hear from you. We hope all is going well. Learning the language is truly important in order to assimilate into your new home. Sounds like you have some really options as to where to settle. Let us know how it all unfolds. Have a wonderful day.

[@estelladog1]

@@ItllBeFun I will be looking into the MAP I purchased as soon as possible. A lot of life issues at present. Hoping to muttle through them asap. Looks like I may end up working one more year sadly. Trying to find an escape route!

[@ItllBeFun]

We added a new section to ours today. Just in case.

[@mariaanderson6788]

I think you raise some interesting points on your video. We’ve been watching your adventure for several years when we were still in the US, and now live in the Porto area and always value your points of view. This video seemed an unusual departure from your encouraging attitude, which is fine, but surprising nevertheless. We will continue to watch and wish you Godspeed on whatever is good for you as a family whether in Portugal or elsewhere.

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá! We are glad you are here. We meet so many people that are disillusioned and felt it was important to give some additional information. As for us we live ut here and are very happy with our journey and adventures. Thanks for being here.

[@mariaanderson6788]

@@ItllBeFun Glad to hear it. We are big fans and appreciate the hard work you do in putting together your videos.

[@TomBTerrific]

You hit on many key points. The fantasy never equals the reality. It not Portugal or any other country that one happens to seek out. Culture, language and many other factors always start out as small inconveniences but over time they become intolerable. For myself it’s not the cost. For me I’m to set in my way. I won’t learn another language. Perhaps a few words at best and I don’t want to deal with frustration for the rest of my life. I am American and at 74 yrs of age I will be a tourist but not going to any foreign country as a permanent resident. No way! No how! Enjoyed watching and listening. I lived in Hawaii years ago and was so happy when I left it. Just couldn’t deal with the local residents. Don’t regret living there for 4 yrs but I didn’t fit.

[@ItllBeFun]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing. Youake a great point. Life is what we make it and it is there for us to enjoy. Enjoy! My friend. Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. Have a wonderful day!

[@ajdrums8075]

That Atlantic ocean if far colder and it's far windier than you could imagine. Skip Portugal completely and go to Crete instead. Thank me later

[@ItllBeFun]

Crete is pretty wonderful. A little hot in the summer but ...

[@ajdrums8075]

@ItllBeFun It seems to sit around 33 degrees each day in the summer and as an Australian that is just perfect. I was expecting 37 to 38 regularly but it's rare

[@ItllBeFun]

It is amazing how we each find the perfect place for our wants and desires.

[@yogisurfrunner1925]

Hey y’all! We adore your videos…we came & checked out Portugal largely bc of your fantastic work giving life to so much of what we had heard. When we were there, all that you cover at the opening of this video was ‘in our face’ while we visited mainland Portugal. In all we decided on & are now living in France. We love it here!

[@ItllBeFun]

Fantastic!!! Where in France? We have a month long road trip through Southern France planned.

[@yogisurfrunner1925]

@@ItllBeFun We are in Aix-les-Bains now, traveling until December with our 2 dogs (Paris, Nantes, Bordeaux then Côte d’Azur) to lock in our fave locale…we really like the Savoie but the West Coast is looking pretty tempting as well

[@ItllBeFun]

Sounds wonderful! We hope you will keep us posted on your discoveries. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@yogisurfrunner1925]

@@ItllBeFun Of course - will check back in : ) Love y’all’s creativity…finding that this Expat community is a teeny tiny world on a big blue marble ; )

[@ItllBeFun]

Weird isn't it. But nice

[@suzannederringer1607]

All the bureaucratic weirdness and the sharply rising costs were the reasons I crossed Portugal off my agenda several years ago. The time to move to Portugal would have been pre-pandemic. It was cheaper then, and the D7 visa requirements were simpler.

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá Suzanne Thank you for sharing. Where did you decide was the best place for you?

[@suzannederringer1607]

@ItllBeFun I was preparing documents for Italian Citizenship by Descent. I thought it would be better to have citizenship and an EU passport than just Resident status somewhere. I got stuck because Greatgrandparents' Marriage Certificate in the US seems to have vanished from public records. Put this on hold for now due to volatile political and economic situation in Europe. Staying in US for now. It's not worth dragging through the Italian courts at this time.

[@ItllBeFun]

Well maybe someday. But it would definitely be Worth getting the passport regardless. I am not sure the political system is an issue in Europe we haven't seen anything bad or scary. But no worries. We hope you come for visits!

[@afrobian1]

Hello Alan. Did you end up buying that apartment you showcased on one of the videos? Greetings from Yukon.

[@ItllBeFun]

I did. It works out perfectly. How is everything going?

[@afrobian1]

@@ItllBeFun just working every day. Hoping to build a better future. Your guys are inspiring. All the best

[@ItllBeFun]

Obrigado

[@chrismedeiros3201]

For me, the language barrier would be the toughest to overcome in order to fully integrate.

[@ItllBeFun]

Ola! Chris, You are right. It is impossible to ever fully integrate if you can't understand everything around you.

[@LFANS2001]

Hi. Nowadays there are many ways to overcome that "terrible" task. Try "Portuguese with Leo" channel, he will show you some solutions. Another one is "David in Portugal" (I'm not sure if it's the correct name), he's an american already living in Porto (north of the country) for some time and he already speaks quite well. Find out how he had done it.... Remember that French is even worse to get for an English speaker. It has 17 vowels sounds and Portuguese has "only" 13... Cheers

[@CatrinaAttard]

The truth is if you are relocating for good Anywhere,you MIUST learn the language. it helps you to integrate much better,.

[@ItllBeFun]

You are absolutely correct.

[@shawnbell6392]

Even dreams come with fine print, this video should be required viewing. Moving abroad won't really solve ones life issues and basing it on fantasy too often ends poorly. I had a housemate who successfully turned a temporary job in France into a new life but he genuinely took to the culture and the language and I could tell he fit in and he was pretty easy going to begin with. I cringe as I see young people on social media talking about "moving to Japan" only to find living in very, very defined cultural norms constraining and they feel isolated and the language is certainly complex and English not widely spoken at all. All that if they even can find a place to live there. People should fashion some sort of sabbatical even if only for a couple of months and spend it in Portugal to make a trial run at living there focusing on a daily routine.

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá Shawn, Nice example. Thank you for sharing. We appreciate your support. Have a wonderful day!

[@activ8me3]

I live in Spain and did not encounter any of the problems you had. Seems Portugal is not a land of dreams (anymore?). But then, the grass is always greener elsewhere...

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá! Thanks for sharing your story. Have a wonderful day!

[@dinismantas7265]

I can summarize the difference between Portugal and the USA for you: The USA is known all over the world as the land of possibility and, as far as I know, it still can be to some degree, although maybe not as much as before. If you were born and raised in Portugal, tried to get access to something or, worse, try to build something from scratch, you quickly learn it is the land of "it can't be done". Off course you find your solutions, a few build something, but there are less opportunities for most. Think about this, why do you think Portugal was for most of our history a land of migrants? Meditate on that. I visited the USA several times and lived in other countries. The contrast is huge. I will be forever unsatisfied with this country and all the problems you have mentioned leave furious or just sad. They hurt first and foremost the dreams of the portuguese themselves and we are to blame.

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for sharing. We do love Portugal and truly believe it can be the land of opportunity just like we believe that for the USA. It's a glass half full.

[@dinismantas7265]

@@ItllBeFun It is difficult due to objective aspects - the lack of natural resources and lack of scale. In turn there was a natural adaptation in the culture. Too many people just aim at getting the "enough" (which may have some merits), but also leads to "click" protectionist behaviour, the portuguese " panelinha".

[@ItllBeFun]

Understood. We believe in dreaming everyday. You never know how wonderful tomorrow can be.

[@dinismantas7265]

@@ItllBeFun kind of an American point of view. You will never really understand this country if you don't put yourselves in that position. Then again, it is not necessary to "understand the country" as a non-Portuguese to make a good living here, but that's another conversation. I wish you and your family the best.

[@suzanaandrade2125]

​@@dinismantas7265finalmente um português que não se sente ofendido com as observações dos estrangeiros. É que quando leio comentários de tugas muito ofendidos com a descrição da realidade pergunto-me se vivem no mesmo país que eu. Este orgulho estúpido é o que faz com que as exigências da população sejam tão baixas e não se saia da cepa torta. Parece que vivemos no país das maravilhas e vivemos num país belo mas medíocre em vários níveis. Note-se que nunca vivi noutro país mas não me parece que esta nossa mentalidade nos leve a lado algum.

[@mhoepfin]

We live on a barrier island in the US, and a lot of this I’d describe as “Island Time”. Great video!

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá! Thanks for being here. Island time!

[@exploreconmigo9090]

New subscriber here and first 👍 like of many!

[@ItllBeFun]

Awesome! It'll Be Fun!

[@12567NoYouCannot]

Unfortunately the Building/Housing/Homes Standards are NOT the same in many parts of the World. But there are some places where that has changed and even gotten better than American Standards in the last 30 Years. Like for Example; ASIA. Affordable, Welcoming, and MODERN.

[@ItllBeFun]

The new standards here are very good as well. But there are still plenty of old properties to be aware of.

[@patricka.crawley6572]

Same as the Philippines.

[@livinginthealgarveportugal3357]

I have always realistically projected what Portugal is really like on my KZbin channel 🇵🇹

[@ItllBeFun]

I know that we have always had that same feeling as well. Our goal is to help people make the best decision they can for themselves. We are all so different. Thank you for sharing. Have a wonderful day!

[@izabela1961]

Whe are you talking about Portugal and Lisbon and showing pictures of Rome at the end of the video?

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for watching and sharibg. Have a wonderful day

[@FromTheBiggining]

It looks excellent to me...much better than many other countries

[@ItllBeFun]

It is excellent. We agree. But some folks get here and struggle. We are just trying to provide food for thought.

[@enzos711]

What is it with people "Moving Abroad" .. Just Take a Trip, explore & then "who knows" .. This all or nothing Need for Escape & Relocation .. IDK, but "know thyself" & watch out for Self Deception ..

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá! Thanks for sharing!

[@SITESIMOBILIARIOS]

Hi, there. When settling in another country did you ever consider watching the imigration taxes of the locals ? In Madeira that tax is HUGE and in Portugal mainland specialy in the interior is very high. So if it is not good for the Portuguese to live in, why would that be different for foreigners that come to live here? For your standards of living anywhere in U.S., everything is very cheap but to live a several years life in here is very though for all the reasons stated in this video. Make no mistake, I am very pleased that you could make a nice living for your family here but the most natural thing to do when you get your dual citizenship is to go away and have a better life elsewhere. You already got your own house wich is here one of the most better investments for anybody. Living in whatever country you choose after Portugal will get you a very nice income while renting it to others. And that's it ,

[@ItllBeFun]

Thank you for sharing.

[@JP7onEarth]

Alan and Leslie, thanks for taking some time today to speak with us. We look forward to meeting up on Madeira or Porto soon. James and Fatima

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá! It was wonderful to meet you both. Please let us know how your search goes. Thank you very much for your financial support. It is truly appreciated. Alan and Leslie

[@ruimartins2065]

It seems that you weren't prepared at all to move to another country. Like all things, they have strenghts and weakneses. As portuguese, i aknowledge your point of view. Our state services are awful and very burocratic. Part of it is explained with high corruption levels and just plain incompetance 😂 but i think that we have our virtudes like a non provocative and educated people. We accept accept people as they are and it doesn't matter their race or religion. That's why we have low levels of criminal activity. I want to tell you a story, i was in New York in 2018 and randomly ask to a black gardener, i think it was a city employer, confirmation for an address and it seemed like he was very suprised for a white man ask him for an address. He helped me and in the end i shaked hands and suprised him even more 😂 it was hylarious. In Portugal that's a normal thing. Well, to summary, everywhere you go we have good things and bad things. It all depends on your motivations and goals for your life course. Thanks!!

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá Rui, Thanks for sharing. The video is talking about issues that some people struggle with and find they choose to return to where they came from or they move to another city, usually in the same county. It is not about us being prepared. We feel that bringing up awareness helps others to properly prepare. Thanks again for supporting our channel. Have a wonderful day

[@boby4751]

What can you tell me about Marco de Canaveses if anything?

[@ItllBeFun]

It's a beautiful area, however the weather is not great. High humidity, cold in the winter, and hot in the summer. A place best visited in the spring or fall.

[@tedshell963]

Briefly speaking, what are the current tax rules for retirees in Portugal? The same in Madeira as the mainland? I’m from the USA.

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá Ted, A US Citizen Will need to file expat taxes in the USA each year. There are a couple deductions you may qualify which help you to not pay double tax. Depending on what you qualify for they help under about 120k of income. In Portugal you pay taxes based on the type of income active or passive on a graduated tax rate scale just like the USA. Because the tax can be high you should have a simulation run by a Portuguese tax attorney prior to coming. No surprises.

[@js8705]

Adapt or die. Challenges are good. I would love to move to Portugal. I was going to but left it to late. The D7 criteria changed just before I was going to apply. This was about 2 years ago. 😢

[@ItllBeFun]

Bom dia! It is great to hear from you. I know it sounds like it is hard to adapt but we don't think so. But we were prepared and understood that it's all part of the journey.

[@wallywal6139]

A very realistic take on expat life in Portugal. Learn patience and how to go with the flow. Explore before you move. We ended up in a completely different part of the country than we envisioned. KZbin doesn't often reflect the reality of daily life. Like you said, it can be hot and cold and humid, all in the same day. We just installed A/C with heat that dehumidifies in our stone house. We thought that we could get by without it, but no...we really needed that to be comfortable.

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá Wally, Nice to hear from you. Yes. We totally agree. Good air conditioning is very important to our happiness and adds to our quality of life.

[@wallywal6139]

@@ItllBeFun Coming from a desert climate I didn't know that I could be cold and sweaty at the same time!

[@GLOBOLG]

It also seems to be the Portuguese consensus nowadays: The later government passed some laws and incentives to change heating and climate control from ineffective to more effective solutions, and the current government didn´t revoke those actions, so nowadays there are incentives and subsidies to put heat pump water heating (instead of electrical or gas solutions) A/C heating and cooling, solar water heating and solar electical generation. Please go find info about this and contact a trusted systems installer, they'll sort you out.

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá Wally, Depending on where you choose to live. Due to the different climates and seasons.

[@ItllBeFun]

We installed a heat pump in our place.

[@newzealand6528]

I have been following your channel for some time and finally, I got the information I required. No place is perfect but an honest and realistic appraisal of both the good and the bad is refreshing and very practical. Well done guys!

[@ItllBeFun]

Muito obrigado! We are glad you are here. Thank you for supporting our channel. We truly appreciate it. Have a wonderful day!

[@francoassc]

A informative clip. You have to be firm with solid conditions written in contract for any home renovations. If you cannot verify do not hire. Gracious people but thin skin. Speak with respect and learn the language because Google translate barely saves you.

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful day!

[@santiagowood7262]

Bom dia mi família. Muito obrigado pelo excelente informação .. deus te abençoe 🙏🫶🏼👏🏼

[@ItllBeFun]

Muito obrigado!

[@lucianeedgington9421]

Great video

[@ItllBeFun]

Muito obrigado! Thanks for being here. Have a wonderful day!

[@theodorejay1046]

Beaches are rocks turns me off right there 😁

[@ItllBeFun]

Then maybe mainland Portugal is for you! There are lots of choices.

[@theodorejay1046]

@@ItllBeFun ..... Hawaii is closer to Denver & I don't need a passport 😁

[@ItllBeFun]

It is closer to Denver. But you may be missing the opportunity to see something new and different.

[@qwqwlex]

No doubt Portugal is the new American dream today.

[@ItllBeFun]

Bom dia! Finding an affordable place filled adventure is the American dream today

[@qwqwlex]

@@ItllBeFun That's right.

[@EduardoCruz-ur4wq]

OMG, only complaints, I have difficulty to understand why you don t take a plane to leave for good Portugal. I don t need to live in the EUA to know that I will hate to live there, just to do some googling to get conclusions. So good luck and goodbye.

[@ItllBeFun]

OMG I am sorry you have.completely missed the point of the video. It is designed to help people ensure they have fully covered all of the things that can be an issue. Have a wonderful day!

[@placido-o4v]

Bom dia i am portuguese living in florida if trump wins election i will be moving back home

[@ItllBeFun]

You understand that he has won once before.

[@PullmanSoul]

I can totally relate and I approve your post.

[@maryr7593]

Can I come too? I'm in WI. Not Portuguese but I lived in Lisboa in 1990-91 and am still fluent. There are no Portuguese in WI that I know of....

[@placido-o4v]

@@maryr7593 sure you can come

[@ItllBeFun]

@@maryr7593 Absolutely

[@susana1129]

You are very nice and realistic

[@ItllBeFun]

Muito obrigado!

[@ruiddd956]

So are women's high heels on the island of Madeira a problem? Incredible. As for property prices, they are only high because demand is enormous. If the demand is huge, it is because the overwhelming majority disagrees with you.

[@ItllBeFun]

Brilliant. Prices are what the market will bare.

[@rogeriosantos6158]

Portugal as portugueses and is not for sale

[@extraesfera]

What these expats lack is the knowledge of how wonderful things were before they arrived. 😉 As a portuguese I think this video is definitely useful if it helps hundreds, or even thousands, of expats to stay out of here. oops... I probably should be writing this in portuguese. Now they will know that we are not as dumb as they think... damn it!! 😡

[@ItllBeFun]

Thank you for sharing. Sorry you feel so icky inside.

[@giiggii11]

Same exact story in Italy. Maybe a tad worse😢

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá Giigii Thank you for sharing. It helps people to understand and properly prepare for their next adventure. Have a wonderful day!

[@robertocoronel-m8h]

Your missing the big picture. Maybe you should see beyonde high heels and aircon.

[@ItllBeFun]

Actually I think you may have missed the lesson in the video. But thanks for sharing.

[@johnarnold6623]

What’s funny is this is not what the YT bers were telling us less the. One year ago! Who knew the internet was full of BS

[@ItllBeFun]

Don't worry we still love everything about being in Portugal. However some people struggle with their choices.

[@ReniRo-x2s]

Yes I heard is hard to do any kind of paperwork 😅No thanks 😊 I prefer to look in Italy 🇮🇹 or Spain

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá! Thanks for watching and supporting our channel. Most of what we speak to will be similar in Spain or Italy, so use the thoughts to ensure you are prepared regardless of your destination. Hope this helps.

[@MirandaHorger]

Yes! Rex the cat made an appearance!

[@ItllBeFun]

Finally! He thinks we built the stairs just for him.

[@user-wp7zn8ii5u]

I am not interested in Wolf's opinion. Good luck

[@ItllBeFun]

Thank you for watching and supporting our channel. Have a wonderful day.

[@Solrac-Siul]

err. c'mon, water in the algarve is not cold. why do you think it is normally full of british, german, dutch, swedes and often even french guys there during the summer. Ask them if the water is cold=) PS american companies often do not want to deal also with the working regulations of countries like Portugal (france, germany spain also have protections for workers) where unlike the US, workers have certain rights (like being in a union, or cannot be made redudant without some level of compensation or being fired with a reasonable reason etc)

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá! We wondered who would be the first to complain about that statement! Score! You win!

[@Solrac-Siul]

@@ItllBeFun i should get a double prize cause I am american and not Portuguese? Does that count? =)

[@ItllBeFun]

Two brownie points!

[@RebeccaConnecticutUSA]

So that's what Rex looks like! Handsome. 🙂

[@ItllBeFun]

He is a handsome guy.

[@robcoyle5011]

It’s even my experience living here that the unitedstatesians eventually always leave.

[@ItllBeFun]

Thanks for sharing!

[@hermanosoares3860]

De nada!

[@ItllBeFun]

Obrigado.

[@patricka.crawley6572]

I need to correct my previous comment. The Philippines never improves.

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá! We have not spend any amount of time in the Philippines. Do you think that they can or will improve as time goes forward?

[@Stangya888]

Are you guys planning to move to 🇫🇷?

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá! No. But we may purchase a second place.

[@mickaelkorr4046]

Portugal is nice to americans Keep coming...

[@ItllBeFun]

The Portuguese are fantastic!

[@mickaelkorr4046]

@@ItllBeFun 👍

[@Beyondabsence]

As a Brazilian, your videos have opened my eyes to the deep-rooted problems affecting Brazil. It's painful to see how our colonial past continues to impact us today.

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá! Thanks for sharing. We appreciate your support. Have a wonderful day!

[@js27-a5t]

I love Portugal so much, but there are two issues I have with it. The first is that I'm a vegetarian and I like spicy food, particularly food with lots of flavor (like Thai or Indian). Not only is Portuguese food meat-heavy, it tends to be very bland. I got interested in this topic and had a revelation when I spoke to a Portuguese person about their food. He said that a fish was cooked so well the restaurant didn't NEED to add anything to it! That sums it up for me: the Portuguese believe the natural flavors of the food should be brought out. I tend to like just putting lots of flavors together. The Portuguese tend to think that only a bad cook would do this because you're hiding the flavors of the food. The second issue: I find Lisbon too claustrophobic. The streets are extremely small with basically no sidewalks, and you often can't see past the buildings or streets. Even outside of Lisbon, sidewalks in many cities are non-existent as the cars whiz by. Besides these two things, I think Portugal is amazing. Port wine makes up for everything.

[@ItllBeFun]

Bom dia! Good points. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. On Madeira Indian style food is plentiful however Asian or Mexican foods are not. So we understand. But as you can see we like the Portuguese food as well. We like to eat

[@SarahDeshay]

I am vegan and I live in central portugal and also enjoy spicy food, the food here is very inexpensive compared to the US and so fresh. Food is one of the reasons I enjoy being here so much. I agree with you on Lisboa and try to avoid the city as much as possible with the exception of traveling through the airport or bringing an American visitor there to see the city.

[@ItllBeFun]

Yes. Eating out in a restaurant is very cost effective in Portugal. Even Lisbon while expensive it is not as bad as downtown Chicago.

[@zoemoody6903]

Did they learn Portuguese when they were there?

[@ItllBeFun]

Everyone works on it. It doesn't happen in a day.

[@isabelcunha1942]

Dispensamos reformados venham eles de onde vierem. Lamento.

[@ItllBeFun]

It's the same all over the world.

[@ronaldchristian1960]

Why do think their called Foreign Countries.

[@ItllBeFun]

Olá Ronald, Thank you for watching and supporting our channel.