Moving to Portugal - Three Years On

If you are thinking of moving to Portugal, Shanna Trenholm can tell you all about it. She moved from the United States to Portugal three years ago, and in this video I talk to her about her experience.
Please note that Shanna has suspended her ‘Move to Portugal’ sessions until the autumn of 2022.
After three years of Living in Portugal, Shanna knows the ins and outs of what it feels like to be a single woman tearing up her life in California and arriving in Portugal with just three suitcases and her dog.
In this interview we chat about making friends, the reasons why she moved to Portugal, the greatest challenges she has faced, and what has been her biggest regret.
For more info, check out some of the previous videos I have done with Shanna:
Moving from the USA to Portugal (2019) - • Moving from the USA to...
Moving from the USA to Portugal, one year on (2020) - • Moving from USA to Por...
For more detailed information, check out Shanna's newsletter Life Examined: shanna.substac...
To follow Shanna on social media, check out her Instagram at: / a_vegan_in_portugal
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Many thanks for watching, and thanks for your support.

[@billify23455]

Bravo Shanna! I have personally benefitted from Shanna's expertise, I booked 2 sessions earlier this year through her website and her advice has proved invaluable! My Visa has been approved and I'm moving to Porto next week. (Wow, it seems crazy just to say those words) If you're thinking about a journey to Portugal, I would definitely talk to Shanna first!

[@ShannaTrenholm]

Oh, Bill, such kind words-thank you! Looking forward to seeing you in Portugal.

[@andrewjditton]

Nice one Bill. Enjoy every moment of your move - and good luck with it!

[@SandraMarksWebster]

I ditto that! My husband and I started our informational journey with Shanna around a year ago. Your enthusiasm, Shanna, and wealth of knowledge helped us get the visa process started and we’ve now been enjoying living on the Silver Coast for 7 months. If you want a candid and realistic perspective on how it is to live in Portugal as well as resources to help you get and live here try out Shanna’s expert services.

[@ShannaTrenholm]

@@SandraMarksWebster Hi! Nice to see you here and thank you for taking the time to comment--what a glowing testimonial! I'm happy to hear you are living on the Silver Coast--and loving it, I bet :)

[@cboddie9950]

I just signed up! Can’t wait to talk to her! My virtual Portugal neighbor.

[@benjamincowan7565]

Setubal is a great place to live. It is a real working class city with real people, great local culture, fantastic food and brilliant access to nature. My wife is from Setubal and every-time We go back to visit family from Australia, it feels like home to me. Viva o Vitoria!

[@Krazie-Ivan]

Shanna's consideration for locals in why she pays extra for her healthcare is admirable. Hope others caught that bit & take a moment to think of other ways to immigrate w/o adding strain on your new neighbors. We're going to build our own PassivHaus, wherever we go, for example. Opportunity comes with responsibilities.

[@cleaningtime8156]

Love this Video makes me happy as a portuguese to see people moving to my Country and make it home 🏡 ❤ welcome to Portugal 🇵🇹

[@ShannaTrenholm]

Aww, thank you! I'm so happy to be here :)

[@motorhomequest]

I am a South African living in Spain, retired early. I agree with Shanna and Andrew about not putting off something like starting a new life in another country. Go for it!

[@andrewjditton]

Absolutely!

[@ShannaTrenholm]

Aww, twin--this came out great! Thank you for sharing my story with your fabulous audience :)

[@andrewjditton]

You're a natural, a STAR! Everyone loves you - me included of course ;)

[@Krazie-Ivan]

Your consideration for locals in why you pay extra for healthcare is admirable. Hope people caught that bit & take a moment to think of other ways to immigrate w/o adding strain on new neighbors. We're going to build our own PassivHaus, wherever we go, for example. Opportunity comes with responsibilities.

[@ShannaTrenholm]

@@Krazie-Ivan Thank you for noticing that. I do my best my values each day--and hat includes being a respectful and conscientious immigrant to this beautiful country I now call my home. Fantastic about PassivHaus! My small place shares many of those principles. Best of luck and thanks for your comment :)

[@greyhavens9474]

You know you are portuguese when you say "we..." . I am from lisbon and my dream is one day retiring to setubal. Just love it! Plus Arrábida is heaven on earth.

[@MrJohndolphin]

Hi Shanna, I'm from NJ, and Setúbal has always been in my heart. Why not! It is my birthplace. I still remember the sea breeze aroma.

[@stephenwills1986]

Hello! Nice to see Shanna back on your channel and it’s great to hear how she has been getting on in Portugal. 🇵🇹 I thought the ‘going for a walk’ interview style was a nice and engaging way to film, though I spent the whole time thinking how clever your magic flying camera thing is for not crashing in to anything… until you mentioned Mark of course! 😊👍🇵🇹

[@fionadavis23]

Definitely Shana has a future as a KZbinr, unknown walks and highlights etc. well done Shana, thanks Andrew 💐

[@ShannaTrenholm]

Thank you, Fiona--such kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@valerieann8007]

@@ShannaTrenholm Wow! Portugal sounds so great!! Please put your "Shanna's Bossy Tours" & etc. videos, on your KZbin channel!! 83 people have subscribed already with notifications so we'll get notifications when you do start posting videos, by clicking on your avatar picture circle to get to it! Or if you have a different channel for that, please put a link or the channel name in a comment on this video so we can find it! Thanks for the wonderful info about how great Portugal is, to you and Andrew!🌞😀👍

[@ShannaTrenholm]

@@valerieann8007 So kind, Valerie Ann, thank you. I'll think about it--but for now you'll see the videos here on Andrew's channel :)

[@saraquips]

Hoping to visit in 2023! Portugal is high on my list for retirement. Eating mostly plant based as well, so good to know that would work. Stay well❤️

[@valerieann8007]

The town is spelled Setúbal! And let's pray and/or visualize & imagine & send healing through the air, that Andrew never gets another migraine headache, EVER & Dougal to be healed also from his heart condition! I'd love to be able to enjoy these wonderful videos as long as possible! 🌞🙏😀

[@ShannaTrenholm]

Agreed, and yes, Setúbal 😊

[@w7mjr]

Thank you, Shanna, for the candid update with Andrew. The part near the end about regretting not doing it sooner and life is too short left a lump in my throat-words of wisdom. We're looking forward to the "bossy tour" video!

[@JenShea]

I love you said here about being an immigrant. I would consider myself an immigrant, not an expat. Why move to a new culture & country if you want to be amongst only other people from your home country. I want to integrate into the Portuguese community/lifestyle as best I can, for the Portuguese experiences. Obrigada Shanna & Andrew!!

[@donnacosta5633]

English speaking folks don't like to be called immigrants because they think they are "different" from the rest of the world. So they called themselves expats. Hence the saying: An expat is an immigrant who comes from a country that feels superior :) In Portugal anyone that is not portuguese is called "estrangeiro" and the department that deals with visas and such is called Servico de Estrangeiros (SEF)

[@JenShea]

@@donnacosta5633 Immigrant is the correct term if you are immigrating to new country. So I would be an immigrant.

[@FrugalTravellers]

Such a great video! So cool to hear about Shanna's experiences during her three years in Portugal! I agree that the language is challenging, but am lucky to have Lee with his Portuguese language skills to translate for me when my Spanish isn't up to the task! ~ Mandy

[@SimonIngram]

Shana seems such a kind and warm hearted, friendly person with a larger than life character!

[@ShannaTrenholm]

Hi Simon, and thank you--I appreciate your kind words :)

[@Naphius]

Hi!! I’m form Portugal!!! It’s so nice to see you around!!!

[@ShannaTrenholm]

Hi João and thank you!

[@andrewjditton]

It was lovely to be there - such friendly and polite people.

[@almicarodrigues]

My hometown! How amazing! Thanks Andrew Ditton and Shanna for showing the best from Setúbal. How I miss it!

[@ShannaTrenholm]

Happy to do so--I love it here :)

[@elizabethreynolds6874]

Thank you for this Andrew and Shanna and for the inspiration. Shanna you make a very good case for Setubal! 👏👏👏

[@timward3539]

Impressed with Dougal's filming skills! Talented boy.

[@andrewjditton]

He'll do anything for a Scooby Snack.

[@Crina-LudmilaCristeaAuthor]

Thank you for sharing this!

[@andrewjditton]

Thank you for watching!

[@scottwilson5426]

Awesome catch up!!

[@andrewjditton]

Glad you enjoyed it Scott!

[@vott72]

I love it! Shanna, you've got me thinking of at least a visit to this part of the country in 2022.

[@ShannaTrenholm]

Thanks, Vikki--do come see me--it's a special place off the tourist trail :)

[@bobfitzpatrick947]

Hi Andrew, First let me tell you how great it is to have you releasing so many fantastic videos over the last number of months! So pleased to hear that your American friend is doing well in her life adventure in Europe. All the best to you for 2022!

[@andrewjditton]

Thanks Bob!

[@esria]

Thanks for this great video! Love the idea of bossy tours! I thought you were going to call it, "The Bossy Tourguide."

[@kitty_s23456]

Hi Andrew and Shanna, thanks for this update! I've watched all of the vids featuring Shanna in your channel. I find her journey fascinating. I've seen a US vlogging couple (with small kid) who are living in Portugal, but I think it's tougher to do it alone. Greets from sunny Philippines! 🇵🇭 ☀️😊

[@andrewjditton]

Thanks Kitty. Yes, it IS tougher to do things alone, but that need not stop us from doing anything. All the best.

[@anneshirley1748]

Wonderful to see both of you enjoying strolling down a tree lined avenue! Was it the part where Milo and his friend were being cute that made you say what you did?! Yes, I loved it but not just that part! You know that I thought Shanna was such a brave lady to up & move to a new country on her own where she never knew the language and by the sounds of it, hasn't mastered it fully yet!! I never learnt Spanish, well not in a class! I picked things up and I could actually have a sort of conversation with locals! I learnt how to pronounce properly which I think they were impressed with because I made an effort! Great vlog! Can't wait to see the Bossy Shanna video, great collaboration!! Hugs xxx 🥰🐕🎅

[@ShannaTrenholm]

Thank you, Anne! :)

[@anneshirley1748]

@@ShannaTrenholm You're welcome! xx

[@andrewjditton]

We both thought of you when we made this Anne, and hoped you'd like it :)

[@ShannaTrenholm]

@@andrewjditton we did!

[@anneshirley1748]

@@andrewjditton This is so lovely! Thank you! I'm in bits over this! xx 😘

[@berniebne8243]

A very brave lady! I moved to Australia from the UK, a pre-midlife crisis. It was hard work, but very rewarding. I find organizations such as the Men's Shed to be very helpful. In general I find hobby specific clubs great places to meet other like-minded people.

[@cindym6138]

I can not believe it has been 3 years! I can still remember watching that vlog. Would love a tour!

[@andrewjditton]

Coming on Sunday, Cindy!

[@katcankan7129]

Agreed, life is too short... It was nice to catchup with Shanna again. Looking and sounding very well Shanna. You sound like you are from New york 😊

[@ShannaTrenholm]

Hi Kat--and thank you. My family is from New York--I hear that often :)

[@katcankan7129]

@@ShannaTrenholm Oh l see 😊

[@antoniodasilva1230]

Strong Island in the house🤙

[@germaineludik]

Gosh! I can't believe it has been 3 years since I saw the first videos

[@spyhunter66]

Very interesting! Thanks so much for this. Considering a move from SoCal to Portugal myself, but still likely several years out from being able to achieve it.

[@andrewjditton]

Best of luck!

[@joemac6172]

Congrats Shanna ❤️ your personality and I wish I could be like you when my parents immigrated to US LOL. well I know how hard it is to be an immigrant because myself and my parents are immigrants from the islands of the Azores (Portugal) we immigrated to the United States twenty eighth years ago and it was difficult for the first 5 years but now I feel like USA is my first home and Portugal or should I say (Azores) is my second home. ❤️ both places but I definitely would love to go back and stay for good, like I love to say when one door closes another door opens for a better light and future may God always gives you lots of graces to continue on your new lovely journey in Portugal and thanks Andrew for making these amazing videos about how is living in Portugal daily life with your lovely friend Shanna ❤️👍🇵🇹🇺🇸

[@pedromarques1920]

Atençao que Portugal é um país muito diferente do que era há 30 anos atrás. Se tiverem curiosidade procurem isto: 17 Reasons Why Portugal Is The Best Country In Europe

[@ericvelado769]

Great video and great interview. Better than others that only are talking about comparing things from the U.S. Embrace the new culture and language.

[@hywel3143]

Fascinating video! It's interesting that in recent years I have been far more interested in visiting "real" places on holiday, rather than the tourist trap places. I visited Honfleur in Normandy a couple of years ago, but even at Easter the weight of tourist numbers made for an artificial experience, despite the visual beauty. We stayed at Houlgate around ten miles along the coast from Honfleur and, although it was also busy, it was popular with the French rather then the international bus tour circuit, and I felt far more "at home" there. I was fascinated by the grand coastal summer houses of the "old money" Parisians. I guess this has echoes of why Shanna decided to live outside Lisbon itself.

[@andrewjditton]

Absolutely! I much prefer ‘real’ places too. I used to enjoy living at Camber Sands - but ONLY in the winter!

[@Mads_1313]

Ah, this was lovely. Thank you Andrew and Shanna 😊

[@ShannaTrenholm]

Thanks, Mads!

[@Venomator.]

Superb job you two and a great insight to Setubal from your walk ‘n talk session, thank you… 👏🏻 Hi Shanna, lovely to ‘meet’ you on your home territory… 👏🏻 \We originally planned to move to Extremadura (next door neighbours to Portugal!), but life and other stuff got in the way - I know, one of ‘those’ excuses… 🥴 It is not going to happen for us now, but it is great to see you have settled really well and are definitely making a go of your brave new world, congratulations… 😉 ✅

[@ShannaTrenholm]

Thank you, Roger :)

[@Petehcs100]

Great to get the catchup. Thanks to both of you. Pete

[@andrewjditton]

Glad you enjoyed it Pete!

[@quesara09]

Great video! Thank you, Shanna and Andrew. I look forward to one of Shanna's Bossy Tours.

[@andrewjditton]

Coming soon!

[@anne-lisekapp8689]

Excellent! We lived there for 2 years...Setubal is very easy to live in!

[@ShannaTrenholm]

isn't it? :)

[@kellyo6174]

Wonderful conversation, great to see you Shanna ❤️ Looking forward to the bossy tours.

[@ShannaTrenholm]

Hi Kelly! Thank you--it's been fun to be here :) I hope you are well.

[@joelprice1]

You do great interviews Andrew! And Shanna is a great inspiration for all. Thank you both!

[@ShannaTrenholm]

Thank you, Joel :)

[@ManxAndy]

Good evening…..Andrew & Shanna, and of course Dougal…👍🇮🇲💖

[@emilyobrien1337]

Great video! Can't wait to sign up for one of those bossy tours!

[@ShannaTrenholm]

Can't wait to see you! :)

[@valerieann8007]

Wow, great video! Thank You!🌞😉😀

[@andrewjditton]

Our pleasure!

[@Elopes85]

Thankyou Shanna for you love my country ❤

[@ShannaTrenholm]

I do love it, Elia :)

[@Solo50plus]

I can totally relate to Shanas experience. Great video!

[@andrewjditton]

Thanks for watching!

[@Solo50plus]

@@andrewjditton I just realised this is the same Shana who’s video I watched well over a year ago before I came to Portugal! Great to see her way further down the line!

[@ShannaTrenholm]

@@Solo50plus Thanks for watching and welcome to Portugal :)

[@jimmcdonald3638]

The Setubal Market is amazing! We liked Setubal but want a smaller town. But we definitely liked Setubal over Lisbon!

[@caravanningmacs8009]

Hi Andrew. Really enjoyable and interesting vlog with positive and balanced observations on such a move. We spent 10 years living/working abroad and never regretted it. Thanks to Shanna and yourself - appreciated this. George and Trish - CaravanningMacs

[@ShannaTrenholm]

Thank you, George and Trish! :)

[@peterz53]

Thanks! Recommend Shanna's "Life Examined" newsletter

[@ShannaTrenholm]

Thanks, Peter--I appreciate it! :)

[@LuciaFragosoPortugal]

Congratulations very beautiful and interesting video. Thank you for this fun and informative content, I am looking forward for more!

[@ShannaTrenholm]

Hi Lúcia-and thank you! Another video with a brief tour of my highlights of Setúbal coming up next Sunday-stay tuned!

[@Hello_Pri]

Great interview. Thank you!

[@andrewjditton]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@suzannederringer1607]

Thanks for this! I have been considering either Estúbal or Coimbra as the places I would want to live. I will definitely connect with Shana!

[@peteturph3255]

Good advice, peops...

[@AutenticoBello]

Awesome! I tried to catch up with Shanna but I didn’t give enough notice. But next time for sure! I have some tech stuff to do so. 😄👏🏼

[@ShannaTrenholm]

Brook! We must meet--let me know when you're headed back this way :)

[@kdavidwhite8376]

I went to Shanna's site and the "Move to Portugal" section apparently has been taken down. My wife and I are contemplating retiring to Portugal, and Setubal is intriguing. This will be within the next 3 or 4 years, so we've just started investigating what it would take. Still much to do here, such as finishing the remodel of the house, selling items and downsizing. Selling the house and most of our belongings with the remodel underway will take a couple of years, but we want to start our planning and I'm curious about some of the logistical issues Shanna had to face, and how best to circumnavigate the logistics would be helpful. great video

[@andrewjditton]

Yes, Shanna has now suspended the service as noted in the description.

[@Stopit77]

Well done, thank you!

[@pedromiguel9202]

The best thing about her experience is when she says WE

[@ShannaTrenholm]

Thank you, Pedro :)

[@anaramos2802]

Nice interview in Parque do Bonfim!

[@carolynhaywood7701]

What a lovely lady, I look forward to the next video.

[@andrewjditton]

Thank you so much!

[@philipmccullagh3786]

Thanks

[@jdk5379]

Excellent! Thank You :)

[@VoltaireMM]

Feliz Natal e um próspero Ano Novo.

[@andrewjditton]

Obrigado, José!

[@BasicBeachCommunity1]

nice interview

[@tonyparente3003]

Shanna you the best.

[@colinrimmer789]

Very interesting and thanks to Mark who’s great at walking backwards 😂

[@andrewjditton]

Ha ha! Yes, we were acting as his look-outs ;)

[@ohhi1134]

Every time she said "we", when refering to portuguese people or costums it made me smile, that's proper integration

[@lxportugal9343]

I see Setubal Municipality was able to protect Canarian palm trees.... great

[@feelgoodwithfibro]

Amazing 💚

[@andrewjditton]

Thanks 😄

[@MirandaHorger]

So glad to hear your experience as a plant based eater! We're very interested in Portugal and planning a scouting trip soon. Glad to know we won't go hungry 😁.

[@ShannaTrenholm]

Oh, you won't go hungry! :)

[@judeirwin2222]

Where in the Setúbal peninsula is Shanna? I like the looks of the trees and walks. Is it Setúbal town?

[@ShannaTrenholm]

Yes, the city of Setúbal known as Setúbal Municipality :)

[@royking7298]

Hey Andrew Been watching your and Doogle for a long long time. Love you! So glad you did another video with Shanna. I'm arriving to Portugal on March 1, 2022 and look forward to the process of adapting to my new home country. Looks like, not Setubal ("Sh-tubal") will be the first place I explore outside of Lisbon. Would love to availe myself of Shanna's services. Arriving to Pt alone as a retired fellow will be a challenge. A challenge I very much look forward to! Thanks again!

[@andrewjditton]

You're very welcome Roy, hope it all goes well for you.

[@anamaria2053]

Delightful!

[@jeffreybarnes3604]

Question for Shanna: I moved to Pt a month ago (your neighbor in Comporta!) and I also am considering myself an immigrant. I'm a self-employed graphic designer, and I don't have my taxes figured out yet, but I'd also like to do the right thing and pay them here. But you mentioned starting to pay the "socials" and that's what frightens me! Is it really like 28% of your income?

[@ShannaTrenholm]

The short answer, yes it is--but a good accountant can help. I purposefully earn WAAY less than I did/needed in California.:)

[@jeffreybarnes3604]

@@ShannaTrenholm Hey thanks for the response -- and yikes! I guess I'll also have to look at total cost/standard of living, for example I already have killer private insurance here that I would not be able to afford in the US, so already "saving" like $15K right off the bat.

[@ShannaTrenholm]

@@jeffreybarnes3604 Now you're looking at the whole picture! It's not the taxes, alone, that need consideration, it's the entire financial situation :) (and I'd rather my tax money go to services in a country where I live that ACTUALLY provides said services to all people--not just the wealthy).

[@jeffreybarnes3604]

@@ShannaTrenholm 100%

[@explorarehoy]

Can you do a video on cities in southern Portugal with warmer weather that are good to retire in a budget ? Thanks

[@suzipam1234]

Hello Andrew are you moving too? I spoke to you some time back and we were trying to move to the Scottish islands - Lewis, and we could not get the paperwork through so we are moving to Portugal now too. Excited for a new start

[@andrewjditton]

Nooo! I’m not leaving Uist! Portugal is very different to Lewis - I’m sure you’ll love it! The people are amazing.

[@anitajohannadrost]

Interesting 👍😁🍀

[@annettefournier9655]

Thanks Andrew and Shanna. How cold can it get there? Looks like there are palm trees. Can't stay cold for too long? But then how warm?

[@alvafaleiro]

We have cold days in winter, close to 0 °C, a dozen of days, depending, but now we have rain and there is no cold, other time we have the Atlantic storms with heavy windy and rain where wiil be impossible to have an umbrella in perfec conditions when you arrive home. 🤣🤣 If we don't have rain the mornings and nights are cold but during the day it's warm, reaching 20 °C.

[@nelsoncarreiro6099]

Shanna - Setubal Ambassador

[@ShannaTrenholm]

Thank you, Nelson! :)

[@anaclaudiacarmo8937]

Hey Andrew, I live in Coimbra, very nice town too. Come visit us , the students city

[@andrewjditton]

Next time Ana! :)

[@sujatamalik5668]

👌👌👌

[@michelegiblin7633]

Who did you go with for private health care?

[@nealeburgess6756]

I was just thinking about your migraine last time when you mentioned it. I believe you said a while ago you had changed your diet, and now things are a lot better with regards to migraines. I hope that is still the case. Best wishes to both you and Shanna, and the camera man (Mark was it?). I was also thinking, why didn't you move somewhere warmer? (I live on the Costa Del Sol, Spain). I know that at least part of the answer is the beauty on the Scottish islands of course.

[@andrewjditton]

Hi Neale, I think it's easiest to say that I didn't choose to live on the Scottish Islands, but the Scottish Islands chose me ;) I'm definitely a cooler weather person, I don't like the heat. If not Scotland, I think I'd like Sweden or Norway.

[@lindabiegenwald5924]

Well Shanna since its so wonderful there have you given up your USA CITIZENSHIP?

[@ShannaTrenholm]

One doesn't just get to "give up" one's citizenship--especially that of the good ol' US of A. I'd need to have another citizenship, such as Portuguese, and then I'd need to pay about $2400 usd for the privilege of renouncing--but that could only happen after I've passed a language exam and been a resident for 5 years. Even then, getting PT citizenship can take a year and a half or more to process. So no, I didn't give up my blue passport (and all the strings that go with it). Thanks for asking!

[@pauloduarte3095]

Hey shanna, try to get some Brazilian Portugues, it's easier to learn and slowly transition to normal Portuguese. As a Portuguese myself i often advised my English friends to do the same. Welcome to Portugal my friend

[@anitainlisbon8836]

Setubal is a big place, where in Setubal did you settled in?

[@ShannaTrenholm]

Setúbal municipality-the city itself 😊

[@hugofilmsportugal]

Hi there ! I live nearby Setúbal my paradise on earth after a really bad experience living in London. The good thing on this i Born in Lisbon and I'm portuguese , no problem with the language 😂 but like you say , to learn better and quicker Portuguese, like in every countries it's with the contact with the locals Portuguese people. I been in San Diego just one and I have to say ,i didn't liked 😂 anyway YOU ARE VERY WELCOME 🤍🇵🇹

[@newbeginnings8566]

I'm curious if Shanna has given up her US citizenship? Also why did she quit the USA, especially California - I have my own ideas why she ditched California.. Maybe she mentioned this in another Vlog?

[@ShannaTrenholm]

I can't "give up" my US citizenship, that is unless I become a citizen of another country. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't apply to be a citizen of Portugal until I live here for 5 years. I am a legal resident of Portugal and citizen of the US (at this point). Oh, and I didn't leave CA, I left the USA :) Thanks for asking, Mark!

[@jasperwinehouse9456]

I'm Portuguese and I live in america here I'm called an immigrant but you an american living in my country are called an x-pat what the hell is that

[@carmas54]

did she give up her US citizenship?

[@ShannaTrenholm]

I didn't "give up" my US citizenship. I couldn't do that is unless I became a citizen of another country. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't apply to be a citizen of Portugal until I live here for 5 years. I am a legal resident of Portugal and citizen of the US, still (at this point). Thanks for asking!

[@carmas54]

@@ShannaTrenholm can't believe its been that long for you there. I'm so happy for you, the Portuguese are a very warm loving people with as you know great family beliefs. I look forward to going there and Spain one day.

[@bryann1377]

@@ShannaTrenholm glad you like it and are willing to adapt to the culture. The language is a bit difficult due to the splendid accents it carries but it is the only true portuguese (Portugal) along with those that live in the islands. You should visit Azores and Madeira. I would suggest hiring a portuguese teacher.

[@ShannaTrenholm]

@@carmas54 Thank you. I'm very happy here :-)

[@carmas54]

@@ShannaTrenholm are interest rates better there than in the USA for US dollars?

[@maxflight777]

I’ve been here three years too. The language, for me, is the greatest challenge just like your friend above 👆. The second greatest challenge is the age profile of the people in the Algarve . Everyone is 55 plus. It’s a pity. My friend calls it the Algrave rather than Algarve ! Best part is the climate … only 14 weeks of crappy weather in Dec-Mar. The low crime (thanks to enthusiastic and efficient Portuguese GNR 😀) is very significant. The worst aspect for me are the dangerous roads. The normally polite and gentle Portuguese are utter imbeciles when they get behind the wheel of a vehicle. I ride a cycle , motorcycle and drive a lot here. I worry especially when my teen age children are visiting and accompany me in the car.

[@andrewjditton]

I've not noticed the driving in Setúbal and Lisbon to be any worse than any other major city. (Try Brussels!) Thanks for watching.

[@paulobaptista7292]

podem bazar não fazem falta.

[@nelsoncarreiro6099]

Shanna you are hilarious Byzantine bureaucracy, great attitude to surrender to things are as they are.

[@ShannaTrenholm]

What else can you do but surrender and things will unfold... eventually :)

[@DJ-uk5mm]

Why do you need healthcare … you look pretty healthy to me…. Hoy half way through You mention health problems. …. Still .. looking good now

[@savagegtalks5912]

welcome to the correct side of the Atlantic.

[@andrewjditton]

Ha ha! :) But as a Brit I have to agree ;)

[@PatlLawson]

Wait a second…. 🤣

[@antoniodasilva1230]

People that say expat are just using a fancy word for emigrate 🤪🤣