Our First Impressions of the USA After 2.5 Years Living Abroad

Josh and Kalie from ExpatsEverywhere have been living in Portugal since 2020. They are visiting the US after being away for 2 1/2 years. What has changed? How does it feel to be back? They will chat about their visit and answer your questions!
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* ABOUT US *
Josh and Kalie left the US for a life abroad in 2009 and haven't looked back. They have lived in Spain, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and are currently in Portugal. Yes, they realize they only moved to countries starting with the letter "S" until they spoiled that streak with their move to Portugal. Follow ExpatsEverywhere as we aim to get information to you through expat interviews, city breakdowns, expat life, travel, vlogs, and more.
* VISAS FOR PORTUGAL *
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* USEFUL RESOURCES *
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* YOU NEED THESE FOR YOUR D7 & REMOTE WORKER VISAS *
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*LEARN A LANGUAGE
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* FORWARD YOUR MAIL *
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* TAXES
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*AROUND PORTUGAL
Want to check out some awesome spots we like around Portugal? Check out our Steps Map: go.steps.me/hvX41KPnDwb
* GET IN TOUCH *
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[@ruimiguel1976]

Americans are not an issue in Portugal, forget that ideia. We like and appreciate how American people are discovering Portugal. You are welcome.

[@joaocorreia4243]

Nop,they ,the Chinese and others are a problem . They are are inflating housing prices.

[@leslieisaacs3080]

I felt very comfortable and welcome in general, but ran into unpleasant locals in the Lisbon train station

[@ginasmith2484]

❤

[@lindadorman2869]

For me, the big shock coming back to the US from long-term travel in Asia and Europe was the decibel level. People talking (shouting), sirens, music in stores, cars, etc...everything sounded so loud! It was awkward to listen to other people talking on their mobile phone, having the most private conversations in public. Even now, I can't stand the noise and look forward to leaving America soon for a quieter, calmer environment.

[@BOULDERGEEK]

Living in El Centro of a 500,000 person city in Ecuador, I laugh at US noises. Latin America is insane for noise pollution.

[@simbatran]

I think Americans like to be heard regardless if the general public care for it or not. 😢

[@dudoklasovity2093]

same here! So loud! The sirens are CRAZYI feel like my ears will fall off. Cars are huge and the tire and motor noise level is high. And the loud ness doesn't ever stop. Even Sunday morning there are leaf blowers everywhere. They blow the leaves from side to side, LOL what's the point? I went to Spain and even in busy Madrid I felt like in a quiet oasis, compared to USA city. The noise keeps the stress level high subliminally. It's scientifically proven that constant high levels of noise increase blood pressure. Part of why Americans look so unhealthy for sure.

[@TheGforceuk]

Don’t Americans always shout , that’s how we know they’re American 😜

[@samanthafromme]

We were away from the States for 4 years and the reverse culture shock was REAL! Going back to visit family in Indiana after being in Qatar and South Korea, these are some of the things we noticed: 1. Parking spaces are massive in the US. 2. Tipping - I was so stressed out trying to figure out who and how much to tip. 3. Overwhelming amount of options - I started to tear up in Walmart (feeling overwhelmed? panic attack?) 4. Clothes dryer - If I wanted to wear something that was dirty, I didn't have to wait 2 days until it was dry. 5. Annoyances - I hated being able to understand what everyone was saying. Sensory overload. 6. Gaps in public toilets - Just why?! Enjoy your time with your family!

[@samanthafromme]

Oh! The abundance of over the counter medicines.

[@layla8647]

“I don’t go shopping, I go to buy something”. Josh The truest statement I haven’t heard till now. We American are such an overindulgent & wasteful nation, it’s ridiculous. Department & grocery stores are intentionally designed & stocked to tempt and get our attention. We have fallen into the TRAP 🤦🏾‍♀️!

[@roselee4445]

Qatar my clothes dried fast. One hour

[@bandcrazyadventure]

Quick note on tipping. Unfortunately in the US the government has allowed owners to cut servers wages to the bare minimum and the only way they make money is by getting tips from customers. So I don't begrudge the server looking for a tip when I know they're only getting three or four dollars an hour. I will be glad to go to Portugal tip is included and I don't have to worry about it.

[@ericsoderlund3236]

Can relate on the exercise front with a bit of reverse-reverse culture shock (which I guess is just culture shock, lol). Since arriving in Portugal three weeks ago, I have not deliberately or intentionally embarked on a workout routine, but just adjusting to life in a place where we don't have a car and there is so much within walking distance and the infrastructure makes walking easy and fun, my average steps per day have gone from 2,980 over the 22-week period before we moved to 6,040 over the last four weeks. We're also noticing that we don't snack nearly as much just because the snack foods here in PT are not all in your face all the time. We find ourselves occasionally going to a confeiteria for a treat, which again requires getting off the couch and walking somewhere. In the U.S. it seemed like we were always just eating something because it's so available, relatively cheap, and super convenient.

[@charlenewhite4365]

Wow, This was great thank you, guys. We're almost there in Italy 4yrs. Heading back East Coast. So, we'll see.

[@ricardobrandao12]

This was great guys! I feel you’re a great addition to my home country, you’re always welcome in Portugal 🤗💚❤

[@alfreet55]

I travel back and forth to portugal and USA all the time . I enjoy listening to your opinions , I enjoy all your videos.

[@lucinda6816]

Re: The question about swimming in PT. There's a book called Wild Portugal that has many swimming places all over PT. It also has many other things in nature to see and do.

[@PortuGAL_444]

Great video guys! Obrigada❣️

[@tucorredoracallejera1668]

It was nice meeting you in Porto- Shopping mall. Yes one of the shocking back in the states is all the marketing and pushing to be shopping all the time

[@mikeabbott8521]

Lidl in the US sells pastel de nata, 6 for $3.99. If you have an opportunity to try them, let us know how they compare to the "real thing".

[@davidleong6606]

Trader Joe’s sells them in the frozen section as well. Made in Portugal.

[@mikeabbott8521]

@@davidleong6606 Lidl's are made fresh in their in-store bakery; I like them, but have no frame of reference for how authentic they are.

[@conniehuffaCRE8]

Thank you so much. Looking forward to visiting and scouting out our spot in Portugal :)

[@droops63]

Good to hear from you all again. Life has kept me busy and thrown some issues at me but still trying to follow along. May be able to make it to Portugal for a visit soon. Fingers crossed.

[@sheilahanna8768]

Eggs in Savannah GA are still $6.26 a dozen. Those laying hens are now grandmother’s of laying hens!

[@bjarndishelenamitchell9372]

I have been following you guys since my first dreams of coming to Portugal started while I was going through chemo in 2020. I may be shy to comment, but I love your videos and the authenticity of your work on them. I trust the information you feature. Congratulations on your CPCV :) My family and I signed ours in February 2021 and on Tuesday, 13 months later we are going to sign the escritura. The length of time things take here is the biggest culture shock we have had. But we love it here......Have a wonderful and safe journey back and Happy Easter - Boa Pascua

[@leslieisaacs3080]

Just returned from Porto 5 days ago. Loved it. Hills are challenging but a great place.

[@lindadorman2869]

When I lived abroad, I got used to watching international news such as CNA, Sky News, BBC and France 24. Foreign networks cover more news and they have interesting programs on science, history or art. I can't even watch American TV news or entertainment anymore...way too negative. If I catch myself watching cable or network news, I limit it to 30 minutes and then I turn it off!

[@leslieisaacs3080]

You’re walking more up and down hills so I’m not surprised you wear out socks faster

[@michaelbrohl1625]

I wish I had the means to move to Portugal.

[@yumikosato591]

Missed the live - still - thank you for this great show!

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Love you Yumiko!!!! -Kalie

[@expeditionconfidential8853]

Hey You Two!!! 😀 Looking great! (Feel better soon, Josh!) Per usual, excellent video! So glad you get to spend time with family and taking Celebrity back home is an amazing way to return! Omigoodness Girl Scout Cookies!!! I'm with Kalie! Collect them all! So looking forward to catching up with you in May. I would say that other than the Safety the Healthcare is the other difference that stands out the most. The cost, the advancement, the accessibility, the milder medications, if insurance doesn't approve a treatment then you can pay cash for it if the doctor deems it fit or required. Very different than in the States. Portugal is great. The States are great. They are just great in different ways. Loved how you touched upon so many of them. Much love to you and 'Cia. Enjoy all the BBQ and Mex!!! 😊

[@bethtrescher9311]

I was in Condeixa-a-Nova for just one week to get my house ready to move into next month. When I got back to East Tennessee, the roads seemed so wide and everyone seemed so noisy in grocery stores, etc. Once I move, I know I will miss the coconut donuts at the Blackbird Bakery in Bristol!

[@laurap.5804]

furthermore, I will be in Braga till the end of June in case you come over:)

[@sagmahi]

PS thanks in advance for doing another 'cost of living' video. It's a good method to keep things in perspective (for me). 😊

[@robinbailey55]

Great point about losing friends not on the same path

[@christinabayma119]

@stephanie Neubert. I would recommend finding a good property finder in PT to help with rentals. They can often get you better prices than what’s listed online.

[@laurap.5804]

hi, coming from Italy , living i Portugal since 2018, having a daughter who is studying in New York well, I definitely say prices skyrockets after the pandemic ALL OVER THE WORLD. IIn 2019 I could find a room in NY for 1300$ now nothing less than 2500$!!!!!

[@wmk6325]

Your comments on pricing are what I expected and good point for bringing up the diff between major cities and the bulk of the country . i always like to remind people when they are talking about living in a place like Portugal, how much cheaper it is. It is if you have a foreign source of income but salaries in the US are 5 to 10x in the US. Trying to live on 500 or 1000 euros is much harder if you aren’t a kid. I am moving back to the US for a few years and the biggest hikes for me will be in rent and internet. Healthcare would also be a giant hike but not as bad for me since I have medicare.

[@davidfriend5808]

Not going to lie it kinda hurts to hear your thoughts regarding tipping your barista. Think of that tip less in regards to whether or not you’re sitting down and staying and more about the care we put into both the service and the product. We may get paid slightly more than waiters and waitresses in the US, but we do take pride in our craft and really appreciate even 10% tip when making anything beyond a drip coffee or grabbing a pastry for you. The coffee shop I manage averages about 10-11% in tips each day and that ends up being roughly 25% of our barista’s take home pay. While this may not be the case in Portugal, I believe it’s important to be mindful of the pay structures of wherever you find yourself! Hope this helps you see another side of that from a service worker’s perspective. Great video, you two!

[@ginasmith2484]

North Carolina regular eggs at Walmart are $6-$10 a dozen.

[@O.M.72]

I‘m living in Monte Gordo, Algarve and you will definitely need a car here! 😉

[@sharoncuadra3174]

Missed you both live. Come to Bay Area crazy high here

[@missyduffy8201]

So funny about the deodorant, I like the one I got in Portugal way better than any in the US😂 yes, it’s a roll on but it works amazing! Safe travels and thank you for all your great videos!

[@victorppt]

Are you real?😊😊😁😁

[@simbatran]

Make sure you don’t buy the stuff that causes cancer…………

[@christinabayma119]

We saw Doritos and Twix bars at a Continente in Caldas. Didn’t buy them but they were there.

[@jennifermello8063]

I'm just came back from Portugal and found the cost of restauranst to be higher generally in Porto than Lisbon and was very surprised.

[@MikeLuong]

Point #2 is not so much about US vs living abroad. For your situation, living in Porto allows you to walk in the city vs living in the suburbs. Living in the city, I was much more active and wished more. Since moving to a rural community, I too need to drive everywhere. Thank you for all the insights! I couldn’t find the regular Doritos in Portugal either.

[@lucinda6816]

A little bit of the marketing strategy for women shoppers in the USA: in defense of Kalie: the stores are purposefully set up to have women walking in circles looking for what they want. The men's departments are all organized with pants/slacks, then shirts, and so on. But, women's departments are often grouped by just brand names together, then the opposite side of the store far away --- the lingerie department- and a different hosiery and socks area! My favorite shopping experience is actually consignment clothing stores. They are more organized, have great brands, and have better prices. I wonder does Portugal have clothing consignment stores?

[@christinabayma119]

We shopped for deodorant in Porto while we’re there. We found stick deodorant along with roll on but were surprised how expensive it was at 14 euros.

[@bertieferreira]

Steak and cheese, yummy 😋

[@user-km1lw3zn6z]

do they have Publix in Porto? im asking for one of my friends

[@cristinadias5145]

We have the most elthy food of the wold mediterranea and biologic

[@jennifermello8063]

I think the influx of Americans has definitely affected the cost of housing. They may be a smaller percentage compared to other nationalities but those nationalities are coming from countries whose rents are comparable to Portugal versus Americans who were escaping super high cost of rents and were able to pay a bit more than what was a few years ago a much lower cost. Now rents in the major cities in Portugal cost just as much as the USA.

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

Hi Jennifer, the facts just don't bare that out. Non-Americans moving here are also affluent. We know of several Ukrainians that have moved into apartments and outbid other nationalities. Also, wealthy Brazilians that are leaving for safety reasons are also willing to pay higher rents. It really isn't just Americans. Nearly everyone seems to be willing to pay these rents and there are very few listings month on month. - Josh & Kalie

[@jennifermello8063]

@@ExpatsEverywhere according to data from idealista the highest demand comes from Americans, Brazilians, and third Spaniards. I hope things improve there's a major housing crisis for the Portuguese.

[@sagmahi]

OMG....the food options alone in most of the US make me want to run away. 🤣 And if you want to be somewhat healthy, shopping at the local farmer's market here in CA is rather expensive. I'm missing the market at the Bolhão train station. And lastly, the GS 'Samoas' are the best, 😉the 'thin mints' used to be, but they're too dry and yeah, they are smaller and more spendy.

[@layla8647]

Haley and Josh, guys in Oakland couple months ago, I paid $9:50 for a dozen eggs 🥚in Whole Foods 😳!

[@veronicadcf]

Guys, have you tried NATIVE (deodorant)?

[@dennytaylor1005]

Thank you for this ... it was a good watch. I'm looking forward to your update on costs video that will come out. I do have a question if you have time - I heard about the recent protests in Portugal (due to high housing costs and low wages). That being said, have you noticed if expats are getting push back from those who are from Portugal?

[@mariam.3224]

They are not... Protests are against the lack of action from the government concerning affordable housing construction and not against Americans or other nationalities. Here, we usually are welcoming people.

[@dennytaylor1005]

@@mariam.3224 Thank you. I am glad to hear that strife between native residents and non-native residents are not an issue. As my wife and I explore moving abroad, we not only want to have a good experience where we eventually relocate to, but to hopefully not adversely affect the area we move to (the economy, environment, etc.)

[@REASONFORTRUTH]

Is life more simple and have you learned to love that or not so much?

[@lxportugal9343]

there are spray deodorant in Portugal too you know? :)

[@valsummerfield3069]

I know the tip is thing is crazy and it blows my mind and I'm American born and raised. Sigh. Its getting worse. Good video guys!!!

[@hankryan8164]

Hola Torito in Olhao. First rate Mexican food and reasonable.

[@scottf6871]

I’ve been in Portugal for over two years. I’m moving back to the US . I feel the quality of construction of homes for the prices is not worth it . Also the food diversity is lacking.

[@hi-te9bl]

I can I agree with you about the houses, but from a American prospective the house in USA is not that great either even they are warm but quality also very poorly, about food that's is relative.

[@paulrumohr]

So, Josh, are you sure you know how to read high fructose corn syrup in Portuguese? 🤣

[@kevins6114]

Bristol, VA or TN?

[@ExpatsEverywhere]

It's basically the same. :-) - Josh & Kalie

[@kevins6114]

@@ExpatsEverywhere ha. I’m from central Virginia. Just curious.

[@kmgameiro3036]

portuguese people go to the usa and keep eating the same like they eat in portugal and cook every day

[@roselee4445]

Cough.... covid?

[@JurassicB8245]

Americans are welcome - there arent there many around, and you are welcome. Note that you are easy to spot, you talk reaaaaalllyy LOUUUUUD!!

[@user-lv3cy6gt6x]

Portugal aquecimento so em apartamentos novos todos têm. Antigos so aquecedores ou lareiras ou sexo que é a melhor maneira😂

[@amarie3309]

Tipping at Starbucks Coffee $2.86. $1.00 tip is 35%. Tipped .50. She yelled at me. Boycott starbucks

[@layla8647]

More like BOYCAT “TIPPING” altogether. It’s the Employers JOB to pay them livable wage. STOP PASSING THE COST TO US 🙄

[@leslieannehill6880]

Eggs in Colorado jumped to $7/dozen! And that was not for emancipated, vegan, politically correct eggs.

[@quincybas20]

I think you burn through socks because you’re walking everywhere instead of driving in Portugal? 😂

[@lxportugal9343]

36:35 You and Brits ãh? :):):):):):):):):):):):) hehehehehe It's like us and Brazilians.....but I kind of suspect our love-hate relationship is more intense than yours

[@williamgautreaux5545]

Tipping culture in the US is totally out of control. Everyone wants a tip for just doing their job. 🙄🙄🙄

[@NeurodivergentGuy2023]

I think the word you are looking for is immigrants !

[@jjsc3334]

Can't stand Cali, average house cost one million, outrageous, I am moving out.

[@relicofgold]

Shopping is better in the states. Better variety. Snack foods are better. Good things. PT exercises you more, less car culture. Safer. But this is a 15-minute video......tops.......lots of repetition. I enjoy your videos, ty, but please be more concise/organized in your presentations and keep them to 15 minutes or less. Ty.

[@quincybas20]

This is a “live” video…so it isn’t edited down like their other videos. I thought this was one of the best “live” videos I’ve seen on KZbin.

[@relicofgold]

@@quincybas20 They need to have notes for concise answers.

[@nopunchespaul8169]

At least America has an alternative view ex fox news . In Europe all media is CNN left wing only. That's why they keep voting for Charles swab leadership graduates.