Why we left the Rat Race and moved to Portugal...Our Story

Are you tired of the daily grind and dreaming of a fresh start in 2025? In this video, we share why we quit the rat race and moved to Portugal, transforming our lives in the process.
What you’ll see in this video:
Why we HAD to leave the Rat Race (Gen X burnout)
How/why we chose Portugal as our new home
Details of the plan we created to change our life
Some of the 'bumps' in the road
Welcome to Change of Plan!
We’re documenting our journey of leaving our jobs, moving to Portugal, transforming our lives, chasing our dreams, and living a life on our terms. Join us for tips, inspiration, and behind-the-scenes moments as we embrace this new adventure.
🌟 Let’s connect:
Instagram: @changeofplantravel
Facebook: @changeofplantravel
Website: www.changeofplan.co.uk
Contact us: [e-mail]
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an update on our journey!
#ChangeOfPlan #MovingToPortugal #QuitTheRatRace #LifeInPortugal #LifeTransformation #Over50Lifestyle

[@Nita-z7y]

Thanks again. We’re really enjoying hearing about your adventures.

[@melissapereira9879]

So glad i found this channel. Fun, free spirited couple. Since 2019 ive stopped spending extravagantly too. Stopped drinking & no TV..just studied. Live simple, eat healthy, exercise - long walk in the woods with my dog 🐕 ❤

[@changeofplan1]

Bless you, thankyou for following our journey! Well done to your life change as well!

[@barryricho]

Really enjoyed hearing your story. Sometimes the KZbin algorithm brings up a gem, glad I “stumbled” upon your channel. You both are such polished presenters and I look forward to watching your journey unfold. 👏

[@changeofplan1]

Thankyou so much - we are not sure about the polished! 😂

[@ACottageGirl]

Well that was a delight! I'm always so impressed with folks who follow their dreams, even with bumps along the journey. Glad to know Gary is well again, and looking forward to more of the story. PS> 2 of my girls are traveling to Portugal with a group of their booktube followers this year.

[@changeofplan1]

Ahh thankyou Cindy we really appreciate you watching! 🙏 if your girls need any tips let us know! 🥰

[@angiegouveia628]

Loving hearing your story and the fact you have changed your lives. Look forward to seeing more. We are moving to Madeira next year and cant wait. Im 63 and want to try to have a healthier retirement.

[@changeofplan1]

@@angiegouveia628 Thankyou so much! We can’t wait to visit Madeira. It looks amazing and the air will be so clean.

[@angiegouveia628]

@changeofplan1 yes Madeira is fabulous. We also want to travel around mainland Portugal which looks beautiful with lots to explore. I've been to Lisbon and Porto which I love to visit but wouldn't want to live there. My husband has a Portuguese passport so makes it easier for me to move to Madeira since Brexit. He is originally from Madeira.

[@jenniferwithey6443]

American Gen Xer here. Hoping can make the move before retirement age. Thank you for sharing how you guys did it.

[@changeofplan1]

@@jenniferwithey6443 you can do it and don’t believe all the hype about how much money you need!

[@lesleysmith8300]

I have been holidaying in Portugal since 2009 and love it. I'm now in a position to retire there. I hope l can pull it off. I am a retiree. All l need to do is sell up and start applying. Obviously l need to marry it all in the right order. I prefer to buy something so l don't need to rent. I have been doing my research and listening to videos that have network contacts to help if l need it. I have even been learning three language for sometime now and can get by. Fingers crossed.😂

[@changeofplan1]

@@lesleysmith8300 of course you can pull it off! Fantastic work on the language - well done!

[@HughMor-o7v]

Well done Gary & Shelley, right to be pleased on the rat race exit! 😊

[@changeofplan1]

Thank you ... definitely one of our biggest achievement escaping that !

[@Blakely-Anderson]

Well done guys I think you will inspire a lot of people to change their lifestyle 👍🏻

[@R1chiesART]

Wow!. What are the chances of coming across your channel at this moment in time?. I have the same dream, moving to Central Portugal, slightly to the North, possibly Fondao region or around there after getting the bug a couple of years ago. Unfortunately I too got diagnosed with the Big 'C' a year ago as I got skin cancer in my neck, shoulders and left hand. Six lots of surgery later. Fortunately, Like Gary, I just got the all clear on the 22nd January this year, a day after my birthday. I have 5 years remission now but I am going to make the dream a reality before that. At 62, I don't have much time!. Lol. I to can laugh about it and breathe a sigh of relief. All the best guys for the future.

[@changeofplan1]

(Gary here) It seems we are in the same metaphorical boat. The big ‘C’ certainly focuses the mind and I am happy that you’ve been able to move past it 😊 We would certainly recommend you exploring more of the central regions … it has so much to offer. As for age, yes, why wait until we are too old and frail to enjoy … you are too far from us at 62 with hopefully many healthy years ahead ! Thank you for sharing and commenting 😊

[@jenniferwithey6443]

Glad to hear you are in remission. None of us are promised tomorrow- go enjoy your dreams!

[@PaulaTrevaskis]

Really interesting hearing your story. Looking forward to the next one. Full of admiration for you both for making it happen, and facing into the challenges along the way.

[@changeofplan1]

Ah thanks Paula, we’ve been inspired by your journey as well ! Xx

[@Carpe-Diem]

Great video. Your back story resonated. Very similar to ours, but it was Brexit that expedited our plans, we wanted to get over before that all made moving more difficult. We have spent a fair bit of time near Mortagua and Santa Comba Dão. It was lovely, but there was too much eucalyptus for us. Covid affected us a lot too, as we were selling our house during the pandemic and took a hit on our sale price. But OMG we love it now and know we made the right decision!

[@changeofplan1]

Yes Covid sure did through a spanner in many works! Where did you end up?

[@changeofplan1]

Just saw your channel will take a squiz! Your house looks amazing!

[@Carpe-Diem]

@@changeofplan1 we are in the Parque natural near Porto de Mos

[@trevorhinchliffe2195]

Hi guys . Thanks for the channel. We are in the process of finding / buying a property in Portugal. Some ideas for future videos : Registering for tax number , doctors … anything else you need to do regarding living in the country. Buying a house : estate agents , solicitors , notary etc . Any problems you experienced . Good look with the channel Trev

[@changeofplan1]

Thanks Trev and good luck with your search! We are doing the buying a house process shortly - stay tuned!

[@DarrelPemberton]

Interesting and inspirational video guys. Looking forward to more episodes🙂

[@changeofplan1]

Thanks Darrel, been 4 years in the making this video...onto the next, thanks and welcome aboard !

[@emilybelkina5071]

You are both so nice 😊 love your British English 😁

[@changeofplan1]

Thank you Emily 😊😊

[@ruthjarvis1933]

Hi! Just so you know, Leiria is pronounced Lay-ria. I hope you enjoy your life in Portugal.

[@changeofplan1]

Oh thank you!

[@robertcsiki401]

Well done guys 👍when did you buy that beautiful country house and what was the price? Also I am curious what was the initial idea of the campervan, as you mentioned the van conversion ended up quite differently than originally planned. Cheers! ✌️🫶

[@changeofplan1]

We purchased in 2021, price we will reserve for the moment as we possibly have some content to come on that. The van, it was more how we would use it that changed rather than the van itself … although the design changed on a daily basis 😂

[@robertcsiki401]

@ Got it, thank you! Back then it was still a good time to buy, unlike now 😹😹 crazy!

[@robertcsiki401]

What were your “rat race” professions back in UK? 😊

[@changeofplan1]

Thanks Robert, property management, project management for blue chips. Lots of stress 😬

[@robertcsiki401]

@@changeofplan1 Indeed! 😫😫

[@carlosvictor8679]

lol...thousands of imigrants in central portugal?!