Exploring Portugal as One of Our Long-Term Residences

For a while now, my husband and I have been spinning the globe, looking for places that felt right. Not just for us, but for our entire, oversized fur family. We have three large dogs, and finding home bases that welcome all five of us has been the number one priority. After endless research, spreadsheets, and late-night talks, we've added Portugal to our list. 

Currently our list contains the USA, Japan, Germany, now Portugal

I should rearrange it by priority: USA, Portugal, Japan, Germany

Main reasons Portugal made it to the top 2:

The (Much) Lower Cost of Living

Let's start with the most practical reason: our money will simply go further. We're coming from a place where a high cost of living is the norm, and the idea of easing that financial pressure without sacrificing quality of life is a massive draw. Less money to spend = more money to invest. Keep compounding.

From groceries to dining out and housing, the numbers just make sense. I don't cook, so eating out more often in local restaurants wouldn't break the bank. I do enjoy making simple dishes like salads and air-fried foods, and those are pretty cheap at grocery stores. Since we have 3 large dogs, we have to rent a bigger place, and we also have to pay more, but even with that said, we found plenty of apartments/Airbnbs ranging from $1200-$1400 (the low end of what is acceptable), $2000-$2500 (for average to slightly above average), and $3500+ (for really nice ones). Given, those prices will increase since this writing, because more and more people are moving there. However, the point is that your income should be increasing at least at the same rate as these prices, if not faster. Also, keep in mind that those are base expenses, and utilities may be charged separately.

We only explored two cities for residences: Porto and Lisbon

Porto generally offers cheaper prices for the same accommodations, but we prefer Lisbon for now since it has more density, meaning more things to do, places are open later, more restaurants (food yum!), and just a better fit for us for now. Later on, if we change our minds and want somewhere more intimate and quieter, then Porto will be great. 

The areas we would be staying in are not downtown (too stimulating for us). We found good places up north, modern and with more space to accommodate our dogs.

The goal is to be able to afford a comfortable home with space for our dogs, enjoy the local culture, and still build our savings. Portugal offers us a realistic path to do just that.

A Truly Dog-Friendly Culture

This was the make-or-break point for us. Moving with one dog is a challenge; moving with three large ones is a military operation. What we found in our research is that Portugal is remarkably dog-friendly.

It’s not just about rules; it's about the atmosphere. You see dogs everywhere—lounging at their owners' feet at outdoor cafés, walking in the beautiful city parks, and enjoying the coastal trails. 

Of course, we're realistic. We know that finding a rental property that will accept three large dogs will be our biggest hurdle. We're also prepared for the logistics, like ensuring our dogs are muzzled on public transport (a standard rule for larger breeds) and checking which beaches are dog-friendly during which seasons. But the fact that the general culture views dogs as part of the family, rather than a nuisance, makes all the difference. Realistically, we will use a private transportation to move the dogs if needed and public transport is a last resort.

The People Are Genuinely Kind

Every story you hear from expats and every travel blog we've read circles back to the same point: the Portuguese people are incredibly warm, welcoming, and patient. This kindness is extended to foreigners, even those fumbling through their first bom dia (good morning). I was so surprised. I actually wasn't expecting this at all, because my only interaction with Portugal was flying their national airline, TAP Portugal, and the onboard staff aren't that friendly. This culture of friendliness is literally what sealed the deal for us. 

I studied Portuguese through Duolingo and Rosetta Stone prior to visiting Portugal. Unfortunately, they do not have Portugal Portuguese; they only teach Brazilian Portuguese, which is not the same. However, the Portuguese people were kind enough to correct me (they were actually really nice about it). I told them the unfortunate situation, and one even told me that nowadays they are being told to switch some words to Brazilian as well.

For us, moving isn't just about the place; it's about the community. The idea of living in a country known for its kind-hearted and family-oriented people makes the entire leap feel less like a jump into the unknown and more like a step toward a welcoming community. 

The Amazing (and Diverse!) Food Scene

We are huge foodies, and this is where Portugal nailed it. First, you have the incredible traditional Portuguese food: fresh-off-the-boat seafood, the famous bacalhau (cod) prepared in a hundred different ways, slow-cooked meats, and, of course, the irresistible pastéis de nata (custard tarts).

But it’s not just Portuguese food. In cities like Lisbon and Porto, the food scene is exploding with international diversity. You can find everything: high-end sushi, authentic Italian, spicy pan-Asian, Brazilian, and more. Places like the TimeOut Market in Lisbon are a testament to this, with dozens of stalls offering world-class dishes from all over the globe. (This is a famous one, but trust me, it is far from being the best). We love the idea of being able to eat a traditional Portuguese dinner one night and try a new, innovative international dish the next.

I love seafood, and there are mercados everywhere that sell fresh seafood, and you can order and eat it there or take it home. I also love Japanese food, and I was shocked to find so many Japanese restaurants in Lisbon. I have to admit that we prefer the food scene in Lisbon over Porto just because of the high density (remember, I don't cook), but Porto also has some great food. 

It’s Easy to Communicate

While we are fully committed to learning Portuguese, the transition will be infinitely easier because so many people speak English in major cities and coastal areas. Portugal consistently ranks as one of the top countries in the world for English proficiency. 

On top of that, Spanish is widely understood, even if it's not spoken fluently by everyone. This linguistic flexibility removes a huge layer of stress and makes the country feel incredibly accessible from day one.

So the adventure continues...

More time for financial compounding, in a beautiful country, with kind people, amazing food, and a genuine love for our four-legged family members.