Moving Abroad To Europe
Three years ago, we embarked on a journey that would change our lives in ways we could never have imagined. Moving from the heart of the Midwest in the USA to a small, picturesque island in Portugal, we weren’t running away from anything; instead, we were running towards a dream, a new chapter filled with adventure, discovery, and the kind of peace that comes from living a life true to oneself.
Alan and I, Leslie, were looking for the perfect place to create our next adventure. For Alan, it was about finding a place to retire—a place where he could spend the rest of his life walking in the woods, sitting by the ocean, driving on winding mountain roads, making new friends, and savoring a coffee while watching the world go by. This tourist island, with its stunning landscapes and vibrant community, seemed to tick all the boxes. We moved to Europe and landed on the island of Madeira.
For me, Leslie, the dream was a little different. I wanted a place with no spiders (which, as it turns out, wasn’t entirely possible). But more than that, I craved great weather—not too hot, because the heat saps the joy out of life for me. I wanted to travel across Europe, exploring beautiful gardens, discovering new places, visiting historical sites, and immersing myself in the culinary delights of different cultures. Here in Portugal, I’ve found all of that and more. We've discovered local wineries, explored neighboring islands, and even started planning month-long stays in other countries—something we never thought possible on our budget.
One of our key goals was to own our home outright. We wanted the peace of mind that comes with knowing that, even if all we had left to live on was our Social Security, we’d have a roof over our heads. But here’s the thing—while we had a clear vision of what we were running towards, we never saw our move as an escape from the USA. For us, it was always about running towards new, wonderful adventures, not away from anything else. Are you dreaming of your own adventure abroad? Our "It'll Be Fun Moving Abroad" program is designed to guide you every step of the way, covering everything from A to Z. Start your journey with us today and discover how exciting life overseas can be!
Since moving abroad, we’ve noticed that many people are curious about our motivations. More often than not, conversations turn to politics, especially the state of affairs in the United States. It’s understandable—there’s a lot going on, and people naturally want to discuss it. But for us, politics wasn’t a driving force behind our decision to move. We certainly follow U.S. politics, stay informed on the issues, and know exactly where we stand on various topics. But our move was motivated by a desire for adventure, not a reaction to political turmoil.
And those adventures haven’t come without effort. We’re not afraid of hard work. Our YouTube channel, supported by our Patreon community, helps fund the videos, subscriptions, and equipment we need to document and share our journey. Plus, our long-standing investment habits, dating back to when Wolf was 16, provide additional security and help us save for the future. Just in case you didn'tknow Wolf is finishing up his new channel, which will launch soon. We hope you will give him your support.
As we navigate this journey, we’re constantly reminded of how much there is to explore. Every day brings new experiences, new people, and new reasons to be grateful for this life we’ve chosen. We’ve learned that people move abroad for all sorts of reasons—adventure, new experiences, financial security, even political considerations. But for us, the motivation was clear: adventure on a budget.
This life we’re building here in Portugal is everything we dreamed it would be. It’s a testament to what’s possible when you set out not just to escape, but to explore, to embrace the unknown, and to create a life that feels like a true adventure. We hope our story inspires you to pursue your own dreams, whatever they may be, and to find your own adventure—whether it’s in a far-off land or right in your own backyard.
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