Bom dia! We're here to share our story with you today. Have you ever found yourself thinking, "I can't do this," or blaming circumstances for why you can't achieve something? We certainly have. But we decided to take action and change our situation.

One of our biggest concerns was not having enough for a comfortable retirement. After months and years of searching, we finally discovered how to create the retirement or semi-retirement we had always dreamed of. And we want to talk about it.
We hope our journey can inspire and assist you as you navigate your own path. It's going to be fun—Vai ser divertido!
For years, we worked, spent money, and saved money, living the American dream. But as my full retirement age of 66 and 2 months approached, the numbers clearly indicated that we needed to find a different way or be stuck working indefinitely.
We lived in a beautiful area outside Chicago, in our dream house, in the perfect town near the lake. Life was good. However, we couldn't afford to stay there unless we continued working. Our property taxes alone were sky-high, reaching around $12,000 per year. Just maintaining major medical healthcare coverage for Leslie cost us hundreds of dollars each month. Major medical coverage in the US only provides some protection if you end up in the hospital, and you might still face overwhelming medical bills.
There was a nine-year age difference between Leslie and me. If she worked until her full retirement age of 67 and 3 months, I would be 76 before we could even start living our dreams. That meant our plans of being active hikers in some beautiful location would be out of the question.
Being not particularly wealthy, our main challenge was to figure out how to reimagine our dream and find a more cost-effective way to live. Like most Americans, we began researching various areas within the US that would fit our requirements.

We were looking for a place with a lower cost of living, where we could still enjoy a good quality of life, engage in outdoor adventures, access affordable healthcare, and be surrounded by welcoming people. Additionally, we wanted a place that catered to retirees. From the moment I met Leslie, she had always dreamed of retiring in the Smoky Mountains. It's a stunningly beautiful area with mostly favorable weather (except for the hot summers), great hiking opportunities, and decent infrastructure. However, if we wanted to enjoy the breathtaking views, we would need a considerable amount of money for purchasing property. We didn't want to end up house poor as we grew older. Moreover, finding employment in that region wasn't easy, and the pay wasn't great.
We also explored traditional retirement destinations in the US, such as Arizona, Florida, and even fantasized about Hawaii. We even considered non-traditional places like Arkansas, which has beautiful outdoor areas but wasn't the right fit for us due to the intense heat.
It's evident that neither extreme heat nor shoveling snow were on our list of desires. We knew we had to find an affordable place and establish an additional income stream. We were aware that Leslie would never fully retire—she loves working and, occasionally, telling me what to do (although I must apologize for my joking comment earlier).
So, we began working on building additional income streams while simultaneously searching for the perfect destination. Along our journey, a friend suggested that we explore overseas options, and that sparked an idea in our minds.
Our quest took us to Ireland, a country we fell in love with but couldn't afford and couldn't obtain a visa for. We also considered the Isle of Man, an unusual yet dreamy location. However, affordability and visa restrictions posed challenges there as well.
Eventually, we turned our attention back to the Americas. We
considered Ecuador, a stunning country with a lower cost of living than our current location, access to both the ocean and mountains, and the use of the US dollar. Ecuador also offered affordable medical care and various visa options. However, the developing infrastructure and hot weather, accompanied by large bugs, made it less appealing to us.
Costa Rica captured Leslie's interest, as it boasted a great cost of living, suitable visa options, better infrastructure than Ecuador, access to both the ocean and mountains, and affordable healthcare. It even served as a medical destination with direct flights back to the US. Although many of our requirements were met, it was overshadowed by our next option—Spain.
We fell in love with Malaga, Spain. Its mesmerizing ocean views, beauty, welcoming people, delectable cuisine, and excellent wine captured our hearts. The country offered healthcare ranked at number 8 globally, which we could access once we became permanent residents (a process that takes five years). Spain provided good visa options, an affordable cost of living, and direct flights back to the USA. It seemed perfect.
But then we discovered Portugal! It fulfilled all the criteria we were looking for—oceans, mountains, friendly people, incredible food, fantastic healthcare, and an affordable cost of living. Portugal offered a range of straightforward visa options for those seeking to start a new life in the country. We explored Lisbon, Porto, and the surrounding areas, all of which presented wonderful reasons to settle down and embark on a new adventure.
However, our love for Madeira existed even before we laid eyes on it.

We want to encourage you to explore multiple areas to find your perfect place. You don't have to stay where you are forever. With some research and planning, you can discover a way to retire or semi-retire and live the life you've always dreamed of.
We hope that our journey and experiences have inspired you to consider new possibilities and explore different options for your own life. Remember, it's never too late to make a change and pursue your dreams.
Whether you're seeking a more affordable cost of living, a vibrant community, access to nature, or better healthcare options, there are places out there that can offer what you desire. It may take some time, research, and planning, but the rewards can be incredible.
As we continue our adventure in Portugal, we are grateful for the beautiful surroundings, the warmth of the people, and the opportunities for personal growth and fulfillment. We feel truly blessed to have found a place that aligns with our dreams and allows us to create the retirement we always envisioned.
So, don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and explore the world. Embrace the unknown, chase your passions, and create a life that brings you joy and contentment. The possibilities are endless if you're willing to take that first step.
Thank you for joining us on this journey, and we wish you the very best in finding your own perfect place and living the life you've always dreamed of. Remember, the adventure awaits!
And if you'd like to learn more about our experiences and the cost of living in Portugal, please check out our "Cost of Living" video linked below. Happy exploring!
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