A Look Back at My First Year in Portugal.

Arriving in Portugal and Letting the Fear Pass

It’s hard to believe that it’s already been a year since we arrived in Portugal. We worked so hard to make it happen, and the ever-present anxiety that tends to plague my life had me convinced something would go wrong right up until the minute we landed in Lisboa. Seriously, I was even convinced the plane would crash. My anxiety was that bad.

I was terrified the entire way that something would stop us from living out this dream. Thankfully, everything worked out.

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Taking the Leap Without a Safety Net

There was so much preparation involved in this move. Visas, finances, work, and of course, the mental side of it all. We basically jumped in headfirst with no backup plan. What if we hated it? What if we couldn’t find jobs? What if we couldn’t make friends or figure out how to truly assimilate? What if everything blew up in our faces?

It was terrifying. And yet, even with my extreme anxiety, I knew that no matter what happened, we would figure it out together.

Thankfully, I can happily say that things have pretty much worked out. Life in Portugal is just as great as I hoped it would be. We’ve made friends, attend community events, and genuinely enjoy our day-to-day life here. Sure, there have been challenges, but we’ve done alright navigating them.

What We Did in Our First Year in Portugal

Travel

We didn’t travel as much as we originally expected, but we still managed to see quite a bit. We explored many places around Portugal, visited several spots in Spain, and even made it to Paris. There’s still so much on our list, but we also really enjoy our day-to-day life in Tavira, which makes us less rushed to go everywhere all at once.

Work

Work-wise, I had no idea what I would do after leaving the casino industry. After 14 years, it’s hard to imagine what comes next. I searched for jobs in a lot of different places before starting this blog on a random suggestion from a friend, and I’ve genuinely enjoyed it so far. It’s been much more work and more challenging than I expected, but it’s also been a great learning experience. It gives me a reason to travel more, attend events, and push myself out of my comfort zone.

My husband started learning computer science shortly after we moved and is now working in a field he’s really excited about and genuinely loves.

We also created our coloring book, which was such a fun project!

Friends and Social Life

We’ve made so many friends and stay busy doing things with them. There are always social events, meetups, or plans on the calendar, and it’s been one of the best parts of our life here.

Adjusting to Life in Portugal

Adjusting to a new country comes with its challenges. There’s a lot to learn and adapt to, and it hasn’t always been easy. Learning the language can feel especially tough. Some days I feel like I’m doing okay, and other days I feel completely lost.

Adapting to the culture has been an adjustment, too. Life here is more relaxed. Need a repair done in your apartment? Maybe the repair person will come next week. Or maybe everything is closed because it’s Monday or just lunchtime. Life isn’t always go go go here, and we’ve learned to enjoy that slower pace and appreciate our time more.

Looking Back, Moving Forward

What We Left Behind in the United States

It was incredibly hard to leave behind the life we built in Las Vegas, but every single day I’m grateful that we did. We left a lot in the States. Friends. Family. Careers. A home. A place we knew inside and out. Comfort.

What We Gained by Moving to Portugal

We gained so much by leaving. A sense of safety. Far less political chaos. A chosen family that welcomed us with open arms. A better quality of life. Better health. And the huge peace of mind of knowing that if something bad happens, we won’t go broke over medical bills. That alone feels priceless.

Personal Growth After Moving Abroad

On a personal level, I’ve learned to put myself out there more. That was always hard for me, and honestly kind of terrifying. But amazing things happen when you do. You never know who you’ll meet or what kind of friendships are waiting if you don’t at least try.

Travel and Adventure After Moving to Portugal

I feel freer to explore now. My sense of adventure has grown because so many incredible places are closer and more accessible from here. I’ve always believed the world is too big to stay in one place forever, and living in Portugal has only reinforced that. There’s so much to see and experience, and I can’t wait to keep going.

What Surprised Me Most About Our First Year in Portugal

How fast “normal life” came back

You expect constant wow moments, but instead you’re grocery shopping, complaining about weather, and arguing about dinner like anywhere else. That’s not a bad thing. It’s when you realize you actually live here.

How slow doesn’t mean lazy

Things take longer. Repairs, paperwork, answers. At first, it’s frustrating, then you realize your nervous system is unclenching. Life isn’t always urgent here.

How exhausting the mental load can be

New language, new systems, new rules. Even small tasks take more brain power. It’s not obvious from the outside, but it’s real.

How much safer you feel overall

Not just physically, but mentally. Less background stress. Less political noise. Less constant tension. You don’t realize how heavy that was until it’s gone.

How travel became easier and more normal

Places that once felt “someday” suddenly feel doable. Weekend trips. Cheap flights. The world feels smaller in a good way.

Things That Used to Feel Important Just… Don’t

The things that once felt non-negotiable don’t really matter anymore. That favorite brand of cereal you swore you couldn’t live without probably doesn’t exist here, and somehow, you survive. Having a nice, new car? It will get scratched. Guaranteed. And honestly, it’s way easier to park a tiny Smart car half on a sidewalk than stress about keeping something pristine.

The constant chase for newer, nicer, better stuff has faded into the background. Life feels more about time, people, and experiences now, not things. That shift alone has made everything feel lighter, calmer, and a lot more intentional.

If You’re Thinking About It, This Is Your Sign

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. If you’ve ever thought about making a big, exciting change, do it. There is almost always a way to make it happen. It won’t be easy. It will be really fucking hard at times. But the experience is worth it.

A year later, I’d make the same choice again without hesitation

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