I'm glad Europe/Portugal has a good influence on people :) You know, like your Joanna, when I was young I wasn't too happy to live in Europe, but as I grew older I've come to realize I NEED this lifestyle, this sunshine, this diversity of cultures, this European culture... Europe is a lot of things, good and bad, but now I consider myself lucky I was born and raised here.
I lived in Costa Rica for a couple of years and it is definitely Pura Vida. I'm back in California and planning my next move - looking at Portugal and Spain (in the next year), for the exact reasons you've written.
I want a slower pace of life, more community, and unique experiences.
I'm from Northern California (born and raised), and while it will always hold a special place in my heart (most of my family is still here, although my kids are grown and in Southern California), I know I want something different.
I appreciate you sharing your experiences, it gets me even more excited for this next chapter.
Well put, exactly how I feel. Portugal does have at least a couple stressed-out career-focused people, though, as I learned working with Portuguese lawyers to get my citizenship there (although they're mostly interacting with Americans so maybe that's why...). Also I loved the Miss America story! Very emblematic. My years at USC were some of the most stressful of my life, because of all the competitiveness around money and careers in the LA area. Good for you for finding a new home away from those kinds of values! Sorry that the circus school didn't work out though, as you posted in the last one.
Great article. We live in the US (Although have lived aboard) and are always reassessing our decision and looking at possibly moving. It's interesting that so many of the things people in America assume are normal are simply not normal in other places!
That is SUCH a great point about how the numerous parades and other celebrations bring the community together. Festivals abroad are one of my favorite things to do and now I understand a bit better why!
I’ve been working on a piece about the word “calma” and how much I love it. I marvel at the patience here and I’m still learning how to not feel like I need to rush through everything I do.
Yep. I've left the U.S. and plan to never move back know. Though I'm in a county now that I know is not a long-term fit for me (but afforded me the ability to easily move to Europe), I'm looking into where I want to land next. Portugal is definitely on my radar. I enjoy reading about your experiences and often find myself nodding my head in agreement with what you've written. It does take time to unlearn what we've learned over decades of living in the U.S.
I'm glad Europe/Portugal has a good influence on people :) You know, like your Joanna, when I was young I wasn't too happy to live in Europe, but as I grew older I've come to realize I NEED this lifestyle, this sunshine, this diversity of cultures, this European culture... Europe is a lot of things, good and bad, but now I consider myself lucky I was born and raised here.
Thanks for sharing, Kimberly,
I lived in Costa Rica for a couple of years and it is definitely Pura Vida. I'm back in California and planning my next move - looking at Portugal and Spain (in the next year), for the exact reasons you've written.
I want a slower pace of life, more community, and unique experiences.
I'm from Northern California (born and raised), and while it will always hold a special place in my heart (most of my family is still here, although my kids are grown and in Southern California), I know I want something different.
I appreciate you sharing your experiences, it gets me even more excited for this next chapter.
Well put, exactly how I feel. Portugal does have at least a couple stressed-out career-focused people, though, as I learned working with Portuguese lawyers to get my citizenship there (although they're mostly interacting with Americans so maybe that's why...). Also I loved the Miss America story! Very emblematic. My years at USC were some of the most stressful of my life, because of all the competitiveness around money and careers in the LA area. Good for you for finding a new home away from those kinds of values! Sorry that the circus school didn't work out though, as you posted in the last one.
Very well written, honestly hits home and I’m in the us
Great article. We live in the US (Although have lived aboard) and are always reassessing our decision and looking at possibly moving. It's interesting that so many of the things people in America assume are normal are simply not normal in other places!
That is SUCH a great point about how the numerous parades and other celebrations bring the community together. Festivals abroad are one of my favorite things to do and now I understand a bit better why!
I’ve been working on a piece about the word “calma” and how much I love it. I marvel at the patience here and I’m still learning how to not feel like I need to rush through everything I do.
Yep. I've left the U.S. and plan to never move back know. Though I'm in a county now that I know is not a long-term fit for me (but afforded me the ability to easily move to Europe), I'm looking into where I want to land next. Portugal is definitely on my radar. I enjoy reading about your experiences and often find myself nodding my head in agreement with what you've written. It does take time to unlearn what we've learned over decades of living in the U.S.
Thank you for the excellent article. It reminds me of my time living and staying in Southern France, Spain and Mexico.
Well written