Portugal Junkies Podcast - podcast cover

Portugal Junkies Podcast

Meredith + Mark in Portugalportugaljunkies.substack.com
We are Meredith + Mark and we just said goodbye to the traditional “American dream” in Charlotte, NC to instead experience a life of adventure NOW in Portugal. It’s been a wild and glorious ride, full of ups + downs + change + discomfort - but man are we glad we did it and are excited to share ALL of it right here. If you’ve ever considered moving abroad, we hope hearing about our journey will help you too. And if you’re considering moving to or traveling in Portugal, stayed tuned for more content about our move, the visa process, Portuguese culture, destinations + travel tips!

portugaljunkies.substack.com

Episodes

Episode 34: Culture Shocks in The USA - Part 2 (37:15)

Mark + I continue our conversation and download of the big culture shocks we experienced over the break in the USA and what life looks like 15 months after moving abroad to Portugal. Key Resources: www.stan.store/portugaljunkies To hear more, visit portugaljunkies.substack.com

Mar 28, 202537 minTranscript available on Metacast

Episode 33: Culture Shocks In The USA - Part 1 (45:53)

Mark + I talk through the big culture shocks we experienced over the break in the USA and what life looks like 15 months after moving abroad to Portugal. Key Resources: www.stan.store/portugaljunkies Portugal Junkies Substack brings you content about moving to + traveling in Portugal from peeps who actually did it! Subscribe for free to receive new posts, blogs + podcast alerts! To hear more, visit portugaljunkies.substack.com...

Mar 21, 202546 minTranscript available on Metacast

Believe You Can: Your Moving Abroad Resources for 2025 (39:16)

In our last episode of 2024, we celebrate some big milestones with the podcast + leave listeners with key resources to tune into during the holidays to usher you into a 2025 that may include a move abroad! Hint: Half of the battle is just believing that your dream of leaving the USA + moving abroad can actually be accomplished. Key Resources: https://stan.store/portugaljunkies...

Dec 13, 202439 minTranscript available on Metacast

Reality Bites: Going Home For The Holidays (25:03)

We are heading to the UK + USA for the holidays in a few short days and are both feeling a lot of feelings. We talk through our emotions around this, our anxiety about traveling to the USA post-election + the realities of things we sacrifice around the holidays since we moved abroad. Key Resources: https://stan.store/portugaljunkies

Dec 06, 202425 minTranscript available on Metacast

You Asked, We Answered FAQs (34:47)

You all had so many questions over the past couple of weeks, so this episode is dedicated to answering a few of them! Here's a few we talk about in this episode: - Did your relationship change when you moved abroad? - How do you manage and continue to grow your relationships at home? - Do you have any regrets one year later? Find more key (and some FREE!) resources on our website at https://www.portugaljunkies.com + on our Stan Store at https://stan.store/portugaljunkies Give us a review + comme...

Nov 29, 202435 minTranscript available on Metacast

An Inside Look At Our Actual Budget in Portugal (33:07)

So how much does it really cost to live in Portugal, you ask? We share everything here! We walk through our current budget line by line to give a realistic look at our financial impacts since moving abroad to Portugal. Something we forgot to mention here. Once we realized that our United Explorer Credit Card did not have international fees, we compared the conversion costs on the credit card versus when we move money over using Wise. They were almost identical - so we decided to operate like we ...

Nov 22, 202433 minTranscript available on Metacast

Start Your Move Abroad In Five Steps (49:10)

Did that "pipe dream" idea of moving abroad + leaving the USA get a lot more serious in the past week, post-election? We get it. We talk through the first five steps we recommend to get you on the path to moving abroad in the next 12 months. Research your top potential locations for affordability, safety + climate Choose your path: residency visas, 90/90/90/90 in and out of Schengen countries, or citizenship through heritage Work with a CPA + immigration attorney to review finances + prepare Mak...

Nov 15, 202449 minTranscript available on Metacast

A Message From Portugal Junkies Post-Election (9:32)

Like many people around the world this week, we are grieving the results of the 2024 election. This is a quick message from us in lieu of a full episode as we process like many of you are as well. If the results of this election are making you ask yourself what your next action steps are - and if those steps may include a move abroad or to Portugal, we have some great resources for you on our Stan Store. https://stan.store/portugaljunkies Take care of yourselves and we will be back next week....

Nov 08, 202410 minTranscript available on Metacast

Your NHR Update with Rui Borges, CPA (38:06)

Our local tax advisor, Rui Borges, joins us again on the podcast this week to provide updates on the latest and greatest about Portugal's NHR (Non Habitual Residence) tax benefit. The program has changed a lot recently with the implementation of a new government + Rui provides us with details about what's happening right now with NHR and what is on the horizon for those who may move from the US to Portugal in 2025. Rui has graciously offered our listeners a FREE consultation call AND a 20% disco...

Nov 01, 202438 minTranscript available on Metacast

From Van Life To Portugal: Meet Taylor + Mike (1:01:25)

Meet our friends Taylor + Mike, who moved to Portugal from the US on the D8 Digital Nomad Visa this past year. We chat with them about why they chose Portugal, their immigration experience, their biggest struggles so far + what kind of advice they have for others around successful assimilation into the Portuguese culture. Find them here: Roam Away From Home Website Live Music Threads...

Oct 25, 20241 hr 1 minTranscript available on Metacast

Next Stop - Friendships (38:31)

Episode Transcript We've been so social here in Tavira compared to our time in Porto. We talk about why that may be + what it takes to make meaningful friendships in mid life and also as immigrants to another country.

Oct 18, 202439 minTranscript available on Metacast

You Asked Us About Our Move To Tavira... (35:35)

Episode Transcript In this episode, we do some fielding of listener questions about our recent move to Tavira, including how we like our new apartment in the Algarve, if Tavira could be our "final stop," + more reflections on the devastation at home from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. To donate to Hurricane Helene relief, please visit: ⁠www.helenehelp.org...

Oct 11, 202436 minTranscript available on Metacast

Introducing Our New Home...Tavira, Portugal! (33:29)

Episode Transcription We bring you our first episode from our new home in the Algarve in Tavira, Portugal - home of some of the most beautiful beaches in the world! This starts another new journey for us in our Portugal adventure and we're excited to share with you about our move + some cool things we've learned already about our new city. To donate to Hurricane Helene relief, please visit: www.helenehelp.org...

Oct 04, 202434 minTranscript available on Metacast

What Porto Has Taught Us (Before We Leave Her) (30:23)

In our last podcast from Porto before we move to Tavira, Mark + I talk about the most important lessons that Porto has taught us and what we will take with us on our next stop of our Portuguese adventure.

Sep 27, 202430 minTranscript available on Metacast

Our Peaks + Pits Of Porto (41:54)

As our final days in Porto arrive before we move to Tavira in the Algarve, Mark + I take the time to reflect on the highs and lows (or peaks and pits) of our 10 months here in Porto, Portugal.

Sep 20, 202442 minTranscript available on Metacast

Trust Us - You WILL Adapt When You Move Abroad (38:15)

In our last couple of weeks in Porto before we move to Tavira, Mark + I reflect on the ways we have adapted in the 10 months we've been in Portugal. If you're worried about change, don't be. YOU WILL ADAPT TO THINGS YOU NEVER IMAGINED YOU WOULD. We talk about some of these situations that seemed so hard to overcome in the beginning that now are like second nature to us.

Sep 13, 202438 minTranscript available on Metacast

You Asked, We Answered Q+A (43:31)

In this episode, we address the following listener questions...⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ How do grocery items differ? Are there non-dairy alternatives? Are there any items there but not in the USA? Best everyday place to eat in Porto? Is there a language barrier? How are you dealing with learning it? (or are you not learning Portuguese?) How much should a couple have to be able to retire and have a similar lifestyle as you? Helpful Links Local Grocery Store Continente: https://www.continente.pt/ Restaurant Recom...

Sep 06, 202444 minTranscript available on Metacast

Moving Abroad Without Your Adult Kids: Struggle Bus or Nah? (47:40)

Want to move to Portugal but hesitant to leave your adult children in the USA? In this episode, we chat with our friend Heather about her move to Portugal from Florida - and how she and her husband navigated this huge life change with adult children in college back in the US. You can find her on Tiktok as @mindfulmigrant - follow for more about her journey to Portugal!

Aug 30, 202448 minTranscript available on Metacast

Goodbye Porto, Hello Tavira (31:54)

Mark + I talk through why we are leaving Porto and moving to Tavira in a few short weeks, hoping that others who have aspirations of living in or moving to Portugal will get insight about Porto as a city in comparison to the small fishing village of Tavira in the Algarve. Join the waitlist for Portugal Junkies Community: https://www.portugaljunkiescommunity.com Need help building an itinerary for Portugal travel or a scouting trip? https://www.stan.store/portugaljunkies Learn More About Tavira: ...

Aug 23, 202432 minTranscript available on Metacast

Get Your Furbabies To Portugal - Part 2: Logistics (42:40)

In Part 2 of this big topic for all of us who are parents to furbabies, Mark + I talk more about the LOGISTICS of getting your pet to Portugal. We outline some of the top options for you to begin to explore based on your situation with your pets, like: On a plane, in the cabin with you On a plane, in the cargo Pet transportation services Private jets for animal transport Transatlantic cruise (yes, this is actually an option!) Key Links: USDA Website Pet Carrier We Used With United Airlines Free ...

Aug 16, 202443 minTranscript available on Metacast

Get Your Furbabies to Portugal - Part 1 (30:43)

In this first episode of a two-part series, we dive into the three main requirements in order to get your dog or cat to Portugal - microchip, rabies vaccination + USDA certified health exam. Key Resources: USDA Website Find a USDA Certified Vet Portugal Junkies FREE Pet Timeline...

Aug 09, 202431 minTranscript available on Metacast

Announcing…Portugal Junkies Community (2:06)

There’s a Portuguese word I adore… SAUDADE. There’s not a true + equal translation in English but the closest is what we call LONGING. A state of longing for something that is missing. So are you SAUDADE? Have you been considering moving abroad but just keep going back and forth, excited but scared to do it, wanting to jump + live out this dream but worried about details that you can’t even comprehend yet, desperately wanting a change but so overwhelmed with all the steps it would take to actual...

Aug 07, 20242 minTranscript available on Metacast

Taxes With Rui Borges - Part 1 (32:49)

Our personal tax advisor, Rui Borges, joins us for the first in a series of podcasts we will dedicate to the exciting topic of...TAXES. Rui is a Portuguese CPA with 20 years of experience, and the CEO and founder of GoalSeek, a young and dynamic tax firm. He has a background in Economics and holds a master's degree in Business Administration. GoalSeek conducted approximately 250 consulting sessions and filed taxes for over 320 clients last year! As our guest, Rui answers the following listen...

Aug 02, 202433 minTranscript available on Metacast

You Asked, We Answered Q+A (28:29)

Mark + I field questions from YOU ⬇️ ✔️Are there work opportunities there in Portugal and what do those look like? ✔️What has been your experience with healthcare + health insurance so far? ✔️ Are the locals really welcoming to you? Key Resources: Find out what visa is most appropriate for your situation by starting at VFS Global https://www.vfsglobal.com/en/individuals/index.html

Jul 26, 202428 minTranscript available on Metacast

Within Earshot (39:17)

After the recent events at Trump's rally in Pennsylvania, Mark + I discuss the impact of the American political turmoil on us after we have moved abroad to Portugal.

Jul 19, 202439 minTranscript available on Metacast

But WHERE to move in Portugal? (38:56)

So you think you may want to move to or retire in Portugal? The next question is likely.... BUT WHERE?! In this episode, Mark + I walk through our top criteria to consider when researching where is best for you to land in Portugal. Cost of living based on your goals Transportation + accessibility to airports Climate (north vs central vs south) Lifestyle + cultural desires Schools for the kiddos Emotional connection to a place Helpful Resources: Cost of Living Comparisons, city to city: NUMBEO ww...

Jul 12, 202439 minTranscript available on Metacast

Are YOU Ready To Move Abroad? (39:35)

It's becoming our mission to help our Portugal Junkies community figure out two things.... Are you ready to move abroad? And if so, is Portugal the right place for you? We talk through our top reasons we were ready to move from the USA to Portugal - and also the top reasons why moving abroad may not be your thing.

Jul 05, 202440 minTranscript available on Metacast

Love + Loss (32:01)

We experience our first loss while abroad and needed a great therapy session via this episode. The truth is, moving abroad comes with certain sacrifices, like not being near your family or friends when you (or they) experience loss. Loss is inevitable, but ironically, the very reason WHY we decided to quit our jobs, move to Portugal + focus on living for RIGHT NOW. Because y'all, we aren't guaranteed tomorrow.

Jun 28, 202432 minTranscript available on Metacast

D7 Visa Documents Deep Dive - Part 1 (45:06)

***NEW UPDATE AS OF DEC 2024*** FBI background checks need to be apostilled going forward. If you're looking to move to Portugal + need to know more about how to get here on the D7 retirement (or passive income) visa, look no further. As a follow up to our last episode overview, Mark + I go in depth on the actual application requirements one-by-one and give you some big picture perspective about WHY they are asking you for this stuff + how to best position yourself for an approval on your visa a...

Jun 24, 202444 minTranscript available on Metacast

D7 Visa Documents Deep Dive - Part 2 (26:24)

***NEW UPDATE AS OF DEC 2024*** FBI background checks need to be apostilled going forward. If you're looking to move to Portugal + need to know more about how to get here on the D7 retirement (or passive income) visa, look no further. As a follow up to our last episode overview, Mark + I go in depth on the actual application requirements one-by-one and give you some big picture perspective about WHY they are asking you for this stuff + how to best position yourself for an approval on your visa a...

Jun 24, 202426 minTranscript available on Metacast