My New Life in Porto: Why I Left California and Never Looked Back

Kimberly Anne in Porto
Kimberly Anne found balance, community, and joy in her new home, Porto.|©Kimberly Anne

I’d dreamed of leaving the U.S. for at least ten years before finally taking the solo leap into the great unknown—and landing in Portugal.

The impetus for moving came after working two full-time jobs for forty years, thriving on a go-go-go, do-do-do, drive-drive-drive mentality that propelled me forward in Northern California with little consideration for my health or well-being. Being stuck in the 24/7 hamster-wheel grind—and working to live instead of living to work—was all I knew. Perhaps my formative years growing up in Los Angeles shaped this workaholism and overachiever attitude.

Jon Kabat-Zinn’s quote, “Wherever you go, there you are,” held true for me. When I moved to San Francisco in the ’80s, I brought the frenetic pace with me.

I thought it was a good enough life. After twenty years in the city, I moved to a gorgeous area of Northern California, with hiking trails outside my front door. I loved my work as an acupuncturist and novelist. For fun and exercise, I was a trapeze artist, attending circus school in San Francisco. But I never felt like I was home, truly home.

Besides the relentless pace of my jobs, my community was lacking, my values were different, and important issues like preventive healthcare didn’t exist.

But most importantly, my heart was in Europe.

How I Chose Portugal

COVID and a painful breakup were my catalysts to finally go. After assessing my situation, I decided first to move into a van and travel through the United States for a year. I knew that once I moved to Europe, I might never have the chance to explore my own country, so that’s exactly what I did. It was an incredible experience, and I look back on it with utter fondness.

Since my first visit to Europe at age nine—thanks to my sister, who was already fluent in French by sixteen—I was in love. I worked all those long hours in the U.S. specifically to afford my yearly trips throughout Europe.

After ten years of researching possible destinations abroad, mostly by reading International Living articles, blog posts, and perusing digital nomad groups, I discovered Portugal. It was 2018, and I had planned a visit in 2020, plane tickets in hand. But when COVID-19 lockdowns forced me to cancel my trip, I decided to move forward with my dream anyway, sight unseen.

I chose Portugal for several reasons, but the primary one was that I qualified for the D7 passive income visa. I also learned that Portugal was widely considered the most affordable country in Western Europe at the time, although now, in 2025, housing costs in many parts of Spain have become more affordable.

Back in California, I was struggling financially to keep afloat. Another attractive point was Portugal’s ranking as the third safest country in the world. These factors motivated me to move—and I did, solo, sight unseen, and without a support network waiting for me.

For two and a half years now, I’ve lived in Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city, and I can report that the benefits have far exceeded anything I imagined. Affordable healthcare is now accessible to me for the first time in my life, including preventive care, which I hadn’t even known existed.

I’ve found my people, my community, and even a Spanish partner. Arriving in Porto as a vegan, I was delighted to discover a thriving scene of delicious vegan restaurants, with new ones opening regularly. Porto is vibrant, with countless events, beautiful parks, and spectacular museums.

Embracing Porto’s Laid-Back Lifestyle

From bustling markets to quiet parks—Porto has it all.
From bustling markets to quiet parks—Porto has it all.|©Kimberly Anne

When I think about the differences between my life in the U.S. and my life in Portugal, there’s simply no comparison. There’s a saying, “You can’t miss what you never had.” In retrospect, I felt stagnant and zombified in the States. I wasn’t progressing professionally, socially, or personally. I was going through the motions, bending to societal norms, and working as much as possible just to afford traveling for one or two weeks each year.

My social calendar was challenging in the U.S. While I consistently made plans with friends, I almost always had to drive an hour each way to meet them. Most did not come to me nor initiate plans themselves.

In contrast, I’m thriving in Portugal. I finally have the work-life balance I’d always craved, and my friends here regularly go out of their way to connect. Each week, multiple friends—expats and locals alike—invite me out to events, lunches, or dinners. I set my own schedule, often pausing in the middle of a workday to meet a friend for lunch.

The beauty of Porto is undeniable, with its colorful tiled buildings and a captivating mix of 11th- to 18th-century architecture. When the sun is out, the city hums with activity. In winter, the warm scent of roasted chestnuts from street vendors drifts through the air.

Year-round, the historic Bolhão Market—filled with fresh produce, olives, and pastries—springs to life. One night around 11 p.m., I passed through and saw a piano placed there for public use. A stranger sat down to play, his melody floating through the air as people gathered around to listen.

Nearby, the pedestrian-only street of Santa Catarina draws crowds who stop to admire one of Porto’s iconic blue-and-white tiled churches. Tourists pause for photos, marveling at the beauty all around.

While the city buzzes year-round, something magical happens when sunlight warms its stone and tile. Locals flock to café terraces to sip espresso. Like many Latin cultures, Porto pauses in the afternoon for extended lunches and simply enjoying life. It’s a mindset I’ve only recently begun to truly grasp.

Celebrations, Connections, and Calma in Porto

Enjoying a relaxed moment outside one of Porto’s charming, tile-clad cafés.
Enjoying a relaxed moment outside one of Porto’s charming, tile-clad cafés.|©Kimberly Anne

The Portuguese words “calma” and “tranquilo” slip gently off the tongue. They aren’t spoken as admonishments, as they might be in the U.S., but with genuine reverence and compassion. Hearing these words, your body instinctively relaxes, and you meet the speaker’s compassionate gaze with a smile.

Porto is a vibrant, complex city, buzzing with nightlife and joyous celebrations. Summers bring countless festivals, drawing crowds from across Portugal. One favorite is São João, a centuries-old tradition honoring Saint John the Baptist, the city’s patron saint. It’s evolved into an all-night street party where people playfully bop each other on the head with plastic hammers—a quirky tradition that originally involved leeks. The festival culminates with fireworks and, in some neighborhoods, an overnight stay on the beach.

Another lesser-known event is Cortejo do Traje de Papel, held annually in Porto’s Foz de Douro neighborhood. Participants from different parishes parade through the streets wearing elaborate handmade paper costumes, dancing, and playing instruments, each year focusing on themes drawn from historical events. The celebration ends joyously with everyone running into the ocean, allowing their paper costumes to melt away—a symbolic tradition with religious roots now mostly forgotten.

Beyond these lively festivities, Porto offers a balance of urban excitement and natural beauty, including lush parks and easily accessible hiking trails. My days often involve relaxing on my sunny balcony with a book, exploring the city, or enjoying meals at outdoor cafés with friends.

I never expected to feel so at home anywhere. I even adopted a rescue puppy who was feral when I got her, but now behaves almost perfectly. The Portuguese adore their pets, and my dog Estrela (“Star” in Portuguese) has become a magnet for friendships, introducing me to long-term Portuguese friends.

Living Well for Less in Porto

In Porto, you can enjoy the good life—without breaking the bank.
In Porto, you can enjoy the good life—without breaking the bank.|©Kimberly Anne

As previously mentioned, one reason I left the U.S. was because I could no longer afford to live there. Portugal certainly doesn’t disappoint in that regard. When I visited Los Angeles last year, lunch or dinner for two was easily over $100. In Porto, spending €30 for two gets you a very nice meal, often including coffee and a drink. While I don’t drink alcohol, a quality glass of wine in a restaurant costs just a few euros, and an entire bottle from the supermarket is similarly affordable.

Groceries in America cost me about $1,000 per month in 2020 (and prices have risen since then), whereas here I comfortably eat well for around €250 a month. A major surgery cost me only €200, including an overnight stay in a private hospital room that rivaled many hotels I’ve stayed in.

Pet care also highlights cost differences. Dog daycare in Porto, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., costs about €190 per month. In Michigan, half a day runs around $35, and in California, it’s upwards of $50 per day.

Not everything is cheaper in Portugal, but most things are. I initially budgeted $2,000 a month to live comfortably, though now I find myself spending slightly more.

Building My Ideal Life in Porto

Living my best life in Porto—proof it’s never too late to find your true home.
Living my best life in Porto—proof it’s never too late to find your true home.|©Kimberly Anne

While I officially “retired” in Portugal, I’m still working because I love to work. I’m a full-time writer and a very part-time ESL teacher.

My life in Portugal is richer than I ever imagined. A typical day often starts on my sunny balcony, sipping coffee and listening to a podcast. After a few hours of work, I’ll meet a friend for a walk in a nearby park or spend time at a local café. In the afternoon, I might return to my home office—or I might not—depending on my mood. In the evenings, I frequently join groups of expat and Portuguese friends for lively dinners at Porto’s wonderful restaurants.

Weekends are equally full. Recently, while walking my dog along a pedestrian-only street near my apartment, I ran into a Portuguese friend who also owns a dog. She invited me to the dog park, and we spent a lovely afternoon chatting as a cool breeze whispered through the trees, carrying the lemony scent of blossoming magnolias.

Another recent weekend, my Ukrainian neighbors invited me to their favorite coffee shop. After picking me up at home, we walked downtown together, chatting and laughing along the way. The café was bustling, popular not only with American expats but also with Porto’s Ukrainian community—the servers knew my friends by name. We lingered by the window, enjoying the sunlight and our conversation. Afterward, we strolled through the historic Ribeira district, crossed the famous Ponte Luís I Bridge over the Douro River, and arrived in Vila Nova de Gaia. Along the way, we popped into my favorite Indian grocery to pick up essentials like pickled lime, amla, and dahl.

I can honestly say that my days here far outshine my previous life in America. The most common question I get asked is, “Do you have any regrets—perhaps wishing you’d moved sooner?” My answer is no. I moved when I was ready, at the perfect time for me. Though I am glad I didn’t wait any longer.

The second most common question is, “Is there anything you miss about life in the United States?” Again, the answer is no, not a thing.

Okay, if I’m being brutally honest… Trader Joe’s. I miss Trader Joe’s. But that’s it.

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