Potential Move to Portugal from the U.S.
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Hi IL Friends,
I am an IL Alliance lifetime member. I have read several of the IL materials including the 2025 Retirement Index. I am doing some homework and developing travel plans for a potential move as soon as early- to mid-2027. I am planning to work for the next 7 years, and I am considered a digital nomad; i.e., all I need to work is a laptop and Wifi connection. I would like to speak to someone about developing a top 3 countries list and a list of potential criteria to consider.
So far, I am very interested in Portugal, especially the Algarve region - most likely western. Lagos and Albufeira are of particular interest. I live in Northern California, and the weather in the Algarve looks similar. That said, some of the smaller medieval towns in the north look intriguing, as well, especially Obidos and Caminha; however, I'm concerned that the weather there is more like the pacific northwest - rainy and overcast more often than not.
My criteria are as follows: Cost of living, safety, healthcare quality and access + english-speaking doctors, climate (like northern california), infrastructure, visa + residency requirements, friendly to digital nomad professionals, expat community presence, and economic stability.
I would like to plan a visit to Portugal in May 2026. The thought is to take a Rick Steves' 12-day tour and then spend another two to three weeks in a VRBO based from the Algarve region, plug into the expat community there, and get a sense of what it might be like to live there.
Please let me know if there is someone I can speak to about this who can provide guidance, etc.
Many thanks and much appreciated!
All the best,
Neal R