Doug and Rich are travellers in spirit, having spent their lives on the US East Coast, especially New York City, while exploring over fifty countries. Doug, with a PhD in mathematics, built a career in the electric industry, focusing on renewable energy. Rich, a former CPA, moved into sales, management, and real estate for leading global corporations.
Their dream of moving abroad began during Doug’s international work. After falling in love with Paris in 1998 and visiting Portugal in 1999, they nurtured the idea of living in Europe. Years later, after intense careers and political shifts in the US, the desire for a new chapter grew stronger.
United States (Santa Fe, NM)
Portugal (Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto)
Portugal Golden Visa – via Investment Funds
Quality of life, safety, political climate, life renewal
They sought an active, stimulating life. They considered Spain, Mexico, and even Canada, but Portugal stood out for its lifestyle, people, and policies. A chance TV episode of House Hunters International featuring a gay couple in Porto introduced them to the Golden Visa program.
As “numbers guys,” they opted for the investment funds route rather than property, appreciating the flexibility of spending just one week a year in Portugal while deciding on future plans.
When looking for partners, many firms they found were tied to selling real estate. What drew them to Global Citizen Solutions (GCS) was the independence and focus on immigration services. GCS offered them a 360° solution covering bank accounts, national health numbers, driver’s licenses, marriage registration, and more.
They also worked with Goldcrest (a GCS sister company) to explore real estate options, eventually choosing Vila Nova de Gaia near Porto for its calmer lifestyle.
Doug and Rich brought their professional diligence to the process. They interviewed fund managers, assessed investment performance, and carefully selected two funds. GCS facilitated fund access and introduced them to tax consultants, ensuring long-term support.
This comprehensive, end-to-end guidance reduced the bureaucracy, paperwork challenges, and language barriers that often overwhelm newcomers.
As Doug noted: “Having a firm like GCS guide us, having a company with such comprehensive services has been invaluable.”
Life in Portugal has brought both rewards and challenges. They quickly found a vibrant expat and LGBTQ+ community in Porto, easing their transition. Friendships and cultural integration made their retirement more fulfilling.
Challenges included navigating bureaucracy and paperwork. Their advice to friends:
“Do not try to do this yourselves. Work with an organisation that knows the laws and bureaucracy.”
“I never envisioned that we would actually move to Portugal when I was in my 70s… but we decided to do it. It’s been a lot of work, but I’ve surprised myself. I’m learning Portuguese, enjoying the culture, and discovering more every day.”
Doug and Rich’s journey shows how retirement abroad is not only possible but enriching — with the right planning, partners, and mindset.
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