What People Think They’re Moving For vs. What Actually Matters After You Arrive from Two Relocation Experts 

Dawn and Matt were already at the top of their careers when they realized something unexpected. They weren’t ready to slow down, but they also weren’t willing to keep living the way they had been.  

Rising healthcare costs in the US, long work hours, and the feeling that life had become a cycle of obligations rather than opportunity pushed them to rethink what retirement meant for them. 

 What surprised them most wasn’t the decision to move abroad, it was how alive they felt once they did. “I haven’t been this excited about life since I was in my twenties,” Dawn said. 

That single line captures the heart of their philosophy. The couple didn’t retire. They unretired, choosing to keep working, but in a place where daily life echoed their values – safety, community, healthcare, and a sense of possibility. Portugal offered all of that, and more.  

Their journey sits at the center of a broader movement our research team at Global Citizen Solutions is tracking. People don’t only relocate for financial reasons anymore. They move for quality of life and stay because it pushes them to think differently about the kind of life they can be living. 

Data from the Global Intelligence Unit’s report on International Mobility and Quality of Life features in the discussion. This research reveals the benefits of global mobility and reflects how quality of life is vital to a successful move. This is something that the Unretirees reinforce as a main driver of happiness in their new home.  

Unretiring is returning to the workforce after having retired. People do this for many reasons including money, a desire for adventure and a quest for meaning. Professionals between 45 and 65 are often at the height of their careers and may be looking for something new. That is when unretiring becomes appealing. 

“We had a better opportunity to get a higher quality of life in Europe, in our case in Portugal”, Dawn remarked as she discussed the benefits of global mobility. She feels as if her options have increased because of their decision to unretire there. She feels the same sense that anything is achievable because of her successful move.  

Due to options like the Golden Visa, Digital Nomad Visa (D8), and the Passive Income Visa (D7), the ability to live in Portugal is accessible. Global mobility is increasingly critical at a time where local uncertainty is prevalent. This can make long-term retirement unappealing in an individual’s home country like it was for Dawn and Matt. 

Nations that offer residency programs or citizenship programs are easier to access for high-net-worth individuals as either an (un)retirement destination or a strategic plan B, a backup plan to enact in case things get unstable at home. 

The cost of living in the US has increased by 25% over the last five years. Critical costs like housing and healthcare are rising at an even faster rate. This is driving many Americans to consider moving.  

Despite Dawn and Matt having already reached the top of their careers, they too felt the squeeze. The cost of living in Portugal is 30% to 50% lower than it is in the US. For the couple, this means that they can spend the same amount each month but spend more liberally in exchange.  

Dawn and Matt knew that they wanted to reduce their expenses, especially on healthcare as they approached retirement age. What they did not know was that the cost of living was not the most important part of the relocation process. They discovered that another factor was significantly more critical to their lives.  

Overall, quality of life is the single most important factor to a successful move. For Dawn, the move started to make sense once she and Matt had settled into daily life. “Peace of mind is quality of life”, said Dawn as she stressed its importance in their move.  

What does quality of life mean for the couple? It’s about feeling safe and developing a community. It’s about accessing everyday niceties like getting around the city on foot, socializing with neighbors, and not having to worry about healthcare.  

Healthcare in Portugal is universal for all legal residents and is considered one of the best in Europe. Additionally, private plans are significantly less expensive than those in the US, costing between €100 and €300 ($120 – $360) per month. This has helped reduce some of the financial and mental burden associated with high healthcare costs in the US. 

Developing a community is something that Dawn and Matt had to work towards. In the second year of their move, they decided to make as many meaningful connections as they could. To achieve this they joined expat clubs, focused on building relationships, and developed their Portuguese skills.  

Having lived through the move themselves, and now guiding others through similar transitions, Dawn and Matt have developed a practical perspective on what makes relocation work. Their insights derive from what they’ve seen over and over again in the stories of people who uproot their lives in search of something better. 

Your Life Stage Will Change What Matters 

Once an individual’s career has reached its arc and their children are out of the home, new goals will emerge. Additionally, financial planning will become more important as they strategize for retirement. This means living in a nation with a lower cost of living than the US, like Portugal, can make mean an individual’s budget stays the same while their quality-of-life increases. 

Community is Critical 

Successfully relocating overseas is dependent on building relationships. Dawn and Matt both note just how much community matters to their lives in Porto. They highlight that expat Facebook groups exist in just about every mid-size or larger city, and that they are a great way to connect with like-minded people.  

They also mentioned that Portugal is an excellent destination for developing intergenerational friendships, that help with keeping the mind active and engaged. They have found friends from a range of ages and enjoy socializing with people outside of their own age bracket.  

Moving is not Escaping 

It is vital to remember that relocation does not automatically solve personal challenges. Successful moves require clarity about what is being built toward, not just what is being left behind. The Unretirees note that a move can help, but it is not necessarily an instant solution to the challenges of life. 

Portugal Through Lived Experience 

There are many advantages to living in Portugal, especially as opposed to the US. The nation has simplicity and tranquility in daily life that many nations do not. Healthcare is accessible, and both private and public options are available.  

Portugal’s cities, like many in Europe, are designed to be walkable. This is particularly beneficial for those seeking an active unretirement lifestyle. Additionally, Portugal allows for easy access to the rest of the EU. Travel is something that Dawn and Matt always wanted to do and now find easier than ever. 

As with any country, there will always be elements of life that require realism. In Portugal these elements include taxes and bureaucracy. People should be aware of how immigrating will affect their taxes as well as how the bureaucracy of the country may affect them. Matt advises to always consult with a tax lawyer before making a move. 

He also notes that the first few months of the move will feel overwhelming as an individual or family works through paperwork and get setup. Once this is done, living will be easier and less stressful. Other important considerations include immigration policy changes and adapting to a new culture. 

Portugal remains an immigration friendly nation. “Daily life works really well here”, said Matt despite recent policy changes. There are a multitude of visas available for the country and the nation has a large population of English-speakers. Compared to many other Western European countries, the cost of living is low.  

Irrespective of which visa option is selected for unretirement, it can be the first step in the five-year pathway towards citizenship by naturalization. Citizenship in Portugal provides a range of benefits, particularly for those, like Dawn and Matt, who are interested in European travel.  

The Portugal D7 Visa is for anybody who wants to live or retire in Portugal through a passive income. The temporary residency permit allows individuals and families to live, work, and study in the country, making it perfect for unretirement. GCS helps individuals and families relocate around the world for a variety of reasons including unretiring. 

Quality of life is vital to an individual’s happiness. Many factors contribute to this, and it’s important to be aware of how they can affect life. The Unretirees had their eyes opened to the possibilities of their own lives by their move to Portugal.  

Individuals from nations with local uncertainty and high costs of living, like the US, are increasingly being drawn to more politically stable countries. Additionally, seeing their money go far further was a prospect that was incredibly appealing for Dawn and Matt.  

That’s what initially got them to move, but what got them to stay was the quality of their life. From everyday conveniences like walking to the grocery store, to big picture concerns like a reliable, affordable healthcare system, Portugal had everything they needed. More than that, it delivered a life so enjoyable that they could not imagine anything else.