Concerned about retirement?
About your current and future cost of living?
So was this couple before they moved to Portugal in 2020…
After years of living just outside Sacramento, California, they found themselves facing a familiar problem: rising costs, long commutes, and the growing realization that retirement might not be financially comfortable—at least not in the United States.
Even with decades of careful planning, they realized about a year in advance of retirement that maintaining their lifestyle on retirement income alone was going to be impossible.
So they revisited a dream that had been quietly waiting in the background for decades: moving to Portugal.
Today, six years after relocating to northern Portugal, Jeff and Joch say their monthly expenses are about 50% lower than they were in California. And the savings show up in nearly every part of their budget.
But what surprised them most wasn’t just the lower prices—it was the lifestyle that came with them.
Instead of worrying about stretching retirement income or dipping into their savings, Jeff and Joch now spend more time traveling around Portugal, enjoying spontaneous weekend getaways, and eating out more often than they did before.
In this interview, they walk through their actual monthly expenses, explain where the biggest savings come from, and share what life is really like after trading California’s cost of living for Portugal’s slower pace and lower prices.
If you’ve ever wondered whether moving abroad could dramatically lower your expenses, their story offers a fascinating—and very real—look at what’s possible.
Their story is about more than numbers and budgets, though, it’s about the freedom to live fully, to savor every day, and to embrace the possibilities that come when you step outside your comfort zone.
And if you’re curious to experience this wonderful country in person, Jeff, Joch, and I will gather in Lisbon in just a couple of weeks for our in-person conference, where I’ll be your MC and guide through the heart of this incredible country…
Happy trails,
