From California to Porto: A New Chapter in Portugal
Qwenews.com – Five years after making a bold decision to relocate alone to Portugal, Paula Dreyfuss laughs about how many people doubted her sanity. The Texas native had never set foot in the European nation before packing her bags, yet the mother of two now calls the coastal city of Porto home. Known for its historic bridges and Port wine, this UNESCO-recognized region has become far more than just a destination—it’s where Dreyfuss feels truly alive.
“I have a lot more life here,” she shares with CNN Travel, painting a picture of her daily routine filled with visits to local museums, cinema screenings, and pop-up wineries scattered throughout the Douro Valley. Her daughter once visited and posed a simple question: “Well, what do you guys do all day?” Dreyfuss recalls her friend’s witty response while holding up a glass of Champagne: “You’re looking at it.”
A Financial Reality Check
Living in San Diego, California, Dreyfuss worked as a teacher after spending years in corporate finance. She initially believed her teaching career would eventually yield a comfortable retirement income. However, rising costs of living gradually made that dream seem increasingly distant. She even considered relocating within the United States, driving up to Seattle and exploring various options, but nothing felt affordable enough to justify leaving.
What changed everything was her long-held desire to travel extensively across Europe. Rather than continuing to dream about it, she decided to actually move there. After researching several European countries, she discovered that the Portugal D7 visa was the only option available to her at the time. This visa permits non-EU citizens with steady passive income to establish residence in the country.
The Journey Begins
“I’d never been to Portugal,” Dreyfuss explains. “So I had no way of doing a scouting trip or anything.” Her plan was straightforward: move to Portugal, and if it didn’t work out, she would relocate to either Spain or France. Though she initially put her plans on hold, the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021 became the catalyst she needed. “I was really ready to get away from the political situation in the United States,” she admits candidly.
Dreyfuss connected with an online community specializing in assisting foreigners relocate to Portugal and began navigating the visa application process. The timeline extended slightly because the Portuguese embassy had closed during the pandemic. Once her D7 visa received approval in 2021, she had only a few months to consolidate her life in California and prepare for departure.
She sold her townhouse and significantly reduced her possessions. In May 2021, Dreyfuss arrived in Portugal carrying just four suitcases and accompanied by her dog, Charlie. After spending nearly a week in Lisbon, she realized the city felt too large and reminded her too much of life in the United States, with its dense crowds and relentless traffic.
Falling in Love with Porto
Dreyfuss promptly rented a car and drove along the coastline, eventually visiting Porto. The city captivated her immediately with its stunning beauty, diverse atmosphere, and welcoming spirit. Although she had intended to continue exploring Europe, she found herself drawn to Portugal’s second-largest city and decided to remain.
Fortuitously, she encountered a real estate agent within hours of arriving and secured an unfurnished apartment in Porto within just a few days. Her husband later joined her, and together they began building a new life. As time passed, Dreyfuss became completely enamored with the city and its people. She particularly appreciated the residents, describing them as “so warm and so nice,” alongside the pleasant weather and the sense that this was a place where she could genuinely be happy.
“Every time I’d be in a situation where I’d think, ‘I’m just going to sit here on the curb and cry,’ somebody would say, ‘Can I help you? Are you lost?'”
This kindness became a turning point for her. She began forming friendships, and her social calendar quickly filled with gatherings involving games, dinners, wine, and coffee with her new companions. Dreyfuss also discovered that eating out at least three times per week—a luxury she couldn’t previously afford in San Diego—became a regular part of her lifestyle. Today, she has no regrets about her decision to embrace a completely different chapter of life in Portugal.
