Moving from the sleepy suburbs of Portland, Oregon, to the middle of a bustling European city has been an adventure—though our dog, Oreo, has had the hardest time adjusting (we’ll save his dramatic monologues for another post). Don’t get me wrong—we love the energy, the charm, and the endless options for food, culture, people-watching, and, […]
Easy Beach Trip From Porto: Espinho via Granja! Read More »
If you want to feel the soul of Porto—that electric, can’t-stop-grinning energy—drop everything and go to Estádio do Dragão for an FC Porto match. Trust me, sitting in that stadium isn’t just about watching football (though, yeah, that too). It’s about the crowd’s fiery chants, the unity of blue and white scarves waving in sync,
Early 2024 was fairly routine on the surface, but cracks were beginning to form that were becoming difficult to ignore. My husband Chuck and I were working at Nike—a place that was fun on the surface but definitely had its fair share of corporate blahs. Moreover, Nike was an uneasy place to work at the time,
You’re Really Moving to Portugal? Read More »
My family chose to move to Portugal right before Christmas. While the timing was dictated by my son’s school calendar more than anything else, I’ll admit I had my doubts. I’d visited alone in October to tackle bureaucratic tasks (hello, bank accounts and leases), and truthfully, Porto felt a tad drab compared to the lively,
Christmas in Porto: The Lights, the Magic, the Damp, Slick Cobble Read More »
If you’re craving a break from the hustle and bustle of Porto, might I suggest hopping on a train and heading to Aveiro? This little gem of a town—often called the “Venice of Portugal”—is the perfect spot for a day trip or weekend getaway. Aveiro has this quiet, unassuming charm that creeps up on you, with
Day Trip to Aveiro (and More) Read More »
Why Porto? When Chuck and I first began exploring the idea of moving to Europe, we quickly realized that our options were more focused than endless. But as it turns out, that clarity led us straight to one incredible country—Portugal. Why Portugal? Well, navigating European visas as Americans can be a bit complex without a
A City You Just Have to Experience Read More »
