Rising living costs in the US are pushing many retirees to seek alternatives. After years of teaching in San Diego, California, Paula Dreyfuss faced this reality and decided to move to Europe.
Dreyfuss looked into cities like Seattle in the US but couldn't find an affordable option. She then applied for Portugal's D7 visa, which offers residency to non-EU citizens with a steady passive income. The pandemic in 2021 and the political atmosphere in the US sped up her decision.
A new beginning in Porto
After her visa was approved, Dreyfuss arrived in Portugal in May 2021. Finding Lisbon too large, she headed north to Porto, where she was charmed by the atmosphere and soon found an apartment to settle in.
The cost comparison is striking: Dreyfuss says living costs in Porto are about 40-50% lower than in San Diego. This allows her to afford things like eating out three times a week, which would be a luxury back in the US.
Satisfaction with safety and healthcare
For Dreyfuss, one of Portugal's biggest draws is safety. She stressed that she couldn't walk alone in the evenings in San Diego, but in Porto she can comfortably wander at night. She enjoys the peaceful atmosphere of a country that ranks seventh on the Global Peace Index.
Dreyfuss describes the healthcare system as "exponentially better" than the US system, saying the tax-funded and comprehensive system is satisfying in both cost and quality.
Adapting to the culture and future plans
Dreyfuss says the friendliness of the Portuguese people greatly helped her adjust to her new life, and she also mentioned the difficulties of learning the language. She said she still speaks Portuguese like a child, but she manages daily communication without problems.
After settling in Porto, Dreyfuss bought her first apartment in 2022, later moved to a penthouse, and bought another apartment to rent out. Taking advantage of being in the center of Europe, she has had the opportunity to travel frequently to cities like London, Paris, Seville, and Vienna.
Dreyfuss, who currently holds a temporary residence permit, has applied for Portuguese citizenship. She said she has no plans to return to the US, noting that many things would need to change there. While she misses her family, she added that each time she comes back to Portugal, she is more certain she made the right choice.
