I moved to Portugal, where it's cheaper and my career is taking off. I'm not sure I'll ever return to the US.

In 2022, Kylie Adamec made the decision to relocate to Portugal as she had been facing challenges getting her career to take off in the United States. She found it difficult to maintain a stable living in cities like New York City or Chicago. Despite this, she decided to take a risk and venture out to Portugal which proved to be a game-changer as it exposed her to new prospects.

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This essay is based on a conversation with Kylie Adamec, a 26-year-old real estate consultant who relocated from Chicago to Lisbon, Portugal in the year 2022. The interview was shortened and refined for easier comprehension.

I used to follow that route: complete secondary education, obtain a degree from a prestigious institution, and secure employment to repay loans and acquire a property.

I made a big effort to conform to the expectations placed on a bright girl from a privileged upbringing like my own.

I hail from Colgate! It's a minuscule town nestled in the southeast of Wisconsin, situated right between Milwaukee and Madison. Its populace amounts to a few thousand only.

During the spring of 2019, I completed my college education and had secured a job at a consulting firm located in Toronto. However, I later lost the opportunity because of my networking approach. I did not follow the same procedure as candidates who had applied directly, which ended up costing me the contract. The individuals I spoke to when I initially contacted the higher-ups were unaware of specific company regulations that applied to offering Canadian visas for entry or junior-level positions.

I strolled on the platform during graduation thinking to myself, "I finally have a job!" But then, a few weeks later, that opportunity vanished.

In December of that year, I was fortunate enough to secure employment at a new and growing business in New York City. However, due to the outbreak of the pandemic, I unfortunately lost my job.

I found myself caught in a recurring pattern of feeling despair, working hard to overcome it, and then, unfortunately losing my progress due to factors beyond my control.

I initiated an online venture that specializes in search engine optimization. Nowadays, one can acquire almost any skill through the internet, so I taught myself how to do it. Gradually, I secured some paying clients and my business expanded from there.

When the pandemic hit, my initial reaction was to encourage others to seek employment, earn a living, and continue with their lives. However, this idea didn't seem to manifest. Instead, it was as if the universe was presenting me with an opportunity to relinquish my efforts and exclaim, "I'm finished with this."

The sensation I had was like a fish who doesn't belong in a certain environment. I didn't feel like I fit in and it seemed impossible for me to feel fulfilled by conforming to the narrative at hand.

During my college years, I participated in a study abroad program in Rome. While I was there, I had a mentor who had a connection to another mentor who could be helpful if I decided to move to Europe permanently. When I traveled to Portugal during my program, I crossed paths with this individual, who is now my mentor. It seems that my networking skills came in handy in that situation.

The person who guided me in Portugal has long been involved in the field of buying and selling properties. During one conversation, he suggested that I should consider relocating to Portugal due to the lower cost of living. He added that I could easily move here as my business operates online. He advised me that Portugal has become increasingly sought after by digital nomads, retirees, and individuals from North America.

Once I conducted some investigation, I realized that obtaining a visa with a US passport was not as challenging as I initially thought. Additionally, it would be more cost-effective than traveling to Chicago or New York. Consequently, I departed.

To The Country. "Portugal's Affordable Healthcare: A Major Reason For My Relocation"

I was eager to venture out and take my next step, make new connections, and expand my business, but I was astonished by how costly life had become since the beginning of 2020 till 2021.

Despite my good performance, I couldn't rationalize the expense of residing in Chicago or New York during that period.

Additionally, I was hit with my initial tax payment since becoming self-employed. I was astounded by the amount I had to pay in taxes. It seemed like I had exerted much effort and executed the traditional method of achieving success, however, I was obliged to pay a considerable amount for my personal medical care - and now this much in taxes?

Throughout that time, it appeared that there were numerous issues occurring in nearby neighborhoods. I thought to myself, "Where is all of this cash being allocated?" I couldn't comprehend it. I felt rather disillusioned.

When you reside in the downtown of Portugal, you'll be able to save a great deal of cash unlike when you're based in New York City or Chicago. In case you dwell in the suburbs of Wisconsin or Tennessee, your rental fees might be equal to those charged in Lisbon's core area.

When I initially relocated to Lisbon, I was forking out a monthly sum of 900 euros for a solitary bedroom apartment. This equates to slightly more than $1,000. Comparatively, in Chicago, the equivalent would be roughly $1,500.

The most significant concern that I have is related to healthcare.

At 23 years old, I unfortunately had a medical crisis and had invested in a personal healthcare plan in the USA. However, due to my status as a self-employed individual, I was unexpectedly charged nearly $10,000 for medical expenses. This was quite distressing for me, as I was under the impression that I was properly covered with my healthcare plan and did not expect such a high cost.

I spend under $50 every month for my private healthcare plan in Lisbon. Visiting the doctor is really simple and I always know how much I have to pay. The bill goes straight to my insurance and they take care of it. Seeing the expenses for my health insurance or medical appointments always makes me feel calm and satisfied on a regular basis.

Not Returning To US Permanently

Upon sharing my plan to make a relocation, a large portion of individuals were doubtful. It wasn't common knowledge that one could pursue a lifestyle that involved solely using their computer, developing fresh enterprises, and earning an income.

I own two separate businesses named Camila Ana and Casa Azul. Although it may not sound glamorous, our main focus is to simplify the rental process for individuals who are relocating to Portugal. Our services primarily target those from the Americas who are planning to move, but we are willing to work with individuals from any part of the world.

To be frank, I didn't relocate to Portugal with the mindset of settling there permanently. It never crossed my mind to say to myself, "I'm packing up and never returning."

Initially, I had planned on just giving it a shot and seeing what destiny had in store for me. But after being here for almost two years, I have come to realize that there are numerous prospects to explore different countries, not only Portugal or the United States.

I have realized that there are numerous alternatives available, which I hadn't noticed before.

For my perspective, Portugal is an outstanding destination. To be frank, it is not an ideal location, and numerous difficulties arise when relocating here.

In terms of socializing, there's a comparison made between the United States and Portugal. The analogy used refers to Americans as peaches and Portuguese people as coconuts.

When it comes to making friends in the United States, you can easily establish a close bond with someone in a short period of time. However, it's important to note that there will always be a certain level of privacy and personal space that you won't be able to breach completely. It's similar to a peach, where you can easily break through the outer layer but there will always be a harder core in the center that you won't be able to fully access.

In Portugal, individuals are akin to coconuts. It's challenging to establish a connection with them. Gaining their trust and becoming an insider is no easy feat, but once it happens, they'll stick up for you. A frequent misconception is that newcomers anticipating a warm welcome with open arms, assuming that the locals will be excited to become their best friend. However, in reality, building a rapport with natives takes a considerable amount of time.

Regrettably, many individuals fail to integrate into their new community, pick up the local language, or make an effort to establish connections with the residents. Instead of taking responsibility for their own feelings of exclusion, they place the blame on the locals. Consequently, they remain outsiders indefinitely.

For the majority of individuals, it's important to accept and face both the positive and negative aspects of a situation. Are you willing to confront both the favorable and unfavorable circumstances in the United States, Portugal, Japan, or Turkey?

For individuals who possess an excessive sum of money that surpasses what the majority of typical individuals disburse, it is conceivable to sidestep those matters. Nevertheless, I reckon that for the typical person who intends to relocate to another country, it involves electing their poison.

By the end of this year, my intention is to relocate to Spain, or possibly split my time equally between Spain and Portugal.

Do I plan on permanently relocating to the United States? No, that's not my intention. I could picture it as a temporary destination, as I enjoy visiting my family and expanding my connections there. I specifically admire the corporate environment in Chicago and New York, but it's not where I see myself living long-term.

I am interested in exploring different countries such as Malaysia, Turkey, Belize, and El Salvador. There are many destinations on my travel wishlist. Only time will tell where I end up visiting.