Cynthia Wilson, a Seattle native, and her husband, Craig Bjork, retired early to fulfill a dream: living in Portugal. In January 2022, the couple moved to Marinha Grande, on the Silver Coast, after carefully planning the move for years. For Wilson, the decision was final. “I only return to the USA in a ballot box”, he stated in an interview with .
The couple, married since 2009, chose Portugal after discovering, in an online search, that the country was among the best destinations for Americans to retire. Although Wilson had never visited Portugal, her husband, a former US sailor, had lived in Lisbon in the 1970s and shared stories that convinced her. The final choice fell on Marinha Grande, a quiet and less touristy city, where the couple fully integrates into the local community.
“We wanted to be immigrants and be part of the Portuguese culture and community”, explained the American Wilson, distancing herself from the approach of other foreigners who prefer to form expatriate groups.
“It’s cheap to live here, as long as you don’t live in Lisbon, Porto or Algarve”
When asked if she considers Portugal more accessible, Cynthia Wilson highlights that the perception of cost depends on each person’s experience, noting that her Portuguese friends “react a little” when she and her husband comment that things are cheaper. “We made that mistake,” he admits. “When we first came here, we said, ‘Oh, this is practically free.’ And we had to stop saying that because we realized we were offending them.”
Wilson explains that what may seem affordable to them, as Americans, may not be the same for a Portuguese worker earning minimum wage. “Many people earn minimum wage,” he emphasizes. “So yes, for Americans, it is cheap to live here, as long as you don’t live in Lisbon, Porto or Algarve.”
She compares these cities to places like San Francisco or Manhattan in the United States, noting that they are areas with significantly higher costs of living. “These places are expensive. If you want to live in one of these places, it is likely that you will pay three times more than what we pay, whether in rent, food or other expenses.”
Adapting to Portuguese life
American Wilson admits that the change brought challenges, such as learning Portuguese, which she describes as a difficult language. Still, he considers that the Portuguese lifestyle, focused on family and interpersonal relationships, was a blessing. “The ethics here are family and leisure, not jobs or money”, he highlighted.
Additionally, the couple has been active in the community, organizing dinners, cooking classes and fundraising events for local causes. For them, the sense of belonging and welcome was immediate. “We have many Portuguese friends who helped us at every step and opened the doors of their homes and hearts to us.”
A change without regrets
Dissatisfaction with the political climate and violence in the USA was decisive in the decision to leave the country. Since moving, Wilson and Bjork say they have found the peace and happiness they were looking for. “People say I see everything through a pink filter, but our experience has been perfect,” concluded Wilson, highlighting that she couldn’t be more satisfied with the life she found in Portugal.
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