Simple life, sun and a peaceful rhythm are characteristics of Portugal that continue to attract more and more foreigners. Stories of those who left big cities for our country multiply, showing how Portugal has become a privileged destination for those looking for time, serenity and quality of life, as happened with this American, who left Los Angeles to build a new stage in Lisbon.
North American Kaitlin Wichmann is one of these cases. She left Los Angeles four years ago and says she has never felt so fulfilled.
At 31, she left behind heavy traffic and her job in marketing to adopt a more balanced routine in Lisbon, where she works independently as a digital consultant, according to the American newspaper New York Post. “Every day was the same thing: parking in the same place, sitting at the same table, looking at the same wall,” he told the same source. “There came a point where I thought, ‘There’s got to be more to life than this.’”
Lisbon as a new beginning
The change happened in 2021, when he decided to take a risk and move to Portugal. The pleasant climate, balanced diet and calmer environment were decisive factors in leaving the fast pace of Los Angeles.
Today, Kaitlin works around 20 hours a week, supporting American and Portuguese clients in the area of digital advertising. This professional freedom has given him something he says he never had before: free time to live. “Now my life revolves around life, with work scattered in between”, he explains, laughing. “I feel happier and more at peace here.”
The cost of living in Lisbon continues to be one of the main attractions for those coming from abroad. In Kaitlin’s case, the numbers clearly show this difference. In June, he spent approximately 3,457 dollars (about 3,180 euros), less than half of what he receives monthly.
The rent and household expenses were 1,296 dollars (approximately 1,114 euros), while food was around 500 dollars (approximately 430 euros). The rest was used for what he values most: traveling, attending tennis classes and making the occasional purchase. “In Los Angeles, the money was gone with just the basics. Here I can enjoy life”, she says, quoted by the same source.
A destination increasingly sought after by foreigners
Since the pandemic, Portugal has become a popular destination for remote workers and foreign retirees. The climate, security and the creation of visas such as the D8, launched in 2022 for digital nomads, contributed to the increase in foreigners choosing to live in the country.
However, this growth also brought challenges. The increase in demand has raised rent prices and the cost of living, generating concern among many Portuguese about the transformation of traditional neighborhoods. Even so, stories like Kaitlin’s continue to inspire those looking for a calmer life.
A future designed to stay
Unlike many digital nomads who see Portugal as a temporary stopover, Kaitlin thinks about the long-term future, according to . “When I came to Lisbon, the idea was to stay for five years and then decide what to do. Now, I don’t see myself leaving, at least not outside of Portugal. I really like living here.”
Lisbon has frequently been highlighted in international rankings as one of the best cities in the world for digital nomads, due to its climate, safety and quality of life.
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