International Living’s Bigger Better World podcast delves into the stories behind the story. This week, we take you to Portugal, and follow the adventures of a U.S. couple who were the lucky winners of International Living’s ‘Test Drive Your Dream Retirement Overseas’ competition.
Host Jim Santos talks to Chris and Jan Schroder, who traveled to Portugal for a month-long immersion into expat life there, and got to experience the country’s unexpected perks and quirks—from just-caught seafood lunches at incredibly low prices, to Uber rides for just $3.
Chris and Jan traveled to the city of Lisbon, enjoying sophisticated urban living among the historical avenues and streets of the capital, then split for the sunshine coast of the Algarve, on Portugal’s southern edge.
There, they fell in love with the port town of Lagos—cobblestone streets, brightly tiled townhouses, an ancient fishing port surrounded by soft-sand beaches and cliff-backed coves. Over the weeks they spent there, they talked with long-term expats, explored the locality, and immersed themselves in the safe, laidback life of western Europe’s most affordable destination.
After a month test-driving their dream retirement overseas, could Jan and Chris see themselves moving to Portugal? Settle in, press play, and find out as we welcome you to the latest episode of International Living’s Bigger Better World podcast.
Our Host: Jim Santos is a freelance writer and voice over artist who spent 6 years living in Salinas, Ecuador on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, exploring that country and others in South America and Europe. He has written over 200 articles for the Wall Street Journal, Huffington Post, and International Living.
In addition to the popular “Living Abroad: Challenging the Myths of Expat Life“, “Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu” and “The Galápagos Islands: On Your Own and On a Budget” he is also the author of “Ecuador Scouting Trip Itineraries and Travel Guide: An International Living Report“. He has been a popular speaker at six International Living conferences held in Ecuador and the USA. More information can be found at https://jimsantosbooks.com/.