Pros & Cons of Portuguese Living: Is Braga the Right Place for You?

In this conversation, Kalie and Virginia discuss the challenges of language learning, particularly focusing on Portuguese and Spanish. Virginia shares her journey of writing educational books for children to help them learn Portuguese. They explore the lifestyle in Braga, Portugal, including its relaxed atmosphere, weather, and community. Virginia reflects on the pros and cons of living in Braga, including the rainy weather and the suitability for families versus younger individuals seeking nightlife. They also touch on their travels around Europe and the adjustments required when moving to a new country.

Virginia’s website - https://thriftyexplorations.com

🎙️ Welcome to the ExpatsEverywhere Podcast!
Join us on the journey of learning about Portugal and expat life around the world. Each week, we bring you expert interviews, insightful commentary, and real-life stories to help you navigate your move abroad with confidence.

💼 Green Ocean Global | Financial Advisory for Expats
Schedule a free 15-minute intro call with John, our trusted financial advisor:
http://www.calendly.com/johnoceansgreen (Choose the ExpatsEverywhere Intro Call)

🎉 Love what we’re doing? Join the movement.
Be a part of our community on Patreon and get early bonus content, behind-the-scenes updates, and connect with fellow expats moving to and living in Portugal:
👉   / expatseverywhere  

🌍 About Us
We’re Josh and Kalie, and we’ve been living abroad since 2009. Our expat journey has taken us through Spain, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and now Portugal. We share what we’ve learned to help you move abroad smarter and live abroad better.

📌 Portugal Visa Help
We created two step-by-step courses to help you DIY your D7 or Remote Worker visa for Portugal. Podcast listeners get $10 off any course with code: PODCAST
👉 D7 Visa Course: https://expatseverywhere.thinkific.com
👉 Remote Worker Visa Course: https://expatseverywhere.thinkific.co...

🛠️ Useful Expat Resources
Here are tools and services we use and recommend. Some links are affiliate links that support our work—thank you!

💸 Transfer Money
Wise (formerly TransferWise): https://transferwise.prf.hn/click/cam...
Spartan FX (speak to a specialist): https://www.spartanfx.co.uk/fx-partne...

📺 Watch Your Shows Abroad
SurfShark VPN – Get 40% off: https://get.surfshark.net/aff_c?offer...

🛡️ Digital Security
Aura – 2-week free trial: https://aura.com/expatseverywhere

🏦 NIF & Bank Setup in Portugal
Bordr – $10 off NIF and/or bank account: https://www.bordr.com/?via=expatsever...

🌐 Insurance Abroad
SafetyWing – Travel & expat health insurance: https://tinyurl.com/ykt5e73w

🗣️ Learn Portuguese
Ling App – Yearly subscription offer: https://ling-app.com/offer-yearly-sub...
Portuguese with Carla: https://journey.portuguesewithcarla.c...
Mia Esmeriz Academy: https://school.learn-portuguese.org/c...

📬 Mail Forwarding
World Post: https://worldpost.anytimemailbox.com/...

💰 Taxes for Expats
Taxes for Expats – Get $25 off: https://www.taxesforexpats.com/ref/239

📬 Get in Touch
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.expatseverywhere.com
Instagram:   / expatseverywhere  
Facebook:   / expatseverywhere  
X: https://x.com/expert_expat

#ExpatsEverywhere #MoveAbroad #PortugalPodcast

00:00 Intro
00:52 Weekly welcome
08:33 Meet Virginia: A Family's Move to Braga
12:39 Choosing Portugal: A Family's Journey
15:23 Settling in Braga: Schools and Community
20:04 Navigating Daily Life in Braga
25:03 Navigating Language Barriers in Portugal
26:50 The Journey of Writing Children's Books
31:20 Exploring the Basics of Portuguese Language
33:53 The Evolution of Language Learning Resources
38:14 Life in Braga: A New Perspective
40:31 Bureaucratic Hurdles and Smooth Sailing
42:43 The Vibrancy of Braga: Who It’s For
46:35 Traveling Beyond Portugal: Family Adventures
48:21 Coping with Life's Little Absences