This podcast episode focuses on another experimental ex-pat, and it continued my winning streak of fun interviews. I found David to be extremely warm, and knowledgeable on many subjects. Check out how his ex-pat story of how he got to Portugal via Japan and Germany.
Expat in Porto Portugal: David McNeill of Expat Empire
Considering how many places he’s lived, it’s not surprising though, He currently lives in one of my most favorite cities, Porto Portugal. A must-listen for curious minds as we discuss the differences in cost of living and much more.
Growing up in several cities across America (a lot of cities as a matter of fact), David always had the urge to travel to far-flung destinations. His first brush with hip destinations found him living in San Francisco after a job transfer. Then it was on to internation destinations.
Highlights of the expat in Porto podcast includes:
- Growing up in several cities in the U.S California, Illinois, Alabama, Austin, and more.
- Studying abroad on an exchange program.
- Loving San Francisco upon getting the job.
- On to Tokyo for a couple of years and enjoyment at discovering the city.
- The decision on where to go after the Tokyo job ended.
- Back to America or take a chance on Berlin?
- His luck with finding a reasonably priced accommodation in Berlin through a friendship connection (important as far as his cost of living expenses).
- How Berlin is NOT as cheap as people make it out to be.
- Looking beyond the hype of magazines telling you things are super cheap everywhere.
- Things to consider if looking to work abroad and getting paid in the local currency.
- Meeting his Japanese wife in Berlin :-).
- The problems with working for start-ups and having to make the decision once again. Leave Germany or stay and work for yet another start-up.
- The other country he considered moving to from Berlin before his wife put the brakes on that idea.
- Porto life and weather.
- Cost of living differences between the places, and how much they spend monthly in Porto.
- Adjusting from living in metropolises to now living in a beach town and the slower pace of life.
- How he is loving his new life.
- His Expat Empire company, and helping others to relocate all over the world.
- If he sees Porto as their final destination.
- Future plans.
Listen to the podcast here:
If you’d rather watch, you can do that here:
You can get in touch with David on any of these platforms:
The empire podcast
Instagram @expatempire
His book on moving and getting a job in Japan can be found either on his page or on Amazon via this link.
Other podcasts of interest:
Make sure to subscribe so you get notified of new episodes.
Talking to him awakened in me a desire to revisit Porto, a city l enjoyed so much more than Lisbon. The pace suited me better, not quite as frenetic. Let’s hope the vaccine and all its promises do in fact come true as l have Porto on my mind. Direct flight too, and now by train (12 hours, but what the heck, beautiful sights along the way and no rush). Hopefully, I will see Porto sooner than later.
I really enjoyed chatting with David. I have so much admiration for people who are willing to take risks, challenge themselves and make their own paths in the world. For sure, like us, he is grateful to be in a country where they are taking the pandemic seriously.
Are you harbouring any thoughts of relocating somewhere else once things get better? Doesn’t have to be a new country either.
I enjoyed listening to this podcast! I am happy to hear that I’m not the only “crazy” one around who considers Berlin to be quite expensive, actually. Never understood those who considered it cheap. And from going to that to living by the beach in a cost-friendly place? Now that’s my dream come true! 😀
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Haha! Nope, you are definitely not the only one who thinks Berlin is expensive… We had mistakenly thought so too. I guess it can be cheap if you room with others, but for adults with spouses and such, nope… not cheap.
I can totally picture you there since l know your living preferences. It would be idyllic for you. Yes, Porto is very pocketbook-friendly.