June 13, 2020
Like most people in life, Cinnamon was dreaming of a new place to call home. The wanderlust was so strong by the time she embraced her fourth decade of life, that she decided to move to Portugal on the fly after some personal setback. On the latest post and podcast, we talk about why she is loving the expat life in Lisbon, her portable business, what her new “home” Lisbon is like, racism, bad romance, and how a random Tinder date gave her the most profound and illuminating advice.
Loving Expat Life In Lisbon:
Cinnamon’s story is one that is familiar to me in some regard. She experienced loss of family and that ignited her passion for seeking something other than the expected. The recession had devastated her net worth, much as it did for quite a few of us, and even though she knew she never wanted to retire in the states, it still took her by surprise to be heading out way sooner.
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Living in Lisbon so far has been a very positive experience. While she does not advice everyone to just head out there without doing their due diligence, it has been great. She has a YouTube channel where she discusses life in the big city and things to watch out for.
Some of the highlights of the interview:
- What ultimately made her decide to move.
- Losing net worth in the recession.
- The advice she got from her Tinder date.
- How seeing different parts of the world really opens your eyes.
- Why she did not move to an African country despite the urgings of well wishers.
- Racism here, there and everywhere.
- Finding love in Lisbon, and the heartbreak that ultimately followed.
- Why she believes you should rent first when you move anywhere.
- What to look for when searching for a flat in Lisbon.
- Her true cost of living and why you should take the numbers thrown out there on the bigger sites with a grain of salt. (Note that the figure is for a non meat eater 🙂 ).
- How to find your tribe and become part of your new environment.
- Deciding what luxuries you can or can not live without.
- Advice for anyone who wishes to do the same.
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Listen to the loving and living the expat life in Lisbon podcast here:
You can find Cinnamon on these platforms:
@drivenspice on Instagram
Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any future episodes.
Other podcast episodes of interest:
Mass exodus from U.S. to Mexico
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Valencia Life Update:
We are zooming along and there is something to be said for the locals having the city to themselves. Federico said it felt like we were on vacation, and indeed it does. We visited the Mercado Central and found it quite easy to walk around and not be swept up in the sea of people.
A lot of restaurants, which can now operate on a 70% capability by the way, are woefully empty. I’ve heard from friends that popular expat hangouts (pubs) are hanging by a thread, fundraising and hurting badly. I think this is going to be quite the blow to the economy, especially with the lack of tourists.
In places like Barcelona, Lisbon and other hotspots in Europe where the locals were hating on tourists, it’s obvious that without those very people, life is going to suck balls and businesses will suffer. On the other hand, they seem to be enjoying being able to be tourists in their own backyard. How long will it last? I predict a lot of places will not survive. Be careful what you wish for indeed.
In order to help the local businesses, we are planning on revisiting restaurants from past outings, the great ones anyway. It’s the least we can do. We are currently loving the even slower pace.
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We are obligated to wear masks pretty much everywhere now. Still stifling, still hot, but a lot of people are compliant. I don’t know if it’s me, but even the sidewalks look cleaner, less dog poop, as if people are actually trying to be cleaner (perhaps fearing the spread of germs, heaven knows we have enough to deal with). Whatever the reason, I welcome it. A major pet peeve for me.
The only major change coming soon in the final step will be the opening of beaches for bigger groups.
Flights are supposed to resume for a lot of the airlines on July 1, but l suspect that will be pushed back even though there is pressure on the Spanish government to reopen earlier. June 15 was the prior date, but they keep changing their minds.
My advice is for any traveler to hold off for just a bit longer. A lot of people booking flights prior to that are not getting refunds, just vouchers. Looks like the airlines sell these flights, fully knowing that the countries are not open to tourists and then stick you with a voucher as opposed to a refund.
I believe visitors from the U.S. will still be forbidden to visit Spain for a while. I understand Portugal and l think Greece are letting those people in though. I would be okay with them waiting for at least a couple of weeks to see how it goes over there before making a final decision, truth be told.
Any travel restrictions over your way? How are you adjusting to the “new normal”?
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I loved *meeting* Cinnamon and felt, once again, that I was listening to a conversation with old friends. Hopefully our paths will cross one of these days! I especially agreed with Cinnamon’s advice to anyone considering a move to a foreign country to avoid getting locked into a long term rental and become familiar with some of the cities before locking in on an area. She brought up another great point which is to keep in mind that any move is NOT permanent, especially if you’re not moving with a lot of stuff. I think keeping flexible and open to new experiences is one of the best things a future expat can bring with them. Fun interview! P.S. Things are also fairly quiet in the Algarve and it’s wonderful NOT to have the usual hordes of high season tourists. The downside, of course, is that so many businesses are really hurting. Most of the people I know are still being very cautious and meeting together in very small groups with the required masks. It’s going to be a quiet summer.
It was a really fun interview and l’m glad you enjoyed it. Yeah, you guys are practically neighbours, and it’s always nice to have people close by. I hope your paths cross too. I might just be the middle woman..haha! Much like Spain, in Portugal, it really is important to feel a place out before locking yourself in. I’m sure l mentioned the people we met in Malaga who were stuck as it’s not unusual for a home to be on the market for 3 years plus! I also love the fact that all the moves don’t have to be permanent, you being an example of that. Flexibility is key.
I agree with what you say about the cities being really quiet. I don’t know if you noticed, that spot outside of the mercado was where we were listening and swaying to the old man playing the trumpet (If l remember correctly, it was Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty 🙂 ) and there seemed to be a million people milling about and the restaurants stuffed to the gills. We were one of only three tables occupied and it was sad. The market was empty pretty much. It’s going to be very interesting indeed.
Kem, great conversation. I loved that Cinnamon presented a very realistic perspective of expat life in Portugal. She seems to have taken a leap of faith that worked for her – likely because of her adaptability and intelligence. Thanks for the introduction.
Thanks Suzanne. Yes, she is lucky indeed that her leap of faith worked out great, others are often not so lucky but it is also great that it is not a permanent move. Moving is always an option.. haha. I’m glad you liked it, and thanks for listening.
Another good podcast. Enjoyed hearing about Cinnamon making the jump to Portugal and her life. Must have nerves of steel to be a day trader!
A lot of places that count on tourists are going to be hurting. You’d think that Barcelona and Lisbon will be singing another tune when the tourist dollars or Euros aren’t rolling in.
In the past week I’ve seen cars with license plates from Washington, California Arizona, and Colorado. I’m not even on that road that much so I’m sure I’ve missed a few other states. A lot of enterprising US tourists driving up, get to the border, and say they’re going to Alaska, so they have to transit through BC. But they’re really just here on vacation! Maybe they’re all saying they’re heading to Alaska to work on fishing boats? Homesteading? Does the US government still pay people to move to Alaska and build a home and stick around awhile?
Haha! You cracked me up. It’s true though, you need nerves of steel to be a day trader, but l think having suffered greatly during the last recession meant that she had the chops :-). Very admirable because most people just talk, and don’t do.
Yeah, l read a post where a guy who lives in Barcelona was saying it “sucks balls” without tourists. I think people will enjoy it for a while, but when the reality hits, it’s going to hurt so badly, assuming it has not. I was watching a YouTube video of Chiang Mai in Thailand and what sadness, so many “for sale” signs at all the bars. This has been terrifying for a lot of people (except for Americans) it seems, and most are still staying at home. Had we not needed our kitchen knives sharpened, we wouldn’t have gone out that day either :-).
People will always find ways to get around the rules. I don’t know if they still do, as far as Alaska, but l reckon the major fishing companies are still doing that.
Thanks for the share about Lisbon and how Cinnamon (I always have problems with folks with just ONE name) found her destination.
Haha! Her first one is already long enough and l find a lot of people don’t like their last names mentioned for one reason or the other. I forgot to ask for permission so l took the easy way out :-).
What an interesting blog, I enjoyed Cinnamon’s story. Also great to see you blogging again!
Thanks Martha! I hope all is well in your neck of the woods :-).
A very interesting story and journey…I enjoyed meeting Cinnamon from your story. I look forward to your next writing. This definitely inspired me today.
Until then…
Thanks for reading Nancy. Glad you enjoyed it and welcome to the blog. 🙂
Hi KemKem, Loved the interview with Cinnamon, and the one you did with her as well. Down to earth and practical info/advice is what we all need, and you guys provided that for sure. 2 questions if you don’t mind: Any sense of how easy it would be to develop a social life as a single 60 year old woman in Valencia
( with bare bones Spanish ability) and has Covid changed how you feel about living in another country? Thanks!
Thanks for checking out the interviews. I think we both enjoyed it as well, I know l did. To answer your questions, I have quite a few friends in that age group that are single, and l can definitely say without a doubt that they are loving life here. I can’t speak for dating though because we always gather as women and go on outings, dinner, game clubs, pubs…you name it!… and many single women so yes, very easy.
The second question? Nope! not one bit. I never contemplated going back home when this hit at all. The best part is that l feel they did a good job flattening the curve and like l said on the previous l think 5 posts with the updates on life here, its’ amazing how the whole country embraced this as a joint effort and everybody did what they were told for the common good, something that l am definitely not seeing in the states. I am quite proud :-).
Great stuff! I loved listening to this podcast and learning Cinnamon’s life story. Even with the real prices, Portugal sounds affordable for most people and a great place to be in.
Regarding the “other” problem… I am really curious to see how things will turn out long term. In Romania, for example, because people were told (or are forced) to stay within the borders, the prices for vacations have increased – and they were already high in my opinion, usually more expensive that Bulgaria and some parts of Greece. Like in all situations, some people thrive and some fail. Hopefully it will be more of the former and not the latter, so that the entire economy survives.
Yes, I was taken aback with the cost of living, especially in Lisbon. I found it higher than Spain when we visited, but then again, we ate out a lot and that is definitely pricier. Very interesting, and makes sense why people keep flocking there.
Yeah! I think a lot of suffering is still to come for so many places. Looking at a video from Vegas yesterday all cut confirmed what l have long suspected. Everything and everybody is going to hurt for a while and prices will skyrocket. Imagine, a lot of airlines cutting routes can only lead to cancellations until they get full loads and the prices are going to be higher. I laugh when l see the eager travellers expecting it to be the same as before AND still want the middle seats empty…etc..etc. Yeah, the airlines are in it for money, so pony up. I’m good for a while. I also hope that the ones who thrive outnumber the ones who don’t. We’ll see soon enough.
So glad that you and Federico are able to play tourist in your adopted hometown without the hordes of tourists, enjoying the Mercado Central and favorite bars to support the local economy. Relish this time as a Spanish city without tourists in the summertime will be a rare occurrence. The economic fallout for so many in the hospitality industry worldwide is incalculable.
Steven and I are on a road trip now to the US NW to visit our first grandchild and then visiting some of the national parks on our way home to Denver. It was with some trepidation we embarked on this adventure in the age of the virus but are taking precautions.
Keep up the great work, Kemkem, keeping us informed about other bloggers’ lives and experiences around the world.
Annie
I hope all is well with you guys as well. We are hanging in there and so far enjoying the quiet times. I have a feeling it’s going to be like this for a while though. Even the natives are afraid of going out, and if it’s worldwide, maybe not as many will travel. I know l have no desire to when l read up on the things you have to do to take a flight, and the time. No thanks. I do feel sorry for the ones that depend on the tourist dollars though.
A road trip sounds nice, and l believe going forward, will be super popular with people. I bet it’s not as crowded either right now. Congratulations on the birth of your first grandchild. I bet you’re extremely happy. Enjoy sending time with family and stay safe. Thanks again for listening and reading :-).