How life changes! Three years ago in January we were in Johannesburg making our final plans to leave South Africa and live in Portugal. However our move was delayed a few months as a result of Carol’s sudden cancer diagnosis and treatment. We left in April 2022.
At that time I thought that our move was “forever”.
Now I know there is never a forever.
So after just under three years living in Portugal we are going back to South Africa.
Our latest decision comes as a shock to many of our South African friends who, like us, thought we’d gone to Portugal for good! There was equal surprise from the people we have met here in Portugal who thought the same thing.
We had!! But ….
We’ve now been here for just under 3 years and after considering all the advantages and disadvantages decided that, for us in our circumstances and at our time of life, SA is the best choice!
Why the change of heart?
One of the main considerations was the difficulty Carol was having with the language. And with the language barrier comes the difficulty in integrating and being involved with the community.
She never complained but it was clear that her heart was not in this adventure.
The language barrier and Carol's decision that she would never drive in Portugal (other side of the road!). raised the question by one of her children when we were looking at jointly buying a property in Portugal:
“What would she do if I died (or became incapacitated) before her?”
After looking at various options the simple answer was “She would return to South Africa”.
So why not move now?
Despite Portugal’s advantages of safety, affordability, good quality public health, the 10 year tax exemption, a country growing with hope and past its lowest days, easy-going people and the potential benefit of Carol getting Portuguese citizenship (and a decent passport) within the next two years.
All these advantages were overshadowed by the quality of her day-to-day life in Portugal. I was ambivalent as both were good options.
The challenges of living in a country with a different language
There’s no doubt that the language barrier makes living in Portugal more difficult than SA. Many people in government agencies only speak Portuguese. Day to day living is in Portuguese. So, whereas I managed to become reasonably conversant in Portuguese, Carol didn’t.
To some extent immigrants, and especially expats, are resented (xenophobia!) by locals as they have contributed to various social problems like inflated housing prices.
Having the same commitment to relocating
If there is a disconnect here it makes it difficult.
We don’t plan on doing any more world travels except to visit family. So for her a Schengen, Dubai and US visa on her SA passport will suffice.
Other problems can arise when considering one’s future health and the various options. Both people must have the same capability to live in the foreign country without the other one.
Without me Carol would not manage to support herself in Portugal. Her limited Portuguese and reliance on public transport could make life unbearable.
On the other hand, for me living in Portugal was relatively easy. As are most places where I have a laptop, a bed, and an environment where I can run or walk.
In addition I have enjoyed the challenge of learning Portuguese and had made good progress. As endorsed by Sónia, our Portuguese teacher!
But, whatever the pros and cons it’s not to be.
Where to from here?
Fortunately we had accumulated very few possessions. With the few larger items we had bought to be taken over by our landlord.
At the end of January we met Roger in Italy for a week-long vacation celebrating his 80th birthday.
We are booked to fly out from Porto and to arrive in South Africa on 18 February.
Completing the full circle of this adventure we'll be staying in Johannesburg with the same friends we did before setting out.