How it Started: Our Journey Moving Abroad with Kids

I’ve always dreamed of living abroad. Before I got married and had kids, I tried to pursue this goal several times, but for one reason or another, things always fell through. Once my husband and I had children, I figured our chances of moving overseas were unlikely—at least not until retirement. After all, why would you uproot your entire family to another country unless it was for work or some other compelling reason? Well, let’s talk about that.

For me, one of the most important aspects of raising kids is education. Unfortunately, the U.S. education system leaves a lot to be desired. Schools often focus on teaching kids how to take tests rather than encouraging critical thinking or problem-solving. In Florida, where we used to live, the public education system was particularly disappointing. That led us to private schools.

We found a wonderful school for our eldest child, and we were happy with the level of care and attention they received. But it came at a cost—a very high cost. For Pre-K4 in 2022, we paid nearly $30,000 for one child, for just one year. That’s not a typo—$30,000 for one year of tuition, extracurriculars, food, and after-hours care. And every year, costs would increase. For two kids, that would be more than $60,000 annually—an amount that felt unsustainable. At this rate, it seemed like I’d have to sacrifice any chance at retirement just to give my children a decent education.

Could we have looked for better schools in a different city or state? Perhaps. But Florida is one of the cheapest states in the U.S. in terms of cost of living, and it doesn’t have a state income tax, which is a huge advantage. Moving to another state would increase our tax burden. On top of that, private schools across the country are expensive—particularly the top-rated ones—and most are religious, which was a dealbreaker for us.

Then there’s the high cost of health insurance. Luckily, I was able to cover my family through my work plan, but premiums were still well over $2,000 a month. And that’s before deductibles, copays, and other out-of-pocket expenses. Inflation only made things worse, with a small yearly raise not even beginning to keep up with the rising cost of living.

But while the financial burden was significant, there was another, more personal reason behind our decision to move: safety and happiness. I didn’t want my children growing up in a country where school shootings were a tragic norm. I wanted them to learn to embrace diversity and differences, not use them as reasons to hate. I wanted to live in a community that was supportive, inclusive, and welcoming to everyone, regardless of race, religion, or sexual orientation.

So we started brainstorming our options. We looked at other states but didn’t like our options. We then opened our options to outside the United States.

We began our search for a country that could meet all of our criteria:

• Safety

• Low cost of living

• Quality, affordable healthcare

• Affordable, excellent schools that focus on critical thinking and learning

• High English proficiency to ensure our kids continue learning their native tongue

• Family-friendly amenities and activities

• Easy access to travel (both back to the U.S. and internationally)

• Stable government

• Focus on sustainability and the environment

• Stable currency

• Dual citizenship options

• Mild weather (no snow)

• Access to agricultural products; fresh food

• A culture that’s welcoming to foreigners and immigrants

• More socially liberal values

After researching and narrowing down our options, one country checked all the boxes: Portugal. It’s safe, beautiful, and friendly, with a fantastic quality of life. Plus, the possibility of obtaining EU citizenship after just five years opened up new opportunities—especially for our kids' future.

With Portugal chosen, the real work began: selling our possessions, downsizing, and planning a scouting trip to choose the right city. We also made sure our kids had a say in the decision. What started as a daunting, uncertain process turned into a source of excitement. The kids, who initially dreaded the idea of moving abroad, became enthusiastic about the adventure that lay ahead.

And so, the journey began.