Buying Property in Portugal

From Minnesota to Portugal’s Silver Coast: A dream retirement home come true

For many people researching retirement abroad, the journey begins with a simple question: Could life really be better somewhere else?

For Steve and Angela, that question led them to Portugal...

Recently featured on Portugal The Simple Life Podcast, in the much-loved My Home in Portugal series, Steve and Angela sat down with host Dylan Herholdt in the backyard of their new villa in Foz do Arelho, sharing the real story of how a recently retired American couple from Minnesota ended up building a new chapter on Portugal’s Silver Coast.

Angela had just retired after a demanding career in cardiac intensive care nursing. Steve had worked as a consultant helping businesses implement computer systems. Like many couples approaching retirement, they were thinking carefully about lifestyle, finances, healthcare, and what they wanted the next phase of life to feel like.

But unlike many people still only researching, Steve and Angela made the move.

With guidance from Dylan, and full support from our team of Simple Life Home Buyer specialists, they purchased an off-plan property starting with nothing more than a plot of land and a vision. Today, that vision is their home.

Villas Foz – Design and Construction by PRESPROP

And while they still split time between Portugal and the United States to remain close to family, one thing is clear: Portugal has become much more than a retirement experiment.

As Angela put it during the podcast, “This is what we seek for this next chapter in our life. More calm, more peace, more fish!”

Retiring in Portugal became the answer

For Steve and Angela, Portugal was not an impulsive decision. It emerged slowly through research, travel, and practical planning.

As Steve explained, “Portugal kept kind of popping into our research, and the more we learned about it, the more we really thought this would be a great place.”

Initially, the attraction was practical. Retirement in the United States had become increasingly expensive, particularly when healthcare costs were considered.

Steve said plainly: “It allowed us to maybe retire a little bit earlier than we anticipated. Just because it’s a bit more affordable than trying to retire in the US, healthcare in particular.”

But over time, the reasons became more personal. Angela spoke openly about what life in the US had started to feel like:

“The quality of life is very different in Portugal. It’s safer. It feels safer. It feels more peaceful.”

She also referenced broader concerns that many American families share, including gun violence and political tension. This life-changing decision was not simply about finding somewhere more affordable to retire. It was about finding somewhere that felt healthier, calmer, and more aligned with the life they wanted.

Steve and Angela in Lisbon (Torre de Belém), Sintra (Palácio da Pena) and Óbidos Castle, which is just a few minutes away from their new home in Portugal

Portugal’s Silver Coast simply stood out

Like many international buyers, Steve and Angela first looked at Lisbon. It made sense on paper: international, vibrant, walkable, and well connected.

They also explored inland Portugal, including Tomar, which appealed because of its remarkable history. But something was still missing.

Their wish list became clearer with each trip. They wanted ocean access. They wanted proximity to Lisbon airport, making travel easier for visiting family. They wanted walkability. And importantly, they wanted authentic Portuguese life.

Angela explained one key decision factor: “We were trying to keep the drive from the Lisbon airport to our home here an hour or less.”

Climate also played a role. Tomar was beautiful, but the summer heat gave them pause.

Then came their Silver Coast scouting trip that changed everything. Steve still remembers the moment: “We came down the hill overlooking the ocean…” … That was it.

Steve and Angela in Foz do Arelho – Silver Coast Portugal

Foz do Arelho offered what they had not fully found elsewhere: ocean, lagoon, walkability, village life, and easy access to larger towns like Caldas da Rainha.

Most importantly, it felt real. Angela was clear about what they wanted to avoid: “We didn’t want to move from the US and then go to a US community in another country.”

That mindset is exactly why Portugal’s Silver Coast appeals to so many international buyers looking for a more authentic Portuguese way of life.

Buying property in Portugal from the United States

Buying property abroad can feel intimidating. Buying a home that does not yet exist can feel even more daunting. Steve acknowledged this directly.

“Building a house from the US in another country, that definitely is a leap of faith.”

Yet their experience tells a different story. Working through the Simple Life Home Buyer system, exclusively offered by Leisure Launch Group through Portugal Realty, the process felt far more simple than many would expect.

Their property was purchased off-plan in August 2024. At that point, it was simply a plot. What followed was a carefully managed construction process, with clear milestones, staged payments, regular communication, and progress visibility.

One of the most important figures in that journey was the support of their Client Navigator. For international buyers purchasing remotely, having a trusted local point of contact is not a luxury. It is essential.

Steve spoke positively about the clarity of the process, explaining that having timelines and structured communication made a major difference. Progress updates, including videos, helped bridge the distance between Minnesota and Portugal. The reassurance mattered. So did the consistency.
Even more remarkably, the build was completed on time. For anyone who has ever built property anywhere, that detail stands out. As Steve reflected simply, “It all went quite well.”

The lifestyle beyond the property

Portugal’s Silver Coast offers much more than property ownership. It offers a way of living. Steve described discovering “so many hidden gems.”

That has meant spontaneous meals, small local restaurants, festivals, hiking, regional road trips, and community events. Angela summed it up perfectly: “You cannot be bored.”
From beer festivals in Caldas da Rainha to seafood lunches, local markets, and coastal walks, the lifestyle has exceeded expectations.

And then there is the food. As Angela happily noted, “We love fish and seafood.”

The emotional side of living between two homes

Steve and Angela still have family in the United States, including grandchildren. That creates emotional complexity. Angela admitted, “We sometimes wish that we could just bring the whole family over here.”

Modern retirement does not always mean fully leaving one life behind. For many, it means building flexibility. A home in Portugal. A connection elsewhere. And the freedom to move between both.

Watch Steve and Angela’s Full Interview
Portugal: The Simple Life Podcast Episode – Season 4, Episode 32

Thinking about your own home in Portugal?

Steve and Angela started where many people begin. Research. Questions. Uncertainty.
Then came conversations. Guidance. A plan. And eventually, a home.
If you are considering retirement in Portugal, buying property on the Silver Coast, or exploring off-plan opportunities with experienced local support, Portugal Realty can help you understand what is possible.
Because sometimes the first step is not buying a home. It is understanding whether this life could be yours too.