17 Comments
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Ron Wudarsky's avatar

Devyn, you and Yoav are certainly doing the best thing for both you and your marriage. My husband and I moved from Florida to Porto in late February 2023. NO REGRETS. On top of this we know your soon-to-be downstairs neighbors, Samuel and Ronald. Boa sorte with tying up all the lose ends in the US and look forward to seeing you both in July. Ron W

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Devyn's avatar

Thanks Ron, This has definitely been a process to get to this point, but we are so very thrilled to have made it to this point. We are also super excited to get moved into our apartment and getting to know our neighbors as well as others in the community. We haven't even gotten there yet, but it feels like we already know a dozen or more people.

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Butch Heilig's avatar

What a fantastic pice, Devyn. You echo my sentiments almost exactly. Our life experiences are different - I didn’t come out, even to myself fully, until pretty recently. But I have a gay sibling, and many (many) gay friends, and everything you wrote is true for them as well. But I absolutely agree that our moves are not ‘cop outs’ but rather extreme self-care. Can’t wait to meet you guys in person! You have a standing invitation in Tomar!

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Devyn's avatar

Thank you Butch... ❤️ Your heartfelt comment means a lot.

Certainly looking forward to meeting in person as well. Same standing invite applies.

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erin's avatar

keep on keeping on!

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Michelle O's avatar

Fantastic and Riveting as always. Human rights, gun control, the environment, violence and hostility are the reasons we left. I can’t explain how relaxing our days and nights are compared to anywhere in the US. We can’t wait for you two to get here. You’ll be sorry for one thing: you didn’t come sooner.

Hugs! Happy Anniversary!! 🥰🥰🥰

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Devyn's avatar

Thank you 🤗🤗

The excitement is definitely building, and we are so looking forward to settling into our new apartment.

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Valerie Ellsworth's avatar

You and Yoav will always be a couple I am happy to say are my friends. Love ya pal. So I guess this means you really aren’t coming back to California anytime soon…lol

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Devyn's avatar

Thanks Valerie.... True, we are not likely to be back in California (or even the West Coast) anytime soon. But should you find your way to Portugal, let us know.

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Lila Licea's avatar

You are such a good writer. You hold my attention throughout the read. I expect to see and hear great stories once you’re in Portugal

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Devyn's avatar

Thank you Lila! I never fancied myself a writer, but I have gotten a lot of positive feedback lately. Not bad for having failed English in my senior year of high school causing me to not graduate with my class. I had to make it up in summer school. 😜

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Gregory B's avatar

I always enjoy reading your chronicles. I really appreciate your narrative skills.

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Karyn's avatar

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 100% agree with all of your reasonings to move to Portugal. Last year, my husband, daughter and I visited Portugal, and fell in love with everything about the country. I was particularly fascinated with how clean the highways are and the waste management systems in the towns/cities. Odd observation but pretty incredible. I felt safer in Portugal as a WOC than in my adopted Central Coast California. Thanks for sharing your journey! The posts are great!

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Barb Smith's avatar

Best wishes for every happiness! Really enjoyed your post and look forward to more!❤️

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Kevin McKay's avatar

A well written and very relatable post, thanks for sharing this. Our story is quite similar to yours in many respects. We settled in Madeira 3 years ago and love our new life here. Porto is a great city and I am sure you will be quite happy with your move. If you want to experience Madeira you have a standing invitation here. Looking forward to reading on about your move and settling in.

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Mark's avatar

Hello Sir

Lovely post I hope that everything falls into place here in Portugal, loving OHF made me lol.

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Chris / Seattle-Chicago-LA's avatar

Devyn, I just started reading your various posts, so I am late to your party, ha. But as a straight woman living in Seattle in Queen Anne Hill (and a diehard Chicagoan, as that’s my hometown), I feel a bit of kindred spirit, location-wise anyway; but mostly because the last 2-years I have been researching moving to Portugal. I truly appreciate your detailed posts,and might I add, you and Yoav look like twins! You seem perfect for each other and it’s truly inspiring to hear how happy you are in Portugal. Anyway, thought I’d say “Hello” to your May post, as I am also reading today’s (Oct. 23rd) and others ;-)

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