Portugal Expats

Dan Wilhelm is an American expat currently living in Portugal. Originally from Pennsylvania, Dan has lived in various parts of the world including New York City and Central America before settling in Portugal. He works as a strategic consultant for companies worldwide, which allows him the flexibility to work remotely and travel frequently.

Dan has a deep love for Portugal, having met his wife in the country and built a life there. He is constantly amazed by the country’s stunning landscapes, rich history, and friendly people. When not working, Dan enjoys exploring Portugal with his wife, trying new restaurants, and immersing himself in the local culture.

Dan’s expertise in strategic consulting has helped him build a successful career while also giving him the freedom to live in his dream country. He is committed to continuing to explore Portugal and to helping businesses around the world achieve success.

Jeff and Joch met in 2007 while volunteering on the board of a San Francisco non-profit organization. It sounds silly to say so, but their eyes met at that first meeting. Both knew their lives would be connected. Jeff worked at the Hilton in the financial district and Joch traveled internationally as a mentor/trainer of behavioral health group facilitators. Jeff lived in nearby Vallejo and Joch lived in Oakland. It wasn’t long before they rented a work/live loft in the Jingle-town area of Oakland and watched their cats, who thought they were solo divas, learn how to be sisters. 

During their first few dates one thing was clear– they both enjoyed travel and dreamed of retiring together. They started an ever-growing list of distant countries and cities each wanted to visit. 

Jeff and Joch married in 2013, five weeks after the Supreme Court decision legalizing same sex marriage in the US. Jeff had transitioned to a career with the state of California in the Employment Development Department, the largest agency of the state. Ultimately all career paths with the state lead to the capital city. Jeff and Joch bought a home in nearby Elk Grove and friendships thrived in a back yard that featured a pool, hot tub and fire pit. 

Joch turned 70 in 2019. The stories and dreams about retirement began to feel real. Jeff suggested a January birthday trip to consider moving to Portugal. They flew to the Algarve, spent a couple of weeks exploring, visited Lisboa for three days and enjoyed a day in Sintra. They added two days and an overnight in Dublin on their return home. The trip clarified a vision to retire and to move to Portugal. 

May 2019 was when Joch finally retired and hung up his trainer’s hat. Jeff suggested attendance at the LAIO annual conference in Houston. He thought attendance would assist the couple in formulating a plan. And Jeff certainly was right. After comparing Portugal to numerous other retirement destinations Portugal remained the right decision for both of them. They met João G Gil Figuera, a lawyer with GFDL, who became their facilitator during the visa and residency process. They met Luis da Silva of Senior Living Villages who supported their community discovery and apartment selection process. They met friends from other parts of the US who remain in contact to this day. They moved to Portugal a year ago and reside in Braga. Their forever condo apartment is being built as they practice their Portuguese and plot post-pandemic trips around the world. 

Allison Baxley is a wife to her high school sweetheart, mother of two young children, former advertising creative director, and creator of www.RenovatingLife.com. She and her family uprooted their comfy lives in Brooklyn last year in order to start fresh in Cascais, Portugal. After living the rat race that is NYC for 11 years, they decided they wanted to slow down, enjoy more of what life and the world has to offer, and live life with more intention.