I left the US to live in Europe — now I work 20…
She said “olá” to a low-cost, no-stress life in Lisbon.
An American expat who left Los Angeles to live in Portugal says she’s happier than ever since shifting overseas 4 years in the past.
(*20*) Wichmann says she felt unfulfilled at her advertising gig in La La Land and took a leap of religion by quitting her full-time job to go freelance.
“Every day going into my job, parking in the same spot, going to the same desk, staring at the same wall — I was just like, ‘There has to be more to life than this,’” the now 31-year-old told CNBC.
(*20*) Wichmann says she felt unfulfilled at her advertising gig in La La Land and took a leap of religion by quiting her full-time job to go freelance. Instagram/kaitlinwichmann
“I definitely feel happier and more at peace here,” Wichmann told CNBC, saying she now has far more time to pursure her hobbies. Instagram/kaitlinwichmann
Wichmann relocated to Lisbon in 2021, enticed by the metropolis’s heat climate and focus on healthy exercise.
The Kansas native now works no more than 20 hours per week as a freelance digital marketer “helping American and Portuguese clients with their online advertising.”
The millennial makes around $7,000 USD most months, which is more than enough to assist her comparatively inexpensive life in Lisbon.
“I definitely feel happier and more at peace here,” Wichmann told CNBC, saying she now has far more time to pursure her hobbies.
“When I was living in Los Angeles, pretty much my life revolved around work,” she added. “[Now] my life revolves around my life with work scattered in.”
“When I was living in Los Angeles, pretty much my life revolved around work,” she added. “[Now] my life revolves around my life with work scattered in.” Instagram/kaitlinwichmann
Wichmann broke down her spending for the month of June, revealing she spent $3457 — less than half of her average earnings.
Rent and utilities had been just just $1296, while food prices had been just $500 for the month. It gave the millennial ample spending money for issues such as journey, tennis classes and procuring.
Indeed, many expats have been lured to Portugal since the onset of the Covid pandemic, with its low prices and simple access to visas.
“When I was living in Los Angeles, pretty much my life revolved around work,” she added. “[Now] my life revolves around my life with work scattered in.” Instagram/kaitlinwichmann
In 2022, Portugal unveiled a D8 Digital Nomad Visa for non-EU residents working for a overseas company. The inflow of expats has pushed up prices and left some Portuguese residents disillusioned.
But not like most digital nomads who plan to ultimately depart Portugal, Wichmann says she’s invested in staying in the nation long-term.
“When I moved to Lisbon, my plan was to live here at least five years and then decide where I wanted to go after that,” she said. “[Now] I don’t see myself moving anywhere else, at least outside of Portugal. I just really like it here.”
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