Published inExpat Stories·PinnedWrite for Expat StoriesWe are currently open for submissions. Whether you’re a current expat or a past expat… Tell your stories here! Give your advice! If you’re interested, please email me, Kimberly Anne directly at: MyUnknownAdventure@gmail.com If you are selected, I ask that your stories are properly edited prior to submission. Ideally I’m…Travel Writing1 min readTravel Writing1 min read
PinnedMoving to Portugal!I’m 55+ from the US and a year ago I moved, by myself, to Portugal without having been here before and without knowing anyone. Sight unseen baby! People have a lot of words for someone like me: crazy, adventurous and brave are the most common. It’s been a trip (can…Expat6 min readExpat6 min read
Published inLiving the #Vanlife·Pinned30 Ways to Stay Safe on the RoadWhether you’re traveling full-time or just running to the market, here’s an extensive list to help you return home (or to your van) safely — I’ll start and end this post with this statement: The world is not as scary or dangerous as the news portrays BUT things do happen to innocent people every single day, so please be aware and be prepared. Several months ago I had a creepy stalker encounter. And although I…Vanlife17 min readVanlife17 min read
PinnedMy Bio — Kimberly AnneWelcome! I’m Kimberly Anne (KA). For a year I lived in a van (solo with my sick, aging dog) and traveled throughout the US. I now live in Portugal. I moved here, sight unseen, by myself, without knowing anyone in September of 2022. First and foremost I’m a writer. …Biography3 min readBiography3 min read
Published inExpat Stories·3 days agoThe Great Furniture DebacleMistakes from an Expat in Portugal — When you travel to a new country and don’t speak the language it’s fun. When you move there, it’s different. Mostly because there are things you have to get done like buy furniture for your apartment or go to the hospital. While grocery shopping can be a challenge whether traveling…Expat4 min readExpat4 min read
Published inExpat Stories·5 days agoMember-onlyFunny Language Mistakes (and Other Helpful Information When Moving to a New Country)The time I accidentally asked for a dick at a café. — I was in a Portuguese café, eager to practice my Portuguese whenever I can… (Note: at the time this happened I was only in Portugal for one month). Once at the front of the line I say, “queria dois pão, se faz favor.” What I thought I was saying is…Expat Life9 min readExpat Life9 min read
Published inExpat Stories·6 days agoMember-onlyLessons in Portugal (Take a Coffee)A country that doesn’t subscribe to urgency culture — Today I was on a work call in front of my huge picture window when I heard a noise and looked up. I’m in a corner unit and can see two streets from my office. The quant cobblestone side street that leads to shops and restaurants and the busy main…Expat6 min readExpat6 min read
Published inExpat Stories·Sep 13Member-onlyWhy Portugal?The most asked question… — Before moving to Portugal this question drove me insane. People, few of them supportive, asked me so often that I made a list which I copied and pasted into every text, email and DM. Here it is, word for freaking word. I chose Portugal because: I’m a Europhile. I qualify…Expat9 min readExpat9 min read
Published inExpat Stories·Sep 11Member-onlyThe Beginning of Expating in PortugalI can’t find a way to start at the beginning. And it’s impossible to start at the ending of a story that has yet to conclude. Therefore I will start smack-dab in the middle. Hi, I’m Kimberly Anne and I’m a traveler. I travel through life, just like you, fast…Travel7 min readTravel7 min read
Published inExpat Stories·Sep 6Welcome to Expat StoriesI’m a Solo Female Expat in Portugal — Hello, I am Kimberly Anne, a 57 year old, US Expat who moved to Portugal in 2022, solo, sight unseen, without knowing anyone! It is my hope that this publication will contain other’s stories, not just my own. If you are an expat and want to contribute, please reach out…Portugal1 min readPortugal1 min read