the hot goddess

Home for the Holidays ~ Midlife Expat Learning

Portugal continues to be at the top of best-places-to-retire-abroad lists. This got my attention when I retired in 2019 as a solo midlife woman of 59. I was intrigued by the thought of lowering my living expenses and the possibility of being able to afford to live on the ocean as a single retiree. The month I spent living in Portugal in 2019 convinced me it was the country for me to move to in retirement. After returning home, I planned to save money and move to Portugal at 65. But when my house sold unexpectedly in late 2021, I realized I could move three years ahead of plan. I’ve been living in Portugal since October 1, 2022, and will continue to share a Midlife Expat Learning post here every other month as I navigate the complex process of immigrating to Portugal.

Is it possible to turn a furnished rental into a home sweet home overseas? This isn’t about decorating for the holidays. It’s about decorating for your personality and comfort, which is essential for creating a welcoming home — a sanctuary — as a new immigrant living an expat life in a foreign country. As a solo midlife expat and retiree, I know this is especially important.

The question of renting furnished or unfurnished housing is one I’ve seen and heard on multiple expat sites. There are two camps on this. One is pro-furnished, for ease and expediency. The other is pro-unfurnished, for personal taste, cleanliness, and comfort.

When I began looking for housing in Portugal so I could apply for my residency visa, I knew I wanted to minimize my risk of getting stuck someplace I didn’t like. I wanted to be able to try on a home or two (or more) to gauge whether or not a place was a fit for me. That meant renting. And, because I didn’t want to have to buy and then move a lot of furniture and appliances, that meant renting a “fully furnished” place was my preference.

Here is how I’ve chosen to modify my furnished home to increase my comfort and reflect my weird extraordinary, crazy vibrant,  snarky colorful, and IDGAF unique personality in old age midlife over 60. I’ve included a list of tips and links to resources for expats in Portugal, regardless of decorating preferences.

BEFORE: This is what I started with in my lounge/dining  area. A narrow space furnished with a too-big chunky sectional sofa and too-large dining table. No side tables, coffee table, or lamps.
NOW: An “accidental” style that evolved due to a rug that’s not the color I ordered.

While still in the States, I’d thought about going with a mid-century modern vibe in my Portugal space, with a color palette influenced by a favorite painting of mine. (That painting is still in my mother’s basement in Ohio because shipping it here will cost me two grand, not including the Customs duty I would likely be socked with.) I knew I was going to rebel against neutrals. I am not neutral. I knew I didn’t want softly muted. I am not muted or soft. It turns out that what I ended up with is definitely not most folk’s cup of tea and is quite different from my other homes. But it’s perfect for who I am now.

A funkozy (funky + cozy made-up word), mid-mod, Moroccan-boho-by-the-beach lounge look for a groovy goddess. Who has hot flashes, cold spells, and a bad back.

A bit much? Yeah. Like me. Now I just need a hand-blown green glass Gumby bong to complement the vibe.

Don’t ask how I know that such a thing exists.
I had to buy this white mid-mod credenza thingy early on to hide store my shit materials out of sight. I am not an open-shelving kinda chick, though I wish I were. I found this at a local store and they delivered it here. I also had one of my sunset photos made into a large canvas print soon after I arrived. I still need to re-hang it because it’s too high.
I tried for shapes and colors that tie the look together. I purchased the ceiling pendant light fixture, black table lamp, and sunflower yellow ceramic table at marked-down prices. Everything else shown here I already had from the States.
I didn’t used to be a throw-pillows-everywhere person. But I needed to bring all these pillows downstairs from the bedrooms to try to make the rug’s wrong color work in this space.

And now, my back lets me know I need lumbar pillows, cervical spine pillows, butt pillows, thigh pillows, knee pillows… WTF?

In my first year here, I’ve spent more than I originally planned on this furnished place, with the bulk of expenses coming at the beginning to stock the home. But it is a three-bedroom, four-bathroom, three-story townhouse with three patio/balconies. I bought nearly everything at discounted prices, and also shopped used furnishings.

I had to supply the kitchen, which included major appliances (some rentals do not!) but no small appliances, dishes, glasses, flatware, utensils, pots, or pans. I replaced mattresses and all textile items, and had the upholstered sofa professionally cleaned and sanitized. I purchased lamps for every room and replaced light fixtures in the lounge and master bath. In addition to buying several pieces of additional furniture, rugs, pots, and plants for interior rooms, I bought furniture, rugs, a patio umbrella, pots, and plants for three outdoor spaces. I also needed to purchase a TV, printer, and speakers.

A work in progress

I did choose to spend money to install a gallery wall of professionally framed art I owned and brought from the U.S., but, for me, this wall is a necessity. Yes, costs can quickly add up, but I’ve remained budget-conscious and purposeful with each purchase. Given the size of my space, expenses have been much lower than if I’d had to start completely from scratch.

Bedrooms are neutral grays
And very simple
The studio on the top floor
Is still just a storage area
All ensuite bathrooms
With colorful tiles
Have a definite
Mid-century modern feel

My Advice for a Furnished Pad

1. Clean. Bring essentials in case, like me, you can’t get to a store right away. I packed a roll of toilet paper, a roll of paper towels, containers of Clorox wipes, Purell sanitizer, and rubber gloves, among other things. I also packed new mattress pads, a set of bed sheets, a travel pillow, a small blanket, towels, and all-important magnetic bug screens.

Within days, or as soon as possible, have upholstery professionally cleaned, buy a new mattress for your bed if you can, and replace or launder and sanitize all furnished textiles (curtains, mats, shower curtains, duvets, blankets). Amazon Spain and IKEA Portugal made this fast, convenient, and relatively affordable for me in a couple of big orders without my needing a car.

2. Wait. After addressing immediate sanitizing and supply needs, hold off on decorating. See if you’re going to stay. I spent six months looking at other homes in other coastal cities throughout Portugal. When I began purchasing additional furnishings to meet my evolving needs, I started with a minimalist less-is-more approach. Then the rug splurge. Then my second haul of stuff from the U.S. this fall, a year after living here.

3. Repurpose and reposition existing furnishings. I took apart the sectional sofa, removed the overstuffed, bulky back cushions, and created two more-streamlined and modern-looking seats. The sectional can easily be returned to its original state if needed. I moved existing furniture and accessories among rooms and floors, and turned a ceiling fixture glass shade into a decorative vase.

4. Buy used. I scored two huge wall mirrors with turquoise-painted frames I love at a used-furniture warehouse, where I negotiated a price that was one-fourth the cost of just one new large mirror. Check out:

olx.com.pt

Facebook Marketplace

AEAKI

5. Think beyond IKEA and Amazon. Here are some retailers I like for home stuff:

laredoute.pt

conforama.pt

aosom.pt

gatopreto.pt

Loja da Esmeralda

worten.pt

leroymerlin.pt

Etsy.com (Do shipping from EU countries only to avoid hefty Customs charges)

Canvaspop.com (Online photo-to-canvas service that ships to Portugal with no Customs duty)

Continente and Intermarche are grocery chains that also sell large inventories of kitchenware. Continente delivers.

There are many, many retailers to choose from in Portugal. These are just some I like that fit my budget preference and deliver to my home on the Silver Coast.

6. Bring as much as you can from your former home with you in your suitcases to clear Customs with no inspection or duty charges. Smaller personal items of sentimental value can have big impact. Pashminas, bowls, a few books, snarky mugs, throws, pillow covers, and gifts made by my son all went into a checked suitcase. Unframe any art you can and roll to put inside cardboard or plastic containers that fit inside suitcases, then have the art reframed when you arrive in your new country.

A Few More Things

There are still some things I want to buy.

The. Perfect. Doormat.
This was tailor-made for me! It’s sold on Amazon but doesn’t ship to Portugal 😭.
Remember this?
Such a mid-mod must-have, right?

I was reminded of this Pussy Palace sign recently. Nothing makes a place feel like home more than the people around you, of course. I’ve hit the jackpot as far as neighbors and friends here, and now I know I really am truly at home with my people. Just yesterday, a family member of my Portuguese nextdoor neighbor DM’d me on Instagram, sharing with me an IG page of interest.

For sex toys and lube. Yep. They thought I’d be interested in an Instagram account devoted to sex toys and lube. Whoa! What?

1. My walls are thinner than I thought; or

2. My poor spoken Portuguese inadvertently communicated something at some point that I didn’t know I was saying; or

3. I just look like a groovy babe with a pussy palace vibe.

When neighbors share resources for midlife sex.
Ya gotta feel at home.

Home Sweet Home indeed.

Stay Tuned

Moving to another country is a complex process, and information can change quickly without notice. Everyone’s experience can be different. I’m remembering to take it all in stride, stay flexible, prepared, pivot-ready, and positive. Stay tuned.

2023 Midlife Expat Learning Posts

January/February: SEF immigration appointment

March/April: SEF immigration troubleshooting

May/June: Language classes

July/August: Healthcare

September/October: Moving personal belongings one year later

November/December: Turning a furnished rental into a home

Happy Holidays

This is the last Midlife Expat Learning post for 2023. Happy holidays, whatever that means for you. I’ll sign off today with photos of Portugal pre-Christmas. Thank you for reading!

Batalha
Alcobaça
Cabbage is a staple of Portuguese holiday meals.
I made my first Thanksgiving Day meal in Portugal this year. It’s not a holiday observed here, but my namorado was impressed by the food.
Alcochete
Groovy Goddess

Photos are my own.

The Hot Goddess

Instagram: retired_rewired_inspired

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48 comments

  1. Brilliant, eclectic and what I
    would love to accomplish ( in home decor) when I start my adventure in Portugal. Soo impressed. Totally my type of vibe in living space. My respect!
    Joe

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. I’m with you on getting a furnished place there are so many things you can do over the next 6 – 12 months or more to make it your own. This is my plan

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  4. OMG Natalie!
    You made that house a home furnished or not I must say—You have marvelous taste darlin. You jammed on the holiday brunch menu—Everything looked so yummy and delicious. Pictures of Portugal are always on point! The boyfriend has good hair 😉 and you look so happy. Blessings of joy, peace and good health to you. Happy Holidays

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Jess, you made my day, thank you! ❤️ I’m flattered that you like the space…and the Thanksgiving menu. And the boyfriend got a kick out of your “bom cabelo” compliment 😁. I am grateful for you and your kindness. Warmest holiday wishes to you 🤗

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  10. Wow, Natalie, you have created a home that sings! Wonderful. I wonder if you’ve attracted any of your readers to consider a move to Portugal. You certainly provide plenty of solid information. It looks like your Christmas will be very special. 😊🎄

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. Girl you worked your magic on this design. I love the cheerful vibe in your place and the artwork. Can you come back to the USA to take on my place? Every time I see the sunset in your photos in makes me evidence. Live your life.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. Giggling about the time stamped Black Friday pictures. Your place looks amazing and your great ideas about how you made it happen were brilliant. Thanks for sharing your learning – and your wonderful pictures!! Happy Thanksgiving!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Ah, thank you so much, Wynne 💕. And that Black Friday plate was mine, not my friend’s 😁. There have been many more heaping plates devoured after that one too. I didn’t realize how I’d missed my family’s traditional Thanksgiving “feast.” I appreciate your kind comments about my place, and am soaking in your holiday wishes. Obrigada ❤️ ❤️

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      Reply

  15. Awesome (as always!) and so informative. Thank you for sharing your process and making exploring the resources easy by including links!
    Also—these pics rock! Second career loading…

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    Reply

  16. Love your funkozy pad! You brought such life, color and pizzazz! If it were me, though, I’d do most of my living in your outdoor space. Okay, there has to be a story about the hanger on your gallery wall. Phenomenal photos. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year as well!

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    • Hi Mona! Happy holidays to you. Thank you so much for your kind comment 💜. I’m happy you like my technicolor space, and, yes, I agree with you about spending most of the time outside 😎.

      I love that you noticed my mid-century (19th century) hanger. I bought this 1800s hanger at an antique fair decades ago when I was into collecting Victorian-era stuff. Here, it’s a perfect symbol of the antiquated yet ongoing assault on women’s reproductive rights.

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      Reply

    • Donna, thank you so much for stopping by! And you’re from the same neighborhood, too. Love that you noticed the key! There are several mid-century CLE icons on my gallery wall. Mr. Jingaling’s key is a favorite, along with Lawson’s (my father and I used to walk there from our Ludlow house to buy their almond crescent cookies), and Hough Bakeries (as a young child during the Hough riots, I couldn’t understand why there was trouble over the “birthday cake bakery”). Little did I know until my mother explained what was really going on.

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