Why we chose to retire in Portugal – Ian & Mireille’s story

Portugal the Simple Life
Jul 22
4 min read

Updated: Sep 30

In this special episode of "My Home in Portugal" (Portugal The Simple Life Podcast, Season 3, Episode 68), Dylan chats with Ian and Mireille — a couple from the UK and Belgium who made their dream of retiring in Portugal a reality.

Sitting under the sun in São Martinho do Porto, in the cobblestone patio outside Portugal Realty's office, they talk about their journey: why they left the UK, how they fell in love with Portugal, and the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with buying a dream home abroad.

My home in Portugal - Ian & Mireille in front of Portugal Realty's office on the Silver Coast — "My Home in Portugal" with Ian & Mireille in front of Portugal Realty's Silver Coast office

The result is a heartfelt conversation filled with honesty, laughter and the quiet joy of choosing a more authentic lifestyle.

Saying goodbye to the UK & the decision to retire in Portugal

For Ian, leaving the UK wasn’t just about the weather — it was about quality of life. Over the years, he witnessed his hometown's transformation, as shops closed and the sense of community eroded.

“You wander through the town centre now, and it’s just barbers, vape shops, and foreign supermarkets… All of the main shops… they’ve all shut down. It’s not just Swindon. This is society in general.”

When Ian and Mireille first started thinking about their future life after retiring, Portugal wasn’t even at the top of the list. Spain, Italy and even Croatia were all under consideration. But after doing some research and speaking with friends who had moved to Portugal, they decided to explore the country for themselves.

“We went all the way to the south, drove along the coast, trying to pick an area that felt like home.”

Portugal offered something different: space, simplicity and a slower rhythm. But they were looking for something very specific — not just sun and sea, but somewhere that felt right. Somewhere peaceful, not packed with tourists. And most of all, a place that felt authentically Portuguese.

Portugal’s Silver Coast – The feeling they were looking for

The possibility of buying a property on the Silver Coast began with just Ian. He travelled to the region alone for the initial viewings, meeting Dylan Herholdt, the Sales Director at Portugal Realty, who also happens to be the host of Portugal The Simple Life Podcast. Together, they explored a few hand-picked properties along the coast, while Mireille followed along through video calls and photos.

However, Ian and Mireille decided that they needed to make the decision together and in person, to really get a feel for the place.

“You have to feel at home wherever you buy.” – Mireille

So Ian returned to the Silver Coast with Mireille, driving from town to town, walking through neighbourhoods, and truly experiencing the lifestyle of what many call "the real Portugal".

At first, Mireille wasn’t sure about the Silver Coast. “It’s raining,” she said during their first January visit. But eventually, they landed in Foz do Arelho, a quiet village between the Atlantic and Obidos Lagoon — and everything changed.

The turning point: A lunch in Foz do Arelho

The tipping point was meeting Dylan for lunch in a traditional Portuguese restaurant in Foz do Arelho. One meal, one glass of wine, one warm welcome — and they knew they’d found the real Portugal.

“From the outside it didn’t look special. But inside — the atmosphere, the people, the food, the wine... I thought: Oh my God, this is what this place is about.”

Village centre at Foz do Arelho - Silver Coast Portugal

What struck them most about Foz do Arelho wasn’t just the beauty or the calm, but the authenticity of daily life. The traditional restaurants and cafés, the surf school down the road, the little mini markets — all still there, unchanged for decades. And in one simple moment, it felt like home.

The decision to buy property: a little scary at first, but also exciting

Their buying journey wasn’t without nerves. They did Zoom calls, drove the coast again and again, and kept coming back to the same apartment in Foz do Arelho.

“I think I was putting too much pressure on it… like: 'Is this my forever home?' And then Dylan said something really helpful — ‘It doesn’t have to be forever'...”

Realising that this apartment didn’t have to be a "forever home" was a simple shift in mindset, but it made the whole process easier. If one day they decide to move into a different home or their plans change in a few years, they’d still have the security that comes with making a smart investment in a great location.

Today, the apartment in Foz do Arelho is theirs to enjoy. While the plan is to rent it out until both can retire, they’re also setting it up as a peaceful retreat to escape to anytime — for weekends, golf retreats and holidays in the sun.

Foz Residence Apartments - Foz do Arelho Portugal - built by Presprop - Aerial View

Why Portugal feels like home

“We went into the apartment, and the lady that lives next door… she waved at us! And I’m thinking, ‘She doesn’t even know who I am, why I’m here.’ But she was waving at us.”

For both Ian and Mireille, it was never about the apartment or the place — it was about how this new home makes them feel.

“It still feels like you’re on holiday, but you don’t feel like a tourist. It’s calm. It’s relaxed. The people are lovely. The food is good. The wine is good. The golf is good...”

But Mireille has another explanation for why this place is special: Portugal welcomes you — but never pretends to be anything it’s not.