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Why I Chose Devon Over Portugal: A Walk & Reflection

My Spanish Diaries

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Join me for a peaceful walk along a stunning Devon beach as I reflect on my journey from Germany to Devon, England. I share how I spent five years exploring Portugal, Spain, France, and Italy before ultimately choosing Devon as my new home. In this video, I discuss:

How cheap properties in Portugal and rural living weren’t the right fit for me.
The challenges of bureaucracy and why I didn't want to make it worse by moving to a third country.
How a deepening awareness of life’s fragility influenced my decision to return to England.
The importance of community, belonging, and support—especially during uncertain times.
A personal update on my health and how living in Devon gives me peace of mind.

Throughout, I touch on themes of connection, mortality, and the importance of creating a life that feels right for you. If you're considering a big life change or just curious about the thought process behind moving back to England, this video may resonate with you.

Thank you for watching! Please leave a comment if you have questions or similar experiences to share.

#LifeInDevon #BeachWalk #ExpatsInEurope #over50s #retirement

PS Here is the video I referred to about hiking along the Rhine:
Hiking in the Upper Middle Rhine: Legends,...

17 Comments

@elainew8295 1 year ago

Great video Chris, we made the move to Devon in 2018 and like you, we feel so connected and settled, such friendly people made us welcome from day 1. We are very familiar with that walk you were doing, one of our favourite walks. Best of luck with your MRI.

@suebennison 1 year ago

Having lived abroad and now approaching retirement in the UK, I have been really enjoying your videos and perspective. Thank you. Best wishes for good health.

@SusieSchwartfeger 7 months ago

Excellent video Chris. I particularly love your deep self awareness and willingness to share your thinking. As my husband and I consider what our retirement might look like, your insights are helpful.
Thanks for making these excellent videos.

@geoffw8565 1 year ago

Ah, I recognise that railway wall walk between Dawlish and Teignmouth. Walked it many times and kids when small played on the beach. Used to walk down from Holcombe village where we lived. Devon is wonderful you're right and great people also. Enjoy it every day you're somewhere many dream of living. Wonderful Devon coastline on the doorstep and stunning Dartmoor not far away !

@tomcurtis8431 1 year ago

Hi, Chris. I’m from the USA, but not a MAGA, and I just found out I qualify for a five year ancestry visa to live in England because my dad’s dad was born in Devonshire, which I’d guess is now known as Devon. I’m very interested in doing this as my passion for photography has led me to every continent on our planet with four of the seven two or more times. I’ll be 70 this summer and what better way to add to my love of global travel by spending a few years living where my roots are.

@mollydumas759 1 year ago

I'm very happy for you ❤

@doodlus 1 year ago

Loved it. Thanks mate.

@RichardCookphotography 1 year ago

👍👍👍👍

@susankemppinen 1 year ago

Wonderful video.. I will follow you. Thank you .

@heathermatthewsart 1 year ago

Hi Chris, that was a very interesting video. Thank goodness you had those medical tests before you left Germany eh! That was quite a blessing although I'm sure it definitely felt like the opposite at the time. The scenery where you live is absolutely stunning, I didn't know you had the red cliffs and sand there. My parents lived in Sidmouth and there are red cliffs there too. It's great to hear that you have such a lovely community and such a lot going on. I would love to join a German club. I joined one German club when I moved here on 'meetup', Paula may have told you how it went but I didn't go again! Surprise, surprise I am looking forward to seeing the scenery in your German videos as well. ☺

@seanr2968 1 year ago

Great video again, Chris - and thanks for explaining your thinking about choosing Devon over Portugal - some good points. Best of luck with the MRI - at least you've started to make some moves earlier rather than later - which seems to be very important.

I wondered if you've ever considered two alternatives:

1. Having a main base in the UK but a small holiday home abroad for the sun in the Spring and Autumn (obviously more expensive and also not embedded in a single community)?
2. Having just one home in the UK but spending extended time abroad on a sort of holiday and maybe renting out the UK place to help pay for the rented place abroad?

Great to hear about U3A and also the importance of finding a community - especially when in retirement as work no longer provides that anymore.

Cheers

Sean

@richardpegg9265 1 year ago

how strange - good friends of mine have just left devon (brixham) for portugal - odd world

@CaldonianDude 1 year ago

Great video, very insightful. All the best and let's hope that test is a false positive.

@zims-1 1 year ago

Id love to know the surroundings u are. Im in surrey ,but have wanted to now as im retired to live down Devon way,but no idea of where to not be too isolated .
Is there good for health care, hospitals etc

@Glory3823 1 year ago

see your in Teignmouth is this were your living ?

@Mycosyslowlife 1 year ago

Are you on medication for your prostate? my grandad was for over 10 years and this year he had a biopsy and was diagnosed with cancer. It isn’t life threatening, he’s 75 and they said he could live until he’s in his 90. They will test his bloods every few months to check it doesn’t increase, they’re not even treating him until that happens. Hopefully this doesn’t make you feel worse, it’s intended to do the opposite 😄 we were so worried and the outcome wasn’t scary like we thought it might be. I hope you get a good result and don’t worry too much until they give you the details ❤ it’s always scary when there is a possibility but not the details. Hope you’re ok!