We are Rhonda and Troy - and this is how we're Growing Roots in Portugal.
For years, we pictured our retirement as an open-road adventure — traveling across the United States in our new fifth-wheel, visiting national parks, family, and friends. But as time went on, rising costs and a deep craving for calm made us pause and rethink what we truly wanted.
OUR STORY
Planting a new life -
one root at a time
We realized that “retirement” wasn’t about doing more — it was about living more intentionally. So, instead of waiting for the perfect moment, we took a leap of faith. We sold nearly everything, packed our essentials, and began our next chapter abroad — planting new roots in Portugal, where life moves a little slower, the air feels lighter, and every day invites us to simply be.
After months of research and reflection, Portugal called to us with its warm people, slower pace, and breathtaking landscapes. We began learning the language, gathering documents, and preparing for our visa appointment in May 2025. By February, we had sold nearly everything we owned — keeping only the essentials — and by September 2025, we officially began our new life in Portugal. View Timeline
Now, three months later, we’re embracing every sunrise, every conversation in Portuguese, and every quiet moment exploring our new community. We recently purchased what we hope will become our forever home — a tranquil property we plan to renovate into Encanto do Vale, a boutique retreat where guests can slow down, reconnect, and experience the authentic heart of rural Portugal.
Through our YouTube channel, blog, and website, we’re sharing the real stories behind this journey — from navigating visas and buying a home to learning the language, planting roots, and growing our own food.
It’s all part of our mission to inspire others to dream differently, live simply, and grow deeply. “Explore our sustainable retreat project, Encanto do Vale, in the heart of Central Portugal → Visit Encanto do Vale
