The Column

Short pieces on moving, motherhood, language, and the small mechanics of starting again. New columns every few weeks.

✦ Latest

The Expat Hunger Games

On the three phases of making friends as an expat — from desperate social salesperson to finally finding your people.

LifestyleJune 2026· 8 min1914

Lifestyle

The Day Our Bathroom Exploded

On luxury housing, exploding shower glass, and discovering that expensive does not automatically mean well-built.

LifestyleJune 2026· 7 min14615

Lifestyle

Communication Breakdown (With Bonus Dehydration)

On language barriers, salon chaos, and how a simple haircut became an international incident — part two.

LifestyleJune 2026· 7 min18017

Lifestyle

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

On humidity, bad hair days, and how a simple haircut in Portugal became an international incident.

June 2026 · 6 min

Lifestyle

Two Things Nobody Told Me to Bring to Portugal

On translation apps, shopping trolleys, and discovering that the most essential relocation gear is never in the moving guides.

LifestyleJune 2026· 6 min14520

Lifestyle

The Retro Romance of Mediterranean Breeze-Drying

On Portuguese laundry lines, dramatic doors, and discovering that the best relocation stories are the ones nobody puts in the brochures.

LifestyleJune 2026· 6 min18528

Lifestyle · Notebook

“The Condominium Big Brother”

On WhatsApp surveillance, rubbish-bin detective work, and discovering that condominium life is stranger than fiction.

LifestyleJune 2026· 6 min16920

Moving

How I Accidentally Became a Condominium Person

On gated communities, glass bathrooms, and discovering that condominium life comes with unexpected advantages — and neighbours.

MovingJune 2026· 6 min1814

Moving

How Food Poisoning Helped Us Choose Portugal

On food poisoning, research rabbit holes, and the country that quietly kept showing up until we finally noticed it.

June 2026 · 6 min

Moving

Why We Moved Again?

On leaving a life that looked perfect, researching countries like a private investigator, and choosing sunshine over certainty.

MovingJune 2026· 6 min1667

Moving

Rental Contract Tips for the Brave & Relocating

Six golden nuggets for surviving Portuguese rental contracts — from lawyers to deposits you'll probably never see again.

MovingJune 2026· 4 min529

Lifestyle

The Dishwasher for Ants

Renting a concrete cube sight unseen, surviving a once-in-a-decade storm, and discovering that starting over means bruised shins and unexpected joy.

June 2026 · 5 min

Lifestyle · Notebook

“The Roast Chicken Rental”

A memorable viewing in Quinta da Marinha featuring archaeological poultry, shared driveways, and a roof that literally caved in.

LifestyleJune 2026· 5 min694

Lifestyle

The Eurovision of Portuguese Real Estate

If you think you can leisurely browse listings, book a few viewings, sip some sangria and carefully consider your options... bless your optimistic heart.

LifestyleJune 2026· 8 min1485

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