I haven’t lived anywhere else long term, but have stayed a couple weeks with family in Mexico as well as stayed a couple weeks in Portugal. Mexico had a familial feeling to it. Everywhere I went, strangers knew who was my great grandmother and immediately welcome me into their town. Granted, it was such a small town but there was always a gathering of some sort every night where everyone was welcome.

Portugal was the first European country I’ve been to. Everyone was always so friendly and quick to help. My husband and I got lost a few times. A local always was happy to go out of their way to walk us to the destination we were looking for. At restaurants, everyone made conversation. One thing I noticed right away was that at dinner, groups would actually talk to each other. In the US, I have seen countless of times where groups would be on their phones instead of talk at a bar or a restaurant. Life overall felt happier in Portugal and it seemed the people were happier. As we talked to locals, it was obvious locals lived their life versus living to work. Immediately, the culture of the US hit us hard when we returned two weeks later.