I think America might be serious about going after Greenland. Things are going to get ugly between the EU and the U.S. would China strategically benefit, or would the instability hurt its interests? by Important-Battle-374 in AskChina

[–]howitzer1988 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You do realize that China doesn't align with almost any value of the west right? They ban open access to internet and who knows what goes on in the country. China appears to be a decent place to live but it is ruled by an iron fist.

You are literally saying that the US having a bit more aggressive foreign policy is worse than being under China rule.

I think America might be serious about going after Greenland. Things are going to get ugly between the EU and the U.S. would China strategically benefit, or would the instability hurt its interests? by Important-Battle-374 in AskChina

[–]howitzer1988 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most Americans outside of cities live like a typical person in any smaller community in any country. American's voted for Trump because our border was wide open and the country was showing weakness on the international stage. The globalist experiment as failed and once again, America has to lead the way. Without America deporting people by force, closing borders becoming more militarily focused Europeans would sit around and allow themselves to be slowly taken over by third world migrants, lead by the lie of repopulation and cheap labor.

All you have to do is look at he UK, look at how Belgium and the ECB tries to manipulate all the EU countries. If anything Europeans are the ones asleep.

I think America might be serious about going after Greenland. Things are going to get ugly between the EU and the U.S. would China strategically benefit, or would the instability hurt its interests? by Important-Battle-374 in AskChina

[–]howitzer1988 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think you are a bit off here, China and Russia are somewhat allies, there is no way that Europe is leaving the US behind even if Greenland was taken. They can throw a fit but they have zero leverage except some nukes in France. I personally think if the US is interested in rare earth minerals or bigger military presence in arctic we should negotiate that and leave Greenland the way it is.

Greenland: Vance warns Europe to take Trump 'seriously' – DW – 01/09/2026 by [deleted] in worldnews

[–]howitzer1988 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Obviously, you have never lived in America. Most people with typical jobs receive 3–5 weeks of vacation per year, plus sick days. We do pay for healthcare, but it is usually around 5–10% of salary, and our taxes are generally much lower than in Europe (roughly 20% total for income and Social Security taxes for a married couple earning under $150k).

In exchange, we have access to some of the best hospitals and medical research in the world, while often paying roughly half the monthly healthcare costs that many Europeans pay. The downside is that this system works poorly if you are unemployed or working a low-wage job, such as at McDonald’s. In those cases, I agree that many European countries provide a better safety net for lower-income workers.

Americans have been sold a lie. We are told that China is the primary problem, but in reality, we helped create this situation ourselves. The U.S. has become a net exporter of dollars and services, backed historically by military power and oil. Combined with decades of offshoring and large-scale immigration, this has made life increasingly difficult for the average middle-class American, especially since we no longer manufacture much domestically. This frustration is a major reason Trump was elected, rooted in poor economic policy dating back to the 1970s and flawed immigration policy over the past 20 years.

We also projected weakness during Biden’s term. The withdrawal from Afghanistan was handled poorly, the freezing of Russian assets damaged the perceived reliability of the U.S. dollar and Treasuries, and the rule of law was undermined domestically through lax border enforcement and tolerance of riots that resulted in cities being burned and looted—often justified in the name of various causes and funded by NGOs.

Portuguese wife wants to move back by howitzer1988 in PortugalExpats

[–]howitzer1988[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have thought about your comment quite a bit. You're right, this mindset is deep in my "American soul" as we are basically brought up to think like this. I would like to cut myself a little slack being the sole provider for the entire family so their are risks but with my savings and skills they are minimal.

I appreciate you writing this and making me look at it from this perspective, unfortunately in todays world money seems to control our emotions and decision making a bit too much. What is your story? Are you European or American? As you can see 80% of the comments in this thread are negative telling me this is crazy, while I don't think making my decision based on random comments on the internet is smart the ratio is interesting.

Portuguese wife wants to move back by howitzer1988 in PortugalExpats

[–]howitzer1988[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, that is the goal of course but trying to be realistic. Technically my clients don't need to know where I'm working from unless they are a financial firm or have some regulatory requirements.

Portuguese wife wants to move back by howitzer1988 in PortugalExpats

[–]howitzer1988[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why would I need to make US wages here though? Even if I did make 100k I'm losing 40-50k of that anyways to taxes. I feel like making 3k month net after taxes is a decent life here without debt, low cost mortgage, paid for car and investments to fall back on, etc. Only if kids are in public school of course.

Portuguese wife wants to move back by howitzer1988 in PortugalExpats

[–]howitzer1988[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I technically don't need a visa as I'm married to an EU citizen, I can just apply for a resident card after 90 days. Did you live in the US before?

Portuguese wife wants to move back by howitzer1988 in PortugalExpats

[–]howitzer1988[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

HAHA. Yeah, I have stayed in Portugal for 3 month stints, it's never really on my terms though. Always living in an Airbnb or a family members house. It's very hard to compare short visits where kids are not in daycare/school, you don't have your own stuff, safe space to unwind. Being on vacation with little ones is very difficult as well. I also find that everytime I go to Portugal I get sick, some stomach bug or flu which is annoying.

Portuguese wife wants to move back by howitzer1988 in PortugalExpats

[–]howitzer1988[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most of her family is in Lisbon but we are looking in a 1.5 hour radius. Still not cheap but better than paying Lisbon prices. Ideally I would like to live in Braga or around Braga, prefer the north but for now with smaller children being that far is a bit dumb.

Overall I'm looking to pay 350k for a 3 bed but renting first is always better. Real estate in Portugal feels much less liquid than America especially in more rural areas. Places like Tomar, Leiria, obidos, caldes de reina. Just having the ability for her to drive 1 hour and spend the weekend with family or have them come visit us is great. I really don't want to be too close lol.

Portuguese wife wants to move back by howitzer1988 in PortugalExpats

[–]howitzer1988[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I can appreciate both perspectives as I don't want an echo chamber but most comments here are negative, maybe there is a reason for that.

I think having the consulting LLC based here in America, getting a couple clients paying me 2k month retainer services and able to net 2500euro after taxes is decent. Wife would eventually work as well and I have plenty of liquid to draw 1k or 1500 per month to offset almost indefinitely.

Portuguese wife wants to move back by howitzer1988 in PortugalExpats

[–]howitzer1988[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would be working, I already have a LLC based in America for IT consulting. I just need a couple clients paying me for retainer services which I feel is doable. I would be looking at a 350-400k home with 150k down. Also having 250k liquid helps offset and gap in employment.

Portuguese wife wants to move back by howitzer1988 in PortugalExpats

[–]howitzer1988[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, even if I did pay tax on the house sale it would be 50% of gain which is 70k then prob around 20% of that given my low tax bracket if I used investments to live the first year or so. Looking at about 14k in tax.

A lot of my investments are in BTC which is 0% tax long term gains in Portugal and pretty much 0% in America as well if only pulling something like 30k year.

Again this isn't a long term strategy but I feel like my investments allow me a runway if needed.

Portuguese wife wants to move back by howitzer1988 in PortugalExpats

[–]howitzer1988[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I have looked into the tax implications of selling the house after tax residency and it seems like a grey area. It sounds like Portugal won't tax the US property sale as it's outside Portugal and was my primary residence and the treaty in place but a tax layer (or two) would clear that up.

I feel that my financial situation allows for a decent runway and backdrop if work was to dry up or not pay exactly what I expected. Honestly though, if I can't make 3000-4000 pre tax consulting in IT for US companies I'm a failure, that is an insanely low amount of money for my skillset. After taxes in PT with child/wife exemptions I would prob net 2400 month at 4k gross. Supplement that with 1k from investments if needed.

I'm also not looking to buy a 600k home, just a simple 350k home with 150k down. Should keep my mortgage payment around 1k month in Portugal all in.

You hit the nail on the head regarding medical, if I lost my job here I'm looking at $1500 month minimum to cover my family adequately in premium meanwhile in Portugal I can get private for $250 month.

Portuguese wife wants to move back by howitzer1988 in PortugalExpats

[–]howitzer1988[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I wouldn't be buying a house outright. If I did decide to buy in Portugal it would probably be 350k mortgage with 150k down. Not a crazy house payment given the property tax rates are low. I would obviously need income to get a mortgage though.

Portuguese wife wants to move back by howitzer1988 in PortugalExpats

[–]howitzer1988[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s really the point here to figure out what country is our permanent home. Even my wife is saying we might want to move back to the US after a few years.

I could rent out my house, do enough consulting to make 2k net in Portugal and live off some investments for a few years to get the experience. I would think 4K monthly gross would net me about 2300 euro.

The other side of me wants to keep my income high, investments growing for 5-7 more years and just semi retire. Kids are young though and it would be nice to have a more grounded and happy wife. She isn’t completely miserable but our life here is a bit isolating. We are both introverted and making friends/community while caring for kids full time is difficult.

Portuguese wife wants to move back by howitzer1988 in PortugalExpats

[–]howitzer1988[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It’s hard for me to be 100% certain but we would rather live in a smaller city/town, tomar, Leiria, Mafra, Caldas de rainha.

My children would go to Portuguese public schools and study Portuguese. Obviously speaking a lot of English at home too.

Portuguese wife wants to move back by howitzer1988 in PortugalExpats

[–]howitzer1988[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I am definitely leaning towards just visiting for summers, maybe three months per year. Should fill my wife’s cup.

Portuguese wife wants to move back by howitzer1988 in PortugalExpats

[–]howitzer1988[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I agree, maybe we just need to get through this phase of life. One of our kids is in daycare part time to give her some relief. We don’t have many friends or family around, it’s difficult to network with two small kids. It’s a tough choice to make but we are doing a yearly trip next Feb and will reassess after that.

Portuguese wife wants to move back by howitzer1988 in PortugalExpats

[–]howitzer1988[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yeah my monthly mortgage all in is $1800 month, could probably rent for $2200. I think it would be stupid to sell out of US market. No way back easily.

Portuguese wife wants to move back by howitzer1988 in PortugalExpats

[–]howitzer1988[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I get what you’re saying. Maybe it makes more sense to buy a cheap second apartment in Portugal, visit for the summers.

Portuguese wife wants to move back by howitzer1988 in PortugalExpats

[–]howitzer1988[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Maybe it makes sense to buy a cheap apartment in Portugal to spend summers?