Falling for Lisbon (2016)

Lisbon, the vibrant capital of Portugal, has become one of the most popular destinations for young professionals and digital nomads in recent years. With its sunny climate, affordable cost of living, and growing number of international companies, it’s easy to see why. English is widely spoken, and the city offers a blend of old-world charm and modern infrastructure.

Back in 2016, I spent a few days in Lisbon and fell in love with the city’s energy, its charming streets, and the creative vibe that seemed to linger everywhere. I left with great memories and a feeling that maybe, one day, I’d come back – not just for a visit, but to stay.

The job offer that changed everything

Fast forward to 2024. I was living in Seville at the time when I was offered a job in the gas and oil industry. The position was based in Lisbon, and the salary was very attractive. After a few interviews and positive conversations, we were almost ready to finalize the deal. The company flew me in for a final meeting, and I arrived with excitement and a suitcase full of possibilities.

I checked into a beautiful hotel with a lush garden and a cozy coffee bar. It was a peaceful spot, perfect for preparing for the next day’s interview. The meeting took place in a sleek office district outside the historic center – modern buildings, clean streets, a completely different side of Lisbon. Things looked promising.

Are you sure you want to move here?

During the interview, I was asked a simple but surprising question:

Have you been to Lisbon before?

I told them about my visit in 2016.

Then they followed up with:

Are you sure you want to move here? Lisbon has changed a lot since Covid.

That question stayed with me.

The Lisbon I didn’t recognize

After the meeting, I decided to walk through the city center, just to get a feel for the place again and to imagine what life could look like if I moved here.

But what I found honestly shocked me.

The Lisbon I remembered was not the Lisbon I walked through that evening. The streets were littered with trash, and almost every building was covered in graffiti. There were many people living on the streets, and although the city is statistically safer than many places in Spain, I didn’t feel entirely safe. It was around 7 PM, but the atmosphere felt heavy – even a bit unsettling.

Of course, that could have been just my perception, and I know cities have many layers. But still, I finally understood what they meant during the interview – that Lisbon had changed. And maybe, I had changed too.

A beautiful city but not my home

Don’t get me wrong: Lisbon is still a beautiful, highly photogenic city. The food is amazing, and the views – from tiled alleys to golden hour rooftops – are postcard-perfect. It’s a great city to explore, and I would absolutely recommend it for a city trip.

But for me, as someone who has lived in places like Marrakech and Seville, something didn’t click. Maybe I was looking for a certain creative spark or atmosphere that I just didn’t feel this time around. Or maybe I’ve become more intentional with where I want to invest my energy.

Why I said no

Had I been in my early twenties, I might have taken the leap. I might have moved without hesitation and embraced the unknown. But at this stage in my life, I knew I wanted to feel excited and at ease – and I didn’t feel either.

So I made the decision to say no to the job and to Lisbon. And that’s okay.

When places change and so do we

Sometimes we romanticize places based on old memories, and when we return, we find that either the place has changed, or we have. Often, both.

Still, I’m grateful I went. That experience gave me clarity – and reinforced how important it is to listen to your gut, even when everything looks perfect on paper.

Lisbon didn’t become my home. But it reminded me of something more important: I already know what home feels like. And I’m not willing to settle for less.

Will I ever return to Lisbon? Absolutely, but next time, it’ll be for a vacation, not a moving van.