Meet João
The unintended expat blogger behind Glade Wander Quill
Photo: Glade Wander Quill
Hi there, I'm João
I manage projects. A parent. An expat living in Lisbon, Portugal.
A few years back I moved here with my family. What began as a short-term assignment gradually became a new chapter of life abroad.
How It Started
Relocating to Portugal wasn’t part of the long-range plan. Like many expat moves, it began as a work opportunity and soon blossomed into something far more substantial.
The initial months were demanding — unfamiliar systems, new routines, fresh expectations. Everyday tasks felt more tangled than they ought to be.
The Adjustment Period
There was culture shock, uncertainty, and a lot of learning by doing. But gradually, routines took shape. We found places that worked for us, met other families, and began building something that felt stable.
Why I Built Glade Wander Quill
Most information online was either corporate-level relocation guidance or surface-level tourism material. What was missing was sincere, day-to-day family perspective.
This site exists to close that gap — practical guidance based on real life in Portugal.
What this site covers (and what it doesn’t)
This site is:
- Hands-on insights from living in Portugal
- Centered on family life and everyday realities
- Updated whenever something truly changes
This site isn’t:
- Not a tourism authority resource
- A platform for sponsored reviews
- Just another generic travel blog
Future outlook
Our time in Portugal continues, and the learning journey goes on as well. As long as the information remains useful, I’ll keep documenting what we discover.
If you have questions about family life in Lisbon or anywhere in Portugal, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Best regards,
João
Lisbon, Portugal