French Maya moved with her family to Olhão, in the Algarve, in search of a better quality of life, after previous experiences in China, Switzerland and Morocco. In an interview given in April 2025 to the Expat Arrivals portal, Maya explained that her participation in the Algarve Women Network project helped her build new friendships and exchange ideas with women from different backgrounds. Her work in the real estate sector allowed her to get to know the region and show buyers different areas and ways of living in the Algarve.
The family's adaptation occurred at different paces. Maya and her husband adapted quickly, while her daughter faced more initial difficulties with the Portuguese language. This barrier was eventually overcome and the child began speaking Portuguese fluently. The family created social bonds mainly through school, sporting activities and work, with some clients also becoming friends.
Among the aspects most valued by Maya in Olhão and in Portugal are the quality of life, the climate and safety. The French woman also appreciated everyday gestures like greetings between strangers. The move also allowed her to develop a professional project on her own, something that would not have been possible in the same way elsewhere.
However, Maya also identified difficulties, namely bureaucracy, limitations in infrastructure, problems with punctuality and the lack of practicality of public transport in the region. The increasing cost of living also weighed on the family's choices, especially on weekend getaways. Still, they maintained their love for walks, meeting friends, playing padel and golf, and trying out restaurants, also taking advantage of the proximity to Spain to visit Seville.
