Why do a scouting trip to Portugal?
Before a single bag is packed, you must internalize the mission's goal. The "why" is not "to see if I like Portugal." It's far more specific.
- The Goal is to Try and Break Your Dream: This is the single most important mindset shift. You are not coming to Portugal to confirm your biases. You are going as a "red teamer", an investigator actively searching for the deal-breakers, the inconveniences, and the harsh realities that don't show up in the vlogs. If, after actively trying to find reasons not to move, you still want to, your decision is sound.
- Search for a Lifestyle, Not a Location: The question isn't "Is Lagos beautiful?" (It is!). Your questions should be, "Can I handle the tourist-choked streets of Lagos for three months of the year, followed by the ghost-town quiet of its winter?" You are road-testing a daily routine.
- It's an Investment, Not an Expense: Every euro you spend on a proper scout trip is an investment that could save you tens of thousands in a failed relocation. Every forum is littered with stories of people who sold their homes and moved on a whim, only to face a brutal reality check.