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We’re all about making sure your Portugal journey is the best journey of your life-
SO FAR!
Speaking from experience here… moving to any place new is stressful, but to a NEW COUNTRY, it’s off the charts! My experience moving to Portugal and now giving advice to others is where Olá Coimbra! was born.
I truly enjoy dreaming with others! I’ve fallen in love with this country and I want others who choose to live here to have a smooth experience.
What are the big stressors?
*Finding a place to live!- this is often done at a distance (at least a majority of it!) and you have to know there are people on the ground you can trust!
*Setting up a house that will be ready for you to come to after a VERY LONG trip. The simple things that mean so much: are there sheets on the bed (are there sheets? are there beds?), is the apartment clean, is there anything in the fridge for that first night, how do I get around, what are the important places in my neighborhood?
*Creating community- this is a big one! (My husband moved here two years ahead of me and was here on his own until I came!) How do I meet people? Will they be people who have my shared situation and interests?
All of this is what Olá Coimbra! is about! Helping others discover their New Beginnings in Portugal! Even if it is completely from your home country, making sure you feel that this journey is the RIGHT journey and that you arrive and feel AT HOME!
Paula Chanda
What Do I Do if I Want to Utilize Olá Coimbra!?
Determine where you are at in your Portugal journey- are you still dreaming about a move but don’t know if Portugal is the location? is Portugal the location but you don’t know the region or city? Have you nailed down the exact location but need to get a place to live? Have you been living here for awhile and are ready to make a change?
What is your status for coming to Portugal?- are you looking to get a visa and then residency and even eventually citizenship? Are you wanting to just visit for long term sessions? have you had your VFS appointment and just waiting to move to your new Portugal home?
What type of assistance will you be wanting or needing? Do you want help along every step in this journey? Or is it something in between that and some basic assistance?
Whatever your particular situation, WE CAN HELP!
The first thing to do is fill out our Client Intake Form. After you complete that, we will reach out for a WhatsApp video call to get to know you better and determine how we can best assist you. In the end, our goal is that your Portugal next step is as easy as possible, so if all we do is get to know you and give you some advice and encouragement, then we will be happy!
Meet Olá Coimbra! Founder:
Paula Chanda
Bob & Paula in Sintra
My life has been full of wonderful journeys — each one shaping who I am today and leading me to this incredible adventure in Portugal.
I met my amazing husband through our shared love of theatre, and that passion inspired me to start a performing arts school in Texas. For 15 years, I poured my heart into running that business, teaching theatre to students of all ages, and even writing my own plays. Theatre has always been about connection, creativity, and community — values that continue to guide everything I do.
But the biggest journey of my life has certainly been moving to Portugal.
Uprooting yourself from the only country you’ve ever known and starting over somewhere new — especially a place you’ve never visited before — is both challenging and life-changing. Yet, Portugal quickly became home. I fell in love with the culture, the people, and the rhythm of life here.
As I navigated my own transition, I realized how much I enjoyed helping others with theirs. Supporting people through the exciting (and sometimes overwhelming) process of relocating became a true calling. I love a good project — and, honestly, “retirement” isn’t really my style!
When I met Ana Sofia Apolonia, an exceptional realtor and a genuinely wonderful person, I knew we’d make the perfect team. Together, we combined Ana Sofia Apolonia Real Estate & Property Management Services and Olá Coimbra! — two services built on trust, warmth, and community.
Olá Coimbra! isn’t just about relocation. It’s about new beginnings, meaningful connections, and helping others feel at home — just like I did when I arrived here.