June 13, 2025: A Life in 60 Boxes: We sold our Charlotte “forever condo,” packed our most precious belongings into boxes, and set off to travel while awaiting our Portuguese residency.
“Every few years we just have to do something a little crazy.”
When we bought our Charlotte condo years ago, we called it our “forever home.” Great neighbors, just the right size, and a perfect base between adventures. But as we leaned further into travel — and then into the long path toward our Portuguese residency — we realized something: forever had an expiration date.
So we sold it. All of it.
Well, almost.
Sixty boxes remain. Each is carefully labeled, packed, and stacked like a real‑life game of Tetris in the spare bedroom of our daughter Jessica and her husband James. Those boxes hold the precious and practical of our life: photos, keepsakes, kitchen gear we love too much to part with, and winter clothes.
The rest? Donated, gifted, or sold on consignment — including every piece of furniture. And my favorite car!
We’re officially untethered. It feels both light and strange.
Our plan is to continue roaming for the next 18 to 24 months while we wait on our Portuguese residency visa. Starting in October, we’ll return regularly to Charlotte to visit friends and family — reconnecting in familiar places while our boxes rest safely in Jessica and James’s home.
In the meantime, we’ll keep traveling and collecting stories, knowing that someday those 60 boxes will get unpacked again — this time in Portugal.
Ah, but I do miss Porsche!
Enjoy the journey!
It’s really happening!
Godspeed, Mark and Jean!
—Larry & Angela
How exciting! Wishing you the best in this next big adventure – and looking forward to following along!
Cannot wait to visit!
Congratulations and safe travels! Love to read all about it!