Emigrating from Joure to Madeira: “Just do it”
From Friesland to the sun
Pier and Monique traded Joure For Madeira. Not because they had to, but because they wanted to. After a few visits to the island, conversations with others, and some practical research, they made the decision. Their plan: sailing in the Netherlands during summer, spending winters in Portugal. No endless hesitation—just action. Or as they put it themselves: “When we saw the view, we thought: let’s just do it.”
Their Life in Joure was simple and structured. After selling their home in Utrecht, they deliberately looked for something in Friesland. “Because we’re sailors,” they explain. “We didn’t want all our money tied up in property. Also, we don’t have children.” They bought an apartment in Joure and were already living quite freely for much of the year—on their boat in summer, at home in winter. But that last part started to feel restrictive. “We always said: when Pier stops working, we’ll see what we want to do—especially for winter. Somewhere sunny with nice weather.”
An apartment with a view
Madeira didn’t come out of nowhere. They had visited the island several times two years earlier. The idea of buying an apartment there began to take shape. “Because of the climate, it seemed like a really beautiful place to us.” They took their orientation seriously: visiting the Emigratiebeurs, talking to Dutch residents on the island, and asking about their experiences. That helped them move forward in the process.
At the beginning of 2024, they returned to Madeira to look at apartments, mainly new builds. At first, it was disappointing. “We couldn’t find anything and continued searching from home.” Until they went back again to view an apartment and its surroundings. That moment was decisive. “We went there with the real estate agent, looked at the construction and the view, and then saw an apartment the developer had just completed. Everything looked excellent. That’s when we thought: let’s just do it.”
The practical puzzle
As the move approached, things became a bit of a puzzle. “You don’t just pack for Madeira—you also have to think about what you’ll need on the boat for the next six months. What goes with you, what stays, what do you get rid of?”
Their surroundings reacted as you might expect. “They all thought it was exciting and fun. Some probably think we’re crazy.” They saw it differently. “We thought: if we want something else in five or ten years, we’ll deal with that then. We didn’t hesitate to take the step to Madeira. Just go now!”
Moving: faster than expected
The move itself went surprisingly smoothly. “They thought they’d need three days but finished in two,” they say. “With five people—unbelievable how they pack. ” Things also went quickly in Madeira. “Within three hours, everything was in the house.” Then the real work began. “We had to unpack everything… so much waste. It took us a few weeks because everything was packed so well. Luckily, we live on the ground floor, because the building and elevator weren’t finished yet. A blessing in disguise.”
That had its advantages too. Even fragile items arrived perfectly. "Cognac and wine—everything arrived intact. They insisted the bottles be upright, tightly secured with cardboard. Nothing happened to them.”
Arriving, but not quite settled
The first days in Madeira felt good. “It was nice and warm,” they say calmly. “We already knew the island, so nothing really surprised us.”
Still, things didn’t go entirely as planned. Their apartment still hasn’t been officially delivered. “The building is finished, but the municipal paperwork is taking a long time.” As a result, they’re not yet living in their own home, even though their belongings are already there. “That’s a shame. Fortunately, we have a good friend living here, and we’ve been able to stay in his apartment.”
Life in Madeira
Their days are now a mix of relaxation and practical matters. “Reading newspapers, having lunch, and playing bridge—we do that twice a week here. We’re also still busy with practical matters around our home: making appointments, arranging things, and staying in touch with the lawyer.” In between, they enjoy the island. “The weather has been great every day so far—that’s really nice.”
Madeira is quite different from Friesland, something they notice daily. “It’s mountainous—that’s different. There are also practical differences. It’s an island, so not everything is always available. But what stands out most are the people. Kind, friendly, very welcoming. We also have great neighbors, which is really nice.”
Life between the Netherlands and Portugal
Their new life will soon take place between two locations. In summer, they return to the Netherlands, where their sailboat is in Lelystad. In winter, they stay in Madeira. They see friends and family less often, but they stay in touch. “You talk via FaceTime or messaging apps. And people come to visit us here.”
Would they recommend taking the step to move abroad? “That depends on the individual,” they say honestly. But they do have one piece of advice: just start. And don’t underestimate the language. “We’re trying to learn Portuguese—that’s really recommended. People appreciate it when you speak their language.” And finally, with a wink: “Don’t all come to Madeira, haha!”
