Profile of Sofia

An accidental expatriate blogger behind Nova Garden Path

Sofia Costa - Founder of Nova Garden Path Photo: Nova Garden Path

Hello, I am Sofia

I’m a project manager and a parent, living as an expat in Porto, Portugal.

Several years back, I moved here with my family. What began as a temporary assignment gradually became a new chapter of life overseas.

How It Started

Relocating to Portugal wasn’t part of the long-term plan. Like many expat moves, it began as a work opportunity and quickly became something much bigger.

The first months were intense — new systems, new routines, new expectations. Everyday tasks felt more complicated than they should.

City skyline in Porto, Portugal
Life in Porto has its surprises. Photo: Nova Garden Path

The Adjustment Period

There was culture shock, uncertainty, and a lot of learning by doing. But slowly, routines formed. We discovered places that worked for us, met other families, and started building something that felt stable.

Why I Built Nova Garden Path

Most information online was either corporate-level relocation advice or surface-level tourism material. What was missing was honest, day-to-day family perspective.

This site exists to close that gap — practical guidance based on real life in Portugal.

What This Website Does (And Does Not)

This site is:

  • Practical knowledge from living in Portugal
  • Centered on family life and everyday realities
  • Updated whenever something truly changes

This site isn't:

  • An official tourism authority resource
  • A platform for sponsored reviews
  • Just a generic travel blog

Looking Forward

Our time in Portugal continues, and the learning process goes on. As long as the information remains helpful, I’ll keep documenting what we discover.

If you have questions about family life in Porto or anywhere in Portugal, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Cheers,

Sofia

Porto, Portugal