How Olá Coimbra! Came to Be!
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!
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.
I am a retired Theatre Teacher, Director, and had my own Performing Arts School in Texas for 15 years before moving to Charlottesville VA and starting a theatre program at a diverse middle school. My amazing husband Bob had been living in Coimbra for 2 years and I just visited in the summers. When I was here, I knew it would be home! In March of 2025, my husband had to have open heart surgery so I packed everything up and moved to Coimbra. We have a daughter and son in law that live in Chicago and my moms live in Dallas, TX.
I love theatre, Fado (wonderful Portuguese music!), movies and traveling. AND having projects! After my husband was recovered, I started answering people’s questions about living & traveling here. I created some itineraries, started helping people with their properties sitting empty here awaiting their arrival, & a Portugal Project was born!
My husband and I have a Podcast- Bob & Paula’s Portugal Adventure and one of the big things we have seen from people who have made this big move like us (did I say we did it without ever even visiting Portugal?!) is the challenge that is navigating this whole process from afar. What you need is “boots on the ground!” I ADORE showing people around and answering their questions!
Paula Chanda- Founder
