Profile of Ana

The unintended expatriate blogger behind Quartz Genuine Sage

Ana Costa - Founder of Quartz Genuine Sage Photo: Quartz Genuine Sage

Hi, I'm Ana

Project manager. Parent. Expat living in Lisbon, Portugal.

A few years ago, I moved here with my family. What began as a temporary assignment gradually became a new chapter of life abroad.

How It Began

Moving to Portugal wasn't in our long-range plan. Like many international moves, it started as a job opportunity and soon grew into something far larger.

The initial months were demanding — unfamiliar systems, new routines, new expectations. Routine tasks felt more tangled than they should.

City skyline in Lisbon, Portugal
Life in Lisbon has its surprises. Photo: Quartz Genuine Sage

The Adjustment Phase

There was cultural shock, uncertainty, and plenty of learning-by-doing. Yet gradually, habits took shape. We found places that fit us, met other families, and began building something that felt steady.

Why I Created Quartz Genuine Sage

Most information online was either corporate-relocation guidance or shallow tourism material. What was missing was an honest, everyday family perspective.

This site aims to fill that void — practical advice drawn from real life in Portugal.

What This Site Does (And Doesn't)

This site is:

  • Hands-on experience from living in Portugal
  • Centered on family life and daily realities
  • Updated when a real change occurs

This site isn't:

  • Not a tourism-authority resource
  • Not a sponsored review platform
  • Not a generic travel blog

Looking Forward

Our time in Portugal continues, and so does the learning journey. As long as the information remains helpful, I will keep recording what we find.

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

Best regards,

Ana

Lisbon, Portugal