The Beginning of a Dream
Five years ago, we had no idea that a short-term football opportunity for Carson would plant the seed for the biggest decision of our lives. In 2019, we traveled from Vancouver to Metz, France, for Carson to train and compete in a tournament with FC Metz. What started as a football trip turned into an unforgettable three-week immersion in European life—one that changed our perspective forever.
We lived like locals in Metz, exploring markets, adjusting to a different pace of life, and soaking in every moment of Carson’s experience on the pitch. After the tournament, we traveled to Paris for another competition and then to Antibes on the French Riviera with friends. Something about this time abroad struck a chord with us. Elise and I felt that this life suited us and if we could make this happen we should try...
At the time, it was just a thought—an exciting dream we shared between us. But deep down, it sparked the beginning of something bigger.
The Idea Becomes a Plan
Years passed, and life went on in Vancouver. Then, COVID-19 put everything into perspective. Like so many others, we were forced to reassess our lives, our priorities, and how we wanted to spend our time as a family. That dream of living in Europe together never faded—it only got stronger.
In 2023, we took another trip to Europe, this time returning to Paris and then spending two weeks in Croatia. It was another confirmation of what we already knew—we thrived in this environment. The history, culture, food, pace of life, and sense of adventure all felt right. More than anything, we realized that we weren’t just taking these trips to explore—we were testing what it might feel like to actually live here.
By 2024, Ethan had graduated, and Carson was heading into Grade 11—the perfect window of time for a family move before both boys started their adult lives. That’s when an opportunity presented itself that we couldn’t ignore.
A Door Opens in Portugal
Carson’s club in Vancouver, FC Faly, had a connection with GD Estoril Praia, a well-known top club in Liga Portugal. The possibility was there: Could Carson join their Elite Academy? It was not a given, but we had to take it. After discussions with the club, they accepted him into the program—an incredible opportunity for him to develop as a player in a highly competitive European environment.
That was just the beginning.
Making the decision to move was one thing—figuring out how to actually do it was another. We had to navigate:
✔️ Visa applications for Portugal.
✔️ Finding a place to live in both Estoril and London.
✔️ Ensuring Ethan had options and opportunities in Europe.
✔️ Elise balancing her career while supporting the family’s transition.
✔️ Michael securing an opportunity with TransferRoom in London.
✔️ Carson’s FIFA transfer process so he could officially play in Portugal.
It wasn’t easy. There were frustrations, roadblocks, and moments of doubt. But despite the challenges, we never second-guessed the decision itself.
Life Split Between Estoril and London
Now that we’re settled, our daily life is unlike anything we’ve experienced before.
🔹 Estoril, Portugal – Elise and the boys are based here full-time. Life moves at a slower pace, with sunny beach days, long walks on the seawall, and a strong focus on Carson’s football schedule. Elise balances her work while managing the family, and Ethan is adapting to life abroad, looking for opportunities to explore career paths in areas of interest to him.
🔹 London, UK – Michael spends 60% of his time in London for work, living in Notting Hill while managing global sales enablement for TransferRoom. On weekends, he explores London’s vibrant neighborhoods and takes day trips to surrounding areas. He also takes advantage of being in one of the world’s football capitals, attending matches across the UK and Europe, often sharing these experiences with TransferRoom colleagues and family members who visit.
Balancing two locations is challenging, but we’re making it work—finding new routines, embracing local culture, and maximizing every opportunity that comes our way.
Why We Took the Leap
At the heart of it, we made this move for a few key reasons:
1️⃣ Family Time: We knew our time together was limited as the boys grew older. This was our last chance to create unforgettable experiences together before they started their own paths.
2️⃣ Chasing Opportunities: Carson had an incredible chance to pursue football at a higher level, and Michael had the opportunity to work in the industry he loved.
3️⃣ Living Without Regret: The thought of looking back one day and wondering, “What if?” wasn’t something we could accept.
4️⃣ A New Way of Life: Slower mornings, longer dinners, and a focus on experiences over things—Europe offered a lifestyle we wanted to embrace.
Now, here we are, living between Estoril and London, balancing football, careers, travel, and the realities of expat life. It hasn’t always been easy—there have been highs and lows, victories and setbacks. But through it all, we wouldn’t change a thing.
What’s Next for Kore4Europe?
As we continue our journey, we want to share our real-life experiences—the good, the bad, and everything in between. We’ll be documenting our travels, sharing insights on moving abroad, and providing an inside look at football life in Portugal.
We hope our story inspires other families who dream of making a big move. Whether you’re considering a relocation, curious about European life, or just love to travel, we invite you to follow along.
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This is our Kore4Europe journey—thanks for being a part of it. 🌍
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