Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In

Portugal Expat Forum

Why I joined

New Topic Newest First
terrig123
  8/27/2016 00:25 EST

I'm posting this in response to the recent negativity and unkind comments that have been posted of late in the other topics. Just to be clear, my husband and I are doing a TON of research in the process of deciding if retiring in Portugal is something we wish to pursue or not. However, reading the steps involved is very different from hearing the first-hand experiences of others who have gone through the process. And when consulates require different things (as the one in SF does), it is very helpful for those things to be shared here. Also, what may seem like a dumb question to one person, can help others, so if anyone must be negative, please do it in a PM rather than for all to see. I'm here to learn, help others (if I can), and hopefully make some new friends. Thanks for reading this and good luck to all!

PresentMonkey
  8/27/2016 00:35 EST

Well said, Thank you for pointing it out. These boards helped us so much when we were going through the process. We are now only 5 days from hopping on our flight to Lisbon.

Don't give up hope and please continue to post questions and ignore those that are troublesome to you. You will get there in the end!

Portugal Residency AdvisorsPortugal Residency Advisors
Connect

Portugal Residency Advisors is a full-service consulting firm dedicated to providing personalized services to individuals and families seeking to relocate to Portugal. With a team of experienced professionals and strategic partnerships, we are well-positioned to assist clients with all aspects of the relocation process.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Portugal Residency AdvisorsPortugal Residency Advisors

Portugal Residency Advisors is a full-service consulting firm dedicated to providing personalized services to individuals and families seeking to relocate to Portugal. With a team of experienced professionals and strategic partnerships, we are well-positioned to assist clients with all aspects of the relocation process.
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

craigandmicki
  8/27/2016 07:10 EST

Why we joined....to help others, as we went thru this process 6 years ago when no single place for answers, instructions, forms existed; we joined to answer reasonable questions from persons who are willing to read, to do some research; we joined to apply our talents and provide legal, accurate advice versus simply reflect experiences that we might have misunderstood or that others have misunderstood and rationalized into 'common practice'. Yes, SF is a tough consul to use, making it even more difficult for those who arrive here under the SF process. Yes, we sometimes get frazzled by people who plagiarize others' work on this site, who can't read what's given them, who have asked the same questions for several years...yes, dears, the same persons, the same questions! This isn't a 'be nice, kids' site--it's an influential, fact-based resource for smart questions and enterprising adults. DO LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE WHO TROUBLE YOU...they are trying to explain something!

Sixyears
  8/27/2016 08:53 EST

That is exactly right. Thank you for saying our thoughts. It was my first time posting. Got it wrong obviously.

Maineniac
  8/27/2016 08:55 EST

terrig123; Well said and why I have not posted another question on this forum. It's sad and an insult to the founders of this forum. Theor goal for starting this website:

Our goal has never changed since we first launched nearly 20 years ago. We set out to create a platform that empowers expats to help each other. So when someone decides to move to another country, they can benefit from the wisdom gleaned by those that already have made that transition.

In other words, Expat Exchange isn't just for finding what you need... it's also about helping others along the way. Expats are often surprised how taking the time to make someone else's journey easier makes the entire expat experience so much more rewarding.

Deus te abençoe

wilsonworld
  8/27/2016 09:20 EST

Thanks terrig123. Well put.

Portugal Residency AdvisorsPortugal Residency Advisors
Connect

Portugal Residency Advisors is a full-service consulting firm dedicated to providing personalized services to individuals and families seeking to relocate to Portugal. With a team of experienced professionals and strategic partnerships, we are well-positioned to assist clients with all aspects of the relocation process.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Portugal Residency AdvisorsPortugal Residency Advisors

Portugal Residency Advisors is a full-service consulting firm dedicated to providing personalized services to individuals and families seeking to relocate to Portugal. With a team of experienced professionals and strategic partnerships, we are well-positioned to assist clients with all aspects of the relocation process.
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

terrig123
  8/27/2016 11:24 EST

craigandmicki: I read all the posts and thus far, no one here has troubled me personally. And even if they did, I would still read their replies since I'm here to learn. But some replies to others have been quite rude and I believe that is totally uncalled for. Also, you save in your reply that you're here to provide legal, accurate advice. Are you a lawyer? I have gained so much good information from you, and for that I say "thanks."

OldPro
  8/28/2016 17:18 EST

Terrig123, as someone who has had "first hand experience" of living in other countries, I would offer you the following link to read.

http://www.expatexchange.com/expat/index.cfm?frmid=260&tpcid=3407026

When I read that, "my husband and I are doing a TON of research in the process of deciding if retiring in Portugal is something we wish to pursue or not.", my response is that you might want to look at it from another perspective.

Retiring is not an ending, it is a beginning. Yet so often people seem to think of it and specifically choosing a place to live, as something they 'have to get right' because it is where they will spend the rest of their days. Did you do that when say, you bought your first home or got your first job?

Deciding where to live NEXT now that you are free to choose without the constraints of things like having to live near to where your job is etc. is no different than at any other time in your life.

If you perceive it as simply a NEXT rather than a forevermore decision, a great many things become easier in your decision making. For example, you can't get it WRONG which is what people fear when they see it as forevermore. It's just NEXT and that next may last a short time or a long time. No big deal,

That is one reason why I joined, to try and help people understand that retirement is NOT a one time, forevermore decision making process when it comes to choosing a country to try NEXT.

I have been retired now for 26 years (retired in early 40s). So far I've lived in half a dozen countries. Who knows if there will be another NEXT for me. I certainly don't know, I don't have a crystal ball.

terrig123
  8/28/2016 21:46 EST

Thanks OldPro. That's great that you were able to retire so early and travel/live in different places. Our situation is quite different as my husband will be 65 and I'll be 60 when we move to Europe. While that's still fairly young, I don't picture us moving every few years. We really like having a home base to come back to after our travels. Anyway, I worded that part of my post poorly. We definitely do want to move to Portugal but, as much can happen in the next few years, only time will tell if it remains feasible for us to do so.

PresentMonkey
  8/28/2016 22:23 EST

To Old Pro:

Thank you for your post to Terrig123. It is very good advice. We have lived in two different cities in Thailand for two and a half years. We moved knowing it was not going to be our final home base. And we are indeed leaving to go to our NEXT home in Coimbra, Portugal.

I think everyone needs routine and a few things around them to have a familiar feeling of home. So in packing up our worldly possessions that fit in 3 medium size boxes I am looking at them and feeling anxious and excited for our next adventure.

Moving out of ones home country is difficult and very stressful. All of a sudden you are illiterate, uneducated and a minority. Wow, what an eye opener! To all of those that are planning on moving country, please look at the stages of culture shock and know that when you are out and about and you feel overwhelmed, take a break, grab a coffee or go home and put on some familiar music or an English program or movie.

Know it is ok to have a melt down, just don't unpack and live there, have a rest and start again. Each day will get easier and you will be having an incredible experience!

OldPro
  8/29/2016 13:53 EST

Terrig123, when you write, "Our situation is quite different as my husband will be 65 and I'll be 60 when we move to Europe. While that's still fairly young, I don't picture us moving every few years.", that is where I find that people get an idea in their head without having any actual experience to base it on.

Age has nothing to do with whether someone will 'stick' or not. While I retired early and moved around a few times, I married later and my wife and I made her first move 10 years ago.

When we made that move, I was very much aware that from my own experience and observing others who had moved, that only 1-2 out of 10 stayed beyond 5 years. It isn't empirical evidence but I think if you ask those who have moved from the USA to Portugal as you are contemplating, they would give you similar observations. But they have to have been there more than 5 years to do so. That is why I always suggest listening more to those who have been there long enough to know.

So I emphasized to my wife that the move was just a move like any other move people make in their lifetime. It was not necessarily a forevermore decision. She accepted that but at the same time, she felt quite sure that we had picked the perfect place and could see no reason why it would not be a long term home.

As it turned out, we were quite happy with that move but after 3 years we were both ready to move on. It just lacked some things and although there were many good points, we didn't want to put up with the bad points. So we moved on. We have now been in our current location for 7 years and I see no move on the horizon. But I never rule it out for tomorrow and I'm now 70!

So when you say you 'don't picture moving after a few years', I have to question how you arrive at that picture.

The problem with forming that picture is that it sets you up psychologically for 'failure'. I have seen people move and after a few years become unhappy. But they won't give up and move on because it means they have to tell their family and friends that their 'retirement paradise' didn't turn out to be such a paradise after all. More importantly, they have to tell themselves they got it 'wrong'.

So I go back to the idea of 'NEXT'. If what you 'picture' is moving to Portugal and staying for as long as you want to with NO time expectation in that 'picture', a lot of things change.

For example, you are far more likely to ignore buying a home and just renting. That is always a smart move until you know if you are likely to 'stick'. You are also more likely to make the move with less 'stuff' since you don't want to be moving a houseful of goods and then having to move them again if you decide to move on.

Look at how many people post in this forum about buying a home when they haven't even spent any real amount of time in the country before. If you accept my number of 1-2 out of 10 'sticking', what does that tell you about their decision to buy? They do so because they don't 'picture themselves moving again any time soon'. Well, 8 out of 10 of them must be getting that wrong. Of all the people I have seen move to their 'retirement paradise' and buy a home, I have never seen ONE leave with more money than they arrived with and most left with a lot less money than they had when they arrived. I attribute that loss to how they looked at the move to begin with.

I see where we live as being in 3 phases. Pre-working life; working life; post-working life (retirement). In phase 1 we generally live where our parents decide to live, we have no control. In phase 2, we live where we need to live for work, we have limited control. In phase 3, we're FREE to live wherever we want more or less. Phase 3 is obviously the best phase to be in!

My advice to anyone retiring and thinking of moving to another country is to go ahead and do that. But think of it as going to try a place and see how you like it, don't think of it as 'permanent'. It may be, it may not be, either way is fine if you did not set up an expectation either way.

Trying to get people to understand this message is a big part of why I joined this and other forums. I have seen so many leave unhappy, disillusioned and poorer financially because of how they made decisions based on a 'picture' of retirement that was formed with no basis of experience or listening to those who know.

Some people make the same mistakes over and over again; some learn from their mistakes; a few learn from the mistakes of others who went before them.

P.S. Although I am responding to you terrig123, I am writing to all those contemplating a move and am in no way implying anything about you personally. I wish you well in your retirement, wherever and however many places you live it in.

Portugal Residency AdvisorsPortugal Residency Advisors
Connect

Portugal Residency Advisors is a full-service consulting firm dedicated to providing personalized services to individuals and families seeking to relocate to Portugal. With a team of experienced professionals and strategic partnerships, we are well-positioned to assist clients with all aspects of the relocation process.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Portugal Residency AdvisorsPortugal Residency Advisors

Portugal Residency Advisors is a full-service consulting firm dedicated to providing personalized services to individuals and families seeking to relocate to Portugal. With a team of experienced professionals and strategic partnerships, we are well-positioned to assist clients with all aspects of the relocation process.
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

terrig123
  8/29/2016 18:03 EST

Thanks OldPro, What I actually said was that I don't see us moving every few years as in, once we find a place we like, we will set down roots and make it home. We don't have kids so we can do whatever we like and live wherever we like. Of course that may change, which no one can predict.

OldPro
  8/30/2016 12:25 EST

OK, but you may move through several countries during the first few years of your retirement before you find that place to settle down. It may not be in Portugal.

So again, all I'm saying is no one should assume the first place they try moving to in retirement is going to be the last place they move to.

terrig123
  8/30/2016 18:17 EST

OldPro, Is there a reason why you feel you must write a 917 word treatise on my life choices? How would you feel if I questioned every comment you made here? We've chosen Portugal for many reasons not the least of which is that real estate is still affordable compared with the rest of Europe. Yes we plan to buy at some point. When and where are still to be determined but we will know the perfect place for us when we see it. I realize that our choices may not be the wisest or most prudent way to go but they are our choices.

kawazaki
  8/30/2016 18:47 EST

Why I joined? To find helpful information for my quest to move to Portugal. I did not join to read squabbles between children. People, keep it civil.

terrig123
  8/30/2016 20:27 EST

Well said kawazaki! I won't post an more replies to OldPro here. I too wish to learn and possibly develop a network of like-minded folks for when the time comes for us to move.

kawazaki
  8/30/2016 21:07 EST

My Portuguese friend and I spent several months researching, getting documents, notaries, e-mails to Consulate, calls to SEF, photocopies, scratching our heads, and wading through lack of information, misinformation, and bureaucracy. We read the blogs here and found that much of our experience was different. I now have my 1st year residency, IRS #, Social Security, health care, bank accounts, and VISA card. Now I am preparing to move which is another task unto itself. This seems easy compared to the previous part. In summary, you must be very determined to want to move to Portugal. I can't speak for other countries. Good luck.

CascaisPortugal
  8/31/2016 04:36 EST

good luck to both ! :-)

CascaisPortugal
  8/31/2016 04:37 EST

good luck to both ! :-)

OldPro
  8/31/2016 11:44 EST

You can lead a horse to water..........................

Xabay
  8/31/2016 13:00 EST

OldPro, that was just unnecessary.

OldPro
  9/1/2016 11:31 EST

Actually, I don't think it was Xabay. I see people ignoring what they don't want to hear almost every day on forums.

I'm not here to be your 'friend' or 'make nice' with you. I'm here to share 26 years of experience of moving to and living in other countries. If someone takes exception to how I write something and sees a personal insult in anything that is contrary to how they are thinking, that is THEIR problem not mine.

You CAN lead a horse to water and you CAN"T make it drink. That's a simple fact. I see that simple fact applying here all the time.

As I said to another poster with years of experience living in other countries who was frustrated with trying to 'lead horses to water', only to see them not drink, you may need to try and lead a 100 to get just 1 to drink. Forget the 99 and feel encouraged that you helped the 1 able to hear.

There is a Hebraic saying, "It is not incumbent upon you to complete the work, but neither are you at liberty to desist from it."

In terms of participating in forums such as this, I interpret that as saying, 'you don't have to get every horse to drink, but you should keep leading them to the water.

dajo
  9/1/2016 17:34 EST

Hello,
I am new to this forum but here is my two cents. I joined to learn in order to try to avoid as many unnecessary pitfalls in my future as possible.
I can't and won't speak for anyone else but the advice and opinions are helpful. All of it is useful In some way. If you have thin skin, move along. If you believe that you know more than someone else because your living in Portugal, you are correct, to a point. It is shallow to think just because a person asks a question about Portugal they are naive. I think the advice should be specific to the topic and let the life choices alone. Perhaps they have lived in twenty countries. Just not Portugal.
That is backpacker mentality. I've got more patches on my backpack than you!
The thing with this forum is the lack of resumes! Prove that you've done this and that better or faster or longer than the next person.
Nobody cares what you've done.
I would love to see answers to questions on posts that have specific questions. If the post asks for opinions/ advice then have at it. The poster then should read all of it and remember what the old saying is about opinions.
Personally, if I want an opinion, the title or the text will state that.

terrig123
  9/1/2016 18:01 EST

To OldPro, You called me a horse....how is that not uncalled for? Why can't it sink in to your thick skull that I do take this seriously? I have been listening but as no two situations are the same, the way you did things 20 plus years ago may not work for me or for anybody else. I have received so many pm's in support of my standing up to you that if I printed them out, I could paper a wall. Please stop being a bully and go enjoy your retirement!

Tess49
  5/27/2018 05:55 EST

To OldPro

I am new here and have read many of these messages and I have to say OldPro, giving advice to others is a choice and one should not impose those advices, also there is no point in being aggressive and rude. I have lived in several countries and continents for my whole life and I have seen that what was one way 20/30 years ago, does not work or exists today. One can always speak on our experience when we were there but (I repeat) things change, laws change, people change with time.
We should be tolerant and when joining a forum to assistor others in what is an extremely stressful move, we should do just that, assist ??.
I hope we all find the help we are looking for on this site and that each one's move, ends with them being happy. I am also moving to Portugal and I am, excited and terrified at the same time but I am really looking forward to being there??
Stay positive and safe everyone

Picareno
  5/27/2018 11:35 EST

Bravo and well said. I too have been traveling and looking for a new home. In general, the information on travel forums has been either neutral or positive. But it’s the remaining negative commenting that scares me off. Rightly or wrongly, the personal name calling and political conspiracy theories that took over a similar forum on Nicararagua resulted in my unsubscribing from that site and ultimately giving up those travel plans. It just wasn’t worth the pain of reading and attempting to screen out the hyperbolics. And yes, I have seen a growth in this type of content on this forum. To keep my focus now, I peruse the comments for civility and utility.. Then I strike up a private message relationship with the writer. I’ve gotten some really good information and had a nuch better time “under the radar.” I hope this helps for the newbies out there who are looking for good, useful information to help them in their quest. Abd thanks to all who’ve connected privately with me. OK, back under the radar.

CatherineOKC
  5/27/2018 16:35 EST

I too joined for good information. I am excited to be moving to Portugal soon! Retiring June 1st. It is exciting to meet other cultures and people. My visit to Portugal was great and the people are lovely. I have to say they remind me of people in Oklahoma -we are a friendly bunch. I can live there for even less than here which is why I can afford to retire at 62. I love to travel and this is the next fantastic adventure. Also taking Portuguese via Babbel. Want to be able to say a few things when I arrive!

CatherineOKC
  5/27/2018 16:35 EST

I too joined for good information. I am excited to be moving to Portugal soon! Retiring June 1st. It is exciting to meet other cultures and people. My visit to Portugal was great and the people are lovely. I have to say they remind me of people in Oklahoma -we are a friendly bunch. I can live there for even less than here which is why I can afford to retire at 62. I love to travel and this is the next fantastic adventure. Also taking Portuguese via Babbel. Want to be able to say a few things when I arrive!

bisystan
  5/27/2018 20:04 EST

I also got Babel and started learning all excited...only to realize it is Brazilian Portuguese and there are some major differences in grammar and pronunciation. But of course, It is better to know the wrong dialect than not at all. Good luck

wallymountz
  5/28/2018 06:12 EST

Just note that Babbel teaches Brazilian Portuguese, not European Portuguese.

craigandmicki
  5/28/2018 06:56 EST

I joined 9 years ago to research moving to Europe or Central America. People who were willing to share their experiences helped me narrow my search but there was nothing factual nor consistent about the process. And experiences most often were misunderstood instances of luck. Jumping thru the hoops was grueling, a deep dark well of confusion. I dedicated myself to discovering the process for a retiree to live legally in Europe, then specifically in Portugal, why each rule existed and what it meant---and then compiled all the disparate pieces of info into a report about the process. Thanks to Expat Exchange, I can help others: my data is always current and I've been able to communicate directly with the various agencies to confirm their requirements...to even recommend to them how to describe their requirements more clearly. I've been able to reach several hundred people through my articles and posts. It's a rewarding moment when I meet someone who has moved to Portugal and they reveal how impactful my work has been. Helping others is why I joined.

Spike
  5/28/2018 13:44 EST

It's not insults. I don't think you understand what the politics are like in Portugal. This is a very liberal/socialist country. Socialized healthcare, free education, and taxes that people don't mind paying because they are for the good of society. Abortion is legal. Gay marriage is legal. Your views are completely out of step with the views of every Portuguese person I've met here and all of the expats, including expats from Spain, England, and France. You come across as the person who would show up in Mecca and stand in a square with a megaphone telling people that Christianity is the only religion. Won't work here.

There are countries where your political views would fit in, eastern Europe in particular. Maybe you would feel more comfortable looking at those countries. Based on your posting history here, you've looked at plenty of countries without much rhyme or reason.

FWIW, I joined this forum to better understand some of the local issues I need to understand and help people with the processes I've gone through.

itstime
  5/28/2018 19:58 EST

How do you know what my views are? Tell me where you read my views. I criticized how this creature on this forum referred to the President as "a thing" who was basically was elected by people not described very positively, demonizing 50 % of the electorate But That is ok to criticize people that you DO NOT AGGREE WITH NOR EXCEPT; YOU, who preach acceptance are the worst when it comes to be accepting. And using this Forum that should have NO political criticism you have this unintelligent comment about the President and the millions who voted for him. This is not the place to offend people you disagree with like this creature did. Who are you to suggest where I should live. I was born and raised in Europe, all my family lives in Europe I have travelled all over Europe (not Portugal) and you are telling me about Europe. Just goes to show how shallow and unaccepting you are because someone dared to call out this creature being derogatory towards the President and his voters on a forum that should not be pollical. Who are you to judge me? You know what religion I belong to ? You are not inclusive as you preach; only inclusive if they agree with you. Get a life.

itstime
  5/28/2018 19:58 EST

How do you know what my views are? Tell me where you read my views. I criticized how this creature on this forum referred to the President as "a thing" who was basically was elected by people not described very positively, demonizing 50 % of the electorate But That is ok to criticize people that you DO NOT AGGREE WITH NOR EXCEPT; YOU, who preach acceptance are the worst when it comes to be accepting. And using this Forum that should have NO political criticism you have this unintelligent comment about the President and the millions who voted for him. This is not the place to offend people you disagree with like this creature did. Who are you to suggest where I should live. I was born and raised in Europe, all my family lives in Europe I have travelled all over Europe (not Portugal) and you are telling me about Europe. Just goes to show how shallow and unaccepting you are because someone dared to call out this creature being derogatory towards the President and his voters on a forum that should not be pollical. Who are you to judge me? You know what religion I belong to ? You are not inclusive as you preach; only inclusive if they agree with you. Get a life.

CatherineOKC
  5/28/2018 21:03 EST

Thanks. Maybe it will help some! Get my brain ready for language which is so much easier to learn living there.

cliffgi
  5/30/2018 18:24 EST

Very well said.

Portugal Residency Advisors
Portugal Residency Advisors

Let Portugal Residency Advisors help you with your move.
Learn More

Portugal Residency AdvisorsPortugal Residency Advisors

Let Portugal Residency Advisors help you with your move.
Learn More

Living in Portugal GuideLiving in Portugal Guide

Our Living in Portugal Guide is a primer on everything about living in Portugal: best places to live, cost of living, pros and cons, healthcare and insurance, obtaining a driver's license, how to bring your pet with you and more.

Portugal Forum Portugal Forum
Join our Portugal forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Portugal.

Contribute to Portugal Network Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Portugal.

Best Places to Live in Portugal Best Places to Live in Portugal

If you're thinking about living in Portugal, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Portugal in 2023.

Healthcare in PortugalHealthcare in Portugal

Expats in Portugal with a residency visa can participate in the national health care system. Here's what you need to know about the SNS and the combination of public and private services you'll need to manage your health in Portugal.

Cost of Living in PortugalCost of Living in Portugal

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Portugal.

Moving to PortugalMoving to Portugal Guide

Expats moving to Portugal are drawn by a variety of places to live, a rich history and so much more. Here are some tips on what it means to move there, and how to make it happen.

Real Estate in PortugalReal Estate in Portugal

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Portugal.

Pros Cons of Living in PortugalPros & Cons of Living in Portugal

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Portugal.

Retiring in PortugalRetiring in Portugal

Advice for people retiring in Portugal.

Visa and Residency PortugalPortugal Visa & Residency Guide

Thanks to Susan Stults Korthase for this helpful overview of current requirements to begin the process of obtaining a Residency Visa when moving from the US to Portugal.

10 Tips for Living in Portugal10 Tips for Living in Portugal

If you've recently arrived in Portugal, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Portugal.

Portugal Residency Advisors
Portugal Residency Advisors

Let Portugal Residency Advisors help you with your move.
Learn More

Portugal Residency AdvisorsPortugal Residency Advisors

Let Portugal Residency Advisors help you with your move.
Learn More

Contribute to Portugal Network Contribute
Help others in Portugal by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Portugal.

William Russell
William Russell

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal