Hello Terrig123,
My wife and I spent a month in Albufeira during January 2015. We were scouting around Portugal at that time to see what we liked and also, didn't like.
First the like;
Albufeira was crazy cheap for rent. We paid 500 Euros for the month in a two bedroom apartment with an ocean view and daily maid service. (Off season) The grocery stores were stocked with everything you could want and we found things we thought were only available in North America. On top of choice, it was quite cheap for groceries as well compared to other places we stayed. Driving there was super simple and the beach is fantastic. There are two different areas where restaurants and bars are and both were totally safe. It is near the center of the Algarve which is also a good thing.
Here is what we didn't like;
We found the proliferation of English residents to be a bit of a shock and had a hard time with it. Everything we saw was geared towards the English and they have endless bars and eateries specifically designed for them. This is obviously a matter of personal choice but we felt like it was little England. Now to be clear, we love England. Just not in Portugal. Albufeira has a "strip" which is lined with bars but 80% are closed from Dec. to April as the tourist season is the big time there. In the winter, there is very little open and what is, is English.
I'm sure there is Portuguese people there but we didn't find them. Albufeira even has outdoor escalators for the hoards of tourists that show up in the summer. If you haven't already, google the strip and the town for pictures.
That's about it for me. We enjoyed our time there but it just wasn't to our taste. For moving to Portugal, I think the transition would likely be easier in Albufeira than, say, a place like Olhao or even Lisbon.

Unfortunately, I too have asked for information on the SEF offices and had very limited response. I will be in Portugal dealing with the SEF offices in the Algarve this winter and might be able to give you some info then.

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Thanks dajo, This is very helpful. I have of course been looking at photos and watching videos on Youtube. It's just a landing spot for us I think as the summer season sounds way too busy for us. But I've found a place we can rent that will accept our dog and we will get a car, so we can look around while we wait on our residence permit. Terri

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Thanks to those who have pm'd me with info about the Algarve area. It's very helpful.

Terri

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