profsmay
2/13/2017 17:36 EST
We're touring the Algarve in May to check out expat communities with goal of retiring to the region this year or next.
Would the Pousada Tavira or Pousada Castana Villa Sol be closest to such communities?
Cheers,
Steve
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MrBife
2/14/2017 06:17 EST
If I may say so that is an especially strange question as there is no such thing here as an expat community.
For sure your best chance of meeting with English people - if that is the requirement, is going to be in England; where there is a high proportion of them.
Let's for a moment use the word immigrant instead of expat shall we? There are immigrants here from most international countries -myself included. I am delighted to say that my observation is that they don't form into ghetto communities (adjacent to Pousadas or otherwise) they just integrate and form a mixed international community.
You will need to speak some Portuguese to really enjoy the place and its culture, its gastronomy, its history and its people properly but your apparent expectation of Portugal being England with sunshine is not sitting happily at least with me,
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slamdunkmj
2/14/2017 23:50 EST
As you can see, their are many rude people who think that it is their place to educate people about their plans. Just because one person is rude doesn't mean that all are rude.
The old saying is " if you don't have anything nice to say keep quite. For what it is worth, many third world nations have expat communities for safety and many will swear by it.Portugal is not a third world nation and thus much safer and to most their isn't a need to stick together.
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slamdunkmj
2/14/2017 23:51 EST
As you can see, their are many rude people who think that it is their place to educate people about their plans. Just because one person is rude doesn't mean that all are rude.
The old saying is " if you don't have anything nice to say keep quite. For what it is worth, many third world nations have expat communities for safety and many will swear by it. Portugal is not a third world nation and thus much safer and to most their isn't a need to stick together.
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MrBife
2/15/2017 13:15 EST
A sweetheart ? Yes certainly I am.
Always totally honest about situations and circumstances in Portugal following nearly 30 years of life experience living and working here? Yes always
Keen that folks should have realistic useful info ? Yes of course
Able to understand why any one Pousada would be a better choice than another in terms of proximity to expats' ? Not really
Again from a personal point of view and if it helps - my expat friends are themselves Swiss, Dutch, Irish, Brazilian, Romanian, Italian, French, Swedish, German and South African. Like me they are all immigrants from their birth countries and like me they all live and work here. I wish I could make you happy by saying any of them lived near a Pousada but sadly they really don't.
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profsmay
2/15/2017 18:38 EST
Thanks for your understanding, slamdunklj. We're just inquiring about how best to explore a land we've never visited. No offense intended.
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profsmay
2/15/2017 18:39 EST
You are very unhappy and angry. You need professional help. If you are already in therapy, I regret to say, it isn't working.
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slamdunkmj
2/15/2017 23:51 EST
I to have looked into retiring in Portugal and from what I read is 30 % cheaper to live there versus the rest of Europe. Looks great but one thing strikes me as a possible problem and that is inflation. I would think that I have to have at least 20% of that 30% saved up to handle it. First world country with third world prices. Because of this I have for the near future I will live in Huanchaco Peru where you can live nicely on 1,000.00 a month without a problem. Ya, Peru is a third world nation and there is something to be said for clean drinking water and good health care, its the best choice for me to save a whole lot of money. I just came back and will be moving back on the first of March.
Good luck on your search
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profsmay
2/16/2017 08:50 EST
Thank you; we'll look into Peru as my Spanish is a lot better than my Portuguese.
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Debneb
3/26/2017 11:43 EST
I, too, will be traveling in the Algarve late May. We are from the US and are also interested in meeting expats. I've been inquiring about any formal or informal gatherings that we might be able to join. I haven't found any, but if you do, please let me know.
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ESprotte59
3/26/2017 12:18 EST
I was in the Algarve a few weeks ago and highly recommend the Quita Bonita boutique hotel near Lagos. Lovely Aussie/Scottish couple that run it and know lots about the area. We met lots of fun Brits every night at restaurants in town.
Erik
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mondayschild
3/26/2017 13:26 EST
I don't see any rudeness in MrBife's post. A lot of people who have never been to Portugal get their ideas from their knowledge of retirement communities in the USA. Perhaps they think that a Portuguese version of Del Boca Vista exists? There are old folks homes in Portugal, but I am sure they are not what Americans looking to retire abroad have in mind. I think a question that would yield more helpful answers is "What are some of the more popular cities and towns where I can find an active international community?"
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profsmay
3/27/2017 15:52 EST
I get the impression that some expats have made little effort to assimilate Portuguese culture and may be merely tolerated rather than merged into the communities where they live.
We're going to meet as many Portuguese as we can and see what life among them would be like.
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wallymountz
3/28/2017 02:05 EST
That's an excellent idea and you'l be able to put your Portuguese language skills to good use.
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kawazaki
3/28/2017 02:14 EST
I moved to Sobreda, Portugal from California in Nov 2016 and am doing all I can to assimilate. Knowing the customs and language makes living here much easier and educational. I think I am the only American in this area.
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Fermatt
3/28/2017 08:24 EST
Hi,
I am a Uruguayan son of Portuguese father currently living in Montevideo, Uruguay. I want to learn of your experience as an American expat living there.
I speak Portuguese but my first language is Spanish.
Fernando
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profsmay
3/28/2017 16:24 EST
Bueno, Fernando: hablo un poco de Espanol, sino se dice que la Portuguesa es muy differente, en la pronunciacion especialimente. Tratare como puedo hablarlo.
Steve
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profsmay
3/28/2017 16:24 EST
Bueno, Fernando: hablo un poco de Espanol, sino se dice que la Portuguesa es muy differente, en la pronunciacion especialimente. Tratare como puedo hablarlo.
Steve
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bluewind
3/28/2017 19:55 EST
Your post reminds me of the other day when I walked into a phone store because of having problems with my new phone. My lack of experience with technology and questions seemed to bring out the arrogance in the person I was talking to. His superior attitude was obvious and he seemed to relish in knowing more than I did. Of course, there must of been a time when this person knew less than I knew at the time but obviously forgot that. Having an inflated ego is not just annoying, it's ignorant.
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profsmay
3/29/2017 12:42 EST
Status seeking and competition are natural instincts, I suppose, but when exercised outside a proper context they come across as mental illness.
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