About Maineniac |
The Maineniacs are a couple. (Eduardo & Marie) We have been married 38 years (as of 2016). Kids grown and on their own. We met in the U.S. Air Force and we are both retired Veterans. I have a second career with the U.S. Postal Service and will retire on Oct 2016 after 17 years. Have had enough of the working life. Marie still has a couple of years before she stops working as a paralegal office manager. We have researched retirement communities all over the USA and were determined to retired somewhere in the Southeast. However, last year we started our research into overseas retirement; Panama, Equador, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Belize, and other so called "best places to retire." Just a couple of weeks ago (Jul 4, 2016) I stumbled on an article about the best kept secret in Europe (or something like that) and it was about retirement in The Algarve, Portugal. That article intrigued me so I found more and more articles about The Algarve. The more I read, the more I kept telling myself (and to my wife); "This just sounds to good to be true." But at the same time I was filled with an excitement and wonder like never before about all the other places we have researched. Then I started to tell myself (and my wife); "We have got to visit this wonderful place that sounds "to good to be true." I then joined this forum and continue to read all the great things about The Algarve and other retirement destinations in Portugal. I tell you truly, if we could retire today, we would retire in Portugal without even visiting first to make sure we like it. Like I keep saying; "It just sounds to good to be true." But we are "sold" on the country. I mean, all these people in this forum and others can't be lying, right? So now when we talk about retiring in probably The Algarve, we don't say if we retire there, we say when we retire there. So in just two weeks of research we decided we are going to our retirement destination in April of 2017 for a fact finding tour. It's a done deal. I have prayed about it like everyday and I believe this is where God wants us to be. Now, don't judge me as gullible because I'm not. I consider myself to be very cynical especially in matters of financial dealings. But we are moving to Portugal as soon as our commitment to my aging in-laws is complete. Because unfortunately, they will never leave Maine; even when it's 20 below zero in the Winters here. Thats like minus 29 celsius. So, if I haven't bored you and you've read this far, can someone tell me why we shouldn't move to The Algarve, Cascais, or anywhere in Portugal where the Winters are mild? Huh?
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Portugal: 25 Top Safest Countries:
http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/safest-countries-in-the-world.html
Portugal: Financial Means Test/Subsistence:
Translation; not perfect but may be helpful.
MINISTRIES of INTERNAL AFFAIRS and of labour and SOCIAL solidarity Portaria (ministerial order) no 1563/2007 of 11 December the law No. 23/2007, of July 4, came to define the new legal regime of entry, stay, departure and expulsion of foreigners from the national territory. The sufficiency of means of subsistence is condition for the entry and residence in the national territory, as well as for the granting or renewal of documents that formalize their residence. In accordance with the provisions of Decree-law cited and its implementing decree, matter, through the Concierge members of the Government responsible for the areas of the Administration Internally and for labour and Social solidarity, establish uniform criteria and define the means of subsistence which foreign nationals must be provided for entry, stay or residence in national territory. The concept of livelihood meets the provisions of Annex XXV of the common code of borders and on Directive 2003/86/EC of 22 September. The criterion of determination of the means of subsistence now chosen here by reference to the minimum monthly wage guaranteed in accordance with article 226, paragraph 1 of the labour code, attentive to their nature and regularity, net of social security contributions with a value per capita in every household. This valuation was established in accordance with the modified OECD scale for determining the poverty thresholds, the more favorable the officially used. Thus, under the combined provisions of articles 11, paragraph 2, and 52, paragraph 1, point (d)), of law No. 23/2007, of July 4, and of article 5, paragraph 3, and 24 of implementing Decree No. 84/2007 of 5 November: have the Government, by the Ministers of the Interior and labour and Social solidarity, as follows: Article 1 subject-matter this ministerial order fixing the livelihoods that must have foreign nationals for entry and residence in the national territory, inter alia for the granting of visas and extension of stay and granting and renewal of residence permits. Article 2 livelihoods 1 — for the purposes of this Ordinance, it is considered ' livelihoods ' stable and regular resources which are sufficient to the essential needs of the foreign citizen and, as the case may be, of his family, in particular for food, accommodation and health care and hygiene, in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance. 2 — the criterion of determining the means of subsistence is made by reference to the minimum monthly wage guaranteed in accordance with article 226, paragraph 1 of the labour code, hereinafter called RMMG, aware of their nature and regularity, net of social security contributions with the following valuation per capita in each household: the first adult 100%); b) Second or more adults 50%; c) children and young people under the age of 18 years and older children borne by 30%. 3 — For the entry and stay of foreign citizen holder of transit visa, short stay or admitted without visa requirement under international conventions to which Portugal is a party under article 11 of the law No. 23/2007, of July 4, the same must hold or be able to acquire legally, in means of payment , per capita, the equivalent of € 75 for each entry, plus 40 euros per each day of stay. 4 — The quantity referred to in the preceding paragraph may be dispensed to the foreign national to prove have lodging and food provided during their stay or disclaimer under article 12 of the law No. 23/2007, of July 4. 5 — the citizen who subscribe the disclaimer referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be provided with livelihood determined in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 2.
Portugal: Why I joined:
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
Portugal: Monte da Palhagueira Village:
USA couple sick and tired of all the racism and violence in our country. Like most people planning retirement, we are looking for the perfect retirement location. My wife (of 38 years) and I have just started researching about retiring in The Algarve region. I have gathered a tremendous amount of good information from people in this forum. The more we read the more excited and anxious we get about retiring in The Algarve.
We are currently caregivers for my in-laws in their late 80s and they reside with us. So retirement will have to wait until our commitment to them is over. So it may be in a year or five years before we can make the move.
One topic I do need information on is a place called Monte da Palhagueira Village. We have read the info on their website and also various articles in European magazines and newspapers. If we can afford it (and we believe we can) this place sounds ideal for us. But it sounds too good to be true. We truly don't understand the "loan and accommodation agreement" concept of buying property (or is it renting). It says the loan is refundable with one year's notice. What?! How do they make a profit besides the 4.75% loan retention?
Don't want anyone to get the wrong impression about the comment that we are sick and tired of living in our country. We love it and will lay our lives down for it. We are both retired from the military and I am a disabled veteran. Not combat related, just lost 80% of my hearing and knee problems. However, me being a "person of color" I have experience my share of discrimination and racism in my lifetime. Just wanted to clear that up.
Please, any info on Monte da Palhagueira Village would be greatly appreciated. Especially from someone living there.
Portugal: Importing Car:
Wow! No response to this yet? Just joined forum about a week ago and we are moving to Portugal within a year or two, or three. Read more about us in "about me" in my profile to explain that. Anyway, I'm considering shipping my 2011 Mercedes SLK350 when we finally do move. So come on people. I know there aren't many Americans in this forum but there has got to be at least one who has shipped there car from the USA?! Pretty please.... : )
Portugal: Ordering from Amazon:
WHOA!! 24% tax? On what? Amazon goods, local groceries, beer?
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