hodgedennison
9/18/2016 04:14 EST
I am looking to take early retirement to Portugal very soon but as a female on my own and don't yet speak the language, what area would be best for meeting people and making friends, I favour Central Portugal but there is a language barrier, any advice is much appreciated.
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craigandmicki
9/18/2016 08:49 EST
To hodgedennison's question about meeting people in Central PT: English is spoken more readily in the Lisbon, Porto and Algarve areas but also in Coimbra...and your fellow expats are located in these areas, also. Organizations for us to meet others abound: Americans Living in Portugal, International Women of Portugal, Democrats Abroad, NewLife Portugal...and much more. All have facebook sites.
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feliciamoore
9/19/2016 04:50 EST
Hi
I recently moved to Lisbon. I am single retired lady. I'm finding it very easy to meet people and while just beginning to learn Portuguese I find most people in this part of country speak English
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Picareno
9/20/2016 12:36 EST
Thanks to all who reply here. We are an American retiree couple scouting The Algarve in January and are similarly interested in finding an area where we can socialize with English speakers as we tackle learning Portuguese. And thanks for he networking group names. Any other comments on this particular thread greatly appreciated.
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Picareno
9/20/2016 12:36 EST
Thanks to all who reply here. We are an American retiree couple scouting The Algarve in January and are similarly interested in finding an area where we can socialize with English speakers as we tackle learning Portuguese. And thanks for he networking group names. Any other comments on this particular thread greatly appreciated.
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Tracydeseck
9/21/2016 04:19 EST
My husband & I recently moved to Cascais for semi retirement and have found this area is very active with lots of English speaking expats. It right on the beach with a more northern Portugal feel. Many locals speak Portuguese due to the influx of Eurporean retirees and visitors. It is an easy bus or commuter train ride to Lisbon also.
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sarasmile
9/21/2016 06:36 EST
I think it depends on what type of social life you're looking for. Other English speaking expat retirees (a generalization I know, but most are couples)? Urban people of a particular age group (Portuguese? Foreigners?) who share your interests?
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OldPro
9/22/2016 12:00 EST
Meeting people has more to do with an individual's personality than it does with choosing a place to live.
I have never had any trouble meeting people wherever I have lived but I'm far from an introvert. LOL
As for meeting other expats, I have little interest in meeting other expats, If I move to a country, it is to experience that country including the people of the country and their culture. I cannot do that by meeting expats. So while I don't try to avoid them, I don't look to meet them either.
I have never found language to be a problem in any country and cannot imagine it being one in Portugal. First, fortunately for those of us for whom English is our first language, it is also the universal language. There are very few places you are likely to go where no one speaks English, including even a small Portuguese village. If all else fails look for children to help you.
http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/news/view/portuguese-schools-to-use-cambridge-english-as-part-of-national-scheme/
Second, you can master some words and phrases in any language in days. Necessity will soon see you learning how to ask for '2 loaves of bread please'. The fastest way to learn any language is through immersion. Sometimes I have been quite frustrated when I have asked for something in the local language and had a reply given to me in English.
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