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Desertdiva
  7/5/2018 14:56 EST

Hello!
we are Americans couple (but one is expat English) we are seriously considering Portugal as our place to move to. We have kids/grandkids in America and England, and friends all over Europe. We would love to have a dialogue with others who have chosen Portugal as their home. The good the bad and the ugly! of their personal opinions. Husband is a General Contractor, and I'm former Real Estate agent and before that professional Opera singer in UK. and USA.Is anyone interested to communicate their personal experiences of living Portugal? It would be so appreciated.

quantamboy
  6/7/2020 16:57 EST

I am planning on heading to Portugal to check out the country. We are looking to buy a second home there - we currently live in Denver and then ultimately will plan on transitioning the move to Portugal over the next few years. Thoughts on where are best - we are looking north of lisbon Ericeira, Cldas da rain, Nazare.

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realspear
  7/10/2018 11:14 EST

My appointment was three months, three weeks, and three days from my request. It depends on which SEF office but everyone I have talked to recently had had at least three months waiting.

Djgheart
  7/10/2018 09:00 EST

No worries craigandmicki. I understood your intent...

Djgheart
  7/10/2018 09:00 EST

No worries craigandmicki. I understood your intent...

GeoffK
  7/10/2018 07:44 EST

You wrote "....you get an appointment at SEF which will be 4 months out..."

To clarify, you are required to apply for the interview within 4 months but the interview date won't necessarily be, and indeed is unlikely to be 4 months out. I arrived in October, made the appointment in December and was given a date in February.

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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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craigandmicki
  7/10/2018 06:01 EST

To DesertDiva's question about our living in PT: We've lived here 8 years, moving several times (renters) around the Estoril, Cascais and Mt. Estoril areas. That's the "Portuguese Riviera', on the Atlantic coast NW of Lisbon.

craigandmicki
  7/10/2018 05:53 EST

DIGHEART: I was WRONG! I answered your question about submitting your application now, when you don't want to move until Nov, and said 'it must be within 90 days of the date you intend to move'. Well, that is correct, but I took your question too literally. You can answer the question about when you want to move with a date close to 90 days out, but you don't have to leave exactly then. You have 120 days on this Visa, so you can certainly leave a month or two after you get your Visa; once here, you get an appointment at SEF which will be 4 months out but, with your SEF appointment confirmation, your Visa is essentially extended to that appointment. It works, except for the part about your rental contract and flights.

Desertdiva
  7/9/2018 14:58 EST

Thank you good to know....
D

Desertdiva
  7/9/2018 14:57 EST

thanks Craig and Micki
your info is straight to the point. Much appreciated. How long have you lived in Portugal and N.S.E.or West? Thanks, D

craigandmicki
  7/9/2018 12:49 EST

To Digheart's question about submitting the Visa app more than 3 months prior to the move date: No, you can not...you are required to submit your application as the law states, intending to move in 90 days. Once you have that Visa, you must enter Portugal within the 120 days.

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William RussellWilliam Russell

William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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dancebert
  7/8/2018 23:23 EST

>I intend to target November 1 as my entry date - Can I send the application sooner than 90 days?

Agreed, the visa is valid for entry for 4 months from the date of issue. What's not clear is how the 'From' date of the visa, that is, the date that starts that 4 month period, is determined. Some say it's same as the date the consulate grants the visa. Some say it was the date they requested when they applied for the visa. Point is, it wouldn't hurt to consider how a date before Nov 1 would effect you.

Djgheart
  7/8/2018 22:49 EST

Thank you - Matt

CatherineOKC
  7/8/2018 22:37 EST

I am told it takes about 6 weeks to process and I believe you have to activate it within 4 months of approval.

Djgheart
  7/8/2018 19:11 EST

Oh Yes! "Facts" are why I research against so many databases and information sources. I am currently about to submit my Application for retirement Visa - A quick question (You can answer on this thread since I am following it) - I intend to target November 1 as my entry date - Can I send the application sooner than 90 days?

GeoffK
  7/8/2018 16:44 EST

And remember what someone says is a fact may really be just what they think is a fact.

craigandmicki
  7/8/2018 14:53 EST

To Desertdiva's question about where to get info/sites to use: I contribute to Int'l Living and can tell you that their info is often re-used, out-dated and taken out of context...they exist to sell you their conferences, books and so on. You'll find better info if you read articles here, in the Portugal forum; be cautious about people who post what they 'think' versus what is fact; and use a couple of Facebook sites such as Americans & Friends in Portugal. No need to pay for subscriptions!

GeoffK
  7/8/2018 14:47 EST

Between this site and "googling" for information I don;t think you need to pay for other subscriptions.

Desertdiva
  7/8/2018 14:12 EST

Hi Djgheart
how exciting I love your attitude! We are I think quite a bit older than you and your wife but still ready for an adventure too. I got the reference to Dental work and anything else that would need 'fixing' before leaving to distant shores.I have social security and therefore Medicare. My husband does not yet, but I believe Medicare does not travel with us so we would need private med insurance when we get there. Please keep in touch would love to hear your journey! D

Desertdiva
  7/8/2018 14:06 EST

Hi Catherine OTC
when do you intend to move? I would be interested to know how the company you mentioned pans out when all said and done. Maybe you can share later when you are settled with your business with them. thanks!

Desertdiva
  7/8/2018 13:59 EST

Hi Craig and Micki
nice to hear of your opinions, and much appreciated. We, (read "I") have just started research. I have found that there are many info sites available like 'International living' that I subscribe to, but there are always others enticingly offering all important aspects, for a subscription for a big move to another Country. That gets to be expensive! Is this the best way to go for this necessary info? or should I just explore the many Google sites available. Any one have experience of this? thanks for any help!

craigandmicki
  7/8/2018 05:54 EST

To 'Luned"'s comment about costs in Lisboa vs Nazare: Yes, costs in Nazare will be almost 50% less than Lisbon for housing, reststaurants. Utility pricing will be the same as will groceries, yet Nazare's small 'farmer's markets' will be priced lower than markets in Lisbon, Cascais. You can see the variations in cost of living at www.numbeo.com, which all of us contribute to. Also look at casasapo.pt, a housing multi-listing, as you'll then see the lower costs of housing outside of Lisbon, Cascais and Porto, the most expensive areas. Nazare is a really small village, tho, so think of what you want in your life--Coimbra is great for singles and lively, but Nazare is on the ocean.

dancebert
  7/8/2018 01:35 EST

>I selected Portugal because I have family in Windsor.

Windsor, England? If so, and you plan on visiting them a lot, are you aware of how many months a year people with residence permits, or temporary residence permits, can be absent from Portugal before the government can cancel their permit?

MVClive
  7/8/2018 00:35 EST

Probably lower in Nazare. But if you really want to live on the cheap, moving inland might drastically reduce your expenses overall.

MVClive
  7/8/2018 00:35 EST

Probably lower in Nazare. But if you really want to live on the cheap, moving inland might drastically reduce your expenses overall.

Luned
  7/7/2018 22:18 EST

MVClive, would you say the cost of living is lower in Nazare than in Lisbon? I am also looking to retire in Portugal, but I am a single woman on a small fixed income.

MVClive
  7/7/2018 11:52 EST

Hello Diva. I too am married to an opera diva, she’s American, I’m British, and we’re in Texas at the moment. We’ve bought an apartment in Nazare, and hope to be there by the end of August. We love Portugal. Love the people, the town, the weather, the food, haven’t found anything we dislike so far. We too have family here, and in the UK, and friends in Europe. Our son and daughter in law and moving there as well, closing on a home in September, and moving next spring, it’ll be great to have them nearby. Nazare is a beach tow of around 15,000, so its a bit crowded in the summer, but heaven on earth for us. Don’t need a car, great market, grocery stores, restaurants, 5 minute walk to the beach. Bus from town to Lisbon for 12 euro.
Easy immigration process since I’m a UK passport holder.

Djgheart
  7/7/2018 08:31 EST

Ola!

After 8 trips and a lot of dental work prior to, I am finalizing my Retirement Visa and should be a resident of the Azores around November. Let me know if you desire to correspond. We are a newly early retired Fireif=ghter/Paramedic and Teacher wanting a new adventure after leaving our prior adventures in life.

M

CatherineOKC
  7/6/2018 18:04 EST

Close proximity to Heathrow which is near Windsor. Have not decided where yet but not north, Don't want winter and probably not too far south. I want a town with a university. I have never lived near the ocean so may start near Lisbon. I have been working with a company in Lisbon to get everything put together for my visa. They also for a fee will help find a place to rent and work with the landlords on the agreement. So far I am very pleased and it is cheaper and less stressful than going to Portugal and trying to sort it out then coming back to the US for the visa application! When I visit Portugal as a tourist a few years back they seemed as nice as the people here in Oklahoma!

CatherineOKC
  7/6/2018 18:04 EST

Close proximity to Heathrow which is near Windsor. Have not decided where yet but not north, Don't want winter and probably not too far south. I want a town with a university. I have never lived near the ocean so may start near Lisbon. I have been working with a company in Lisbon to get everything put together for my visa. They also for a fee will help find a place to rent and work with the landlords on the agreement. So far I am very pleased and it is cheaper and less stressful than going to Portugal and trying to sort it out then coming back to the US for the visa application! When I visit Portugal as a tourist a few years back they seemed as nice as the people here in Oklahoma!

Desertdiva
  7/6/2018 16:26 EST

Hi Katherine OKC
thanks for message. My kids are in Wiltshire but at least I would be so much closer to her than USA where I am now. Why did you pick Portugal and where abouts?
Dela

CatherineOKC
  7/6/2018 13:08 EST

I selected Portugal because I have family in Windsor. It is too expensive there and I don't like the climate!

CatherineOKC
  7/6/2018 13:08 EST

I selected Portugal because I have family in Windsor. It is too expensive there and I don't like the climate!

Desertdiva
  7/6/2018 11:42 EST

Hi CPAfrom Colorado
Thanks so much for your comments. We too are looking at Portugal seriously but have yet to visit. We will do that next year. My daughter and her family are in U.K. and many friends in Europe. Too expensive to live in UK anymore, but easier to see them from Portugal! Good luck with your visits! Please keep in touch would love your input about things as you will be there before us.

CPAfromColorado
  7/5/2018 16:13 EST

Hi DesertDiva,

My partner and I are very similar to you. I'm a CPA and he is in IT and is a British exPat living in the US for the last 25 years.

We've been talking about moving overseas for the last 18 months or so and just settled on Portugal as #1 on the list. We're booking a trip in September/October to check it out and confirm that this is the place for us.

If so, then back to the US for one final tax season for me, then off to Portugal in the summer.

We own quite a bit of rental property in the Denver area and have done a few flips, so your background as agent and contractor is interesting. Do you intend to invest in real estate in Portugal?

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Contribute to Portugal Network Contribute
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