Moving to Portugal

"I would recommend Gualtar or Trofa as an area of Braga to live in. It's part of the city, yet doesn't have the "city" feel. It's atmosphere is more "suburban" than anything. The city has everything you need to live a life that you've been accustomed to in the US. Additionally, it's location is spectacular because you have the beach 30 minutes to the west, (awsome) Geres mountains 15 minutes to the east and Spain 40 minutes to the North.... you can't go wrong. :)," replied a member in Braga.

"Expatriates should be aware that the official language of Portugal is Portuguese, so it is important to become conversant in the language in order to be able to communicate effectively. Additionally, a good understanding of Portuguese culture and customs will aid in transitioning to life in Portugal. Expats should also be aware of its diverse climate, with temperatures ranging from hot and dry in the south to cooler temperatures in the north. Being aware of the cost of living in Portugal before moving is important, as it may be more expensive than what expats are used to. Lastly, as with many countries, expats should be aware of potential visa and permit requirements for staying in Portugal for extended periods of time," commented one expat who made the move to Portugal.

"Do your research! What are your priorities? Food, wine and weather were ours! Keep in mind that whatever your guess/estimate is it will cost 2-3 times as much as you think and will take as much more time than you think. Find a good realtor and attorney in your new country. Go there and look around and see what feels right. Trust your gut but know your parameters," remarked one expat in Porto, Portugal.

"The same advice related to a move anywhere. You must be here for some time - a month or two - before you select your home. Walk the many neighborhoods, see what amenities are around you, and work with a local realtor who comes recommended. If you like a quiet, more rural life, there are many villages and towns that meet this need. A good urban life is in Lisboa, and the coast just outside of Lisboa offers access to everything. If you're an EU citizen, everything you do is easier. For Americans, the process of getting a residency is twice as complicated and twice as time consuming, so getting advice from someone who has done/is doing it will help reduce your effort and anxiety," said one expat in Cascais and Estoril.

"I would come here in the summer before you move. It is over flooded with tourists. I live in Albufeira and travel in the summer. While Albufeira has a reputation as a party town, it is limited to two areas. The quality of life is very high, it empties out quite a bit in the winter but plenty is left open," remarked one expat who made the move to The Algarve.

"One way to find a place to live in Portugal is to search online. You can search for real estate websites, such as idealista.com and imovirtual.com, which often list a variety of different types of rentals ranging from holiday apartments to long-term residence. Additionally, you can search on Facebook groups and Expat forums, as many expats offer advice and help finding accommodation on these platforms. For a more customised option, you may wish to consider using a rental agency or estate agent, as they will be able to find properties to fit your exact requirements. Finally, you can also search for classified ad sites, such as OLX, for places to rent," remarked one expat who made the move to Portugal.

"Expat homes and apartments in Portugal typically have bright, white-washed interiors with a minimalist style. In coastal areas, you can find more traditional, rustic-style houses with breezy patios and terraces. Many expat homes come with modern amenities, such as central heating, air conditioning, and equipped kitchens. Common features in apartments include terraces with views of the city or the ocean and easy access to public transportation. Portugal is known for its mild climate, unique terraced gardens, and beautiful beaches, so many expats take advantage of these features and invest in homes with outdoor spaces and sprawling gardens," said one expat who made the move to Portugal.

"We are in a mid-rise condo building, renting a 2 bedroom apartment. We scoured all of the online sites, and fortunately took the advice of the owner of a holiday rentals site (Portugal Portfolio) to rent through her for 1 month and take that time to look around. This resulted in us finding our current home that we'd have never known about, at a better price, and ideally situated in an area of both local residents and holiday-renters, with every amenity within walking distance. We have no car--we walk to the market, beach, restaurants. We rent a car for excursions further away, as we are visiting every part of Portugal that we can, taking a trip every few weeks," explained one expat living in Cascais and Estoril, Portugal.

"I live in a single family four bedroom home. To be honest I don't really know of any US expats in my area. The people up north are very friendly, so most of our support circle is Portuguese," said one in Braga.

"We rent a condo. Yes, most of our expat friends have done the same, although, as it turns out, our landlords are also expats who own several condos and a single family house that they live in," explained one expat who made the move to Porto.

"We decided to wait before jumping in and buying and watched the buying behaviours, issues other expats had, studied the market, visited houses extensively. At present we have decided not too buy due to the exchange rate issues," explained one expat living in Tomar, Portugal.

"Housing costs are lower here, but we're comparing a mortgage on a million-dollar plus condo in the US to rent on a 2 bedroom apartment with ancient appliances. It is easy to find a clean, modern, 2 bed/2 bath apartment with new appliances in the upscale, coastal Estoril/Cascias area for less than $2200/month if one works with a local realtor, and can cut those costs in about half in the smaller towns and villages inland. Utilities per month can add about $100. Internet service is about $30. On average, this feels like one can get a bit more with less but Portugal's Lisboa coast isn't a low cost choice. South and North and inland are less costly," remarked one expat who made the move to Cascais and Estoril.

"The average cost of housing in Portugal is generally considered to be quite reasonable. Prices vary depending on the location, size and quality of property, but most one bedroom apartments in the city centre cost between 500 and 700 euros per month, while larger family homes can start at around 1000 euros. Rent prices are generally cheaper outside the cities, and Portugal's extensive coastline means that beachfront properties can be slightly more expensive than inland properties," explained one expat living in Portugal.

"Housing cost is less than half of what we were paying in Denver, Colorado. Depending on the size of place you need and location, $700-1200/month can be average. Porto is more affordable than Lisbon and Vila Nova de Gaia, which is a 10 minute drive from Porto, across the river can be several hundred dollars cheaper than Porto. Neighboring smaller cities are even more affordable," said one expat in Porto.

"I am renting an apartment. It was difficult at first because a number of realtors didn't show an interest in helping me. When I found the right realtor, it went fairly easily. The biggest issue was having to pay for an entire years rent due to having no family in Portugal. There is also a scarcity of rental properties that are long term rentals," remarked one expat who made the move to Cascais.

"Deciding whether to buy or rent a home in Portugal depends on your personal budget, lifestyle, and goals. If you are looking for a more permanent living situation and a long-term investment, purchasing a home in Portugal could be a great option for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for short-term accommodation or want more flexibility, then renting a home may be the better option. Ultimately, the decision between buying or renting a home in Portugal should be based on your individual needs and preferences," explained one expat living in Portugal.

"Really, I wish we had not shipped anything. The process was a nightmare and cost three times as much as the original quote. After sharing stories with other expats it seems that the entire overseas shipping business is one big bait and switch. You are given a quote and after they pick up your shipment they up the price by half or more. What can you do? Nothing, they have all your things and the "full price" of shipping that you already paid! I wish we had left all kitchen glassware, most of the DVDs, and a lot of the books. Leave most of the things of sentimental value. I wish the 2 boxes that were lost in transit made it. Take unique art pieces, special kitchenware (antique cast iron) and favorite music if you must," replied a member in Porto.

"We wish we'd brought more of our clothing...costs here are higher than in the US even before you add in the exchange rate and it's difficult to find the quality and styling to which we are accustomed; to have brought binoculars; and we should have purchased an eReader and filled it with books as finding English books is tough. Left behind...nothing, we were really selective," commented one expat who made the move to Cascais and Estoril.

"Your question depends, in part, on where you are moving from. The previous answer to your question that I read is a basic, "what to bring when you move anywhere." I'm not sure that was your question. My answer will also be incomplete as I have not moved to Portugal, yet! BUT, I have moved internationally 11 times, to and from 3 different continents. So, I have a little experience. I'm going to assume you are not bringing furniture. If you are, that's up to you. IF you are moving from the US, most beds are a different size than American beds, so don't bother bringing anything but pillow cases, if that's important to you. There are plenty of places to get bed linens there (that actually fit the bed you are going to sleep in). And there's always amazon spain (no duty). From what I've read on other forums, bring your cotton clothing, as that seems to be hard to get ahold of (don't know why), and clothing in general if you are larger than a US 12. I've also read that, unless you are prepared to spend a bit, the quality of the clothing is not what some Americans are used to. I can't attest to this, as I haven't bought clothes there. Also, shoes if you are larger than 39 (US 8.5), I've read. Bring any skin care products to get you through the first few months at least, so that you have time to find an equivalent -- you do NOT want companies from the US to send things to you, as you will not only pay international shipping to the company, you will pay enormous duty costs in Portugal, AND I've read that the mail service is not necessarily terribly reliable. About kitchenware: Unless something has sentimental value, sell what you have, go to IKEA for cutlery and glasses/dishes, once you're in Portugal, or buy some exquisite Portuguese ceramics, and get chef-worthy pans in one of the malls. No need to bring those. Bring rain gear and warm clothing (especially if not in the Algarve), as winter is chilly and damp, and homes are not insulated. Buy a heater and perhaps a dehumidifier when you get there. Unless you have a large and powerful electrical converter, don't bother bringing most electrical appliances (from hair dryers to small kitchen appliances to giant tvs). The small converters (to be differentiated from adapters that are only good for laptops and other appliances that have either automatic or dual electrical voltage (like SOME hair dryers, f.ex.)) won't be able to handle high voltage appliances. I had a big one that worked well, but that weighed about 15 lbs (but, granted, that was back in the 90s. Perhaps they've updated them by now??). Just sell what you have, and buy what you need once you get to Portugal. Other people who live there already can tell you what they miss (and if they say food or drinks (especially soda -- eye roll), just remember you are moving to experience a new culture, NOT bring your culture to a new place). When I move, I bring clothes (paired down because I don't need the slacks I haven't worn for 2 years), hand-blown glasses I got from my dad years ago (because they mean a lot to me -- and they're unique), books, pictures, paintings, and possibly one pillow so I know I have one that I like, until I can find others in the country I move to), skin care and make-up for a few months, a tool kit (simply because I have it -- IKEA!), and my cat and his accessories! Oh, I will be bringing some cat food and litter, so I can ease him over to something new without it being as much of a shock as 17 hours of transit, and a new home. Hope that helps! I hope that helps," remarked one expat in Portugal.

"Yes. I ordered a take away dinner from a cafe ahead of time and misunderstood the time to pick it up. When we arrived to pick up our meal, all the food was gone, we were too late! They called someone who was in charge and referred to me as the "foreign lady," estrangeira. I was surprised at myself that I was hurt and offended to be called such, even though I am! It shows how badly I want to fit in, but don't," said one expat in Vila Nova de Gaia.

"It is important to show respect for Portuguese culture by avoiding certain activities that could be considered rude or inappropriate. When visiting, it is best to dress conservatively, avoid discussing religion or politics in public, and maintain eye contact when engaging in conversation. Likewise, visitors should avoid pointing with their finger and try to learn some basic phrases in Portuguese, as a gesture of respect. Additionally, it is important to remember that physical contact between strangers, such as shaking hands and hugging, is not common in certain parts of Portugal," said one expat who made the move to Portugal.

"One major attraction of Portugal for expats is its fantastic Mediterranean climate and beautiful beaches. The country offers something for everyone, with vibrant and bustling cities, charming rural towns and villages, and stunning landscapes. Portugal is also known for its friendly and welcoming people, offering a rich culture and colourful lifestyle. The cost of living in Portugal can also be surprisingly affordable when compared to other Western European countries. In addition, the excellent transport network and English taught in many schools make it easy to integrate into Portuguese life. Combined, these factors make Portugal an attractive destination for expats," stated one expat who made the move to Portugal.

"Portugal offers a wide range of healthcare services, including primary care, hospital care, mental health services, and specialized care. The public healthcare system in Portugal is funded by the government and is free for all citizens and legal residents. The quality of public healthcare in Portugal is generally good, with modern facilities and well-trained staff. Foreign residents in Portugal are also eligible to use the public healthcare system, although they may need to pay a fee for certain services. Expats in Portugal can use the public healthcare system by registering with the local health authority and obtaining a health card. This card allows them to access the same services as Portuguese citizens, including free or discounted medical care," stated one expat who made the move to Portugal.

"Portugal has a comprehensive public healthcare system that provides free or low-cost medical services to its citizens. The country also has a number of private hospitals and clinics that offer a wide range of medical services. Portugal has a well-developed network of primary care physicians, specialists, and hospitals that provide quality medical care. The country also has a number of specialized medical centers that offer specialized treatments and services. Portugal also has a number of medical research centers that are dedicated to advancing medical knowledge and treatments," commented one expat who moved to Portugal.

"Finding a specialist takes trail and error. But that is true even in my home country," said one expat.