Residence to retire in Portugal

Hi,

Temperature-wise, west coast areas are probably most suitable (temperate climates). Maybe somewhere on the Lisbon Coast would be a good fit, although there are many areas to choose from (depends on the type of landscapes, cultural life, amenties you're looking for). You may get some good ideas from www.hideawayportugal.com with its write-ups and places to stay.

B4 I made the big move from Texas, I came over to Portugal and Spain in November. I wanted to see where winters got bad.

The second time, I knew more questions to ask of other expats.

In Portugal, they mostly said,"Yeah its cheap here, mate. But you don't wanna live in Portugal. Its a pain in..... No work ethic of repairmen. Pay half their charge up front. The second half when you o.k. the results.

In Spain, to a man, they all said they had two regrets. They didn't do it 20 years sooner. And they have all that stuff in storage, back home. They'll never look at it again.

I shipped a big box of stuff to Seville. Mail Box Etc.
They used UPS.

In Madrid customs they charged me 80% import duty. On the Mai.... tab.

I rarely used any of that stuff. Its the old lifestyle, electric set up, blah blah.
I only used my reference books and novels.

Limited book choise in English here.
Life is simpler and less stressful. Safest city I've ever lived in. But gets hotter than a Mexican plate lunch.

I can't make my self go on a short vacation from Seville. Too tranquil and would take a decizion. LLLLaterrrr.

And no longer slave to a car.

I return staetside for many months at a time. Things happen there that needed to get worked out. Like pacemaker a la Medicare. Suddenly!

I wound up in Costa Rica for six months. Serendipity. Learned lots more about expatting.
Like expat newbies sometimes buy houses b4 they learn the ropes.

YOU OWN SOMETHING/IT OWNS YOU.

And others.
Serendipity and street sense rule!

Another mistake is falling too much in love, with the first place we settle for a while.

Grass being greener on other side of...mountains?after we learn more..

The interior of the country has very hot summers but the pace of life is so much slower. The coastline is more popular with ex-pats but house prices in the Algarve are more expensive than the Silver Coast (north of Lisbon) where I would recommend start looking. There are some very good value houses south of Lisbon starting from E50,000 - www.remax.pt is a large estate agent and good place to start looking for property. I’m very jealous that you are able to retire to Portugal as I would love to!

In northern Europe serviced apartments for seniors are very common and easy to find at different prices. People take as many services as they need depending on personal situation and need.
In Portugal this is less common and probably hard to find outside the biggest cities. People tend to stay in their home as long as possible with help from family and/ or a maid and many only go to a old folks home when they are unable to take care of themselves.
I would choose a place based on the existence of hospitals close by, just in case, not far from the city to do something cultural now and then and to buy foreigner newspapers or books, however most people now a days use the Internet. And last but not least to meet other foreigners to have contact with next to meeting locals with whom you can have a meaningful contact.
I have a second home between Sintra and Cascais in a village by the sea but if I was you I would spend more time like 6 months in the country in one or more places to see if it really fulfills your expectations, before making any major decision of moving or buying property. Considering your age buying might be a bad idea, because your money gets stuck in stones, unless you have enough and it doesn't matter.
I lived in different countries ,including Portugal , where I travel to 3 times a year ,so I know what I talk about. Holiday doesn't compare to everyday life and all that cames with it.

Also keep in mind that in a much later stadium if you became ill and are alone you probably will prefer to go back to your country. Owning property means you need to sell,take care of it and so on.
Good luck with your decision.

Hello,

Thanks to all for your answers and advice.

To Anamore :
I quite agree with you about buying. This is not what I am planning to do : as mentioned in my post, I want to rent.

The more I am thinking about it, the more I am interested in settling in Madeira.

Has anyone any comment to make about this island ?

Thanks again.

Don't fall too uch in love, with the first place you hang out for a while.

I wound up in Costa Rica by accident. I said, in Quepos,"I don't need a bus. I need an apartment."

Stayed a happy six months. Learned more about expatting at AA meetings.

But my new international family, in Seville, Spain, called me back every day.

And in Spain, we don't have to pay the "blue eye tax."
:)

I've lived in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and points north.
And several stateside.

Having been in the service industry, I make friends with same b4 I leave towns. Tourist centers. So its too late.

But part of the pay-off is different points of view we learn.

Those Swedish freighters were a blessing in disguise. And being an artist makes me click with a different mindset of folks.

In Seville there are so many artists. When you say ,"I'm a painter."

The answer is, "Big brush or little?"