swissie

In majoer cities and tourist hub's yes. For same sex couples, it is still not recommended to hold hands in a small Portugise village.

Rats! Blimey! H*ll and damnation. Our european grandfathers didn't know what a Visa was. They paid for the ships passage and went everywhere they wanted to go. Now we have visa's. Filtering who can go where and for how long. Todays trend: a) Bring a lot of money or b) be a highly professional with a rare skill, otherwise we don't want you. The alternative, to settle in some doubious 3rd world countries with less stringent visa requirements is not very tempting as long as one will have to live in a "gated community" with 2 heavily armed Bodyguards at your side 24/7. Thailand is nice this time of year. Best: Thai visa requiremnts are (still) relatively "nice" all year round. Count your blessings.

Portugal, as all countries deeply rooted in Catholicisme have little tolerance for "alternative sexual orientations". Of importance to some.

Scottland? Try the south of Ireland instead. Thanks to the gulf stream, even the winters are bearable. Similar landscape, frendly outgoing people. Most major companies have their call centers in Ireland. Hiring "native speakers" to serve their customer base in most countries. Companies take care of work permits. So a legal stay without a major investement becomes possible. Salary is "adequate" but not opulent. Drawbacks: Housing in cities is expensive. Depending on country (nationality), home country may curtail state retirement benefits as the retiree has "an income". Depends on country. Conclusion: Unless tired of SE/Asian culture, yearnig to go back to cultural werstern roots, just stay in SE/Asia as your western "hard currency" will go much farther here than in any other western country.