Anyone in Patts done any homework on moving to Portugal?

[loppylugs1]

Yes contemplating the move,but would like to seek a bit of advice before the exploratory flight next year. Would buy a beer or few if any advice gained locally,far better than using the 'phone A PM would be fine

Thanks

[Rimmer]

Off topic flame and reply removed.

[craigt3365]

Why didn't Spain work out? We quite liked Portugal, but the southern part is very quiet during the winter months. Most places just close up.

We liked Lisbon quite a bit. Somewhat similar to Madrid. For better or worse.

[lust]

Maybe you should direct this question to expats in thailand, rather than pattaya, unless you feel like you will get better advice from pattaya residents lol.

[i claudius]

Why?

[seasia]

To OP

Just in case you have not seen it, there is a thread running here http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/780486-alternative-retirement-destination/

in which Portugal does get at least a couple of mentions.

[loppylugs1]

Why didn't Spain work out? We quite liked Portugal, but the southern part is very quiet during the winter months. Most places just close up.

We liked Lisbon quite a bit. Somewhat similar to Madrid. For better or worse.

Spain was never particularly on the map for me,been there a few times last few years,but bit dissapointed,can speak and read Spanish (or used to) thought it would smooth the process of moving and living there, but no

Looking at various ex pat web sites and the southern part of Portugal not far off the Spanish border looks particularity attractive,but got loads of baggage here,dog, girlfriend etc. Dogs OK, but may do a Thai wedding ,easy to get them into Europe ,not UK ,but work for her was a guessing point.

Yes beautiful house here(renting) but with so many empty around me and others trying to get away gets the thinking box moving,and age is another factor to weigh up,cost of pro-longed medical care in Thailand is daunting

Have been here and nearby country for quite a few years ,and I do get a bit homesick nowadays too,not to live in the UK, but a couple of hours away would do

Thanks for the responses, I have been in contact with a German who lives here and there,just tapping his brain at the moment. May throw the question up generally bit later.

Thanks

[loppylugs1]

To OP

Just in case you have not seen it, there is a thread running here http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/780486-alternative-retirement-destination/

in which Portugal does get at least a couple of mentions.

Great Thanks

[NanLaew]

You suggest your Spanish didn't really work for you in Spain, so how is your Portuguese?

[loppylugs1]

You suggest your Spanish didn't really work for you in Spain, so how is your Portuguese?

No good,and am not for learning it either,more difficult by half

Did work,but hard to believe the millions of foreigners living there that could not manage a word of it

Edited December 5, 2014 by loppylugs1

[raro]

Been to Portugal and Spain many years ago (as in MANY years). Didn't like Spain much, but the Portuguese had a similar relaxed attitude to things in life as the Thais.

[KittenKong]

As a retired EU citizen, if it wasn't for the taxation problems I would probably be living in Portugal now. I may well end up there if I reach a point where health care here costs me more than the tax savings I get from living outside the EU.

Portugal certainly has more pleasant weather and cheaper wine, and decent food.

[JulieM]

I lived in Portugal in 1995 and 1996. I was working in a small town just outside Lisbon. Portugal is my second favorite country on the planet after Thailand and I have often thought of returning. If so, I would live in the mountains in the north of Portugal, and holiday in the south from time to time.

If it is beach you want, take your time before buying a place. The towns on the west coast get a LOT of wind.

Edited December 5, 2014 by JulieM

[manarak]

Portugal?

Wouldn't even cross my mind, I dislike nearly everything there, except the weather.

[nickmanchester2]

My spanish mate from Madrid who live in Manchester now told me that Portuguese women are very hairy - hope this helps.

[KittenKong]

Portugal?

Wouldn't even cross my mind, I dislike nearly everything there, except the weather.

What's to dislike about cheap wine, decent food and good health care that is paid for by social security from your home country?

[manarak]

Portugal?

Wouldn't even cross my mind, I dislike nearly everything there, except the weather.

What's to dislike about cheap wine, decent food and good health care that is paid for by social security from your home country?

Hairy women indeed but also the taxes, cost of living, the food, the language, even the seawater is too cold, and I don't have social security from my "home" country...

[Rimmer]

You weren't featured in Gordon Ramsey's Costa Del Sol Restaurant Nightmares series by any chance were you?

[morrobay]

And one of the biggest waves on the planet - who would have guessed

[whitemouse]

Portugal is very nice! And as Thailand is becoming less pleasant with each passing year, I too am looking at Spain or Portugal to spend 5 winter months.

Being from EU, no difficulties at all,

Except the weather!

Northern Europeans escape winters often to SE Asia, cos from Nov to March there is no place in Europe that is warm enough, Canary Islands is really the only alternative.. But it is not place to stay for 5 months, there is not much to do there.

But if I lived in Thailand 12 months out of the year, I'd choose Portugal or Spain over Thailand in a nano second.

Marocco is also doable.. But winters there are cold, just like Portugal.

[emilymat]

Why didn't Spain work out? We quite liked Portugal, but the southern part is very quiet during the winter months. Most places just close up.

We liked Lisbon quite a bit. Somewhat similar to Madrid. For better or worse.

Spain was never particularly on the map for me,been there a few times last few years,but bit dissapointed,can speak and read Spanish (or used to) thought it would smooth the process of moving and living there, but no

Looking at various ex pat web sites and the southern part of Portugal not far off the Spanish border looks particularity attractive,but got loads of baggage here,dog, girlfriend etc. Dogs OK, but may do a Thai wedding ,easy to get them into Europe ,not UK ,but work for her was a guessing point.

Yes beautiful house here(renting) but with so many empty around me and others trying to get away gets the thinking box moving,and age is another factor to weigh up,cost of pro-longed medical care in Thailand is daunting

Have been here and nearby country for quite a few years ,and I do get a bit homesick nowadays too,not to live in the UK, but a couple of hours away would do

Thanks for the responses, I have been in contact with a German who lives here and there,just tapping his brain at the moment. May throw the question up generally bit later.

Loppy....Interesting post.

I have decided to move to Europe next spring after 7 years here. My reasons are as follows;

The UK government and what they are likely to do with UK pensions tax relief etc. Already frozen of course.

The potential cost of health care. Although I am fit at the moment I cannot obtain any insurance due to age. One prolonged trip to, say, Pattaya Bangkok hospital would consume my savings I'm sure.

The unfolding political situation here. I think it will get a lot worse over the next couple of years.

Only 2 hours from UK if any major problems.

No 90 days, possible visa changes etc etc.

The problems will be over the next six months, that of tying up all my loose ends here and getting rid of all my furniture, car etc. Fortunately I am renting.

I've decided on Spain and have started a couple of language courses. Much easier to learn than Thai, that's for sure.

If you want to keep in touch by PM's please do so.

Best wishes.

Thanks

Edited December 6, 2014 by Rimmer
Quotes fixed

[loppylugs1]

Why didn't Spain work out? We quite liked Portugal, but the southern part is very quiet during the winter months. Most places just close up.

We liked Lisbon quite a bit. Somewhat similar to Madrid. For better or worse.

Spain was never particularly on the map for me,been there a few times last few years,but bit dissapointed,can speak and read Spanish (or used to) thought it would smooth the process of moving and living there, but no

Looking at various ex pat web sites and the southern part of Portugal not far off the Spanish border looks particularity attractive,but got loads of baggage here,dog, girlfriend etc. Dogs OK, but may do a Thai wedding ,easy to get them into Europe ,not UK ,but work for her was a guessing point.

Yes beautiful house here(renting) but with so many empty around me and others trying to get away gets the thinking box moving,and age is another factor to weigh up,cost of pro-longed medical care in Thailand is daunting

Have been here and nearby country for quite a few years ,and I do get a bit homesick nowadays too,not to live in the UK, but a couple of hours away would do

Thanks for the responses, I have been in contact with a German who lives here and there,just tapping his brain at the moment. May throw the question up generally bit later.

Loppy....Interesting post.

I have decided to move to Europe next spring after 7 years here. My reasons are as follows;

The UK government and what they are likely to do with UK pensions tax relief etc. Already frozen of course.

The potential cost of health care. Although I am fit at the moment I cannot obtain any insurance due to age. One prolonged trip to, say, Pattaya Bangkok hospital would consume my savings I'm sure.

The unfolding political situation here. I think it will get a lot worse over the next couple of years.

Only 2 hours from UK if any major problems.

No 90 days, possible visa changes etc etc.

The problems will be over the next six months, that of tying up all my loose ends here and getting rid of all my furniture, car etc. Fortunately I am renting.

I've decided on Spain and have started a couple of language courses. Much easier to learn than Thai, that's for sure.

If you want to keep in touch by PM's please do so.

Best wishes.

Thanks

Yes all those things,and more too. Got one last chance at re-inventing myself elsewhere,the three score and ten are but one off. Have been condo living since I arrived in Thailand,now big house I'm renting and the difference is fantastic. The condo made you go out (bars etc) the house keeps you in,Ill hang on for a year or so,but yes the way things are going in Thailand PLC they are looking far from rosy for farang

I'm posting on another thread ,the "destinations" thread pointed out earlier,but looks as if the yanks have taken it over,which is OK. Lived there too,got the finest nights sleep while there just by turning the television on.

I have looked and will keep on scanning for places to live when I finally exit Thailand ,but the eastern Algarve seems to be the one of choice. Thoughts of pro-longed illness or life's near ending and getting a bunk on a train,through Portugal and France then UK,beats the the hell out of my ex mates choice of turning his toes up in Issan. The Thai GF ain't getting my money,the Soi Dogs trust is

The Manchester posters mates description of Portuguese women being hairy,is quite scary though

[juliusk]

Anybody every considered the Canarian Islands, it's always nice weather inthere( also in the winter months) and if you stay outside the tourist areas it really isnt that expensive. Its still a 4 to 5 hours flight back to Europe.

[balo]

If I had to move, the French riviera sounds more tempting to me. Amazing food, wine, beaches, health care etc.

Edited December 7, 2014 by balo

[whitemouse]

If I had to move, the French riviera sounds more tempting to me. Amazing food, wine, beaches, health care etc.

Amazing food and wine for sure.

But how much is a small condo in south of France? Ok, maybe rent, but I doubt there is anything under 1000 Euro per month.

And the weather, again. To ride a bycicle for more than, say, 10 min, at 10C you need to wear gloves. And that region is always below 10C during winter months.

Look:

[loppylugs1]

My spanish mate from Madrid who live in Manchester now told me that Portuguese women are very hairy - hope this helps.

Apart from this funny quote,its looking good. Just the long time Thai G/F is the problem,like to keep her in tow,but racism I'm told could be the problem for her,probably will have to marry her to smooth her right of passage,but no big deal if she cannot adjust,return ticket for her. Some really good,and I mean really good web sites out there giving advice,really specific too,Spain included

Everything else ,mutts,renting,buying,is all so easy,sorry I did not go for it years ago,go for a look-see in a month or so

[ball dip]

im hopeing in my life in the next decade to find somewhere new that is better then thailand, left the country ten years ago and regret my last three visits, nothing to lament just the fact that i could of went elsewhere like the philipines per say.

sun is sun, beach is beach, warm is warm and thai girls are just girls, and ones that dont have much mojo or sex skills anyways, portugal or spain or the phil with its latin blood sounds about right.

and the visa issues..........but as this year is the year of price corrections in the global markets and with thailand about to be in major woe in the farang sector a second wind might be hitting thailand in two years or simply that wind will blow many people elsewhere.

[SheungWan]

Portugal? You will be bored out of your box.

[NanLaew]

My spanish mate from Madrid who live in Manchester now told me that Portuguese women are very hairy - hope this helps.

Apart from this funny quote,its looking good. Just the long time Thai G/F is the problem,like to keep her in tow,but racism I'm told could be the problem for her,probably will have to marry her to smooth her right of passage,but no big deal if she cannot adjust,return ticket for her. Some really good,and I mean really good web sites out there giving advice,really specific too,Spain included

Everything else ,mutts,renting,buying,is all so easy,sorry I did not go for it years ago,go for a look-see in a month or so

You also have to consider how such a marriage could affect the Soi Dogs Trust Fund when it comes to clog-popping time as well.

[nailclippers]

I've never lived in Thaiiland or been there for that matter, so I dont know if i'm of much help.

However, I did live over 8 years in Portugal since youth - now I only revisit everyother year. But I usually stay in same places.

For the older folks tourist areas like Faro and Algarve seem like the most attractive ones, mostly foreigns on vacations.

I myself lived right outside of Lisbon in a very sweet place called Cascais.

It is a bit pricy, but you have lots of bars and restaurants in the main area, it's like 40 minutes from the aiport. It's more relaxing than lisbon if you ask me, always something to do. Shooping malls, golf courses everything. If you like beaches you can follow the beach for miles into new "cities" I think Carcavelos has the ncest beach (at least it was when I lived there.)

There's trains going from cascais through all minor cities to Lisbon very regularly and the price is cheap.

Nightlife is also really good, you must be aware of many romani people as they tend to be ruthless with taking you wallets or purses on trainstations. From what I hear of touts in Thailand there are far less in Portugal. Some people will walk up and down roads selling fake things, but they are not pushy and will go away if you say no.

When I lived there there many "barrio" activites like teenage gangs that would be trouble but in my recent visits this is not so common as it used to be. Was robbed a couple of time in my youth there, but never beaten or got injured.

Also everyone know's a little english so even if you dont know portuguese you will be able to engage conversations with alot of people.

But if you are legit and really want to move I would recommend checking out Cascais in lisbon before making a final decision.

There is also brothels, strip clubs and whatever you like. You can find street hookers but mostly of nigerian/african ethnicity walking the streets. I would think twice of engaging in any activities with these. There are better and safer places for those activities. But prices are of course higher than in Thailand.

Not far away, in Estoril you have a casino if you want to play poker or gamble a little bit. It's quite a beatiful place to eat and have a little fun. They claim it's the largest one in Europe, but it's very pretty with a nice garden outside.

Would recommend to check the place out on youtube and google.

Here is a picture that shows a little more. It's from the marina and there is a couple of bars there. In my younger days we would always start in those bars before going to discos

Edited January 30, 2015 by nailclippers