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125 Comments

  1. Hi Carmel. I’ve literally just signed up here. I am British and have lived in UK all my life but I am having a farmhouse renovated in the north of Portugal and will be moving out there permanently in March 2018. My place is a few km north of Ponte de Lima, a beautiful town – I believe the oldest in Portugal with a bridge dating back to the 11th century. I’d recommend this as well as Viana de Castelo, another beautiful (but much bigger) town. – Barrie.

    1. I adore Ponte de Lima – it may be my favourite town in Portugal so you picked a great place to move to.

  2. I am going to Porto doing airbnb in July but would like to see some countryside, maybe mountains, but have only 3 days left to do this. Can you give me any ideas of where to see, maybe some echo or nature would be nice, but i would like to stay in a place not just visit for a day. And i would have to travel by bus or train. Thanks Carmel

  3. My daughter Lylah and I are planning a trip to Portugal in May 2018 and then hop on a cruise ship to Dublin Ireland. After that I would like to live in Portugal permanently
    -Emee

  4. I am planning a trip to Lisbon to see an old friend that I haven’t seen in 20+ years who now lives there. It is a special trip for me- a respit from many months of high stress (family) and to enjoy 8 days alone without anyone needing me for anything. I have been studying Portuguese for fun (as a stress reliever), so I want to continue there. There are obvious places to go in Lisbon (churches, museums, castles)but do you know of anything I shouldn’t miss? Like a flea market or ceramic shop? Or a good place to run? Beach?I’m not even sure which part I should stay-barrio alto? I want to walk to many destinations. I’d appreciate your help!

    1. Hi Patricia, Take a look at this article to help you decide where to stay in Lisbon.https://juliedawnfox.com/where-to-stay-in-lisbon/ I wouldn’t necessarily pick Bairro Alto but it depends on what you’re looking for. Madragoa may be an option is you want a quieter more residential neighbourhood near the centre.

      As for runs, you can run along the waterfront between Cais do Sodré and Belem or Monsanto Park so bear that in mind when you pick your accommodation.

      There’s a weekly flea market, Feira da Ladra, in Graça every Tuesday and Saturday and lots of ceramics shops. I like the Sant’Ana one in Chiado.

      For other ideas, take a look at my Lisbon archives: https://juliedawnfox.com/tag/lisbon/

      Or schedule a Quick Query consultation with me: https://juliedawnfox.com/quick-query/

  5. Hi Julie me and my family want to come
    Visit ponta delguada in July 2018 it will be 14 of us total wanted to stay in a house and not a hotel any recommendations please or who I can contact for a home please..

  6. We will visit in June. Please give me information on AT use and phone cards.

  7. Hi Julie, Just discovered your great blog! We will tune in more as we are looking to visit Portugal soon.

    Cheers,
    John and Susan
    Boquete, Panama

    Reply

  8. Hello, looking at marvelous photos about Portugal, my wife and I are mesmerized about visiting Portugal and are wondering if there are private informative tours
    to show us the various area of interest and beauty we’ve seen on Pinterest etc.. I must also add we are seniors and I must avoid strenuous walks or climbs, I’m
    aware this may present a problem from time to time. Camille and I would greatly appreciate your input before we take the plunge. We intend to go in the beginning
    of October. With our thanks’
    Camille and Albert Lipten

  9. Hey Julie. Looking forward to reading your blog. I want to spend time in Lisbon and the Douro valley for about 9 days. Just saw your services so I may take you up on one of your services

    1. Glad to hear that, Steve. Drop me an email when you’re ready.

  10. Hello Julie, i stumbled upon your website and haven’t stopped thanking my luck. I am an Indian, in the process of moving to Portugal to create a base for my family that is spread across Europe and Canada. I am 57, and the relocation seems an ambitious decision. Hoping it all goes well. Meanwhile, I am reading up your blogs to absorb all i can and learn what to expect. Hope I can reach out to you should i have questions! Thanks again for all the valuable information you provide.

  11. Hi Julie, have just returned from my third visit to Portugal and even more crazy about it than ever! In May we stayed in the Algarve in a villa, this time late August/early Sept we covered the north, from Lisbon up to Porto/Braga and back through Coimbra. Coimbra was our favourite place! Full of history, culture, tradition and lovely friendly young people. Certainly thinking of retiring to northern Portugal in four or five years’ time and finding your blog very useful. I’m planning to make several more visits between now and then, identify the place I want to settle in, learn the language, and rent something for a year or longer before buying a place – I see this is also what you recommend. I already speak French which is very useful, many Portuguese speak French or they can understand it. Try as I might I can’t find anything I don’t like about Portugal! Even the TV screens permanently showing football in every restaurant don’t really bother me, and fado is growing on me! The people are fabulous. The food is exquisite. I just came back yesterday and I’m already planning my next trip!

    1. Author

      Hi Barbara, thanks for your comment. Your passion for Portugal is obvious, and understandable 🙂 Good luck with the research – I hope you find a place to suit you.

  12. Dear Julie,Been here for a sixmonth period so far.Have been renting in parede but with changes in fortune(namely brexit looming)need to rent for less than I am.so if you have any ideas? of somewhere that will be in the 400 to 550 euros bracket. on the costal strip near the verde linha!!

    Origada , Robert b

    1. Author

      Hi Robert, Sorry but the only think I can suggest is checking out OLX and CasaSapo

  13. My partner n I r interested in moving to Portugal so reading up everything I can :))

  14. Julie, I have just signed on. I have booked a week near ponte de Lima at the end of May for my husband and me, married sons and the grandchildren. I am looking for cycles to hire and surf boards. Do you know of any hire companies up there?
    Jane

  15. Julie, would like to plan a bike trip, self-guided or guided, in the Valley during grape picking time when usually there are festivals. Two people to date and would need bikes and travel info with accommodations. Can
    you do that. Would be wonderful. Thanks much.

    1. Author

      Hi Dell, I’ll send you an email.

  16. I.m new here. My initial feelings are impatience with rthe slow life and the endless conversations in a language I
    dont know.

  17. Author

    Looks beautiful, Shelagh, and I can certainly see the similarities between Spain and Portugal. I liked the Sagres/Cruzcampo moment 🙂

    I get what you mean, both about the misguided notion that you can escape your problems by moving abroad and the feeling of never really fitting in, no matter how involved you may be in the local community. They are serious considerations that shouldn’t be overlooked.

  18. This is where I live.https://youtu.be/oRaqcBe3pz4 Beautiful isnt it? It is however in the Real World. We have all the problems everyone has, just less of them. Someone who lived on Majorca once told me, when I was discussing moving that most people move because they are on the run. The problem is, they dont realise that what they are running from is Themselves. And that is something you can never run from. You need to address it If you are moving because it feels right, you will make it, if you are moving because you are running from yourself you wont. He also told me never to trust a Brit abroad! Said they are abroad for a reason! That was funny! I took his advice onboard and have done ok so far.

  19. Hi Julie,
    Yes, I have been trying to sell my house for 8 years, virtually from the day my husband died, There are houses here that were for sale even before we moved here. When I sell, I will definitely rent. There are some lovely fully furnished places for 150€ a month, so I can invest the money from the house sale and hopefully it will cover the rent. If not, it will trickle down slowly and I wont be “Stuck” like I am now.
    I really dont want to scaremonger, but in hindsight there are a few things we should have done differently, and I try to help others avoid the same pitfalls. Thats all really.
    I have never regretted moving here, but it isnt the “Fun in the Sun” people think, as I am sure you know very well. Like everything, do it with your eyes open and do your best to foresee the obstacles. You will never account for every eventuality,but then who does? Even if you never move from the house where you were born! That´s part of the joy of life!
    I liked the way you tackled isolation. That is something people overlook. However sweet the locals are, they are not “Your people” they have a different culture, grew up differently, dont have the same points of cultural reference. Part of what makes life here appealing of course, but you cant nip next door and expect them to understand automatically how you are feeling, because we dont have the same reference points. I lived 24/7 in a totally Spanish enviroment for about 2 years (long story) and all it did was make me feel more “apart” We would celebrate events that I had no understanding of, eat special foods on certain days, without me knowing why and when I asked I would get smiled at condescendingly. “Poor Foreigner doesnt get it, just eat the cake dear!” Maybe that was partly my fault, maybe I should have known more,but I didnt just drop into Spain without years of research. We travelled all over the country at every opportunity, I saw literally hundreds of houses, still do, as I want to move! I immersed myself in Spanish culture, history, politics, I can even dance Flamenco! Proper Flamenco, not the shuffles they do at Fiestas. That has served me in good stead, I am a guiri that knows “Palmas!” Of course they always have to teach me, and I always accept with good grace, I now know the difference between Spanish and Portuguese castanet playing! But you will always be a stranger, I am sure you know that too. People need to take that into account before they make the leap.

  20. Am I allowed to enter a comment, Julie? I dont live in Portugal, but I live right on the border (2kms) and have been here for 10 years. I was 47 when we made the move. I think traffic would depend on where you are and where you are coming from; around here you can drive for miles and count the cars on one hand, in either direction. In fact I drove to the small “town” of Arronches today to post something because Portuguese mail is cheaper than Spanish; that is a drive of about 25kms and I saw about 4 cars! I have taken people to Lisbon airport, and whilst traffic is heavy, I wouldnt say it was any more dangerous, in fact probably better than most big cities.
    If you are really serious about a move, I would suggest that you reasearch everything, not just the regions, but laws, how it would affect you as an expat from your country (America?) costs of living in various áreas, facilities in places you favour,. how accessible it is.. Compare property prices. LEARN THE LANGUAGE!. If you can afford it, I would rent either long term or in different regions, to give yourselves the best possible opportunity of making an informed choice and making it work. May sound a drag, but believe me, it is a momentuous decison and not one that is easy to reverse, unless you happen to be a millionaire. I have seen so many people come to Iberia (both sides of the border) on almost a whim “Ooh wouldnt it be lovely…” Then reality kicks in and they limp off home licking their wounds or broke. Before I scare you to death, Iberia is an amazing place, and once you are away from the major cities or the expat ghettos its like a different world. It Is a different world. Not backward in any way, other than how they choose it. Its a slower lifestyle. My idea of a traffic jam is being held up by a flock of goats being led leisurely down the road, and get used to standing in a queue for 20 minutes to pay for a loaf of bread, whilst all the locals discuss the latest gossip with the shopkeeper. It took me a long time to slow down to that pace, but now I cant imagine going back to the rat race.

    1. Author

      Thanks, Shelagh, for your very realistic picture of life in rural Iberia. I totally agree with your advice – there are countless houses within a 30 km radius of mine that have been for sale for over 5 years, proving the point that it’s not easy to just sell up and move on if you made a mistake. I love it here (on balance) but would worry if we needed to relocate.

Over to you. Please share your thoughts in a comment.