Where do I start to move and live in portugal?

Hello everyone. I am Christina, single and in my mid-fifties. Moving to Portugal is just an idea at the moment so a lot of research ahead of me I guess.  :/  I would be moving on my own. I am hoping that by joining this site I can make an informed decision as to whether to move, where to move to & how to make it happen. I would like to live in or near an expat community. As I do not drive I would not want to be isolated, so public transport is important.

Any help to make the decision would be gratefully appreciated. I have only visited Portugal a couple of times on holiday & think that the sensible thing to do would be to come over & rent for a while to help me decide if I would like to live there before I make a life-changing move. But where do I start?

Thank you for reading this
Christina

Hi Christina,

Welcome to Expat.com! :)

Thank you for this introduction.

I have created a new topic as from your post on the Portugal forum for more visibility and interaction.

Which region have you visited and what were your impression?

I would also invite you to ask specific questions, what type of information are you looking for? ;)

Please do not hesitate to have a look at our Living in Portugal guide.

Thank you,
Christine
Expat.com team

Welcome on board!

Like Christine already asked in her post is in which region you are interested?
If you know the answer then you can rent an apartment for a certain of time to explore the region and to see what kind of possibilities it has to live there on a more permanent base.
Start to learn the language is also a must, you can not expect that everyone will or can speak English.

Hi Christina
I am 58 and living in the Cascais area with my husband who works for a Portuguese company here. We like this area very much. Whereabouts were you thinking of moving to. Tell me a little about yourself. Leonie

Hi Christine , Gosh this is  such a big decision for you I have been here on and off for five years first living in Porto now Central Portugal am I happy with the move not really. I wish we had done more research about the area, where we now live and looked into health care etc, also I am a huge animal lover and things are very different here. My suggestion would be rent first make sure you like it. Algarve has lots of expats and a big english community. Porto is def my favourite and has a small expat community but the people are lovely we lived around Vila Nova Gaia.

If you need to work you will find it difficult so try and learn the language

If you want to take off the forum we can speak in more detail

best of luck

Jayne,

Hi Christina  - You could also think about Caldas da Rainha on the Silver Coast. a busy town with museums, art galleries, sports centre and an expat community.  There is an International Ladies Group so that would be worth joining.  I haven't joined yet but will do so soon.  (We've been here a year but I've been busy with school stuff to get round to it.) I have a friend who has joined and enjoys the socialising.  Joining a language class is another opportunity to meet fellow expats.  Caldas also has decent transport links and plenty of stuff to do in the area depending on your interests. Starting off renting is a good idea.  If you have any further questions you can send me a message.  Good luck.  Alicia

Hi I am really really interested to meet you. I live in Martim moniz. If you need me just contact me please..!

Hi Christina,

I Live in Torres Vedras :D the best place with nice weather. :) this year was best year with regards to weather :) atmosphere and people around me :), Near to my Area a beach called Santa Cruz!! amazing place :D if you plan to stay in lisbon, you must visit it!