advice on relocating

[Shabba]

Hi everyone. Its been ages since I've been here but its nice to catch up on what everyones been doing and chatting about for the past year or so!

Anyway, I'm looking for advice from those lucky ones amongst you who have upped and gawn to another country to live. My partner and I are growing weary of the UK and have a dream about buying a little plot in Portugal. I haven't actually ever been there but my partner assures me its beautiful and from books and internet research I'm inclined to agree. Problems are financial mainly. We couldn't possibly afford to buy a habitable house or have a mortgage or anything like that but having looked on the Pure Portugal website, we have seen that its possible to buy a reasonable sized piece of land at an affordable price and we could just live in a yurt or caravan. I guess what I'm really looking for is ideas on first steps. I haven't even travelled that much and moving to another country seems a very big change but I'm pretty much convinced that I don't much want to stay in England the way things are here. We do intend to take a few trips over there to do some proper research but I would welcome any words of wisdom from people who've done this sort of thing. I know it would probably be difficult to find employment there particularly since at the moment I do not speak the language and am completely unskilled, so a means of supporting ourselves would be necessary. My partner is skilled, he installs solar thermal and PV systems. Does anyone know if there's much call for that kind of thing in Portugal? We also have a leaning towards woodland management and woodcrafts etc so that may be a way to raise cash. Any thoughts??

[southeast-isher]

Sorry to sidetrack slightly but what's the deal with living in temporary accomodation such as a yurt or similar in Portugal. I understand that you can't have a concrete base or something as this would make it permanant but how long term could you live on the land and where is it possible to read up on the official laws of the land.

My tuppence worth Shabba is that i think it's a great idea and personally if i was out there i would like to think that i could call on the services of someone that installs solar thermal or pv systems.

[Millymollymandy]

Best bet at this point in time is find a Portugal forum for English speakers and start reading the posts there and asking questions! Go there and see the country, drive around and look for regions that you like. Before that get every book out of the library so you have an idea of the different regions and have a basic idea of whether you prefer north or south or the middle or wherever! Try to find out as much as possible about healthcare, work, red tape etc.

Then if you really decide you want to go for it, try to find a language course and learn the basics at least.

If you own a house in the UK do not sell it, rent it out. So many people go overseas thinking it will all be rosy then go back home to nothing, as they can't afford to get back on the property ladder.

As for living in a caravan or a yurt, I've no idea what the laws are in Portugal, but think that's the most important thing to find out about!

Good luck.

[southeast-isher]

There's an ex-pat forum linked to the website you mentioned, i'd looked at it before. Personally i am better off learning languages when i am in the country.

[Millymollymandy]

http://portugal.angloinfo.com/

The forums seem to be for Lisbon and the Algarve but they have plenty of factsheets about the country too.

The first forum I ever went on was Anglo Info Brittany!

[Green Aura]

patr was looking for people to have a working holiday at their place. Worth a thought.

[Shabba]

I did see PatR's post and was immediately interested but couldn't possibly go in April when she wanted. It would be the ideal opportunity to experience life there though. Perhaps she could be persuaded to take on some willing volunteers at another time of year! I'm hoping she sees my thread actually as she'd be the ideal person to advise me (It has suddenly occured to me that men can be called Pat too. I hope I didn't cause offence by assuming PatR is a woman!) Regarding the accomodation thing, my partner assures me (and I am entirely taking his word for it which may be unwise!) that the rules are different in Portugal, in that if you own a piece of land there you are entitled to live on it in a temporary structure. Obviously you would have to have permission to build anything permanent but in the meantime you can "camp out". We have seen some pieces of land for sale there that have ruined or delapidated buildings on that could be turned into living accomodation with time and hard work but I don't yet know if they have similar planning rules for change of use etc. Its exciting just finding out these things though and feeling like you may be getting closer to the dream!

[southeast-isher]

Its exciting just finding out these things though and feeling like you may be getting closer to the dream!

i share the same dream!

[contadina]

Find out if your husband could legally set up a solar business or operate using his English qualifications. I mention this because in Italy, most skills require Italian credentials. If he does need Portuguese certification. I'd advise you factor that into your costs as expat jobs are thin on the ground and generally involve working within the expat community.

I'd also recommend learning at least some Portuguese as it will help you integrate that much quicker.

Other than that good luck.

[southeast-isher]

This is the forum, always seems quite active:

http://www.expatsportugal.com/phpBB2/index.php

[pumpy]

I think it's a great idea to travel/live abroad....... but i would also ask why so many Portugese people choose to live here. In Norfolk we have large communities of Portugese, (their own newspapers, cafes, pubs etc.)......... maybe things are'nt quite so rosey in Portugal??