Living In Portugal
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Step one of landing in Portugal is where you’ll live. Many expats do a “scouting trip” to either explore homes or sign a lease, which is required for your visa application. We found a work around for this and did not search for a home until we landed in Portugal. However, finding a comfortable and suitable home in Portugal is easy once in the country. The housing options here are diverse and cater to various preferences, from modern (or not so modern) apartments downtown to charming countryside villas to DIY projects for bottom dollar prices. Transitioning into our new house took a bit of work but we’ve made it truly feel like a home away from home. Our new place not only meets all our needs but also provides a cozy and welcoming environment.
Education
Dismiss any worries about the quality of education for your children in Portugal. We’ve found it more advanced than what we left in the United States and very comprehensive. Of course, add in a foreign language on top of it, and our kids don’t lack for a challenging education. We’ve moved our two teenagers to an English-based curriculum at an international school.
Learning Portuguese
While it’s not required to speak Portuguese as an expat (and many expats chose not to learn or simpy feel the can’t) I’m a firm believer that it is well worth the effort. Even after 2.5 years I am confident in interacting with Portuguese speakers, but it’s not “comfortable or easy” per say. I wonder if it ever will be even close to as comfortable as English is for me.
Medical
The Portuguese medical system competently treats all types of medical situations every day. I’ve heard story after story of incredible care recieved for heart attacks, strokes, car accidents and more. All of our experiences with medical care have been very positive. Our relatives have also needed some care while visiting (once for pneumonia and other times for more basics antibiotics) and have loved the ease, the affordability and the proficiency of English in the medical care professionals.
Best of all, medical care is free to visa residents (and in many ways, to everyone). Medical care won’t be denied and most of the time, in the public system, the fees are low or not at all. The care is very good, although you may share a room, wait longer than you are used to, or be in an older building that doesn’t seem very modern.
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Welcome to your daily dose of inspiration! Our lifestyle blog covers wellness tips, travel adventures, and creative ideas for a more fulfilling life in Portugal.
