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How do you feel after moving? More Energised?Happier?

How do you feel after moving? More Energised?Happier?

Old Jan 20th 2014, 8:45 am
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Default How do you feel after moving? More Energised?Happier?

Hello everyone!

I would like to ask you how do you feel after making the move.

What impact did it have in your daily life. Are you more energized? Happier? More active and Healthy?


Please share!

Thank you
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Old Jan 20th 2014, 12:13 pm
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Default Re: How do you feel after moving? More Energised?Happier?

4 years on:

- Certainly a good move, wouldn't want to go back.

- More active and healthy? Nah, not really. I liked to think that the weather and scenery would be a catalyst for more exercise, but other than occasional bursts of effort, I'm the same lazy sod I was in the UK.

- More energized? Perhaps, but life is still life. I've swapped London Underground and the A3 for government red tape and a much harder slog to make good money.

- Happier? It's all relative. Sometimes I feel everything I could ever want is here. Then I went back to the UK at Christmas after a year's absence and I've still not shaken off missing my friends.

So, all in all, I would say that life is just life wherever you live it. Pure novelty and excitement carries you through the first 6 to 12 months, but after that it's back to reality.

Living here just feels normal now. The only time it's really that "exciting" is when we have visitors. Then, somehow, we see it all through their eyes and appreciate it anew.

PS. This probably sounds a bit negative - it's not supposed to. But if there's one thing I've really banged on about on my blog, it's that living somewhere is nothing AT ALL like being on holiday there.

Last edited by newintavira; Jan 20th 2014 at 12:14 pm. Reason: added PS
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Old Jan 20th 2014, 12:21 pm
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Default Re: How do you feel after moving? More Energised?Happier?

PS. Just read your other post and now know you are Portuguese, so sorry if my final point sounds patronising!
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Old Jan 20th 2014, 12:32 pm
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Default Re: How do you feel after moving? More Energised?Happier?

I know who you are! I have been reading your blog recently. Love the honest and light hearted way you write about your experience there

No need to apologise at all.


All in all, I guess I'm just looking out for reassurance for the decision we have made. I left for a reason and I'm a bit scared of encountering some old issues. But hey I'm not a little girl any more...I'm all grown up now ( well...)

Makes me happy to know that you wouldn't move back any time soon. That sounds pretty positive to me.

We will be flying next week ( I hope) to go and snoop around some areas we are thinking of moving in to.

I'm aware that you and your wife are expecting ( this must be weird to hear from a complete stranger/Internet stalker) and if you need anything I'm happy to bring some things we do not longer need and want. Baby clothes ( some new some used) sterilisers, etc.

We will be buying your book very soon!
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Old Jan 20th 2014, 4:16 pm
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Default Re: How do you feel after moving? More Energised?Happier?

Originally Posted by LittleARosa
Hello everyone!

I would like to ask you how do you feel after making the move.

What impact did it have in your daily life. Are you more energized? Happier? More active and Healthy?


Please share!

Thank you
I think as already pointed out, the 1st 6-12 months is a buzz, waking up to sunshine the majority of the year instead of the British grey sky(ok, black in Scotland ) The contrast between daily life was shocking.

On the long term, I still love it here and moving back to the UK would be a nightmare scenario to be honest. I really miss family & friends, but I do get visits often and I also socialize with the locals too. A week back in Scotland I enjoy, 2 weeks and I am desperate to get "home" to Portugal and that amount if time also wipes out any idea of moving back to Scotland(The Portuguese wife has a bit of a dream of moving to Scotland).

I love the lack of aggression here, I feel safe if I walk my dog at 1am on a Saturday night(even drunk teens-twenties are friendly) and I have been here 10 years and only once had trouble(some asswipe with roadrage). Kids, I think they just seem so much more polite and family orientated here too! Social life, I love that we can afford to eat out several times a month if we wish, catch up with a mate at a cafe and sit outside slurping a few beers with no stress. I really could go on and on about what I find are positives!

Negatives, for sure there is.. mostly related to the state, getting ripped off, stupid laws and getting fined for farting the wrong way. Red tape, ignorant state workers and corruption! Oh and did I mention shite drivers?! Car prices, I love fast cars and can't afford them now!!

Energized?! I guess, I am self employed and enjoy going to work(in the UK I seemed content to be employed and clog on) Healthier?! Hmm... I have phases of healthy living I was 30 when I moved so I doubt I am.. I could only measure that on what state I might have been in had I stayed in UK?!

To sum it up, for me the positives far outweigh the negatives, moving to Portugal was the best thing I ever done and I don't have the slightest of regrets or doubts!
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Old Jan 20th 2014, 5:25 pm
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Default Re: How do you feel after moving? More Energised?Happier?

Another happy "costumer"

I'm glad you are enjoying life out there!

I agree with everything you said...the government, corruption. Mentality really is the root of all these problems. Once that's sorted the rest should follow.

Like I mentioned on my other thread we have a little boy and it's so different the way kids behave and are treated over there in public spaces. They're used to socialise with adults and are mostly welcome everywhere. Where's in the UK kids are very much seen like a nuisance in "adult" places. I have experienced that a few times even though my little shadow is quite well behaved. I guess it's another reason to add to the list, how family orientated Portugal is.

I think we will always miss our friends. Even if we have made new friendships just as meaningful and important. It's natural. There's history that goes way back. I surely miss mine from Portugal, despite having made great friends throughout these 8 years in the UK.
I won't be moving near my friend's or family but at least I'll be a 2 1/2 hours drive and I can just pop around for a weekend without worrying about renting cars, booking flights.
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Old Jan 20th 2014, 5:36 pm
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Default Re: How do you feel after moving? More Energised?Happier?

Thank you everyone for your input!

I feel even more positive now!
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Old Jan 21st 2014, 9:54 am
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Default Re: How do you feel after moving? More Energised?Happier?

I know who you are! I have been reading your blog recently. Love the honest and light hearted way you write about your experience there

No need to apologise at all.


All in all, I guess I'm just looking out for reassurance for the decision we have made. I left for a reason and I'm a bit scared of encountering some old issues. But hey I'm not a little girl any more...I'm all grown up now ( well...)

Makes me happy to know that you wouldn't move back any time soon. That sounds pretty positive to me.

We will be flying next week ( I hope) to go and snoop around some areas we are thinking of moving in to.

I'm aware that you and your wife are expecting ( this must be weird to hear from a complete stranger/Internet stalker) and if you need anything I'm happy to bring some things we do not longer need and want. Baby clothes ( some new some used) sterilisers, etc.

We will be buying your book very soon!
It is strange when people "know who we are" due to the blog or book, and even stranger when it happens when we're out!

Thank you for you kind words, and offer of baby things, but thanks to very generous friends and relatives I think we have all we need

Best wishes,

Ben
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Old Jan 21st 2014, 10:22 am
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Default Re: How do you feel after moving? More Energised?Happier?

Originally Posted by newintavira
It is strange when people "know who we are" due to the blog or book, and even stranger when it happens when we're out!

Thank you for you kind words, and offer of baby things, but thanks to very generous friends and relatives I think we have all we need

Best wishes,

Ben
Well you must be proud of yourselves! It feels good to be recognised for the good work we do!

Happy you guys have it sorted. Babies don't need that much stuff really. Mum, Dad, nappies and boobies pretty much sums it up. OH and a good white noise device, hair dryer or hoover....works like a charm when nothing else does

How excited ( and terrified) you guys must be! It's wonderful. Wishing you all the best for the new arrival!
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Old Jan 21st 2014, 11:02 am
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Default Re: How do you feel after moving? More Energised?Happier?

Thank you. Terrified is a very suitable word!
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Old Jan 21st 2014, 3:25 pm
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Default Re: How do you feel after moving? More Energised?Happier?

I remember the days...it goes SO FAST. Soon enough the little one will be walking and you'll be looking at the huge amount of new white hairs you'll have ( not helping hey?) here's the catch though...you will fall in love like you never fell in love before and the great part is one day he/she will call you dada and give you a big cuddle. Suddenly you'll realise your kid loves you too and all those poopie nappies you've changed and the few hours sleep you had were all worth it. Don't be terrified...it's the most amazing thing ever! Better said than done though. But You'll see

But I'm sure you've heard all of this already!

Again, wishing you all the best!
x
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Old Jan 23rd 2014, 9:14 pm
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Default Re: How do you feel after moving? More Energised?Happier?

In a nutshell; I like it here, wife doesn't.
But we live in a village of old farmers, which leaves us quite isolated. It might be different if we had some friends nearby.
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Old Jan 23rd 2014, 10:01 pm
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Default Re: How do you feel after moving? More Energised?Happier?

Originally Posted by liveaboard
In a nutshell; I like it here, wife doesn't.
But we live in a village of old farmers, which leaves us quite isolated. It might be different if we had some friends nearby.
I think this can make a huge difference(friends) I know lots of Portuguese but probably only 2or 3 are close friends, I do also have a fellow Scot as a mate and to be honest if he was not here I think it could be a bit lonely here, we are worlds apart from our roots but are unlikely best mates! Even though I socialise with Portuguese and speak the language, without my fellow Scot I think it could be pretty sad here. A friend to two can make life so much better.
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Old Jan 24th 2014, 12:10 pm
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Default Re: How do you feel after moving? More Energised?Happier?

Originally Posted by gedscottish
I think this can make a huge difference(friends) I know lots of Portuguese but probably only 2or 3 are close friends, I do also have a fellow Scot as a mate and to be honest if he was not here I think it could be a bit lonely here, we are worlds apart from our roots but are unlikely best mates! Even though I socialise with Portuguese and speak the language, without my fellow Scot I think it could be pretty sad here. A friend to two can make life so much better.
I know what you mean, I feel the same way over here in the UK. I think as we get older it gets harder to make friendships. I mean real friendships. Acquaintances, sure, but something deep and meaningful not so much. Like I said on a previous post, older frindships share history that goes way back.

I would never live in an isolated area.
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Old Jan 24th 2014, 11:48 pm
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Default Re: How do you feel after moving? More Energised?Happier?

Originally Posted by gedscottish
I think as already pointed out, the 1st 6-12 months is a buzz, waking up to sunshine the majority of the year instead of the British grey sky(ok, black in Scotland ) The contrast between daily life was shocking.

On the long term, I still love it here and moving back to the UK would be a nightmare scenario to be honest. I really miss family & friends, but I do get visits often and I also socialize with the locals too. A week back in Scotland I enjoy, 2 weeks and I am desperate to get "home" to Portugal and that amount if time also wipes out any idea of moving back to Scotland(The Portuguese wife has a bit of a dream of moving to Scotland).

I love the lack of aggression here, I feel safe if I walk my dog at 1am on a Saturday night(even drunk teens-twenties are friendly) and I have been here 10 years and only once had trouble(some asswipe with roadrage). Kids, I think they just seem so much more polite and family orientated here too! Social life, I love that we can afford to eat out several times a month if we wish, catch up with a mate at a cafe and sit outside slurping a few beers with no stress. I really could go on and on about what I find are positives!

Negatives, for sure there is.. mostly related to the state, getting ripped off, stupid laws and getting fined for farting the wrong way. Red tape, ignorant state workers and corruption! Oh and did I mention shite drivers?! Car prices, I love fast cars and can't afford them now!!

Energized?! I guess, I am self employed and enjoy going to work(in the UK I seemed content to be employed and clog on) Healthier?! Hmm... I have phases of healthy living I was 30 when I moved so I doubt I am.. I could only measure that on what state I might have been in had I stayed in UK?!

To sum it up, for me the positives far outweigh the negatives, moving to Portugal was the best thing I ever done and I don't have the slightest of regrets or doubts!
Hi Ged,
I'd love to hear more about your experience with corruption.. . I thought that the Portuguese Civil service are above board in the main.. . Feel free to private message me.
Best regards,
Zephyr
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