Hi there!we are planning to move to calico park in jan, it is near tavera,(Vila Nova De Calcela) we are currently planning to have a lodge built on the park, hopefully it will start in three weeks, recently a friend of ours went over (who also has a place on the park) and was shocked about the attitude of the retired expats who also live on the park against people from england wanting to start life over there also.some of there comments included "waste of time learning the language, british should stay british", with an attitude like that im not to sure why they are living in portugal? but oh well,
We are a young family my husband and I are 29 I have three girls aged 2,5,8, we want to get on and start life and work hard for the pleasure of living in portugal, we want to meet people as its gonna be hard work being away from our large family,but we are just concerned that we might be made the focus of there moaning as, we will be the youngest on the park with the only children
does anyone live near or in the park? or visited it? has anyone got any advice?

My only advice is to check the ground rent, I understand that it is quite high. I looked into the possibility of having a wooden house built there, but I thought that the size was a little small, however, everyone has different ideas as to size.
I must say that I have not encountered Brits like the ones you mentioned, most, if not all, are helpful to those who have just arrived. Also I think that if you try and learn a little of their language then you are appreciated.
Joao

thats what i thought, we have been learning the language as we will need to find work and i feel it shows respect for the country and the people who live there, at the end of the day I need to work so I need to know how to talk to people.I know the older generation can be old skool!!but to be that arrogant its beyond me!! and im younger than them?something is wrong there!!

If you are willing to work and to have a go at learning the language then you should do well. If you are reliable (i.e. turn up on time, or phone to say you will be late) then you will not be without work.
Joao

From my limited experience of Tavira I think the people you have met are atypical. If the people on this forum are anything to go by most Brit expats welcome newcomers and give all the help they can.

As for not bothering to learn the language - well, I'm sorry but I think they are sad people. Their experience of Portugal would be far richer if they made an effort to learn the language and get out and meet the people.

well all i can say glad i aint the only one that feels like that!!

Hi
I think the people you have met are the minority as all the people we've come across have been very friendly and helpful and i dont just mean the brit's. The Portuguese are very forth coming if you are struggling with anything. One old lady came in my car with me to give directions and she couldn't speak a word of English and my Portuguese is limited. So dont be put off by your moaners, the majority are great.
I really think we should make an effort to learn their language, but unfortunatly there are those brits that think oh well most people speak English so why should we bother. All i can say is they are very
Good Luck
TH

thanks everyone for your replys has reassured me that people like that are very few and far betweenwatch this space!!on how we are greeted in the park!!

So, what if it turns out that everyone on the park is like that? Seriously thought, the best of luck. Hope it all goes well.

if they are a quick lesson of manors from some londoners should go down well!

Oh no, not an influx of refugees from Eastenders. Yes, I know that not all Londoners come from there but I have a friend who is convinced it is real life. But then there are those who think the same about Coronation Street.

What you mean Coronation Street isn't gutted!!! does that mean Vilot's not really having a baby????????????

It's probably just a cushion stuffed up her jumper.

I think the best advice I was given when I came here was not to make close friends too quickly, it's very difficult to draw back a bit from people who you only socialised with because they were the first Brits you knew and they really aren't the sort of people who you would be friends with in UK.

Good advice Having lived abroad before I'd recommend finding your feet first and make your own friends in your own time. Quite often some of the first (Brit) people who you meet are only interested in you because they're bloody nosey or they've no other friends themselves - and there's probably a reason for that. I'm not advocating being dismissive or standoffish, just be quietly wary until you've had enough time to make up your minds.