gedscottish

Oh a hint of patronising?! Sorry but I was under the impression you don't actually live in Portugal? If you do if you integrate into Portuguese society you should see it 1st hand soon enough.

Alternatively you could just google Portugal curruption, German submarine, Freeport... Or ask a doctor if you ever end up in hospital if they'd would like an expensive present(perhaps no law breaking but absurd all the same) and see if you get a different level of care.

mfesharne

I've been here in the central zone for 2 1/2 years, have had extensive contact with a variety of Govt officials for all the normal stuff plus things like car import, firearms import & licencing & boat registration & have never had anyone even suggest I pay a bribe for anything.

My previous home was in Africa where everyone expects a backhander for anything & everything so I'm well accustomed to picking up the hints. LOL

As for am I happier here than my previous home? - Yes. You bet I am. I especially love the friendliness of the people & the lack of crime here.

About the only thing I don't like much are the slightly harsher winters but I'm sure I'll get used to them.

LittleARosa

There is a lot of corruption in Portugal, but its among bigger "fish". People like us usually don't come across the whole bribing thing. But we see it happening with the wealthier, in front of our own eyes and nothing happens. They never get arrested or never resign after being exposed. Corruption exists just as much in the UK. The big difference is once exposed, usually, politicians ARE prosecuted or resign their positions. This is something I want to see my country doing in the next few years. Our generation is more educated, aware and connected with the World. But there's a long way to go still. There's so much goodness in Portugal. I feel it's being wasted...

Makes feel all "puffed up" when somebody says they love living in Portugal. I'm glad you love it there

A.R.

mfesharne

Corruption in higher levels happens pretty much everywhere....... just look at foreign aid for plenty of proof of that (from both donating & receiving countries) & I doubt it'll ever be stopped.

As for living here: I didn't like my first year because I missed Africa, my friends there & had no permanent home etc but once I settled & got to know the people, I liked it more every day.

Now, I wouldn't go back to living in Africa for all the tea in China & would rather slit my wrists with a blunt, rusty knife than go back to the UK to live......... Glad I don't have to look for work here though.

LittleARosa

I totally understand. The trick is to "emerge" in the culture and to know people and systems. Your Home is where you feel comfortable in. The more comfortable you feel in Portugal, the more at home you'll feel.

Thats what I did in England. I love it here. I appreciate everything this Country has given me and will be forever grateful. I became a Woman here. But now, we have this opportunity so why not? We are very excited and feel very positive. The worse it can happen in our situation is, we have to come back to our own house and Ben's job. No risk. I can't wait. It would be nice to have a get together with forum users.

BlackBeardie

Can't wait.. . But I hope you are wrong about the doctor thing.. . Thank you for recommending those sites. I will look them up. And yes, I don't live in Portugal as yet and no, I wasn't being patronising in any way.

gedscottish

Then I give my apologies for suggesting you were and giving you a not so friendly response. Sometimes too easy to get something written wrong.

The doctors thing, not suggesting you won't get treated but I am saying you may get a better service if you give them a butchered lamb or a TAG watch(that's just two cases I have seen 1st hand). Perhaps not illegal or scandal of the century but I do find it revolting!

BlackBeardie

That's okay. I often put my foot in it . RE: " I am saying you may get a better service if you give them a butchered lamb or a TAG watch(that's just two cases I have seen 1st hand). " I couldn't agree with you more. That's how the rot sets in.

encodeme

I think you've hit the nail on the head.
Without fellow native speakers ( of your origin language) as friends it's hard to survive in a foreign land. However, because of this you become 'bed fellows' with people you wouldn't dream of befriending in your native land.

I see it so often in the ex pat groups.

amandamaria81

hi there.. we are a family of 5 hoping to make the big jump and move over there this year! I would love to know the best place to move where there will be: good schooling for my 3 children, nice beach and somewhere I could set up doing my Semi Permanent Makeup from. Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated! thanks amanda x

ouriquejan

Bem Vindo

Amanda, start a new thread, so people will be able to see it as an new thing, rather than a follow up.

EMR

Unless you have sufficient income to live for at least 18-24 months then I would think again.
Many will tell you that life is not without risk etc etc.
But if you have young chidren , are they of an age and temperment that they can adapt to a foreign schooling system in a foreign language.
The international schools are not cheap. E10,000/annum/child is a cost often quoted.
Running a business even if you could find enough customers is a very complex matter.
If you arrive knowing all this are prepared for the many issues you will face then good luck but do not expect that it will be easy.
Sitting on the beach does not pay the bills.

newintavira

All harsh but fair. Making a success of a business in the Algarve vs a provincial town in the UK - probably 50 times harder. Literally.

Do you speak fluent Portuguese? If not, your potential client base is perhaps only about 1% of the Algarve population (excluding tourists).

Before I moved here I used to think the people who said things like this on the forums were a right bunch of killjoys. Now I'm one of them, and we do mean well. It really is harder than you might believe.

That said, people do manage it. We did! But it took four years to plan and one of us brought a remote UK job with us. We must have met ten different people / couples last summer who "live here now" - how many are left? Zero. They were all gone by November.

If you've got a big financial safety net then the best of luck, but please be careful of rose tinted glasses if children are involved...

mfesharne

Wise words.

We came about 30 months ago & love it here but we're helluva glad we don't have to find work because we know we couldn't find it.

LittleARosa

I coudn't agree more....if we had to move AND find a source of income, we wouldn't.

To be very honest I wouldnt advise anyone to move unless you have plenty of money to spare or a UK income. Specially with 3 children. NOt to be a party pooper but I really woudnt do it.

AR