Imminent relocation from UK to Lisbon at short notice
Nov 5th 2018, 3:04 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2018
Location: Brighton
Posts: 19
Imminent relocation from UK to Lisbon at short notice
Hi Guys, I'm brand new on here. Please can you offer me help, some assistance and some pearls of wisdom?
My family (husband, 3 kids ages 9, 5 & 3) are moving to Portugal in January. Done deal and no way back. We speak no Portuguese. We don't know anybody there. I've had 2 days to get my head around this bombshell (that we have to move from Brighton to Portugal) but it'll be great. I'm open to new experiences and all the reports from ex pats say they never looked back. So I need to wrap things up in the UK (no problem) and organise things in Portugal, but how...?
As we do not know the area or speak the language I was wanting to engage a relocation specialist to help us hit the ground running. I will need lots of information, handholding and support setting up our lives. I do not want a timeshare salesman or an estate agent. Can anyone recommend a professional firm that is set up to help with legal matters, tax, registration, schools, finding permanent accommodation, setting up a business etc. I saw Belion on an internet search and liked the fact that they are a legal firm rather than estate agent. Has anyone any experience of them?
I'm hoping the relocation company will be a one-stop solution and help us with everything so I need a good one. After that it's just meeting some nice folks and learning portugese. My husband and I both work remotely on our own business so will not be looking for employment. We do need to get the kids into school, however, and cannot afford £30,000+ to send them all to international schools. We may have to put 1 child in an international while we settle (the 9 year old) as he is very shy. The younger two may cope better in local schools. Are local schools free or do we pay for those too? Please advise me on schools, I'm starting from absolute zero knowledge here. We also are open to where we live so can go where there is a good recommendation. We had thought Lisbon (as we are from Brighton so used to lots of activity and life) or the Algarve. Or Porto. We are not millionaires but would like a nice place to live with views and a pool. havent got a clue on property prices as there seems such a spectrum. I saw a characterless place with no views or pool for 700,000Euro in Porto. No thank you.
So please reply to me if you can help with either a nice place for a young family to live, property type and price guide advice or a location firm and i will be very grateful. Thank you x
My family (husband, 3 kids ages 9, 5 & 3) are moving to Portugal in January. Done deal and no way back. We speak no Portuguese. We don't know anybody there. I've had 2 days to get my head around this bombshell (that we have to move from Brighton to Portugal) but it'll be great. I'm open to new experiences and all the reports from ex pats say they never looked back. So I need to wrap things up in the UK (no problem) and organise things in Portugal, but how...?
As we do not know the area or speak the language I was wanting to engage a relocation specialist to help us hit the ground running. I will need lots of information, handholding and support setting up our lives. I do not want a timeshare salesman or an estate agent. Can anyone recommend a professional firm that is set up to help with legal matters, tax, registration, schools, finding permanent accommodation, setting up a business etc. I saw Belion on an internet search and liked the fact that they are a legal firm rather than estate agent. Has anyone any experience of them?
I'm hoping the relocation company will be a one-stop solution and help us with everything so I need a good one. After that it's just meeting some nice folks and learning portugese. My husband and I both work remotely on our own business so will not be looking for employment. We do need to get the kids into school, however, and cannot afford £30,000+ to send them all to international schools. We may have to put 1 child in an international while we settle (the 9 year old) as he is very shy. The younger two may cope better in local schools. Are local schools free or do we pay for those too? Please advise me on schools, I'm starting from absolute zero knowledge here. We also are open to where we live so can go where there is a good recommendation. We had thought Lisbon (as we are from Brighton so used to lots of activity and life) or the Algarve. Or Porto. We are not millionaires but would like a nice place to live with views and a pool. havent got a clue on property prices as there seems such a spectrum. I saw a characterless place with no views or pool for 700,000Euro in Porto. No thank you.
So please reply to me if you can help with either a nice place for a young family to live, property type and price guide advice or a location firm and i will be very grateful. Thank you x
Nov 5th 2018, 4:18 pm
#2
Banned
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 26,724
Re: Imminent relocation from UK to Lisbon at short notice
You have not mentioned one of the most important item, a first class high speed fibre internet connection if you are working remotely.
Here in the Algarve the fibre network is being rolled out but not everywhere has it.
We live in an area popular with expats from many countries , good International school but we still do not have fibre.. relying on cable and copper...
Who ever you discuss location and property with , make sure you check this out.
Here in the Algarve the fibre network is being rolled out but not everywhere has it.
We live in an area popular with expats from many countries , good International school but we still do not have fibre.. relying on cable and copper...
Who ever you discuss location and property with , make sure you check this out.
Nov 5th 2018, 4:53 pm
#3
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2018
Location: Brighton
Posts: 19
Re: Imminent relocation from UK to Lisbon at short notice
That’s great advice, thank you. I would have taken it for granted if we weren’t rural but you are absolutely right. Yes, the Algarve is sounding like the place to go. Any chance of a rustic farmhouse with wooden shutters overlooking a breathtaking view with pool
(or room for a pool) for less that half million euros these days there or am I dreaming?
(or room for a pool) for less that half million euros these days there or am I dreaming?
Nov 5th 2018, 4:58 pm
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,320
Re: Imminent relocation from UK to Lisbon at short notice
You head your post "Move to Lisbon" but then mention the Algarve . For the Lisbonites the Algarve is still Africa, a place to pass the summer but then head back to civilisation. Your cry from the heart cannot go unanswered. Look no further than Tavira. Wonderful place to live, superb beaches, secure environment. May find it rather quiet in winter which does not suit everybody. Excellent international lawyer who can advise on most of your requirements, Rui Horta , find them here :https://www.taviralawyers.com . Drop them an email as a general enquiry. Tavira also has an "international school" https://www.colegiointernacionaltavira.pt and you may be surprised at how reasonable the fees are. Most of the town has high-speed fibre to answer EMR's very sensible comment. Small enough to easily get to know people, public administration good and not so far from Faro airport.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Nov 5th 2018, 5:06 pm
#5
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 67
Re: Imminent relocation from UK to Lisbon at short notice
Good point re the interweb and working from home. There are two main providers, NOS and MEO (formerly the govt owned telecoms company), plus Vodafone in some areas. May be worth a trawl through their websites as they may offer a postcode checker for fibre - Portuguese postcodes are four numbers, dash, three numbers eg 8600-123.
If you aim at the algarve you HAVE to get a pool for the kids if you can. We just bought a 2nd home in Lagos, western algarve - detached with pool, sea views, walking distance to a stunning beach, and not for anywhere close to 700,000 euro! Further from Faro airport you go, cheaper it gets. We're going to be renting it out when we're in the UK, eventual aim to relocate entirely.
The toughest part is learning the language - you won't have the time. If you're buying I'd highly recommend an english speaking mortgage broker to help you with things.
We now have portuguese banking with BPI, with english speaking customer services and a mostly english account management website.
No knowledge of anywhere other than the south coast, but banks, solicitors, estate agents etc will all have somebody who can speak excellent english.
There are international schools throughout the algarve, and again, I have no knowledge of Portugal further north (shame on me!).
I know PortugalProperty (estate agents - english owned I think) and a company called Triplicado offer relocation help, but I have no experience of their services.
This website right here has been very useful for us - there is a wealth of information and help here.
Portugal is a stunningly beautiful country with genuinely lovely friendly people - you hit the jackpot here - good luck.
If you aim at the algarve you HAVE to get a pool for the kids if you can. We just bought a 2nd home in Lagos, western algarve - detached with pool, sea views, walking distance to a stunning beach, and not for anywhere close to 700,000 euro! Further from Faro airport you go, cheaper it gets. We're going to be renting it out when we're in the UK, eventual aim to relocate entirely.
The toughest part is learning the language - you won't have the time. If you're buying I'd highly recommend an english speaking mortgage broker to help you with things.
We now have portuguese banking with BPI, with english speaking customer services and a mostly english account management website.
No knowledge of anywhere other than the south coast, but banks, solicitors, estate agents etc will all have somebody who can speak excellent english.
There are international schools throughout the algarve, and again, I have no knowledge of Portugal further north (shame on me!).
I know PortugalProperty (estate agents - english owned I think) and a company called Triplicado offer relocation help, but I have no experience of their services.
This website right here has been very useful for us - there is a wealth of information and help here.
Portugal is a stunningly beautiful country with genuinely lovely friendly people - you hit the jackpot here - good luck.
Nov 5th 2018, 6:17 pm
#6
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2018
Location: Brighton
Posts: 19
Re: Imminent relocation from UK to Lisbon at short notice
Thank you SO MUCH. This is exactly the sort of shortcut to knowledge I was hoping for. I will check out Tavira and the legal contact, thank you. So great to have a place to start! I don’t have time to do all the research so I really appreciate this. Tiger x
Nov 5th 2018, 6:28 pm
#7
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2018
Location: Brighton
Posts: 19
Re: Imminent relocation from UK to Lisbon at short notice
Thank you for taking the time to read and reply. Your second home sounds exactly the thing we are looking for. You’ve heartened me :-)
Nov 5th 2018, 8:11 pm
#8
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 946
Re: Imminent relocation from UK to Lisbon at short notice
Just out of interest, why are you moving to Portugal and why is there 'no way back'?
Nov 5th 2018, 8:33 pm
#9
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2018
Location: Brighton
Posts: 19
Re: Imminent relocation from UK to Lisbon at short notice
We are moving to Portugal specifically because it is supportive to husband’s business (property). The UK has made it impossible for him to trade with the new legislation.
Nov 5th 2018, 8:35 pm
#10
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2018
Location: Brighton
Posts: 19
Re: Imminent relocation from UK to Lisbon at short notice
Can anyone help me narrow down my area search?
Sesimbra and Tavira and Lagos have been recommend (all quite far apart). Don’t want to bored in winter. Have 3 kids. I need to get a long term rental secured in the next few days so any advice that can cut down my research is very much appreciated from you guys ‘in the know’.
Sesimbra and Tavira and Lagos have been recommend (all quite far apart). Don’t want to bored in winter. Have 3 kids. I need to get a long term rental secured in the next few days so any advice that can cut down my research is very much appreciated from you guys ‘in the know’.
Nov 5th 2018, 9:09 pm
#11
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 657
Re: Imminent relocation from UK to Lisbon at short notice
Suggest you rent for a while while you find your feet and get a little local experience, there are a few multi disciplined agencies around that have the resources to handle all aspects including a long term property rental - try here or search Facebook for long term rentals Portugal/Algarve
Nov 5th 2018, 9:42 pm
#12
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2018
Location: Brighton
Posts: 19
Re: Imminent relocation from UK to Lisbon at short notice
Thank you Mr Bife. Yes, that’s exactly how we will do it. Rent somewhere recommended, like Tavira, then find our own niche to buy in. Thanks for the info on property search.
Nov 6th 2018, 8:44 am
#13
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 400
Re: Imminent relocation from UK to Lisbon at short notice
Some excellent advice given here BUT...
1) Tavira - Bear in mind that although Faro Airport has a lot of international flights, it does not have many flights to major international hubs such as London Heathrow, Frankfurt-Main, Paris CDG.
If your husband has to travel on business, being near Lisbon is likely to be more appropriate.
Sesimbra offers a better location as there is a good motorway links over the the Vasco da Gama bridge to Lisbon Airport.
2) Another area you should perhaps look at is the Mafra/Torres Vedras area of Greater Lisbon which is to the North of Lisbon.
We bought in this area last year after years in the Algarve. There are excellent motorway and bus links to Lisbon. One is only 30 minutes from Lisbon Airport and max 45 minutes to most places north of the River - outside rush hour.
Prices here are still reasonably good compared with downtown Lisbon & the Linha do Cascais, although they are climbing.
The weather is different from the Algarve but we are living in a lovely green region surrounded by vineyards.
1) Tavira - Bear in mind that although Faro Airport has a lot of international flights, it does not have many flights to major international hubs such as London Heathrow, Frankfurt-Main, Paris CDG.
If your husband has to travel on business, being near Lisbon is likely to be more appropriate.
Sesimbra offers a better location as there is a good motorway links over the the Vasco da Gama bridge to Lisbon Airport.
2) Another area you should perhaps look at is the Mafra/Torres Vedras area of Greater Lisbon which is to the North of Lisbon.
We bought in this area last year after years in the Algarve. There are excellent motorway and bus links to Lisbon. One is only 30 minutes from Lisbon Airport and max 45 minutes to most places north of the River - outside rush hour.
Prices here are still reasonably good compared with downtown Lisbon & the Linha do Cascais, although they are climbing.
The weather is different from the Algarve but we are living in a lovely green region surrounded by vineyards.
Nov 6th 2018, 8:54 am
#14
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2018
Location: Brighton
Posts: 19
Re: Imminent relocation from UK to Lisbon at short notice
Thank you so much, Barlaventoexpert. Please tell me more about the lovely areas around Lisbon. I am very worried about being stuck in the Algarve during the dead winter when we need to have our spirits boosted to win the kids over and not get too homesick. We are a young family, used to the life and buzz of Brighton.
Both faro and Lisbon airports fly to Gatwick, which is what we need, so it’s really about finding somewhere suitable to start our Portugal adventure. We will be renting for the first year at least so can explore and decide where to buy from there. But I can’t fford to get this but wrong, the initial environment, do you know what I mean? As it will colour our experience and we need to make this a positive move. Any more advice on where to look is appreciated. We are over in Lisbon in a few weeks x
Both faro and Lisbon airports fly to Gatwick, which is what we need, so it’s really about finding somewhere suitable to start our Portugal adventure. We will be renting for the first year at least so can explore and decide where to buy from there. But I can’t fford to get this but wrong, the initial environment, do you know what I mean? As it will colour our experience and we need to make this a positive move. Any more advice on where to look is appreciated. We are over in Lisbon in a few weeks x
Nov 11th 2018, 11:05 pm
#15
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 6,313
Re: Imminent relocation from UK to Lisbon at short notice
You have certainly set yourself quite the task Tiger Martin.
You cannot compare Brighton to Lisbon. Lisbon is a capital city with indeed plenty of 'buzz' however it is Portuguese 'buzz' and very expensive with it. They do not speak English In Lisbon either, so you will certainly struggle for quite some time until you learn the language.There are ex-pat groups and an organisation ( one based in the seaside town of Cascais , half an hour from Lisbon ,which I would recommend .It has quite an ex-pat presence ) However it is getting eye wateringly expensive to live in and around the capitol these days.
Virtually everyone speaks English in the Algarve ,at least if they don't you can find someone who does to help you. The International schools have a good reputation . As you have children, thats where I would start . Checking out where the schools are as you will need to live pretty close by. seems the most important after the internet question. imo.
Sorry but I doubt you will get a 'one stop solution' Don't panic though , if you find rental accomodation near a school, in an area with a good internet connection you have made a basic ,but not permanent start. It will give you time to look around the area, and maybe the country to see where would suit you best .Lisbon is only two and half hours from the Algarve by train whichever area you choose . Good luck
You cannot compare Brighton to Lisbon. Lisbon is a capital city with indeed plenty of 'buzz' however it is Portuguese 'buzz' and very expensive with it. They do not speak English In Lisbon either, so you will certainly struggle for quite some time until you learn the language.There are ex-pat groups and an organisation ( one based in the seaside town of Cascais , half an hour from Lisbon ,which I would recommend .It has quite an ex-pat presence ) However it is getting eye wateringly expensive to live in and around the capitol these days.
Virtually everyone speaks English in the Algarve ,at least if they don't you can find someone who does to help you. The International schools have a good reputation . As you have children, thats where I would start . Checking out where the schools are as you will need to live pretty close by. seems the most important after the internet question. imo.
Sorry but I doubt you will get a 'one stop solution' Don't panic though , if you find rental accomodation near a school, in an area with a good internet connection you have made a basic ,but not permanent start. It will give you time to look around the area, and maybe the country to see where would suit you best .Lisbon is only two and half hours from the Algarve by train whichever area you choose . Good luck