Still highly likely I'll be moving to Lisbon for at least 6 months sometime soon. I'm looking for advice on best way to find a place to stay. I'll have a budget between $1900 and $3500 @ month but I'm going to plan on the lower figure.

I won't be looking for anything fancy. Just a place to sleep, shower, maybe make a simple meal now and then (but I'll probably be eating 'out' a lot since I hear it's relatively cheap, I'd probably like to have buy a small 'fridge' or access to one, internet (of course).

I don't party, drink, or smoke. All I do is write and dance...and walk around looking at things and talking to people as much as I can.

Anybody have enough knowledge of the rooms and apartment market in Lisbon to know whether or not I can find a room or studio for somewhere less than $500 @ month?

Assuming I don't have a place (or two) to look at immediately by the time I fly, are there hostels or some other type of backpacker type places I can stay for a few days or a week or so while I scour the local environment to look for a place?

Is the airport fairly close to 'the city' proper...i.e. do new arrivals get screwed by the taxis going from the airport into town?

What about renting a room in a home somewhere. Do people do that there? And might there be a chance of swapping some English lessons for a room or room discount somewhere?

Also.....other than this one, are there any other expat forums for Lisbon? I get the impression too that there's not that many Americans there. True?

I do want to try Lisbon because I like the idea of being in a big city where there's plenty to do. From the pictures and videos I've seen, I think I'd like Lisbon.

Thanks for any advice.
Art