Re: No IMI
 

Can you be a bit more specific as to what it is about life in Portugal which you are disliking enough to sell up ( as I understand it ) ?

Given that you already own in Portugal ( I assume a nice enough place - where, btw ? ) would there not be benefit in keeping it going, even while you spend more of the year in England than in Portugal ?

I also spend more of the year in England but like the freedom of being able to pop down as and when without having to pack a suitcase.

I admit not everything in the jardim is rosy : I remain v frustrated at not understanding enough spoken Portuguese ( still keep hoping against hope that one day the sounds will fall into comprehensible place ).

Lots of places still to explore - esp the far northeast...........

Re: No IMI
 

Don't know if dislike is the right word, more "not enthused by" may be a better way of putting it.

For clarity I don't live in England but where I live in the UK there just seems so much more going on. On the Portugal front we are in East Algarve where the highlight of the day seems to be sitting at a cafe with a coffee (or Sagres!)

Take care.

Re: No IMI
 

Most immigrants return to their country of origin eventually.
It's not a betrayal to leave, and it's not a betrayal to return either!

Back when we first arrived, our builder told us sadly how he and the crew renovated one house after another, and most "expats" pretty much left soon after the work was complete.

I think a lot of people are seduced by those "home abroad" TV programs.
Then there's that catch phrase "live the dream"; I really prefer to live real life.

Re: No IMI
 

Brilliantly put liveaboard.

However I think between us we have hi-jacked a thread about paying house tax🙂

Re: No IMI
 

Off topic - I think it is also a matter of the clash between different cultures and different lifestyles, also it very much depends on the different areas in either country.
We've had that conversation a number of times at home - for us Portugal is much better in terms of lifestyle (it is here that I learned to get tired after only two hours of work), but worse in terms of earnings.

So far that imbalance is well manageable thanks to work outside Portugal and/or for non-Portuguese end clients, but every time I look at the two walls in my home office with paintings and photos - "Memories of England" - I am aware that going back is always an option...;)

Re: No IMI
 

Like you, we came here to work and I think that does force a bit more reality on you immediately, you never suffer from the "holiday illusion", it's practicalities of life from day 1. A 50%+ pay cut was actually more painful on paper than in reality, with some adjustments.

I totally get why paperwork and delays drive some people crazy, but that rarely bothers me personally, I can shrug my shoulders and go with the flow. I do love the fact that (almost) nobody cares what car you drive or what clothes you wear - my wife commented that almost nobody in her office wore makeup. The language is a struggle, but I am doing better with Portuguese than I ever managed with French or Italian, so I have hope!

We moved an hour out of Lisbon at the start of the pandemic, that has +'s and -'s and we might move back there at some point, I think that's more likely than a move back to the UK for us!

Re: No IMI
 

OK, maybe some things aren't perfect... Here's the journey that my "Express delivery, guaranteed today" package has achieved today. Braga to Perafita in 11hrs. Google Maps tells me that it's a 10hr walk between them, but I guess the guy walking with the package had to stop for an hour for lunch on the way

27 Abr 21h54
Em trânsito
Chegou ao centro operacional
Centro de Tratamento Porto (Perafita)

27 Abr 11h08
Saiu do centro operacional.
PTBGZP - (CO) C.O. BRAGA (OBR)

P.S. Do I win the prize for most off-topic post? ;)

Re: No IMI
 

I've had lost mail in other countries too. LOTS of lost mail. Several countries.
And delayed bills, bureaucratic nightmares that went on for years, etc.
These things are not particular to Portugal, but may seem more aggravating when you're in an unfamiliar country with an unfamiliar language and system.

Re: No IMI
 

Oh not at all. As the OP, I don't feel the thread has been hijacked, I'm really enjoying the conversations and I think they should continue. I agree with all viewpoints.

I love Portugal: the lovely white sandy beaches down at Troia, the life in Lisbon, and also the life in the mountains where we own our house. But it's frustrating the queuing time in the shops, and applying for residency (still waiting)...l

Re: No IMI
 

Regarding IMI, I just got my bill by ViaCTT, payable in May.

Re: No IMI
 

:goodpost:so we are now :focus: but it was a fun meander in the meantime! :typing: cheers all ! :drinkingwine:

Re: No IMI
 

Forget about the topic. Looks like you're having a good time:thumbup:

Re: No IMI
 

On top of checking the AT portal for IMI tax demands, I think it'll be more prudent (and less hassle going forward) by setting up a direct debit with them.
I'll need to pop into a branch and ask them for help, as that 15-digit number doesn't appear to be the unique identifier for my IMI account.

Re: No IMI
 

You setup the direct debit in the AT Portal at https://sitfiscal.portaldasfinancas....ebitosdiretos/

Re: No IMI
 

Apparently IMI is now officially open!
https://www.theportugalnews.com/news...now-open/66738

We just received ours today (via CTT electronic mail)