Thinking of moving

flanny-2004 · Post by **flanny-2004** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 12:40 pm

Hello all. I have been reading posts on this web site now for over 3 years and have always found the articles of interest and mostly constructive so I wondered if you can help us.

My wife and I along with our 21 year old son and 18 year old daughter are seriously thinking about selling our house in UK and moving over to the Algarve.

We have discussed it with them at length and they love the place as much as we do and we all realise that it won't be easy however we all want to buy into the Portuguese life style.

I run a small recruitment company in England and have done so for over 15 years. A lot of the work is done by way of emails/phones. The Portuguese seem to be at the forefront of technology so I was wondering whether I should think of carrying on my work on a part time basis until I find a suitable opening in some other area.

We have a property in Alvor which we rent out and would like to be situated in the Alvor/Carvoeiro region . The property is only 1 bedroom and not big enough for us so we are thinking of renting a 3/4 bedroom property until we see something suitable so could you advise on whether you feel we are doing the right thing? How much will it cost to rent a townhouse in the area? For a family of 4 what would you say is a realistic yearly cost of living in Portugal?

We are taking Portuguese lessons and intend to carry on learning the language and although my experience is sales related we understand that until we can master the language opportunities to work or set up a new business might be limited.

I suppose the reason for this post is to hopefully receive the 'thumbs up' from you and any advice we receive will be greatly appreciated.

Our children are as keen as we are to make new friends and to start a new life abroad. We have been coming over to the area 4/5 times a year and it get's harder to leave after every visit.

Thanks in anticipation!

Bruxinha · Post by **Bruxinha** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 12:56 pm

There was a thread on a similar theme last year. Might be worth a look. I'll see if I can find it.

Bruxinha · Post by **Bruxinha** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 1:02 pm

Found this one for a start, but I am sure there have been others:

viewtopic.php?t=6415&highlight=moving+portugal

AFKA1 · Post by **AFKA1** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 1:11 pm

Bruxinha · Post by **Bruxinha** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 1:17 pm

Also found this one for you:

viewtopic.php?t=6955&highlight=relocating

I am sure others will answer your more specific queries on rental costs and your business ideas, as I am not sure on those areas.

Hope these threads give you various views and opinions regarding relocating. RESEARCH is the key word, whatever you decide to do, especially with a family and kids in toe. Good luck in your decision making.

nightrider · Post by **nightrider** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 3:16 pm

Hi flanny- 2004
1)Son 21, Daughter 18..what type of work do they want to do in the Algarve?
2)If poss rent your property in the UK.
3)If poss to work from the Algarve, keep your company going.
4)Carry on renting your apartment in Alvor.
5)Others on this forum such as Gambo one of our moderators, may be able to give you advice on long term lets.
6)Learning Portuguese. Excellent.
Imho because you are presently pondering on such a move, it means that your not 100% per cent sure if you wish to move...so by adhering more of less to the above, you will give yourself breathing space to decide.Having said all that the Algarve is a wonderful place to live, providing financially, you work your sums out first. Like Bruxy I too wish you Good Luck.
Nightrider

flanny-2004 · Post by **flanny-2004** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 3:56 pm

many thanks Bruxinha, AFKA and Nightrider for your quick response and info and I will take the comments on board. I have no doubts that we will move over within the next 6-12 months so in that time I will do my research.

Nightrider my son(21) wants to work with me and his Mum. We know about 5 or 6 people in UK who own apartments in the Alvor area and they have said that they want us to look after their apartments ie cleaning, airport runs etc so I could possibly have a little income from that I know that wouldnt be enough but I will rent out our apartment so again some money coming in from that source. I will consider renting out our UK house as well and we will definitely keep learning Portuguese.

Our daughter has hotel and catering experience so she is going to contact all the hotels in the area so fingers crossed.

Any further help on long term rents on a 3 or 4 bedroom townhouse or the average yearly cost of living for a family would be extremely helpful.

Once again thanks for the good luck messages. We come over to Carvoeiro on a regular basis and like the village.

AFKA1 · Post by **AFKA1** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 4:04 pm

OneDeGo · Post by **OneDeGo** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 10:21 pm

flanny, can i give you a piece of advice on the running of a company from Carvoeiro by e-mail and telephone...

I would assume, running by e-mail, that you would be looking at getting a ADSL/Always On internet connection....

Consider Skype. I am not sure if you have heard of Skype, so i'll give you a little background on it...

You have a program called Skype installed on your PC, and you can buy a telephone handset specifically for Skype (USB). You can sign up to several services with Skype:

Standard Skype - You can make Free Skype - Skype calls via the internet
SkypeOut - You can call landline numbers via Skype as discounted rates
SkypeIn - You select a location for a LandLine telephone number in the UK, it costs around £20, and people in the UK can call you as if they are calling them UK!!!

Voice Over IP, such a beautiful invention!

Summer · Post by **Summer** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 9:50 am

I wouldn't count on relying on a broadband connection here. We're been waiting for a new one for nearly 4 months now and have to use regular dial up which is near impossible. I get to spend about 10 minutes a day on a very slow connection.

Summer

nightrider · Post by **nightrider** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 10:20 am

REF BROADBAND IN THE ALGAVE:
It took us 10 working days in which to apply, fill in the contract online and up and running on Broadband. With my husband's help a friend of ours in January 2006 even quicker.
Word of advice....browse the contract first and before commencing to fill it in gather all your details i.e. passport, address etc. The contract is in Portuguese. We recommend Clix. There are 2 types of service...ZONA and Other ZONES....areas outside of Zona have to pay a little more...but it still seems to be the best value for money...if you are in a Zona Clix Area you wil have the benefit of a lower price which includes your telephone standard charge free (i.e. all in the package) which saves you 15 €uros.Browse www.clix.pt
You have to purchase a Modem Kit 25 €uros from Worten,Vobis, Modelo...we would suggest you go to Vobis, Algarve Shopping Centre where they have a good techincal department. The modem has to be programmed in. If you have an Apple Mac you need to make sure that the modem you purchase is compatible.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 9:50 am

Summer wrote:I wouldn't count on relying on a broadband connection here. We're been waiting for a new one for nearly 4 months now and have to use regular dial up which is near impossible. I get to spend about 10 minutes a day on a very slow connection.

Summer

On re-reading your above post. Are you still waiting?...If you are and need any help, please feel free to pm me and between us I can pick Mr N.R.'s brain.

digger · Post by **digger** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 1:21 pm

flanny – 2004, I'd just like to add:

you have to consider exactly what you could loose by taking 3, 4, 5 years out of England, then feel the need to return. (?)

… and remember there’s an old saying that goes something like:
‘you never regret the things you do, only the things you don’t do’

flanny-2004 · Post by **flanny-2004** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:24 am

Dear All

Appreciate all your comments. Decision time is getting nearer. Flanny

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:01 pm

don't even consider it if you are not stickers. And you'll know within your heart of hearts if you are or not!
There have been so many brits came and went over the years in the Carvoeiro area. Some stay a year , others a couple of years. Be interesting to find out just how long (on average ) the regulars who contribute on here have lived in the algarve. Looks like bruxy is getting restless!