I spoke to several young people in Carvoeiro. They all do not understand why I would leave such a big town as Amsterdam. I had it all in Amsterdam but still I feel more happy in Carvoeiro. Is it so bad? Heard that a lot of locals rather go out of the country to get a better life... I love the Carvoeiro life!

The grass is always greener on the other side - but I know where the grass is greenest!

Y ep, over the septic tank

Anonymous wrote:Y ep, over the septic tank

cute!

Guest--that was funny --should have posted it on jokes!
Eva---think Biffas right on this one-we human beings are never satisfied --strange arent we? We live somewhere -and dream of another place--when we go there-after a while we dream of being back home wherever---Ive experienced this ----lived in Lagoa/Carvoeiro for couple years--loved it---but at times got very "homesick" longing to be in England--when i came back --was then homesick for CVO --and its happening again after month in CVO --I long to be back once more.
Yet--Im a born/bred Londoner--and want a taste of that too--you may get that --for Amsterdam --after a while of living in CVO--but--if you just visit your homeland for a while--that will probably satisfy you--and you'll be glad to be back in CVO. I understand your being happy there----its because its a smaller & more intimate community--we dont get that in the big cities do we?
Wish you every happiness with your new life inAgarve-----Ellie.

thanx, I had have the same thoughts as you. Good thing that it is easy to just fly back to Amsterdam If I feel the need.
I will probably feel homesick, but that is normal everywhere.
Thanx for the reply anyway. I am sure I will find my way in Carvoeiro;)))

xxx

The first year is the hardest; the Portuguese are the sweetest people, they love their fellow Europeans (except for perhaps the Spanish), they talk funny, they have no concept of irony, hypothesis or how to drive properly; but youll get used to that. Eva you don’t explain your situation but I do believe that should one plan to live in Portugal on a permanent basis one should have an interest in the people, their culture, the history, the politics. To go as a tourist to stay indefinitely, as a tourist, would be a mistake. That’s for the over 50s anyway and something tells me youre not one of those.

Digger...People over 50 can and do adjust to a foreign culture just
as well, and sometimes better than younger people. A generalized
statement like that is so unfair to us "over the hill gang".

I agree with you Charles--bit of a sweeping statement from young Digger there---I dont like"agest"remarks--I know plenty of young people who are very staid and set in their ways and who wouldnt adjust /fit in to a new country & its ways.
In the same way,I know lot of so-called older folk who'd knock spots off the youngsters with their inventive ideas,energy levels and fitting-in with new surroundings and ways.
Eva is from Holland, Amsterdam I believe.I sure hope she doesnt think all we Brits are agest;treat people as individuals --dont "lump" them all together in groups.
Id just say to Eva,speaking from my own experience of living in Algarve,mix with local Portuguese as much as possible;best way to learn language and you'll also make friends for life--thats the Portuguese for you--they stay your friend and never forget you.

What a miserable old git I must sound. And I can’t even make myself understood. OK forget I wrote that last sentence: “”That’s for the over 50s anyway and something tells me youre not one of those”” Problem is I am one of those and I suppose that makes me feel justified living this lazy life here in Portugal.
My reason for replying to Eva’s post was to advise her and other youngsters to think twice about giving up all in Amsterdam or wherever to start a new life in Carvoeiro or some other holiday paradise.

Eva, forgive me for any misinterpretations.

Digger, I noticed you're from Lisbon. Living here in carvoeiro is VERY different to living in Lisbon, in fact I think you're very brave, all that traffic!!

I don't like locationist remarks

anyway I'm moving out of Lisboa soon; heading south

Digger, thanks for retracting that last statement about us
"gray panthers". I am sure your intention was not to offend
anyone. As you can gather that "yours truly" is a bit touchy
about his age, sorry if I sounded a bit harsh. I think Ellie said
it best when she said it's not the age of a person but the
person themself who will remain a tourist no matter how long
they live in another country.

Ain't that the truth.