A Q for those who have moved to the Algarve

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 4:25 pm

Gerry,
Unlike Michael..I followed all you were saying ok...you speak as you feel and I did get the gist of what you were telling me.
Of course..youre right..and it takes time to settle..youre a 'Dublin boy' as Im a 'London girl' ..and where youre born and spent most of your life does stay with you.
I love the countryside here and most folk are ok...but i cant settle..Im fidgety..and want to 'go off'!
The camper idea is quite a good one..and we have done that in past. D'you really think I could do that..and earn some'bread' ..have garden work /will travel..so to speak?and that sounds real nice..about if I want to 'rest up' ...that someone will lend me the keys to their villa in CVO!

If only...but maybe Im just dreaming and feeling a little jealous of Debs

Are you doing your washing in CVO Gerry..or s.Ireland?
i used to take my big wash to laundry service in 'Lagoa'!!
Dont forget to have the house tidy before 'G' gets back

P.S.By way...having house valued next week....so ideas are beginning to form

CM · Post by CM » Tue Jan 27, 2004 4:50 pm

I would be over like a shot, If you get a bit homesick come back for a bit, I usually manage about a day before I'm pissed off being back in Blighty. Only today I was told to change the record by my good lady when I asked if we should up sticks and go for good.

I am very lucky because my parents and my sister and her husband share the dream and so the isolated feeling would not matter as we have all committed to "the move" , it is now I feel only a matter of time before we go en masse. My wife want's the kids to finish their education in England and so I have about 9 years left!

When we searched for our property we viewed a house not far from the Municipal Market and we introduced ourselves to the neighbours, One guy proudly boasted that he could not speak one word of "the lingo" and had no intention of ever trying.

Keep your identity , be yourself but at least make an effort !

Gerry Cullen · Post by **Gerry Cullen** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 5:33 pm

Michael, i know what you mean its like trying to eat a whole box of shreaded wheat on your own with no milk, i just gave up, seriously though im going to have to learn how to type,please bear with me,jaysus if you only knew how long it took me to type it.
thats why some of my posts are crap concentration flags after about an hour.
new paragraph.ellie go for it you will not belive the number of people that will support you if you ask for it.
new paragraph,we have a place (villa with pool and garden )2 mins from porches,if you go for it theres your first offer of a free set down while its not in use ,which is at least 6mts of the year you said you said you spent some time in porches?look up your old mates.
new para,we are kinda in the same boat thinking of selling the pub andchangeing lifestyle.there is a guy up the road spent the last 4 yrs building a boat now he,s selling the house and they,r off around the world and he,s only sixty.
will post again with more life changing inspirations........and a dictionary

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 7:23 pm

Gerry!
The more Im reading you today..the more Im being 'inspired' to do the 'get up and go thing'!
Interesting to see that you and your wife G are having the same thoughts on selling up!
We did it once....sold up,,lock stock and barrel, and took off with just our clothes, few personal items(books/tapes etc)....nothing back in UK to return to ..no house ..no furniture. Very very scary..but also very very exciting. Wonderful 'pioneer' feeling

Personally..Id do it again tomorrow..but H not so keen..wants to have something'secure' back here. But I dont seem to care/worry about it..and would take the chance.
I wonder if its 'women' particularly, who get this strong feeling to go off..especially when theyve spent most of their years bringing up kids..then suddenly theyre all gone..flown the nest

Yes ..we did have a villa near to Porches for our last 6 months there and I could walk to my work from there. But sadly..couple of friends we had near us have passed away.
But..life goes on and we have to make new friends and I know..if I do decide to take that chance..that I will have the same feelings and excitement again..and maybe.. after a little planning...that 'for sale' board WILL be going up outside this place!

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 12:04 am

Just thought Debs!
I see that you mentioned that you haven't decided on where youre going to live yet in Algarve.......I was wondering whether youve seen the new magazine yet in UK called 'Portugal'?
It not only has property ads a plenty! But also a good 'legal clinic'(Q&A) with some good advice for those contemplating a move to Algarve ..such as yourself. It may be a help?

This the web address again www.portugalmagazine.co.uk

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 12:01 pm

Blimey, that certainly gives me something to think about.

I've been coming to Carvoeiro for the past 23 years on holiday and I'm planning to move over next year.

I'm not originally from England so I've already done the move to another country and I'm looking forward to doing it again this time to somewhere sunnier.

Hope it works out four you Debbie!

e-llen · Post by **e-llen** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 12:57 pm

Very interesting to read all previous posts re; moving to the Algarve.
After visiting Carvoeiro regularly for over 16 years we have at last realised our ambition to retire here - and made the move in November.

We know the area very well, but of course it is different when you are resident and making your home here, however we were looking for a challenge in our retirement....

I went to Portuguese language classes for a year before we moved and we're making an attempt at the language!!!
We are really happy to be here, meeting up with old friends we've made over the years, making new ones and of course the glorious weather is a bonus.

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 1:28 pm

Hi e-llen!
Its so nice to hear how happy and settled you are in your new country..and it gives encouragement to all who are contemplating the move..as we are..once again.but not sure when

!
As I sit here.. looking out at ground covered in 3 inches of snow...cold biting winds...and a leaden sky..I envy you in the warmth and sun!
and good for you..having a good go at the language..Im trying (it was one of my newyears resolutions!)...and feel determined to do better! But of course..the best way...is being there and 'using' it.....right?
Wish you continued happiness in your new home....Ellie
P.S. Ive heard ..that there are holidays/combined with language course to be had there in Portimao..wondered if anyone here has tried that

Gerry Cullen · Post by **Gerry Cullen** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 1:36 pm

E-llen,....what a great post,don,t ye just love to hear about succuss stories,if you get a few minuites sometime in the future maybe you,d give us some of the details,nothing personal or anything,just some of the what and whatnots,.
The very best of good luck to you,
gerry cullen

e-llen · Post by **e-llen** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 2:58 pm

Hi Ellie and Gerry thank you both for the good wishes, really great to hear from you.
You're right Ellie, it does make a difference being here and using the language, I have to say our Portuguese friends are very patient and helpful when we attempt to speak their language.
Of course you have to understand English is not my first language....I am Scottish, but after lliving in Hampshire for 30 years I picked up English quite well - hope I can do the same with Portuguese!!

Gerry Cullen · Post by **Gerry Cullen** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 3:10 pm

Debs G · Post by **Debs G** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 4:42 pm

We were just discussing where we wanted to live again today. There's a few places we like but the difficulty is not really knowing anywhere until you actually live there or close at least.

I haven't seen the Portugal magazine. I have bought lots of books and maazines and am ploughing through as much info as I can! I'm browsing the web for real estate all the time as well as keeping in touch with a few estate agents over there. I will certainly look out for that magazine though. Thanks Ellie.

And Hi E-llen. Good luck with learning Portguese I've heard its quite difficult (not sure how true that is). I've got a lot of commitments on study-wise at the minute which I want to finish before we move out there (so I have a few more qualifications!) then I will start to learn the language. I've never done that well at languages though so it should be a challenge!

I hate the snow, but for my 2 year old I'm glad we've caught some. Could be the last he sees of it for a while!

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 5:34 pm

Youre welcome Debs!
The mag. is bi-monthly and at £3-50 .not cheap!
Yes..difficult decision on where to buy/where you want to live.but if youre not in to much hurry.nice and wise to take your time.
I can imagine your little ones eyes..seeing the snow for first time..hope you make him/her a snowman..thinking of building one myself!

Gerry Cullen · Post by **Gerry Cullen** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 6:40 pm

Debs-g or indeed any body looking for property in the algarve,we got huge help from jenny wright in threefountains in loule the phone no from ireland is 00351287411420 youll have to change some of that from england but i,m sure somebody on the forum can help,they are a very small estate agency and seem to deal with everybody on a personal basis the amount of time they have given to us over the last two yrs is unreal and we bought at the bottom of the market,less than 200,000eurofor a villa with pool,look just give her a call,tell her you got her name from gerry and geri cullen in ireland and explain what you want ,she wont try to sell you anything that you don,t want,let me know how you get on.
gerry

Debs G · Post by **Debs G** » Wed Jan 28, 2004 7:35 pm

Thanks Gerry

I'll certainly give them a call. We're not looking to spend the earth either as we need money for other things (such as the business etc.)
I'll let you know what happens.

Thanks
Debs