Congratulations! I love this format taking us through from start to finish. How exciting. I remember when Ian & I bought our 2 chalets in Spain (we’re living in Arizona now). The legal difference between the published asking price and the actual price (check plus a wad of cash) paid at signing. And our purchases were in Catalunya so everything was in Catalan. Crazy fun! Again, congrats.
What a wonderful story! We are about to move into our apartment in Lisbon as well however, we haven’t dealt with purchasing yet-it is a rental, and our SEF appointment is in July. We feel very fortunate that up to now everything has gone smoothly with all the paperwork and the D7. (Next is getting our house sold ) but between your posts and a few others in the Americans and friends, Facebook group, we are learning how much patience is necessary. I am curious what neighborhood you decided to move to? If you don’t mind. We are in Campo de Ourique.
What drew us to this condo was that there are a couple of trees outside the window! With birds! We have gone 9 months with no birds but pigeons. It's a rarity to get this. We walked in, saw that, and it was sold.
Even if I weren't a senior, what you had to go thru and the hoops you had to jump thru would have given me the screaming meemies. Your patience, and the unexpected and difficult things you encountered (finding a translator; working with the banks; Amy's wonky signature because of her injured hand) are amazing. I'm really relieved that it worked out and that you have the keys, etc. Just hope there are no more surprises as you go along, and that you will be very happy in your new digs. Hopefully life with settle down from here on and that you will have the fun part -furnishing and decorating the apartment. Whew, is all I can say. Love, Phyl
A wonderful benefit of Portugal for us has been the opportunity to learn to take things as they come and not worry as much. That, and practice patience!
Hi Scott and Amy! Congratulations on the apartment!
And thank you for these missives; it’s very interesting. I don’t have any plans to retire as an expat, but your comment about joint ownership brought up a question. How does one handle estate issues? If you have a will and trusts executed in the US, do these apply in Portugal or do you have to get new plans?
You are right - it is very complicated. Which is why one of the next steps is getting a Portuguese will. It will be written in conjunction with the US will. It's all exceedingtly complicated. When we die here, it is Portuguese laws that matter. But, since we are citizens elsewhere, that affects things. Anyone know a great Portuguese lawyer for estates, who is based in Lisbon?
Thank you! Unfortunately I don’t know any lawyers in Lisbon (!), but maybe your real estate attorney can point you to one? Make sure to find out about providing for pets- CT allows pet trusts as part of a plan. I wonder if Portugal has any provisions? They seem to love dogs!
Keep up the posts! They’re fascinating and I admire your courage and adventurous natures. It’s a lot to pick up and venture out during the last stage of this mortal coil.
Thank YOU! Just FYI: Years ago we did a pet trust with Kansas Veterinary School. They are in our will, they will fetch our pet from whereever and rehome with someone on their campus. Turns out they mean fetch the pet whereever includes Portugal. Wowza!
Congratulations! I love this format taking us through from start to finish. How exciting. I remember when Ian & I bought our 2 chalets in Spain (we’re living in Arizona now). The legal difference between the published asking price and the actual price (check plus a wad of cash) paid at signing. And our purchases were in Catalunya so everything was in Catalan. Crazy fun! Again, congrats.
Sounds crazy for sure! Fun? I guess that's in the eye of the beholder 😁.
HUZZAH!!!!
Thanks!
What a wonderful story! We are about to move into our apartment in Lisbon as well however, we haven’t dealt with purchasing yet-it is a rental, and our SEF appointment is in July. We feel very fortunate that up to now everything has gone smoothly with all the paperwork and the D7. (Next is getting our house sold ) but between your posts and a few others in the Americans and friends, Facebook group, we are learning how much patience is necessary. I am curious what neighborhood you decided to move to? If you don’t mind. We are in Campo de Ourique.
Good luck with your SEF!!! It's easy peasy. Just weird.
We chose a neighborhood called Pena. We're between Campo dos Mártires da Pátria Park and Avenida da Libradade to help you find it on a map.
Congratulations and have fun furnishing your home. Nice to have an idea of what our future may hold.
Any questions, throw them our way!
Congratulations!
What drew us to this condo was that there are a couple of trees outside the window! With birds! We have gone 9 months with no birds but pigeons. It's a rarity to get this. We walked in, saw that, and it was sold.
I'm so, so, so excited for you! Congratulations.
Thank you! Best of luck to you as well moving forward!
Even if I weren't a senior, what you had to go thru and the hoops you had to jump thru would have given me the screaming meemies. Your patience, and the unexpected and difficult things you encountered (finding a translator; working with the banks; Amy's wonky signature because of her injured hand) are amazing. I'm really relieved that it worked out and that you have the keys, etc. Just hope there are no more surprises as you go along, and that you will be very happy in your new digs. Hopefully life with settle down from here on and that you will have the fun part -furnishing and decorating the apartment. Whew, is all I can say. Love, Phyl
A wonderful benefit of Portugal for us has been the opportunity to learn to take things as they come and not worry as much. That, and practice patience!
Thanks for reading the footnotes :-D.
Hi Scott and Amy! Congratulations on the apartment!
And thank you for these missives; it’s very interesting. I don’t have any plans to retire as an expat, but your comment about joint ownership brought up a question. How does one handle estate issues? If you have a will and trusts executed in the US, do these apply in Portugal or do you have to get new plans?
You are right - it is very complicated. Which is why one of the next steps is getting a Portuguese will. It will be written in conjunction with the US will. It's all exceedingtly complicated. When we die here, it is Portuguese laws that matter. But, since we are citizens elsewhere, that affects things. Anyone know a great Portuguese lawyer for estates, who is based in Lisbon?
Thank you! Unfortunately I don’t know any lawyers in Lisbon (!), but maybe your real estate attorney can point you to one? Make sure to find out about providing for pets- CT allows pet trusts as part of a plan. I wonder if Portugal has any provisions? They seem to love dogs!
Keep up the posts! They’re fascinating and I admire your courage and adventurous natures. It’s a lot to pick up and venture out during the last stage of this mortal coil.
Thank YOU! Just FYI: Years ago we did a pet trust with Kansas Veterinary School. They are in our will, they will fetch our pet from whereever and rehome with someone on their campus. Turns out they mean fetch the pet whereever includes Portugal. Wowza!
What an experience - thanks for sharing! I love the bit about seeing the trees outside the window with the birds... When you know, you know!
Yeah ... we just knew. Pretty much sums it up. :-)
Wowza is right!!