Ok, very interesting. Here's my two cents, for what it's worth. You need good doctors and a good church, which you have found in Lisbon, ditto good friends. Have you explored the suburbs around Lisbon to see if you can find someplace you like, esp. since so far you don't like the real estate listings in Braga that you have found? My experience is that it's easier to live around the services you need on a day to day basis, and visit the places you like on weekends and holidays. I would take all the time you need making a big decision like this. It's much easier to leave a rental than to sell a house. Plus, you love your apartment. Can you find one similar, but bigger, to buy? You still have a lot to explore in Portugal, so please take your time making a big commitment. Not a sermon, just a thought. Love you. Phyl
We have the luxury of time. Which is one reason we're starting to think about this now. We are open to buying or renting. Furnished or un. We want to cast as wide a net as possible at this point and see what we can find. There are signs the real estate market here could be heading for a correction, so things could be quite different six months to a year from now. We have lots to explore in the mean time. Thank you for your great advice!
Around Lisbon there is a lot of affordable parishes. Belas, Oeiras, but also Moscavide and the river bank...everywhere but downtown Lisbon. Is also where Portuguese can afford to live. I suggest you take a stroll also in charming less known towns up (Tagus) river, explore Amarante (if you liked Braga you’ll love it here), Aveiro and the West.
Muito obrigado! Amy recently went to Oeiras and really liked it there. She wants me to see it soon. We would definitely like to see Aveiro. And we will add these other suggestions to our list. We appreciate your advice!
Oeiras has a very nice restaurant in the garden on the seaside (I don’t remember the name but it’s owned by a young couple). And it has “boa sorte”, the best Chinese restaurant around. They have a dish with crab that is to die for
Well done! Great detective work and excellent summary. I know that it was a competitive soccer match and a nice win from the home team. Eager to read about your experience at the stadium. Boa sorte!
You did so much! Congratulations! Thank you for sharing. Since you mentioned Diagon Alley, I keep seeing these photos of a beautiful bookstore in Porto called Livraria Lello - which supposedly inspired the Harry Potter series. Did you go there by chance the last time you visited? I loved seeing the oranges and the flowers. So much to consider in any move. Church, doctors, the right living situation- all important.
At one of the gatherings, folks were talking about it. It was someone who is not a fan of crowds, and thus they have yet to go, even though they have tried in the dead of winter. The lines are too long for them. My oh my.
Ok, very interesting. Here's my two cents, for what it's worth. You need good doctors and a good church, which you have found in Lisbon, ditto good friends. Have you explored the suburbs around Lisbon to see if you can find someplace you like, esp. since so far you don't like the real estate listings in Braga that you have found? My experience is that it's easier to live around the services you need on a day to day basis, and visit the places you like on weekends and holidays. I would take all the time you need making a big decision like this. It's much easier to leave a rental than to sell a house. Plus, you love your apartment. Can you find one similar, but bigger, to buy? You still have a lot to explore in Portugal, so please take your time making a big commitment. Not a sermon, just a thought. Love you. Phyl
We have the luxury of time. Which is one reason we're starting to think about this now. We are open to buying or renting. Furnished or un. We want to cast as wide a net as possible at this point and see what we can find. There are signs the real estate market here could be heading for a correction, so things could be quite different six months to a year from now. We have lots to explore in the mean time. Thank you for your great advice!
Around Lisbon there is a lot of affordable parishes. Belas, Oeiras, but also Moscavide and the river bank...everywhere but downtown Lisbon. Is also where Portuguese can afford to live. I suggest you take a stroll also in charming less known towns up (Tagus) river, explore Amarante (if you liked Braga you’ll love it here), Aveiro and the West.
Muito obrigado! Amy recently went to Oeiras and really liked it there. She wants me to see it soon. We would definitely like to see Aveiro. And we will add these other suggestions to our list. We appreciate your advice!
Oeiras has a very nice restaurant in the garden on the seaside (I don’t remember the name but it’s owned by a young couple). And it has “boa sorte”, the best Chinese restaurant around. They have a dish with crab that is to die for
Obrigado! We will almost certainly go back there so will add these to the list of places to try!
Braga seems to have an allure for you both. Luckily, you have time to investigate and visit often before making any big decisions.
So enjoyed the photos! That garden looks to be amazing in a month or so!
It is surreal to be outside - in January - and seeing roses, camellias, oranges, snapdragons, municipal gardens planting new displays...
It's alluring for sure.
Well done! Great detective work and excellent summary. I know that it was a competitive soccer match and a nice win from the home team. Eager to read about your experience at the stadium. Boa sorte!
You did so much! Congratulations! Thank you for sharing. Since you mentioned Diagon Alley, I keep seeing these photos of a beautiful bookstore in Porto called Livraria Lello - which supposedly inspired the Harry Potter series. Did you go there by chance the last time you visited? I loved seeing the oranges and the flowers. So much to consider in any move. Church, doctors, the right living situation- all important.
At one of the gatherings, folks were talking about it. It was someone who is not a fan of crowds, and thus they have yet to go, even though they have tried in the dead of winter. The lines are too long for them. My oh my.
We have heard of the book store but did not get to it during our brief visit to Porto in October. It's on the bucket list so hopefully someday!