Caldas da Rainha Honest Impressions, Pros, & Cons. Ep. 6

[@yahtabroad]

For those that have visited Caldas, what were your initial first impressions of the city? For those who are considering to live here, what are some of the questions you have about the City?

[@Vinc3n7]

I read somewhere that they are going to turn that big building in the park into a 5 star hotel. I'm not sure that's the best use but it is what it is. Great review btw!

[@yahtabroad]

That would be amazing if they did that. It’s truly a great place, so if they turned it into a 5 star hotel and spa, it would be fitting for the park.

[@lyvlong1733]

Appreciate all of the time and effort you out into the series. Helpful for our search. Headed to Caldas soon. Can't wait to experience it for myself!

[@yahtabroad]

Absolutely. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding your trip, please let me know. I'd definitely like to hear about your experience in Caldas as well. Safe travels!

[@NS-ur5ss]

Appreciated your laid back approach to touring 👍👍

[@joyfullypacinglife8847]

Very informative. Thank you!

[@JasonJFlippingLife]

My brother and I are property hunting in Portugal and visited caldas-da-rainha last December and came away with the same pros and cons. We stayed at an STR on Sao Bernardino Beach. We actually liked the little town of Lourinha more than Caldas or Peniche. Very relaxing area... maybe too relaxing though for daily life for me. Cool thing about that part of the silver coast is you're only an hour and 15min drive from Lisbon. I personally loved the vibrant energy of Lisbon.

[@yahtnichols]

I definitely missed out on Lourinha. It was originally on my list to check out as we found a lot affordable housing in Lourinha compared to Caldas and there were nice beaches near Lourinha. However there was no nearby private or international school for our kids (nearest was in Torres Vedras), so I ended up having to remove Lourinha from my initial exploratory list. When I come back to Portugal later this year, I plan to spend some extensive time there. Also enjoy that it’s close to Lisbon as well.

[@somekindofaperson]

​@@yahtnichols caldas is nice and there is life and nightlife there, but it's colder than torres vedras (where i was born) and torres is closer to lisbon, 40 minutes by bus. most international schools are in lisbon, and fortunately almost everyone in portugal uses the public system. but almost no cities in portugal will have a lot of people on weekends. in cities like caldas or torres vedras still most people dont live in the center cause it's expensive...and there's way less transportation on weekends than on weekdays. schools are fundamental for cities to appear having more people than what they actually had. heck even in lisbon on weekends a lot of neighbourhoods are almost dead, which i actually appreciate. Lourinhã is nice but it's pretty small. i grew up in alenquer, a bit further from the sea and is prettier than caldas, Lourinhã or torres vedras all combined. it is warmer, closer to lisbon but unfortunately not a lot of activity there. the main problem in caldas is the train. if linha do oeste trainline worked properly caldas would grow a lot. unfortunately housing prices would go over the top too.

[@yahtnichols]

@@somekindofaperson Great insight! Definitely appreciate the comment.

[@Nubianette]

Thanks! You were there during the pandemic, so there wouldn’t be so many people out. I’m not sure where you live in the US, but depending where you live here, not everything is back, especially last fall. People were hiding out. From what I’ve heard, Portuguese people follow the rules, which also varied from place to place. I also heard Portuguese people in Portugal aren’t into cold weather. People were home keeping warm and well, I think. 😉 I can’t wait to find out for myself.

[@yahtabroad]

Thanks for feedback and comment. 😀 Yes, I conducted my exploratory trip to Portugal at the beginning of February. `That was definitely my impression as well as the Portuguese are generally rule followers (majority of people were wearing masks in the streets). Some cities/towns had people out in the streets going about their day, some places I rarely saw anyone. At the time, they had just lifted majority of pandemic restrictions (nightclubs and bars were reopened and people just had to show a negative covid test). When I was there, the weather was between 66-75F and sunny! I only had one rainy day of weather. It definitely was a great experience and I can't wait to get back there during the summer to see to experience the touristy season. BTW, I'm from Florida and it's been the wild wild west here during the last two years of the pandemic! 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@Nubianette]

@@yahtabroad I’m in Oakland, Cali. It’s wild in many ways, but people greatly followed the rules. Nobody wanted to get sick. There was enough evidence this situation was a problem. Because of the fires, we already had masks.

[@jedi_mapperp4073]

They are renovating the old hospital building in the park. It will become a hotel or nice condos. The funding is part of the program the government started some time ago to renovate important landmark buildings into hotels or condos.

[@yahtabroad]

This is wonderful news!

[@jedi_mapperp4073]

@@yahtabroad I really appreciated your comments on diversity. My wife is Filipina, I'm white, and we have young two boys. We are moving to Caldas in 12-18 months if the visa process goes well. My wife was glad there are Asian restaurants (and happy she can find RICE! and seafood). My best friend since childhood is black and has been looking at Portugal, too. Based on your video he and his wife will add Caldas to their itinerary.

[@yahtnichols]

@@jedi_mapperp4073 Love it!!! Happy to hear this video is proving helpful. Please keep me posted on your relocation to Caldas.

[@LuisFernando-gh7vf]

My parents are from the area. I lived in the area for 11 year's. One of the biggest cons for me was the health system.

[@JenShea]

Hey there 👋🏻. Did you get to Peniche? No mall, but otherwise it has everything you could need… with Lidl, Pingo Doce, Intermarche and Continente. The pro for Peniche vs Caldas is definitely the beaches! :). I just found your channel, and I’m impressed by your content! Caldas is good though! Maybe not as vibrant in the winter as it might be in the summer. I went several times, in the winter too, and not a lot of people out and about.

[@yahtabroad]

Hi Jen. Yes, we initially considered Peniche (as I prefer to live at the beach). However, from our initial research, we were told that Peniche is quite windy and can be unbearable at times. There was also the issue of schools in Peniche for our young kids. Therefore, ultimately we ruled out Peniche. How did you find Peniche? Was it as windy as everyone says?

[@JenShea]

@@yahtabroad I can understand about schools. It’s so important to be an easy distance for your children. I was in Atouguia da Baleia… 10 minutes from Peniche (not windy) and I spent a lot of time in Peniche… to shop or to visits the cliffs and miradouros. I honestly found Foz do Arelho much windier. There most definitely will be windier weather along the Silver coast and some places worst than others. I wish you all the best on your journey!

[@yahtabroad]

@@JenShea Perfect. Definitely appreciate the insight. I'll add Atouguia da Baleia to my visit list for my next Portugal trip. Can't wait to check it out. 😀

[@staciamj1]

What about the street where they have shops on, not sure the name of it. How was that?

[@yahtabroad]

It was actually quite nice! One of the few highlights in Caldas.

[@juiceboxleal6254]

As a portuguese american with family from caldas and surrounding villages, i think it’s much more lively in the summer, especially with all the festas. But yea i agree, Caldas could be fixed up a little and be mucg nicer but easier said than done

[@yahtabroad]

Definitely appreciate your insights!

[@mcp2112]

Brave Generation Academy also has a school in Caldas, I believe.

[@yahtabroad]

I'm posting a new video tomorrow of me touring the city. I actually show the location of Brave Generation Academy in the beginning of the video. Check it out if you have a chance.

[@redgree1645]

Wow! It’s quite apparent traveling Europe is new to you. Portugal though a developed nation it’s not a rich country; so maintenance is an issue for them unlike the USA a highly developed and the wealthiest nation on the planet. What should matter is the culture, history, the arts, the quality of life in this beautiful nation. Most of Europe has a rundown look as it is old but you can see the beautiful architecture, every step I take e feel the history from 500 to 800 to thousands of years. Keep traveling.

[@yahtabroad]

Actually, traveling Europe is not new to me. I have family in France and have been spending significant time there for over a decade. So your assumption about my travel experience is completely false; which I also briefly explain some of my experience in the beginning of the video. Also, even though USA is considered to be "highly developed" there are many areas that are quite poor and look worse than anything I've seen in Europe. As an American, depending on where you grew up, you may not even know this. My comments on "the way Caldas looks" isn't a dig on the architectural beauty and history of the area and Portugal in general. I was simply stating the fact that compared to other cities/towns/villages in Portugal, Caldas needed quite a bit of renovation, e.g. elbow grease; maybe I didn't do good enough of job explaining the in this Caldas video.

[@mergsTM]

Hi there, solid recap. I just left Caldas today after a 3 week scouting trip throughout northern and central PT. I thought Caldas was a pretty solid mid sized city with good amenities but felt similar about the cons. Curious if you would live downtown, up the hill a bit/outskirts or thinking Foz do Arelho or Sao Martinho area? I'd actually lean towards Foz myself so I could paddleboard, bike and kayak right out the front door.

[@yahtabroad]

Hi Jeff. Would love to hear more about your northern and central PT trip. I honestly ran out to time and honestly regret not exploring northern PT. Always happy to see other folks taking scouting trips to Portugal. If I had my choice, I would live outside of Caldas, leaning more towards Sao Martinho. I enjoy fishing and envision fishing from a kayak; I considered Foz for that reason. For paddle boarding and kayaking, Foz would be perfect for you.

[@LuisFernando-gh7vf]

Nadadouro. Right next to foz. And more accessible.

[@yahtabroad]

@@LuisFernando-gh7vf Appreciate the insights and knowledge. You're the 2nd person to recommend Nadadouro. I definitely need to check it out more thoroughly. 😀

[@mrcmasjidtanah6212]

Hello there. Where would you live - Portugal or Australia? Like you, I am a crossroads on where I should move to. Which of these two countries is more liveable? Would appreciate any inputs.

[@yahtabroad]

Based solely off of the cost of living, I would choose Portugal. I found Australia to be very expensive. Australia is an island, so most consumer goods have to be shipped in, which increases the costs all around. I also didn't enjoy the 16+ hour flights from Australia to the U.S.

[@carinafigueira2844]

The biggest mall in the district of Leiria is right in the city of Leiria.

[@yahtabroad]

Thanks Carina. Leiria is definitely on my list to check out during my next exploratory trip. I know some folks that chose Leiria over Caldas, so I'm curious to check it out for myself.

[@JoaoPaulo-ht8yo]

Great video man! I'm a Brazilian moving to there as a student from Scotland. Do you know about any outdoor activity place there? I love all of it. Is there any fellowship or church in English there? I really want to keep practicing my English and interacting with british and americans. Um abraço!

[@yahtabroad]

Hi Joao. Thanks for feedback. I definitely recommend that you check out the facebook groups such as the silver coast facebook group. There is also Expats in Portugal, Black in Portugal, Moving to Portugal, PoC in Portugal. Lots of great information and those groups and they even have meet up events. 😀 As far as outdoor activities, there are a ton of local trails, and cycling is popular in the area as well. I also saw a bunch of folks paragliding (powered and non-powered). Also you will not be far from nearby beaches such as Foz. At Foz you, there is stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, kite surfing, fishing, and surfing. Needless-to-say, there are tons of options.

[@JoaoPaulo-ht8yo]

@@yahtabroad Thank you so much for all the information! I really appreciate it.

[@SaraStoner1977]

We are moving our family from Canada to this area. Do you have any feedback on meeting people, things to do, meeting great friends? Caldas? Foz? Sao?

[@JasonJFlippingLife]

The silver coast Facebook groups may be a good place to start.

[@yahtabroad]

That's my recommendation as well. The Facebook groups are great starting point. Some even have meet up events. Definitely, check them out.

[@joyfullypacinglife8847]

Among all the Portuguese cities you've visited, which did you like best and why?

[@yahtabroad]

There are still a few places I'd like to visit before I make my final conclusion, such as Cascais, Porto, Coimbra, Setubal, & Braga. However, to date, my favorite places are (1) Lagos (year round warmer weather, beautiful beaches, diverse population, vibrant city, and lots of activities in the surrounding areas) and (2) Sao Martinho do Porto (beautiful beach, sand dune, friendly people, good restaurants, close to a good private school, lots of outdoor activities in the area, and lower cost of living).

[@joyfullypacinglife8847]

@@yahtabroad Thank you so much! This helps me decide where to go.

[@sharilove6222]

What was your favorite city/town on the Silver Coast?

[@yahtabroad]

Hi Shari. Hope all is well. Before I answer, I'll caveat my response by stating that I still have a couple places I need to visit in the Silver Coast (Marinha Grande and Leiria). I simply rain out of time. 🙁 However, my favorite town thus far is Sao Martinho do Porto. It's very charming and it's a short 20 min drive into Caldas.

[@luisramos1609]

Portuguese people hate cold weather, and many are worried about COVID, so things are not as lively.

[@bigslotjackpots]

Good video, but “ouch” on the beauty comment. I think after you go into depth on it it’s make a bit of sense. I think that’s one of the reasons they are making it so easy to get Visas. The government wants the investment to fix things up, right? So I hope that happens.

[@yahtabroad]

What I found "interesting" is that some of the smaller nearby villages were in "better shape" than Caldas; especially considering the influx of people moving to Caldas (seems most Americans at least consider Caldas). I sure hope that the government actually puts the money into fixing Caldas, as it has just about everything you could need and want. It just needs a bit of elbow grease!

[@vivianawure1756]

I will like to get some contacts of some realtors I caldasda

[@ncjewelersllccascao123]

You need to do little more research its a 500 year old city. You were there in the winter, did you count the museums? Do you know anything about the culture of the city? like its ceramics its thermal hospital and what that building in the park was and its going to be?

[@yahtabroad]

Yes, I researched the city. The first thing I do before I visit any city is to review its wikipedia page (which provides the history); google search activities in and around the city; shopping; housing; schools; and lastly, are there any large developmental projects going on around the city (more so whether it will increase or decrease my housing options, the price of said housing, and/or my quality of life). The point of visiting in the winter is to actually experience what it will be like to Iive there during the winter. People live in these cities all year long. I've found several videos of people visiting Portugal during the summer / high season. So that perspective has already been shared (i.e., countless tourists!) I'm not a historian, nor do I provide walking tours of cities. If you're looking for that type of detailed information, I'm sure you could find other KZbin videos providing you a historical rundown of Caldas (there are some on KZbin that are quite good that I could recommend). As stated in the title of this video, this is just the my initial impression/opinion of spending time in Caldas during the winter and what I perceive as pros and cons. And the last consideration is video length. I try to hit on the items that I found interesting and not make these videos 1 hour long (i.e., like my response to you). 😀 So hopefully this helps explain my though process in putting these videos together.