Caldas da Rainha, Portugal *4 Month Update* Do we still love it?

Hi Friends! Greetings from Caldas da Rainha, Portugal on this fantastic 75 degree sunny day!
Can't believe it has been 4 months already since we packed our bags and landed in Portugal. I also can't believe how quickly my channel has been growing. I started my KZbin journey to help current and future families with their move to Portugal (specifically in the Silver Coast area) and I am so grateful for each and every one of you for supporting my channel.
With that being said, I've had some people reach out asking how life has been in Portugal, especially Caldas da Rainha. So that led me to making this video- an update on our life in Caldas. So please brew yourself a hot cup of coffee, sit back and relax. Hope you enjoy my ongoing ramble and find this video useful. If so, please hit the like button and if you haven't already, subscribe!
OTHER VIDEOS YOU MAY ENJOY
🍲 Two Week Grocery Costs- • COST OF LIVING IN PORT...
🏄 Explore Obidos and Surf Lessons- • Exploring Silver Coast...
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ABOUT US:
Hi! My name is Josie and my husbands name is Florian. We have three kids- Charlie, Lily and Chloe. After living in the United States my entire life, we have decided to explore my husbands side of the ocean- Europe! Hope you enjoy our journey.
#caldasdarainha #familylifeinportugal #movingtoportugal

[@krisgrotowski2216]

I can't wait to move to Portugal. Been there 4 times in the last 5 years and absolutely love it. Caldas is on the top of my list.

[@vilmapessanha7872]

Póvoa de Varzim, Matosinhos, Famalicao são ótimos tb, sol, praia, natureza.

[@vilmapessanha7872]

Porém caldas muito bom os novos imóveis modernos, lindos.

[@joemarques2617]

Hi Josie, I came across your channel by change and I’m glad I did. You see I left Caldas back in 1974 because of the political situation but lately I miss my town so much you actually made me cry of happiness and it’s nice to know that you’re enjoying life there! I live close to Fort Lauderdale more precisely in Pompano Beach and I’m thinking of going back to a more simple life not that it’s bad here but I’m getting older close to retirement and miss those places that I use to go to all the time. Maybe we’ll meet next summer like at “Praça da Fruta” ! Hope you and your family have a wonderful blessed life in Caldas!

[@jxb9468]

Hi Josie. Just found your Channel and was pleased to hear about Caldas. I'm in the UK and have a small place 10 mins walk to the castle gate in Óbidos. I've yet to move as it's a huge decision on my own. Unlike you, I don't have kids, but all the things you list, except schools, I'm in tune with... I also think Caldas is a great small city... you're giving me inspiration to make the move... thank you... Jx

[@JenShea]

Hi Josie, I just came upon this video. It was great to hear your perspective on moving to Caldas… I’m looking forward to watching any other videos you’ve posted. I lived in the Peniche area, for 3 months a few years back and have decided to make a permanent move, as soon as I am able. There is always an adjustment… I remember when I moved from Canada to New Jersey… there was some culture shock and adjusting… but you get used to it eventually. For me Portugal was the big unknown and I embraced every moment of it and fell head over heels in love! 🤗

[@wilfredobenitez7275]

Glad to hear about the weather. My wife and I were concerned about it being cooler there. We currently live in Lisbon but considering Caldas da Rainha as our place for long term living. Thank you.

[@tamirose787]

I really liked how you explained your process of choosing where you wanted to live. It was really heartwarming to hear how well your kids adapted and how they live Portugal. Makes me feel like I know it's a place I want to be. Thank you for putting out content. It is very helpful for those of us researching the move.

[@strawberries1411]

So happy for you all to have found a new place to root.. It's not easy to be transplanted no matter how much you prepare. Enjoy all the seasons..one day at a time.

[@hwinny2]

I just moved to Caldas in November. I love it!

[@stevefaulkner183]

This was SOO helpful!! We have a young child, thinking of moving to Portugal, and have the same priorities and concerns. So it was just so perfect how you explained and shared this!

[@juliefifi82]

Thanks for the video Josie ! my husband and I moving next month to Nadadouro near Foz ! So it will be interesting what the weather will be like. We like it on the mild side . I’ll say hi if I ever run into in Caldas 😊

[@learneuropeanportuguese]

Glad you enjoy my home town ❤️ miss Caldas.

[@kingafaulkner7136]

Great video! Keep them coming. We want to visit your area and maybe move there at some point at least part time 😊

[@christopheroverstreet2798]

So much great information in this video, Josie! Thank you so much, my husband and I have narrowed down Caldas as where we settle. I hope we can meet you one day, great videos.

[@Hello_Pri]

Thank you for another great video!

[@JoseOliveira-qq9mk]

I was only half through your vídeo when I made the last comnent. Well.... I was born and raised in Aveiro! I am do glad you liked MY City!

[@josieinportugal6454]

Gorgeous city! Will definitely be visiting often

[@xarmani2000x]

Girl! My wife and I really enjoyed your video! We've been doing a lot of research. My wife think she's going to love Caldas da Rainha. I told my wife I can totally see us hanging out with her if we did end up in CDR. We're a year behind you. We're looking to cool down as it is much too hot where we live. We have a son so a video about schools in the area would be awesome! Hopefully you'll share how you went about finding a long term rental in CDR.

[@josieinportugal6454]

Haha you had me at Girl! We have just become bffs 😂. Yes, one of my next videos will be our school experience and I’ll try to incorporate other options in this area. Thanks for watching!

[@luisramos1609]

If you want a cool place check out Guarda.

[@jedi_mapperp4073]

Wow. We have found a tailor-made resource in your channel. I play an extrovert as a teacher, but my wife and I are not social butterflies. My wife is very shy, even when meeting Filipinas (my wife moved to Northern VA because of me). Our family enjoys nature and exploring cultural sites. She is super excited to move to Portugal and experience the Old World architecture, history, and culture. We have a reason for moving that relates to the slower pace and the welcoming nature of the people, especially children (and getting away from the bubble). We have a mildly autistic son (10) who’s never made a friend in our neighborhood. The children just kind of ignore him as he plays around them. They aren’t mean, but they will cross a street to avoid him. It’s been isolating.

[@diariodaceia]

É maravilhoso mesmo. Moro nas Caldas da Rainha e amo tudo isso. Beijinhos 💋

[@Rabelo1301]

Thanks for sharing your thougths on linving in Caldas da Rainha. It was really handy, because we've decided to move to Portugal in 2025. As you know, choosing the place to live in Portugal is the hardest thing on one's planning. As we definitely want to avoid the hussle and bustle, Caldas da Rainha and its sorroundings seem the right place to be. Not to mention the beaches, like Foz do Arelho, Salir do Porto, São Martinho do Porto etc.

[@thepeacefulpack]

I agree with all that you said about Caldas (we bought in Obidos only visit Caldas all the time). The people are wonderful, the area is the perfect small city charm and it's so easy to visit Lisbon, Porto or any of the many beach areas within a 30 minute drive. Thanks for the Santana Market suggestion - we went on Sunday and I found a new pair of shoes :). Enjoy the weather.

[@josieinportugal6454]

I’m so glad you got to check out the Santana Market :)

[@ninarosaphotography2039]

Hi Josie, how cold is on winter in Caldas Da Rainha.? Obrigada pelos videos.

[@maryourada8974]

Hi Josie, I am looking into Caldas for my new home. Do you speak Portuguese? You mentioned some businesses you frequented and wondered if you spoke with them in Portuguese? I am just starting to learn. Thank you.

[@chadandalicehervey738]

Great update Josie!,,,,,, We just got our bank account and now we just need a 1 year lease on a great place for the family. Really hard since we have never been to Portugal--LOL Sometimes i feel crazy for the unknown exploration.Then again its not an exploration if you have already been,right?! Yikes.Thanks for the reinforcement on Caldas.We can only go where the T3 with heating is available and while there are lots of detached houses they seem to lack the heating factor-ughh.We have a few on the line and we know its temporary until we find the real place that fits our description so in limbo till then.Can you fill us in on the vaccination rules of kids and schools? Tall order but you may be able to give insight as you have 3 that may be in the local schools....???So many questions we have...,sorry----yowzers ! We really appreciate your videos and hope to find the detached home with heating soon....D7/VSF visa appointment in san francisco approaching 10/28...omg....stressing to find the magic home with heating....Keeep up the great work and once again, thank you for the posts.. chad and alice From sonoma county california---ha!....ps...glad you found your home........

[@josieinportugal6454]

Hi!! Omg that is so exciting! What you wrote could have been written by me because we also moved here barely knowing the area (we had only visited Caldas for one day). When we also moved here, we didn't have a long term rental lined up either, but I must say, it is easier finding a long term rental when you are here (though that might be challenging since you need it for your D7). To answer your question about vaccinations, my kids go to a private Portuguese school so I can't speak for the public, but the school asked for their updated medical records. Prior to moving, I made sure to request that with our local pediatrician. I'm not sure if America tend to vaccinate kids more than Portugal, but the school didn't mention any other vaccines needed other than what they had already received. Hope that helps and good luck with your move :)

[@estefkriti5326]

Hi! I am almost in the same situation that you are, married with 2 kids, looking for a family friendly place in Portugal, I loved Caldas and looked for shools there but I were not convinced about the google comments on them, some make horror stories. I know it is delicate information for you to share but I would really apreciate if you could give me a clue where your kids are studying The olny private school I found in Caldas was CDR but again it was not very good rated. Please help us! 😢😊

[@telltrading8349]

You never mentioned how the school works for kids moving to Portugal. Great videos keep makings them!

[@josieinportugal6454]

Hi! Yes, I am currently working on that one as we speak. Will be posting it later this week :)

[@LiMuBai]

Great video! Are your kids going to an international school? if so which one?

[@decarvalhomanu]

You can count me a new friend (I am 30minutes away from Caldas)…

[@seancaseo84]

How far are you from the beach?

[@SaraStoner1977]

Where should we work out in Caldas? An idea for a video would be.... Where to work out in Caldas! ( Indoor or outdoors).

[@josieinportugal6454]

Funny that you mentioned this- I will be filming- touring my gym tomorrow :)

[@garethholloway8438]

hi do you still live in caldas? if so what do you still think about living there, im asking because my ex wife moved to Caldas however our teens are in the uk with me and the uk is getting to be a tough place to live

[@luisramos1609]

How many parks and gardens are there in Caldas?

[@josieinportugal6454]

There are two main parks (Dom Carlos and Mata). They are also building another park/leisure area just outside of the city center where there is a new bike and pedestrian trail. It’s still under construction.

[@jyobee]

Do you still live in Caldas Da Rainha??

[@JoseOliveira-qq9mk]

Beware of the fact that the Autumn and Winter can be harsh, for what I understand your standards are. Expect wind, rain and cold to come your way shortly.

[@josieinportugal6454]

Eek! Well I’ll definitely make another updated video about the winter time here

[@JoseOliveira-qq9mk]

@@josieinportugal6454 Please, don't feel discomfortable about that.... It was just a friendly warning on what is coming.... We are in Europe, after all.

[@luisramos1609]

Is there any diversity in Caldas, as in people of color?

[@josieinportugal6454]

To be honest, I haven’t really paid attention to that. As with any bigger town/city, there will be more diversity than a smaller village/town.