Jan 2022 Expat Cost of Living On Madeira | Retired Couple Vlog

Considering retiring or moving as an expat to the beautiful island of Madeira, Portugal? In this video vlog, we break down the Jan. 2022 cost of living for a retired couple living on Madeira. From housing to groceries to entertainment, we'll give you a detailed look at what you can expect to spend as an expat living on this stunning island. Don't miss this important information as you plan your retirement abroad on Madeira!
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#costofliving #retiredcouplevlog #retirementadvice #madeira

[@6861Charley]

This is amazing, internet and phone bills are much cheaper than what I'm paying in US. Thank you for sharing.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello there! Thank you for the comment! Please check out our series of videos detailing all expenses over months. Sometimes it gets even cheaper!! Lol! We are glad you enjoyed the video! Cheers! M&D

[@Truetomyself197]

Again, thank you very much for making such informational videos. It helps alot !!

[@Track_Us_Down]

Thank YOU for the feedback! We really appreciate it 💙 🙂

[@kevinandmerrandaalbert2026]

Love this realistic and refreshing overview of your expenses. Thanks Doug and Monique!

[@Track_Us_Down]

Well thank YOU for the feedback - we appreciate it! Take care and be well - D & M

[@BradleyMarshall]

Thank you! This video is very helpful! Keep it up!

[@Track_Us_Down]

Thank you very much for the feedback and encouragement! Much appreciated!

[@OrganicFreedom]

Another great video! This is really helpful! Thank you so much! :)

[@Track_Us_Down]

Thank you so much! Cheers! M&D

[@retired_in_portugal]

Great video, Nice to see such a detailed breakdown of costs

[@Track_Us_Down]

Thanks so much - glad you liked it! 😀

[@martinamcmayo3826]

I absolutely LOVE your channels and your content. You are very detailed and transparent. You answer any question that could arise for anyone watching your videos.

[@Track_Us_Down]

That's great feedback - thank you so much! ☺ All the best! Monique & Doug

[@yannip2083]

Excellent video on your cost of living! Very informative.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching and if you like check out our other cost of living videos as we always dive into other things we have found interesting and good as far as cost to live here on Madeira! Cheers! D & M

[@etiennegreyling6190]

Hi guys what a fantastically informative video! Went to Madeira last November and fell in love with it- Hopefully moving there at the end of the year! Please keep the videos coming!

[@Track_Us_Down]

Thank you so much for that! We do appreciate the feedback 😀 That's great that you are hoping to move here too! All the very best to you! D & M

[@NickysGirl]

Thank you for all the information! I am very excited to be relocating to Funchal Madeira.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Laurie! You will not be disappointed. Promise. Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D

[@allanelliot1566]

Great....Your so positive & it shows!!!

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Allan! Thank you so much for watching and for the kind words. We appreciate it! Cheers! M&D

[@alicrosspilates1392]

I’m loving all the tips you guys are sharing! It’s so helpful as I plan to come to Madeira to live in a year or so from the Uk 😊👍

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello! Thank you so much for watching and we are so glad you find value in our content. Best of luck to you as you make your plans. Cheers! ‘M&D

[@tyrafox2048]

Thanks for sharing. Really interesting… and well done you guys for early retirement… something we should all have aspirations for ❤️🦊

[@Track_Us_Down]

Glad you like it! Thanks for reaching out, we really appreciate your feedback 🙂 Cheers! D & M

[@WhoCares..808]

Excellent, succinct and to the point presentation ! 👍Thanks!

[@Track_Us_Down]

You're welcome! 😀

[@laurencedasques3678]

Hi, thank you for sharing, it’s very interesting to make the comparable. All the best, laurence

[@Track_Us_Down]

Thank you for watching! Glad you found it interesting! Cheers, D & M

[@paulmccarthy8916]

Great video. Many thanks.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Thank you! 🙂

[@lesliekwan6654]

Thank you for sharing very informative

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hi Leslie! Thank you for the comment and feedback! Cheers! M&D

[@ColbyHenderson13]

Thank you for sharing!

[@Track_Us_Down]

Our pleasure!

[@patriciaoneill2720]

Hi Guys! Really interesting video. We are hoping to move from Scotland to the Silver Coast region of Portugal later this year. I know Madeira is a little different from mainland Portugal, but it’s still very relevant information. Thank you. Great presentation. Good luck. I look forward to watching more. 😊

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hi! Thank you very much - we appreciate the feedback 😉. That's great that you are also planning your exciting move! The Silver Coast looks beautiful. While surely a little different from the mainland, we're glad that you found some useful information. All the very best to you in your endeavours! D & M

[@screenrec]

Thanks 👍 for posting

[@Track_Us_Down]

Our pleasure 😊 We are having some fun with this!

[@TS-ct8it]

Really enjoyed this video and appreciate the details. I’d love to know more about the drivers license process. I’ve been looking into it but getting conflicting info. SUBSCRIBED. 😀

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hi! Glad it was helpful! That is a great idea - we will definitely explain the process we followed in an upcoming video, and how it was smooth sailing for us as far as exchanging our DL's. All the best - D & M

[@tehilash7292]

Beautiful scenery video👌

[@Track_Us_Down]

Thank you so much! It's quite easy to capture beauty on Madeira - it's everywhere! 😃

[@jessbrown1719]

I am moving there in June I can’t wait!!

[@Track_Us_Down]

Congrats! We haven't seen a June here yet - but based on their "winter," I'm sure it's just beautiful!

[@buckw65]

Thanks so much for the details on costs. That retirement lifestyle would be similar to ours .

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello! Thank you for watching our video and we are so glad you found value in the content. Cheers! M&D

[@fuegobistro790]

Hey guys! My wife and I are retiring early as well and moving to Madeira from Phoenix in June. We cannot wait to get there and thanks so much for a ton of great information items like the Allianz insurance! We have purchased a little farmhouse in the town of Campanario and we are ready to start the second half of our life as well We would love to connect this summer with you guys Cheers! Jeff and Amanda

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hi Jeff & Amanda! Thanks for reaching out - that is great news and congrats to you both!! Absolutely please look us up when you get here 🙂 Cheers!

[@KarinMeierMagruder]

Parabéns! I’ll bet you’re counting the minutes!

[@caribbeantina4755]

Allianz insurance is WAY over priced look into Millennium BCP insurance options through Medis. Watch Caribbean E for more info 👍🏽

[@mariemyers6747]

Tucson, Arizona here and looking to do the same! Did you two make it to Portgual? If so, all settled in? How did it go?

[@raymondc5473]

Just found you guys, love the vlog, I'm now checking out property in Madera 🙂

[@Track_Us_Down]

Welcome aboard! Thank you for that feedback 😀 and good luck to you in your search - that's great! D & M

[@cronoscoin417]

I Am actually waiting for the visa to get to Madeira too. I should be there in the next month, and can't wait! I'm from Los Angeles, so Madeira is sooooooooo much cheaper. I used to rent a studio in Venice for about $2K/month. Thanks for the video and maybe I'll see you two on the island

[@Track_Us_Down]

Thats great! Thanks for reaching out. I think most people would be "shocked," or at least pleasantly surprised by the beautiful lifestyle here. Safe travels, and yes we could see you around! D & M

[@jimjensen9139]

Sometime if you are looking for video ideas I would be interested in a comparison of grocery stores like Continente, Pingo Doce, Spar and something like a mercado or outdoor farmers market. Really enjoy your videos and all the information. Thanks for sharing. I looked up the Meo channels available and it looked like about 20 in English.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Thanks for the ideas! We may just do that. That sounds about right for Meo, however to be honest, other than some news, sports, and movies, we don't watch much cable TV so it seems plenty enough! 😃 Take care, D & M

[@PhaoanEgypt]

Thank you for sharing

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello John ! You’re welcome and thank you for watching! Cheers! M&D

[@Schaded88]

This is a great video 👍

[@Track_Us_Down]

Glad you think so! Thanks so much! 😃

[@Schaded88]

@Track Us Down! I've been trying to convince my wife to move to Portugal for 2 years now. We live on a fixed income because she is disabled and one day years ago I found a video just like this one, I immediately knew we were going. Thank you for letting people know about your experience, some of us never knew they could have so much.

[@Track_Us_Down]

@@Schaded88 Thanks for reaching out! We are so happy you found some of our information helpful -- all the very best to you both! D & M

[@onethought3084]

Extremely affordable and amazing lifestyle! I was just surprised you paid so must for your apartment, then i realized it was a house :)) it's not hard to find a furnished apartment in the center of funchal for 500-600 euro! wishing you an amazing life in Portugal! love your dog :))

[@Track_Us_Down]

Your first sentence beautifully sums up how we would describe it here! You're right, others likely could find something even less in rent, but on our 2-week (too short) timeline with our dog, we were happy to snap it up. Thanks SO much for the well-wishes! Cheers! D & M

[@adelinekeys6582]

how please?

[@onethought3084]

@@adelinekeys6582 check sites like idealista and similar others specifically for Portugal and Madeira. Don't do airbnb long term as it's overpriced. Good luck 😊

[@ryancap1188]

I live in the azores for 25 years, growing up in rabo de peixe, sao miguel acores, and a good apartment in ponta Delgada will cust you 350 to 500 euros, 1000 euros is pricey

[@Track_Us_Down]

Nice! Can't wait to visit the Azores!

[@justice9577]

You are very nice . All the best. Hop to see you in Madeira

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Justice! Thank you for watching and for the kind words! Happy Holidays 🎄! M&D

[@gandurisiidei]

So, under this conditions, for 30 years of equivalent costs, you are looking at around 750.000 Euros. If you were to buy a property fully and not pay rent anymore, you should save around 100.000-150.000 Euros. In order to be fully independent of any problems that involve money or having to be forced to produce an income, you would need roughly 1 million euros for 2 people for around 30-40 years of living there. For any surprises or desires to travel more or improve the living conditions (if needed) and to account for depreciation, you should add another 10-20%. So, all in all, no worries and full consciousness, 1.2 million euros for 30-40 years of living. 😎

[@Track_Us_Down]

That is some serious number crunching! Isn't it crazy when you do that math, how the costs just look unbelievable? However, if we were to do the same math for how much it takes to raise a child - or even a dog 🐶 😆 - it could easily scare people away from doing anything! I think we'll just take it by the month for now 😉 Cheers! D & M

[@mariusgrobler4235]

Thx I really enjoy your videos... it's always good to understand other people's motivations for making such life changing decisions. It would be great to understand your motivation and thought process on 'why Madeira'? In other words of all the lovely places out there in the world what made you chose Madeira? Many thx Marius

[@Track_Us_Down]

Thank you very much! I agree, it is reassuring to learn other peoples' motivations and to feel connected, especially for something this big. You have asked an excellent question! We will definitely be addressing that! Cheers! D & M

[@gregembury5949]

Hello Teena and I moved to Funchal Jan 2020 just as Covid hit. Enjoying your videos and they confirm our experiences. We purchased a non vented Candy brand dryer from Conforama $300 and my wife loves how it drys. Electric bill is about €90. Send us a note if you want to do coffee with a couple of 70 year olds near the Forum mall.

[@Track_Us_Down]

That's great! Thank you so much for reaching out - we really appreciate it. We know what you mean - we, too, like it very much when we speak to others who confirm our experiences. We would love to meet up! We can be reached at [e-mail] 😀 Cheers! D & M

[@mohammedsharif2651]

Awesome couple. Great video and useful information. Love your videos as they are clear and organized. We are retired in Southern California and the cost of living here is very high compared to what you reported in your videos 🥲. 50% of your cost of living is rent. I wonder if you plan to buy a home on the island in future or you will continue to rent? Keep up the great work and thank you much for the informative videos. Good luck 🙏👏🥂.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello! Thank you very much for your comments and feedback - we really do appreciate it! Yes so far we are finding our new cost of living much less expensive, but we also look forward to watching it unfold further, as the months roll on. We continue to learn about, and adapt our "Retirement Budget," as this whole retirement thing is so new to us! And you are so right about the rent - we are exploring purchasing here, losing the rent cost, and making Madeira our travel/living base. It seems so nice here in so many respects. But of course, this type of evaluation takes a bit of time! Cheers!

[@John_McFadden]

Thanks for taking the time to post this excellent video, guys. It's very helpful to see your expenses for a more normal month. In one of your previous videos you mentioned that Pingo Doce has all the pet supplies you need. Does this include non pet food items or is there a pet store that you go to for those? Thanks again.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello and thank you! Yes we love seeing our costs trend downwards, as we learn more about and settle into our retirement budget 😃. With regard to pets, there are literally tons of modern vets, pet supply stores, and even kiosks all over the place. All the streets around, at ground level, are shops of various kinds and cafes and restaurants, with seemingly at least one of those shops some sort of pet supply or vet. It seems that every mall here (large and small) has a pet store or kiosk in it. So not only do the supermarkets like Pingo Doce and Continente have great pet sections with all sorts of foods, collars, bowls, toys (for dogs, cats, birds, etc) - so do all the independent shops and vets around have even more. Quality and prices are great, too. At Continente, we even found pre-packaged rice, marketed just for dogs 😂,

[@John_McFadden]

@@Track_Us_Down Great to know. Thanks for the additional information. Cheers.

[@stephenjarzombek2903]

Great video! Madeira seems to be a fantastic option for retirement living, especially with respect to cost of living and climate. I had been watching a lot of videos that covered the Algarve, but now I think Madeira would be just as good or better. A Canadian couple posted quite a few videos from spending the winter in various towns in the Algarve in recent years, and they frequently ate lunch at the cafe inside the Pingo Doces there. Do many of the Pingo Doces in Funchal have cafes?

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello and thank you for reaching out! Yes we are loving Madeira. So far (I know we're early on) we don't feel "island fever," and even if at some point (years?) we did, it's easy and inexpensive flights to European mainland destinations. Ryan Air is soon to start here in addition to the others. There is so much to do here and places to go, and the weather here beats the mainland year-round! While I can't speak for all of them, we know of at least 3 Pingo Doce off the top of our heads that we've been in - large and small - that have a cafe with delicious, fresh-cooked, large-variety and inexpensive food to eat for lunch or dinner - it really is great. I'm assuming that most if not all have it. Cheers!

[@stephenjarzombek2903]

@@Track_Us_Down Thanks so much. My wife and I honeymooned on Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii, a few years after I had been to Maui and Kauai with my parents and sibs. I thought the only one of those I could live on was the Big Island as it was so less crowded. Now that we are in our 60s though, living in a city where we don't have to drive for absolutely everything would be wonderful! After I posted the comment, I realized I could use Google Maps to find the Pingo Doces and check pictures from customers. The pictures of the larger ones tended to include cafe seating, but some of the smaller ones didn't, but that could just be coincidence. The same couple visited the Azores and found that fire stations in several cities there had cafes that served lunch at incredibly low prices, too! I was also pleasantly surprised that your internet/phone/tv total is so low there. We pay $230 USD/month for 30 mbps internet, VoIP phone, Hulu Live for TV, and the cheapest cellphone plan for 2 phones available here in Indiana.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Tested our internet speed: Download = 217 mbps, and Upload = 118 mbps 😉

[@stephenjarzombek2903]

@@Track_Us_Down That's insane value.

[@dianez8634]

Very informative! Thank you both. Did you do scouting trips before moving to Portugal? Are you on D7 visa?

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello! Great to hear that 😀 . No in-person scouting trip, just a lot of online research, and from that we definitely felt comfortable at least starting our retirement here - it sure hasn't disappointed! Yes, we are on the D7. Cheers!

[@cookmaster3626]

This is the 2nd vlog i am watching tonight. You answered one of my questions -You are on a D7 visa great. I thought Madeira would be expensive than Portugal and apparently not. Have you examined how Portugal taxes you under D7 on the US income. Cheers!

[@Track_Us_Down]

Ahhh yes... taxes.. That's a work in progress for us, lol.. As far as Madeira vs mainland Portugal, I believe from all we've learned and researched, that mainland is even less expensive to live, depending on where you choose, of course. Take care!

[@hirendrapatel480]

Thank you for posting such a beautiful and detailed video. I am 70 and thinking about moving there , like to know how to find a furnished apartment.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Hirendra! Thank you for watching and for your kind message. 🌺 That is very exciting that you are considering Madeira. We would like to share with you that we have met several ladies your age and older who are planning or have relocated on their own here. Many join a ladies luncheon group and have made new friends. Best of luck in your decision. Finding a furnished apartment requires looking on Idealista or Flatio, as well as making contact with real estate agents who have places to rent out. Please make sure you are using a reputable agency as there are scams ( like anywhere) Watch our Scammed video! If you are here, you can pop into real estate agencies as ask what is available for rental. Best of luck! Cheers! M&D

[@WiLNorCaL]

dayum!! Leo needs to get a job!! ;)) LOL Thanks so much for the information..so useful!! Cheers.. WiL

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello! Sure Leo’s up for a job! You got anything in mind? lol! You’re welcome and thank you so much for watching. Cheers! M&D

[@Larry-jh8gf]

Nice job thanks for sharing. I'm planning on retiring to mainland Portugal. Never considered Funchal before today. Looks gorgeous and very reasonable. How expensive is it to get to the mainland? I'm looking forward to watching your other videos.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Thanks for the feedback and great question! Madeira sure is worth considering. It's very inexpensive overall to get to the mainland. With discount airlines like Ryan Air and similar, it can be as low as 15€ depending on how flexible you are. With Portugal's TAP Airline, if you are a resident of Madeira, the round-trip flight is capped at 86€! Check out our "Why Madeira" video for more details. Thanks for watching us, and all the very best to you in your endeavours! Doug & Monique.

[@Larry-jh8gf]

@@Track_Us_Down Thanks I'll take a look at it.

[@georgepiteira7586]

Hi Monique and Doug, congrats on your early retirement and great channel. Is there a buyers agent that you are working within Madeira that you can recommend?

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello! Thank you very much 😀 I wish we could answer that better. We have talked to SO many agents over the past several months but in the end, from our own experience and the many people we've talked to, we learned that it's best to scour the websites like Idealista, and walk the streets, and drive the areas, in order to find a place ALONG with talking to as many agencies as possible. It seems that the more people you talk to, only then do builders' contacts start coming out (for pre-builds), or someone who knows someone who is selling a home, condo, or apartment, unadvertised. There is no MLS here, so each agency has their own listings, some of which surprisingly aren't even being advertised publicly. As a start, we liked Rosa Henriques from kwAREA MADEIRA (KellerWilliams) - [e-mail], and Carlos Oliveira from Prediclub Funchal - [e-mail] although I doubt they actually remember us! Hope this helps in your search - all the best! D & M

[@ourtravellifevideos6885]

Enjoyed watching your cost of living video.. I am 48 years old and starting to scout where my husband and I can retire in the future. We have purchased some condos in South East Asia, but looking to see if we can also buy a condo there in Portugal as an investment property and a vacation home in our retirement.

[@Track_Us_Down]

That's great that you are doing all the research - you won't go wrong here. That was basically the same age we got serious about putting our plans in motion. Thanks so much for watching our video and all the very best to you both on your journey! Doug & Monique

[@robertmills6772]

Hi. We love your videos and we are slowly falling in love with Madeira. However, is there an active cycling culture there? Thank you!

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Robert ! Thank you for your kind words and for watching our videos. Madeira is a wonderful place! There is a very active cycling culture here. There are road bikes and mountain bikes. We see groups going out as well as cycling races. One race went right by our home! Cheers! M&D

[@robertmills6772]

@@Track_Us_Down Thank you very much for the reply! Now Madeira looks even better.

[@serenapimentel7372]

Thanks for the video. Do the apartments there like yours have maintenence fees?

[@Track_Us_Down]

Not at all, everything was included in the rent! 😀

[@dianapitt5665]

Thanks for all the information you are sharing. My husband and I are moving there on May 2023, and your videos are very helpful to us. Can you please share the process you went to bring your dog to Madeira? I have an English Cream and that is probably my biggest worry. Thanks again!

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hi and thank you very much for your questions and encouragement - we really appreciate it, and congrats on your planned move next year - that is very exciting and the time will go by fast! English Creams are beautiful dogs :) We've had a few questions about that process so we are going to do an entire video on that soon, as even when we went through the move with our dog, there was so little available online with good, reliable information. We had to cobble it all together. I know we would have liked a definitive video/write-up on someone's recent experience flying overseas with a dog, large or small. Ours was a large dog so couldn't be in the cabin. But he was just fine across 3 flights over 4 days! While it wouldn't do it justice in this reply, for now from one dog-lover to another, I can tell you it will be okay, your pooch will travel safely and healthy, and with proper planning, the process will all work out fine. So stay tuned and all the best!

[@rangamurali7667]

We wonder how we are going to take our pug who’s 22 pounds. Planes don’t seem to allow unless some loopholes and flexibility we are not aware of. Great video on Jan ‘22 costs!

[@Track_Us_Down]

Thank you so much! You are right - depending on the size and breed of the dog, it can be tough or impossible, including outright restrictions for some, such as those with short, flat muzzles. All the best to you! D & M

[@onethought3084]

@@rangamurali7667 being in a similar situation, I would suggest checking connecting flights and variety of airlines, also mixing planes/trains/ferries...! some breeds and some types of pets are really hard to transport, but never impossible! it took us two months to find the right way! best of luck!

[@Just_passing_through23]

Hi guys… I was born and raised in Sydney Australia, and I looked at Portugal 7 years ago along with many other places around the world to retire early. I’m also an Italian citizen so I already have a European passport because of my father, but I don’t think I’d choose Europe simply because it’s still very expensive to live and will simply keep getting more expensive as more trouble looms on the horizon and as by the countries infrastructure ages and governments run out of money for upkeep of the countries etc. I can’t say I’m surprised at how expensive your monthly budget is to live there, I know many people are most probably amazed, but personally having experience of Europe to me I see it as just expensive to live there, you aren’t getting your true monies worth, sure some things are less, and maybe it’s because I don’t know just how expensive living in America is, but Sydney is very expensive also so I speak on this basis… Europe is expensive none the less. I never knew about Madeira until I saw a recent KZbin video by “it’ll be fun” and it seems stunning to be certain and really hope you guys love it there, but being an island I feel you will sooner or later run out of things to do unless you begin to travel. For myself I’ve finally fixed my eyes on Turkeys Mediterranean south coast which is far cheaper than Europe and will give far greater retirement opportunities than Europe can ever offer. I mean you can long rent a modern two bedroom apartment in a beautiful coastal town or city for $300 per month and grocery shopping will cost $100 US per month. Basically a couple can live in Turkey for $5000 US per year everything included and your adventures are limitless within the country and Europe and Asia on your doorstep, imagine how much extra money you’ll have set aside to travel and really enjoy life….! For yourselves I guess being slightly cheaper than America and being a new phase etc I can understand how it’s all new from what you had etc and I truly hope it lasts, but for myself who travels to Europe every year and spends time with family there and finally visiting turkey in January for 6 weeks after researching for 3 yrs I can truly say Turkey is certainly the diamond of Europe. And you can get citizenship within 3 months by simply purchasing a property of 400k US. It was 250k but recently was raised. Mind you properties can be purchased for just 60k and obviously goes up to the stars also, but with a little research you will see how amazing it is for anyone interested. It’s a safe country, people are amazingly friendly as it’s literally ingrained in them from birth, infrastructure is new as the country is in the last 10 years just starting to grow and becoming a global competitor in many fields, roads are the best I’ve ever seen in any country including here in Australia, it’s basically the centre of the world between east and west. Turkey should pay me for the info I’m giving hahaha Just thought I’d give you guys some info in case you’ve never considered it, but no matter what I wish you all the best in your adventures :)

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hi there! Thank you for the comment and the insight. It sounds like you are really thinking this through! We wish you the best of luck going forward. Cheers! D&M

[@mentezari]

Thank you so much for the detailed cost of living. My wife and I are planning to retire in mainland Portugal in April 2024. What advise would you give please? Thanks again 😊

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello! Welcome to our channel. Thanks so much for watching and for your kind comment. Mainland Portugal is amazing. As for advice: do your own research, run the numbers several times including worst case scenario, downsize and come with minimal possessions, and be incredibly open minded. And in the end, know there is nothing done that can’t be undone. If you hate it or change your mind or just want to go back - you can. It’s an adventure. Best of luck to you! Cheers! M&D

[@seanburchill5373]

Hi guy's, thanks for sharing. How does this month's total compare with the average month you were spending in N. America? I'm guessing it would be around 50% lower overall. Keep well!

[@Track_Us_Down]

Great question, thank you. As noted, utilities are way less for us compared to this time last year, but we have also downsized our needs into more of "retirement lifestyle," with less stuff, and without the costs of a detached home. So far for us, in retirement, we are seeing good indications that our day-to-day costs will in fact be much much less than N. America, leaving the budget room we want for repeated and ongoing travel. Cheers!

[@janekim7128]

Great info. I was wondering if you can share the tax situation when moving abroad. Are you paying taxes back in the US and in Portugal? This topic has me stumped in moving forward

[@Track_Us_Down]

Thank you very much. Ahh, taxes... that is a work in progress. This is a weird year for us as we will be paying 2021 taxes from back home, but will start paying Portuguese income taxes in 2022, and beyond. I know what you mean though. It can be very confusing, with varied or contradictory information online. We will definitely be in a better position to answer this question in the future as our tax situation unfolds. Not much help right now I know! Take care, D & M

[@janlarsen9444]

@@Track_Us_Down Tax is an issue. The US, as the only country in the West, tax accordingly to citizenship. All other countries tax after source of income / where you live. That means as a US citizen you will pay US taxes until the US tax offices lets you go. In PT you can apply for a NHR status. That means for 10 years you will not pay PT tax on dividends etc.

[@agl5132]

Regarding the 6 months of health insurance for temporary residency. Do you have to show the policy for a 6-month contract or do you need to have purchased 6 months' worth in advance?

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hi! As part of the D7 visa application, we had to submit proof of private healthcare for a minimum of 6 months. If you are interested, check out one of our latest videos, on Portuguese healthcare and private healthcare for the D7 visa, for more details! Cheers, D & M

[@wVVzCnl1PrU]

we have found your videos greatly informative, and we are here from Boston looking for a house to buy and were wondering who your agent and lawyer were {if younrecommend them!} and where your great condo is located. we have only found places much more expensive, around 500k and up. keep up the videos. Arnold

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Arnold! Thank you so much for watching and for the kind words. Please email us at [e-mail] and we can share that information with you. We are living in Sao Goncalo Funchal! Thanks for your support! Happy Holidays 🎄! M&D

[@margottomasik2108]

Hello, I just discovered your beautiful video. I absolutely loved it. I have a few questions. Do you currently speak Portuguese? I am a dual citizen of USA and Poland, currently living in Seattle, WA. Are the rules for living in Portugal same for US citizens as for another EU citizen as far as permanent residency there? Are you planning on buying a house/an apartment there in the near future?

[@Track_Us_Down]

Thank you so much for watching! No, we currently do not speak Portuguese, but we are on it, and picking up words so far via immersion, with plans to take lessons. It's not an easy language to learn! No the rules are different if you have an EU passport - no need for D7 visa or limits on staying in country. We did buy a house! Check out many of our other videos where we dive into our new home tour, closing costs, and some processes / challenges! Cheers! Doug & Monique

[@300rivers7]

This is INSANE! My wife and I could nearly afford to live there on what we pay for our cars, gas and insurance alone here in the US. Without ever touching our SS, pensions or other investments. Time to move :-)

[@Track_Us_Down]

Isn't it crazy? For us, moving to Madeira (or Portugal in general for that matter) has been like entering the Twilight Zone, an alternate universe for sure - low cost of living, amazing people, amazing weather, great healthcare, and virtually no crime. Better than we could ever imagine. Cheers!

[@michaeldeutch]

Ola, Nice video. I saw your first video and then skipped to this one. I’m moving to Madeira in April. I’ll be in Cascáis in March. Any tips on a realtor there? I’ll be starting at an airbnb and will check out LT housing after arriving. I have a ton of questions… LOL. Is your gym membership for 1 or 2? Seems very affordable. I’m curious how much your car cost…you didn’t mention that in the first video. Did you already get your residency card after the SEF appointment in Portugal or are you still in that process? And do you have any videos on the driver’s license process? It seems you were able to buy the car before getting the license. Is that true? Before the residency card? Your tip on the travel vs. Local health insurance is useful. I have the travel kind from Allianz but will change it after I arrive in PT. Thanks for the great info.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Olá! Thank you so much for the feedback! VERY much appreciated. Congrats on your upcoming move - that is awesome! Cascáis was also high on our list (anywhere in Portugal, really - what a beautiful country) You have great questions, I hope we can help with some of them! Realtor: There's C21 here, Remax, and MANY more.... I'm sure it all comes down to a matter of opinion/experience with, but strictly from our experience here in Madeira, and in talking with them about the mainland, I would suggest kw realty... we really liked them, they are a major player here all over Portugal. Gym membership: Yes, that is for 2 of us, a great price - not the high-end-has-everything gym (i.e. pool, sauna), but has all we need and then some, great people, and we love it... Car: We are going to do a video about our car-buying experience, but will say you will have a better choice and less expensive experience on the mainland. SEF: Within 3-4 weeks of our SEF appointments, our residency cards arrived via registered mail 😃 Driver's license: You are on point my friend - we are also planning on a video on our driver's license process, but yes, we were able to buy our car before having a local license, no problem, and before getting our residency - again, no problem. Take care and all the best to you!! 👍 😎

[@michaeldeutch]

@@Track_Us_Down Great information, thanks. After leaving the comment, I watched your video on the apartment. I’m only looking for a 1br but loved the size of your place. Looks really nice. Congrats on your move! My SEF appointment is in August so I have time to setup a LT residence before that appointment. :) And since I will be in cascais / Lisbon area, I may go car shopping and ship it to the island. I haven’t investigated those costs / timing yet. I’ll add it to the growing list. ;-)

[@michaeldeutch]

@@Track_Us_Down well, signed my lease in Madeira and booked my flight today! It’s getting really real right about now. Flight in about 48 hours to Lisbon. Madeira the following week to start getting settled.

[@AvuandMiku]

Hey , doing good job , plz tell the price of 2 bedroom apartment

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello.. the one we are currently living in, we saw on an old advertisement poster in a Realtor shop window, listed for 275,000 € ... of course we don't know what it actually sold for though, but guessing less. Cheers!

[@LiLi-yp4eq]

Wonderful sharing! I’m not a resident in Portugal. Can I purchase the private health insurance as a visitor when I travel to Portugal for a few months? Thanks.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hi there! Thank you for the comment and question. We believe that you would need to purchase travel insurance/ healthcare if you were visiting for a few months. If we recall correctly private healthcare is typically for a year. Cheers! M&D

[@Track_Us_Down]

As well you would need a NIF number to apply for healthcare.

[@LiLi-yp4eq]

@@Track_Us_Down Thank you for replying! I love your channel and subscribed. 👍

[@mercedescue1655]

Did you bring your household goods over from the states?

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Mercedes! We sold everything. 😀We did a few videos on downshifting and selling where we talk in depth about this. We wanted to let go of all the things that held us down and start fresh. We are so glad we did. We would not recommend bringing anything from North America. Please check out our videos! Thanks for watching and commenting! Cheers! M&D

[@junuc10]

Madeira is on my list of potential relocation spots. Would love to connect with you guys for advise offline.

[@Track_Us_Down]

That’s great! Sure, feel free to shoot us an email at [e-mail]. Cheers!

[@music4249]

I would like to know did you fly direct from the Staes to Madeira or did you have to go to Lisbon first and how hard was it to bring your dog and how expensive are the vets. I would appreciate any help,thank you

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Frank! All great questions! We have 2 dog videos we made about our experience traveling with Leo. Please check them out if you’re interested! Also our February cost of living , we talk about our vet experience, as Leo has had some issues. We flew from North America to Lisbon and stayed 2 nights at a dog friendly hotel then to Madeira by choice. We explain why in our dog video . Vets here are amazing and thorough and less expensive than North America. We have an excellent vet and dog sitter to recommend if you ever need. Best of luck whatever you are planning! 🐶 Cheers! M&D

[@music4249]

Thanks kids,I am 80 years old and Nemo is 12 and a diabetic and blind but full of life,I lost my wife to covid in 2021 so Nemo and I want some warm weather not hot like vegas but warm.Hope to meet you soon,I am looking for a private jet from Teterboro to Lisbon but nothing yet,every flight now is going south.Ciao

[@music4249]

I forgot I lived 27 years in and around Monaco

[@zuchs1969]

Great video. My husband and I moved to Portugal in August 2021 currently living in Porto. How did you switch your driver licenses so fast! We have submitted the documents to IMT. We heard its taking up to a year to switch.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello, and thank you! We can't wait to visit Porto - it looks gorgeous! We tried on their online IMT site and uploaded supporting documents etc., then never heard anything back other than an auto-response. With our 90 days running out, we took our licenses downtown Funchal to the main office and queued up like others and told the man sorting people at the door that we were there to exchange our N. American licenses. He didn't even blink, just directed us to the next available wicket. The lady there pleasantly processed each of us in turn, took our new photo, took our old license, etc. and gave us our temporary paper licences. Within 3 weeks we received our plastic Portuguese licenses via registered mail. Of note, when I showed the lady at the counter the auto-response from IMT, she seemed perplexed and very dismissive of it - she showed it to another lady and they both waved it off. I got the impression that maybe they do it differently on Madeira? In any event it may be worth a trip to your local office, with all your documents in hand. Cheers and best of luck! D & M

[@zuchs1969]

@@Track_Us_Down Thank you so much! I am so happy I asked. We are just waiting for my husbands renewed drivers licence from Canada then we will go to IMT show them the same emails from when our docs were submitted and hope we can get it done. Porto is very beautiful lots of "eye candy" great food!

[@conniestancil2467]

Did you have to take a driver's license test?Was it in Portuguese? You did not have a choice to keep your North American drivers license?

[@zuchs1969]

@@conniestancil2467 what we have read we have 2 years from the time of residency to switch our drivers licence. We are waiting for our drivers History's to come that are stamped from the ministry of Ontario then we need to get that apostilled at the consulate to apply for the appointment. If you miss the deadline to switch them yes the classes and driving test is in Portuguese.

[@jessbrown1719]

Also, does your apartment have a/c? Do you need air conditioning there?

[@Track_Us_Down]

We do not have A/C, this apartment never came with it. So far we haven't needed it in this apartment, but we may long for it come the hotter months - time will tell! We have several windows facing different directions, so we may be able to get a good breeze going, but if the air is hot, it may still be uncomfortable. During our first 2-week rental in mid-October in a similar building and floor, we only had a fan and it was sweltering at night. We see that many places here in Funchal do have A/C, while many do not. Electricity on the island is a more costly utility on Madeira and I'm guessing that's a main reason, but that many people would prefer to have it. It might depend also at what elevation one lives at, as it gets cooler going up. Hope that helps.. I think a better, 2-word answer would be, "It depends." 😜

[@jessbrown1719]

@@Track_Us_Down I am worried about sleeping at night if it is too hot. I guard if I come in June I might be inspired to spring for a/c. 😊

[@Jess-rj3qd]

Hey guys! You two are totally living the dream! I'm about your age and considering retirement to Portugal in 8-10 years. Your 10 reasons to retire early video has got me thinking if it's feasible to move that up. Anyway, I was wondering if you have had problems accessing stuff such as computers, electronics, etc. Is shipping packages to Madeira a big headache? And what are some very common things that might be hard to come by on the island? Thanks!

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hi! Thanks for reaching out! That's great that you are also considering Portugal - you will love it. We have had no problems at all accessing anything. Portugal has high-tech stores like fnac, Worten's, and others that rival anything back in N. America for electronics, etc., including a vast selection. Plus Amazon Spain ships to Portugal including Madeira, and IKEA in LIsbon also ships to Madeira. As far as shipping packages into Portugal, if the contents within the package are not from the European Union (e.g. electronics from the U.S.), then one can expect a heavy tariff applied. Packages may take a bit longer to get here, but we're in no rush. Shipping the other way, their CTT post office has international bubble envelopes and express shipping that works within days from Madeira to U.S. (we've used it) and the price was not bad at all. Common things that might be hard to come by on the island... hmm.. oh yes - Advil, Tylenol, etc. - What we would normally consider over the counter drugs that we find in any gas station or 7Eleven back in N. America in vast selections and quantities, here they have to be asked for at the pharmacy and then dispensed in small quantities. We couldn't find simple calamine lotion here, the pharmacist looked at me strangely... instead we had to get some sort of lotion dispensed that had calamine as a portion of the ingredients... Conversely, they have GREAT, stylish clothes and shoes here, and amazing sports equipment... So nothing that we can't handle! Hope that helps. Cheers! D & M

[@ricosadao828]

Prices sound astronomical ..(viewed from Thailand)

[@Track_Us_Down]

Yes it's all relative... But Thailand is gorgeous! All the best!

[@elizabethvaz2540]

Hello, do you plan to buy property or continue to remain on rental

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hi there... thanks for the great question! We have actually done a complete 180 on that issue, from our original plans. We will be sharing some in-depth news on that soon 😉

[@sunmand6136]

Hi Track us down - question, do you have to pay taxes on your capital gains and/or retirement income? I assume since you are NHR, you are aware that all the taxes will start applying after 10 years or has that changed ?.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Sunman! Great questions and we’ll worth thinking about prior to moving. Check out our tax video it will give you further information. After 10 years when the NHR is over, we can relocate to another European country and take advantage of their tax incentives , or return to Canada and pay taxes there and come to Portugal for the allotted time without triggering taxes. After 5 years of not paying Portuguese taxes, you are once again eligible for NHR. So that is our loose plan for now. We will have to re- evaluate as we get closer to the 10 year mark. Thanks for watching- please check out our other videos and subscribe. Cheers! M&D

[@sunmand6136]

@@Track_Us_Down Thanks for the quick reply and already subscribed.

[@dugfriendly]

Half was rent and now that you've purchased a place that monthly is tiny I bet 😄

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello! You are exactly correct. Most of our monthly cost was rent. Check out our other videos about our new cost of living now that we are in our own home. Thank you for watching! Cheers! M&D

[@lorriejinx]

Are you sure that you are fully covered on your private health insurance? I realise you are both still young at 50 years old, but 40.26 euros per month sounds ridiculously cheap.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hi there! That's a great point - healthcare, and one's comfort level within the system, is very important to consider. Healthcare here in Portugal is very inexpensive compared to N. America. We were required to have private health coverage for at least 6 months as part of our D7 visa. After that, we are also covered by the public system. Our private healthcare covers all the requirements and Euro € amounts for the D7 visa, including hospitalization, etc. There were a couple more private healthcare levels available, none of which offer "full coverage," but may cover more things like eyeglasses, every single doctor visit, some specialty treatments, etc., etc. Everyone has their own comfort levels and requirements, and we are quite happy with what we have. Our package reduces private consultation fees and other non-standard treatment fees, as per a prescribed table of tariffs. So for example, our required physical examinations for our driver's licenses, which would normally cost 70€ each in the private system, instead cost us 40€ each. Hope this makes sense, and all the best! 🙂 D & M

[@AlbertAzimov]

Guys, you are 30 years old? Suitable age for a retirement

[@Track_Us_Down]

Ha ha wouldn't it be nice to turn back the clock to 30 years old, knowing what we know now? Oh well, so far 50 has been pretty good! Cheers!

[@johnduffy532]

Where did you buy your car?

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello John! We purchased the car from a small shop here in Madeira. He is a one man car enthusiast/ mechanic who sells vehicles. We found him very helpful, honest and upfront. We will use him again if and when we plan to upgrade! Lol! Thanks for watching and commenting! Cheers! M&D

[@music4249]

I have dual citizenship Irish and american ,do I need a covid injection to live in portugal?

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Frank! Portugal 🇵🇹 no longer requires Covid vaccination or testing to enter or for activities to live here. Thanks for watching! Cheers! M&D

[@robynhood9663]

I think better investment will be by small apartment instead of renting

[@Track_Us_Down]

Totally. Depending on what age & stage of life you are at. We soon realized it would be better for us to buy, rather than rent long term! Cheers! D & M

[@SisterSunnyFreeSpirit]

Im trying to sign up for Pingo Dos card online from L.A.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Cyn! Let us know if you can do it! We love the rewards card for gas discount!! Thanks for supporting the channel! Cheers! M&D

[@SisterSunnyFreeSpirit]

@@Track_Us_Down I’m working on it now. No English option and I am binge watching your channel today.

[@SisterSunnyFreeSpirit]

@@Track_Us_Down kzbin.info They have a YT and LOTS of followers :)

[@Track_Us_Down]

Ha ha! We will check it out! Thanks Cyn!

[@rjh2772]

Are you required to take the jab?

[@Track_Us_Down]

We had to be vaccinated to arrive here in Fall of 2021. Cheers!

[@rjh2772]

@@Track_Us_Down we’ll pray for both of you

[@adelinekeys6582]

I don't understand. you could go anywhere with just a pcr test, no jabs, except north america I think.

[@rjh2772]

@@adelinekeys6582 the PCR test swab are flawed thus unreliable test results

[@contabilidadeteixeira7251]

The problem is that those of you who live or think about living here on the island are a plague. Contrary to what you might think, as well as for those who just think that having foreigners living here in droves is good, this is bad for the quality of life we ​​had and then it gets lost with so many foreigners living here. A real plague. In my opinion and that of so many others, you are starting to take a certain dynamic and identity that you don't understand and there because you think that this is paradise you will always be seen as intrusive. On the other hand, it's also the fault of those who sell the island at retail... When you only see money in front of you, everything else is lost, because suddenly these foreign people discovered that Portugal is good. They only end up disrupting the lives of the natives here.

[@Track_Us_Down]

We are sorry you feel this way. The Portuguese and Madeirans have been most welcoming, and Portugal itself has a long history of exploring, and Portuguese moving abroad. It's not a new phenomenon, and it makes the world interesting. Most Western countries are built on immigration, emigration, etc. Certainly not a "plague." Compared to hermit countries and communist strangleholds like North Korea, China, and Russia, Portugal and Madeira are vibrant and welcoming. That's a good thing. We are paying taxes here, and our retirement money is being spent entirely in the Portuguese economy - also a good thing. We understand where you are coming from, but we come in peace. Cheers!

[@contabilidadeteixeira7251]

@@Track_Us_Down And the sleeping beauty or the Snow White is also a rich story. You don't want to compare past centuries where this circumstance was a reality of those times given the framework of the unknown that existed with what is the information we have today. It seems more like the comparison of the ridiculous with the absurd. The Portuguese know how to receive and we have no problem with those who visit us, he said well, with those who visit us. Now come here and change our dynamics and cost of living is another story . Do you know what it's like for hundreds of families to be expelled from their homes where they lived for more than 30 years, mainly in historic areas and other places because of real estate speculation by the demand of foreigners? Those who are outside and don't know our reality bedtime stories are very beautiful, but those who are here are the ones who suffer the consequences.

[@Track_Us_Down]

@@contabilidadeteixeira7251 We are sorry you feel that way. We wish you all the best in life.

[@tiagopestana9693]

Retirement yes to Madeira Island,but to Young people Is good to leave Madeira

[@Track_Us_Down]

Totally understand that - great insight and thanks for sharing! Cheers, Doug & Monique