My Unfiltered Thoughts On Living In Portugal As An American

[@camdendavid]

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[@annamcgonigle2712]

Camden. My family and I lived in Portugal for a year(2022) it’s one of the most beautiful places we have lived. You were spot on with your observations. I don’t think people realize the Impact westerns can have on a country when we being all of or money to a country and make all of the housing and food prices skyrocket. We also lived in Indonesia for 7 years… the same sort of thing happened there. So much I could say about the impact that western thinking and money makes on countries that have lived On a much lower income. Tourism is great, but it can also mess up the ecosystem of a country in a way that people can’t understand if they’re just a tourist.

[@camdendavid]

Do you want to see more videos like this in the future or should we stick with the "tips" format?

[@Eddieo-sl8jf]

The fact that you are living downtown Lisbon you feel more that pain of the people. specially the older people. In the majority of European capitals there was a renewal of the city centre, people with more money, new shops, major brands, however due to the type of construction and all the hills around Lisbon, the city centre became an old city, with the exception of a couple of barrios, in Lisbon the majority of the people that actually live in the city centre are poor and they can live there because historically if you had a old rental contract the landlords could only raise a very small percentage, so you will see people in their 60's, 70's that pay 50€ of rent per month in the centre, note that those people have a pension of maybe 300€. At the moment the city centre of Lisbon is a mix of older people 60's, 70's and up, they may have kids but they grew up in some poverty and south east asians that came to work, live live in the city centre because they dont mind sleeping in a room with another 10 in bunker beds, pay a 2000€ rent but split by 10 people, wish a Portuguese person would not accept, at least in Portugal. The fact that there was a boom of tourists also helped with the increase of scams, tourist traps, price increase, the economy had a boost, the prices hiked at least 70% in the past 10years, but the salary increased maybe 20% in that same period. I guess this type of video is interesting, when i am shopping for something new, i always go and check the bad reviews first, but i guess 1 month is a short period of time to define a city or country, and i have lived in 9 different countries (6months minimum) and travelled 72 countries.

[@daviddean6032]

Please do more videos like this, as I do like unscripted, and it is as if you are talking to me on the street so that’s pretty impressive. Thank you.

[@vmoses1979]

Yes this is really good because it gives any serious and thoughtful traveller an insight into the reality of life there rather than the tourist hype or the lists of what to see and do.

[@pheidippidesmarathon4176]

Yes please do more videos like this. Great job! I’m an expat from U.S. and I can relate to much if not all of what you said.

[@katiewillson7759]

I really appreciate this type of one on one

[@Zummbot]

Camden I really appreciated this video. I am an American, fluent in Portuguese because I am married to a Brazilian. We went to visit Lisbon for the first time in Dec 2023/ Jan 2024, and were really disappointed. We agree with all of your thoughts about the city, and you kept coming back to this one word: pain. We were guests of friends of ours who are locals who live in Belem. We have the language skills to speak with the locals in their native tongue. And pain is the perfect word to describe what they are going through. We literally could not find ONE local who liked living in Lisbon, whether our friends, or waiters, taxi drivers, or people on the street. All of them desperately want out of the city. They are barely scraping by. The tourists have completely overwhelmed the city, even in the winter. I can’t imagine what Lisbon is like in the high season, it must be unbearable. We have heard from numerous sources that the north is a much friendlier place, so on our next trip to Portugal I think we would focus on Porto and Braga. But we certainly felt the pain of the Lisbon locals. I hope there is a solution to the mess there, because it honestly felt like a city that had lost its soul.

[@camdendavid]

Thanks for taking the time to share this. Very sad to think about this and hoping the end of the Golden Visa program will help alleviate some of that pain. I hope you enjoy your future travels in Portugal :)

[@wallywal6139]

We've been to Lisbon, Porto and Braga. I highly recommend Braga if you want a city. It's a bit smaller, not so many tourists and the center is very walkable and beautiful. We spent a month there. Ultimately we purchased a home in a small town within 30 minutes of Coimbra and it's a piece of heaven!

[@goncalomeneses5611]

What rubbish.

[@Dan-u1o]

I lived in a place called Aveiro and in all honesty, all Portuguese people there too talk about the low income and that they can not afford many things. This is what most Portuguese people talk about and it is very sad. Lisbon is considered to be a higher earning area...but yes, it is more on the dirty side. Everything is slow...except for internet speed as you mentioned !

[@annamcgonigle2712]

@@goncalomeneses5611what? What do you mean??

[@filipe2444]

No disrespect to the rest of the country, but for me, the soul of Portugal resides in the North. Porto, Braga, Guimarães, Viana do Castelo, Barcelos, Ponte de Lima, Moledo, Peneda-Gerês National Park, the Douro River, Cávado River, Lima River, Minho River, etc. We have it all here: history, culture, food, people, the ocean, rivers, mountains, heavy rain and shining sun. If you ever do come back to Portugal, make sure to spend some time in the Northwestern corner (Viana do Castelo, Braga and Porto districts). Go see the mountains (they're beautilful in the summer and it snows in the winter); go smell the Atlantic Ocean, the sea up here is cold, raw, unfiltered and smelly, it's life itself. Eat until you feel like you're gonna blow up. Drink some green wine (the Minho specialty). I love Portugal North to South, and I admit I'm very partial to this (I'm from Braga), but there is nothing like the North. And yes, for a lot of the locals, the country got very expensive in a very short period of time. It's not your fault our politicians are mediocre.

[@camdendavid]

Thanks for the thoughtful comment. I will make sure to add some of those spots to my list for the next visit :) Thanks again!

[@TravelAlwaysOfficial]

Great description! I've never been to Portugal and I'm intrigued!

[@AtypicalVagabond]

Filipe, next week I'll be in Braga. I like to hit the hidden gems and not the same ole, same ole. The less traveled spots are more authentically Portuguese. I currently live in Coimbra and love the hidden restaurants in the Baixa. Are there similar places in Braga that you would suggest? I pretty much speak Portuguese at an 8-10-year-old level. I'm also not afraid to embarrass myself as I learn new words. LOL

[@filipe2444]

@@AtypicalVagabond In the city center, I would suggest "Trotas"; a little outside of the city, I would suggest "A Augusta". None of these restaurants are what you would call hidden gems, but they're not tourist traps by any means, they serve traditional portuguese/Minho food. The city center in Braga has changed a bit over the last few years, it's a little more catered to tourists now (not anywhere near on the level of Porto/Lisbon; probably comparable to Coimbra, though I haven't been there in years so I can't really say). I don't know when you're coming but be warned that on the night of the 23rd is our municipal big party, São João (yes, it's the same as Porto, but ours is older and more traditional). So you're in luck. Head to the Ponte de São João area in Braga and have a look around, it'll be full of pop up restaurants serving traditional June festivities food (sardines, chicken, if you've been in Portugal long enough you know what I mean). If you do have the time, check out Bom Jesus and the park right behind it, it's a nice escape from the city. Anything else feel free to ask! Also, if you're here on the weekend, check the area around the cathedral for a drink (if the weather helps, it can get very rainy up here).

[@ConnectedCaroline]

I feel the exact same way about Northern California vs Southern CA but I’m originally from the north so I have a bias. 🎉

[@billify23455]

I just recently found your channel and I loved your content on Porto. I'm a retired US citizen and I've been living in Portugal for a little over 2 years. I live in Vila do Conde which is a northern suburb of Porto. It's a perfect place for and older guy like myself, it's easily accessible to Porto by Metro but the pace is much slower here. I live on a fixed income and it's quite affordable. I don't have or need a car, Vila do Conde is very walker friendly. The beaches are spectacular and only a 15 minute walk from home. We don't get many tourists here, mostly the Pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago. The locals are very accommodating and I've made some good friends. Keep up the good work and I'll be tuning in again!

[@camdendavid]

Thanks for sharing and welcome to the channel! Sounds like you've found a great spot :)

[@jonathansargent6224]

I will be making a stop at Vila do Conde later this year during my journey on the Portuguese Camino. Thanks for highlighting it and hope I have the opportunity to meet locals like you in route through this beautiful country.

[@ifelldownonce1]

I'm looking into an extended visit to Porto area. I speak not Portuguese and only English. Did you speak any Portuguese when you arrived and how did you fair? i'm not worried about ordering food off a menu or figuring out transportation etc but I'll be traveling alone so being able to find some people to have real conversations with I think will be vital to my sanity.

[@jihuff1]

Hello Camden. I enjoyed your thoughts on Portugal especially Lisbon. We were in Portugal in 2016 before so many people began immigrating. We stayed in Lisbon and Faro, then went to Southern Spain. We had the opportunity to visit with a local guide during a day trip to Sintra and other areas in that region. He spoke to us about the years of Salazar, Portugal's dictator. He told us that his grandparents and most Portuguese of that time were not allowed an education and that it has taken years and they are still struggling to recover. He said that many young college educated Portuguese leave Portugal for better paying jobs in other countries. He wanted to stay and help contribute to his country. It's difficult to understand how terrible that time period was and it's takes years to recover.

[@camdendavid]

This is great info and I really appreciate you sharing. Sad to think about how a decision from so long ago can have a lasting impact in this way... thanks again

[@marujito22]

I was born in the following years of the end of that period (Salazar). To blame the state of my country on that period is just nonsense. Portuguese are a peculiar people. We do things at our own pace. Often, we are lazy to actually change things that we know are wrong. We have this way of being that is reflected in one expression: Let's see (how it will play). That's why things change very slowly in Portugal, which is ironic because at the same time we can be quite an industrious people. Go figure!

[@joelmott]

@CamdenDavid I am new to your channel, and I'm a US citizen who is currently in Lisbon for a few more days, scouting out places to move to with my wife. We definitely want to move to Europe, and we have narrowed it down to a few places before making such a huge decision. Your videos have had a huge impact on us! You present content in a way that is honest, approachable, and refreshing...and I just wanted to say thank you! I truly appreciate what you do.

[@camdendavid]

I appreciate the kind words and support. Where have you all narrowed it down to? And welcome to the community :)

[@CateElizabeth727]

Totally appreciate this video and your honest thoughts. Too many blogs only share the filtered highlights and not the unfiltered realities. Wish I had found your channel before our most recent trip! Thanks and keep up the great videos

[@camdendavid]

Really appreciate the support! Welcome to the channel 😃

[@RobynWright-j1e]

So very helpful. Thank you so much for your insights. I love how you see beauty in the grit and let us know where to find authentic and fabulous food. Also appreciate how you share the reality of pain and vibrancy in the people. We are definitely taking your experience to heart as we plan our visit for May.

[@camdendavid]

I appreciate the support and hope you have a wonderful trip :)

[@FrancescaUlibarri]

Thank you for you honest and thought provoking video. I am planning a trip in October and I this was really insightful and something I will take to heart.

[@camdendavid]

I appreciate the support and hope you have a wonderful trip :)

[@andreaeisenberg8851]

I think it can't fairly be called living in a place when you were based there for a month. That said, I respect how much you took the time to understand. The Golden Visa, which is no longer a thing, was not only "Westerners coming." A tremendous number of Chinese people bought GVs, and the properties that foreigners bought often sat empty, which fed into the housing crisis. I'm living here two years today actually, and it is painful for many Portuguese people. We immigrants need to be extra aware and sensitive to that. So many young people know they can't make good wages here, so they think about where they can go to earn more. No country can sustain that sort of brain drain. But there were economic reasons for the policies and there were some real advantages that resulted. BTW, the govt is now proposing a new type of GV where the investment is put toward housing and assistance for those in need, potentially focused on foreigners. The number one immigrant group is Brazilians, and most of them work low-paying jobs and face discrimination. I think the Algarve is being ruined by the worst tourists on Earth, the British. I will say for us, the single thing that makes Portugal a dream to live in, is the people. The Portuguese people are amazing, and lovely. Finally, it was funny you pointed out the cruise ships, we often watch them cruise out to sea from our terrace in the evenings. I think we should look at places like Venice as a cautionary tale and carefully manage the cruises. Thanks for a very thoughtful video.

[@camdendavid]

Appreciate you taking the time to share all this!

[@judylindo6874]

This is a wonderful, insightful and thought provoking commentary! Thank you

[@camdendavid]

Thank YOU for the support :)

[@tamaramadelin4831]

Lisboa is my 'home' and I love it! You must spend more than a month here to know how magical it is!! I lived in Avenidas Novas and experienced a lot of local culture and my take away is that they are a peaceful people and are not in 'pain'! They are hard working, family oriented and so friendly!! I love 'my' Portuguese people and appreciate living in my adopted country!

[@camdendavid]

So great to hear this! I definitely plan on spending more time in Lisbon 😄

[@LFANS2001]

I'm a local who used to live in Campo de Ourique that's where Tram 28 starts its way to Graça. I used to love Lisbon. Since 1990 I moved to Porto and nowadays I can't stand Lisbon at all. I think the "pain" for the locals started at the moment the bread, butter and olives were not free anymore. What a small detail making all the difference... Signs of times... Gold VISA and OA (orthographic agreement) were two of the most obnoxious policies ever taken in Portugal by the incompetent political class.

[@francoisemond4218]

I've been quite a number of times to Portugal... different periods of the year, different cities, regions... and I think you're on point. The Golden Visa, although it was good to refurbuished a lot of abandoned buidlings had some consequences that were not meant to have. And there's hope for the younger generation with local unemployment rates are getting better and minimum income is on the rise (not by a lot - not fast enough), but still. Keep doing those.

[@camdendavid]

Appreciate you sharing this

[@richarderwin6244]

There were elderly women selling shots of Ginjinha as I walked my way down from the top of the Alfama back in 2019. There was plenty of new construction and renovation then in the city, cheek by jowl with abject poverty. I think that the increased cash flow of the Golden Door program was the final wave of increasing unaffordability for those just getting by, preceded by party culture coming to Lisbon (and Porto) with its readily available cash, hit hard later by COVID (even though Portugal dealt with it early and effectively), supplemented by a lot of that same local youth you mention leaving Portugal to find a career they want outside a home that educates well but doesn't have the level of entrepreneurial social infrastructure - the sense of "we can create that here" - that you'll find readily available by comparison in Spain, even in the midst of that nation's significant increase in unemployment over the last few years. If those young people you saw stay and build something new for Lisbon, for Portugal - and if society will give them the space and the means to do so - there will be a much better Lisbon and Portugal as a result.

[@camdendavid]

Thanks for taking the time to share all this. Lots to think about there... cheers!

[@christiemiller8851]

I loved this video so much. The fact that you realize and sort of internalize the pain that the older generations of locals are feeling says a lot. I'm glad you shared this, hopefully people who plan to move there will be more respectful of the locals??? We will see. I also like that you included the hidden places and restaurants that are not geared toward tourists. I can go to an all inclusive hotel in cancun if I want "tourist-y". We would like to move to Portugal in the coming years and this gives so much perspective on what the country and the people are going through with the influx of immigrants and what to expect. thank you.

[@camdendavid]

So glad to hear this. I appreciate the support and wish you all the best with the future move :)

[@MarianoPoggiParcellier]

Great Video Camden! I’ve been living in Lisbon (Carcavelos) for almost 3 years and definitely agree on many of your impressions. Absolutely spot on about being a place of extremes. Lisbon is a gorgeous city and Portugal has many advantages as a country. In my opinion Portugal is ideal for a) someone looking to retire, b) families looking for a tranquil place to live , c) people looking to enjoy the simple things in life. That said, on the downsides, the country is a Tax Hell and bureaucratic nightmare (unfortunately as much of Europe is), infrastructure is poor and entrepreneurship is difficult due to regulations and on top of that you have a very conformist society. Despite this, I still think it’s one of the best places to live in Europe overall, but uncertain about its future. Ps: in my opinion Barcelona and Rome are two examples of dirtier cities but it’s all about ones experience 😂 Cheers, Mariano

[@unchartedimages2721]

It's refreshing to see someone being this honest and insightful, especially a fairly young person like yourself. Thank you.

[@camdendavid]

Thanks for the support :)

[@roxanae5785]

Camden, thank you for your honest insights, we are planning on visiting Portugal the first two weeks of May, we are seniors, usually we go on our own, we do not enjoy joining tours, your contribution gives me an idea how to plan this trip.

[@camdendavid]

I appreciate the support and hope you have a wonderful time! Let me know if any questions pop up :)

[@roxanae5785]

@@camdendavidthank you!

[@tj36]

You just pointed my very feeling about that country. I was ready to take advantage of the golden visa but when I thought of the economic pain it will bring to the locals who cannot afford their own country, I decided not to move there. I made my dearest friends in Lisbon and Porto and I just cannot in my conscience displace them from their place just because non Portuguese people with money can buy properties at higher price. I love that country and its people!

[@camdendavid]

Props to you for being so culturally aware and choosing to follow your conscience. Appreciate you sharing and hope the country continues to heal :)

[@tomdemeo2708]

Don’t forget the economy is coming out of a massive recession along with the “pigs”. The government is trying to bring money into the economy as fast as possible. It filters down to everyone, people aren’t burring the money it gets spent. Imagine if no tourists went, what pain would they be feeling?

[@chemitch8474]

Most Portuguese don't like to buy houses, they rather make a new one.. Most people in country inherit property and they are left empty till a forest fire burns them.. Towns are empty as most Portuguese live abroad where they have assistance to have children and there's job opportunity.. There is now work in Portugal because immigrants are building property in the country.. Immigrants in city's and towns are mostly from Portuguese colonies

[@pinturasdarealidade7907]

It is so great to see an honesty feedback about Portugal. Between other things, I totally agree, Lisbon is the most dirty city I've in Europe as well. The streets smells so bad!

[@carlos.teixeira]

This is the best assessment of our current situation from someone not from here. Thank you

[@camdendavid]

Much love

[@LS-qw3ez]

I loved how thoughtful this was. Thank you for sharing. Going to Portugal this week and I’ll try to keep in mind the struggles locals might be facing. It sounds like unfortunately Portugal might have the same relationship with wealthier Europe/the UK as Mexico does with the US. People coming to party and move in, and driving up prices.

[@camdendavid]

I appreciate the kind words and support. You're spot on with the comparison. Hope you have a wonderful time visiting this week :)

[@darkjedi447]

Thanks for posting this video. It's super helpful. I haven't traveled in almost a decade and was trying to decide where I would finally go when I have enough money, at Portugal was nearby he top of my list, specifically Lisbon. Watching this video and some of your other videos, I learned about Porto and now am considering this as my main option instead. This videobreally helped a lot. Keep up the fantastic work on these videos!👍🙂

[@camdendavid]

Much appreciated!

[@Nadine-xv1kr]

Great point of view. I have been to Lisboa a couple of times many years ago and your point of view about today's situation is very interesting. Thank you

[@camdendavid]

I appreciate the support

[@Impudicus82]

It’s the third of your videos I’m watching, and I’m already in love with your content. I really enjoyed your Porto tips. But your unfiltered thoughts on Lisbon and Portugal are really good and thoughtful. Super nice! Keep it up, please! So natural and real! The only thing I missed are the German Christmas markets! They are, for several reasons, the best. I’m not saying it because I’m German and we sort of invented them. But trust me, I’ve visited lots of Xmas markets, even the capital de Noel Strasbourg. But by far, the German markets, to my mind, are the nicest and most authentic ones!

[@camdendavid]

I really appreciate the support and am glad you're here! You're right -- I definitely need to spend some time at the German Christmas markets :) If you ever have any suggestions on what you'd like to see in the videos (or things you're not liking), feel free to shoot me a note. Thanks again!

[@Impudicus82]

@@camdendavid I’ll make you a little list and sent them in a couple of days

[@daviddean6032]

Thank you, Camden David! I’m watching this from Nova Scotia to learn more about Portugal! You are a pretty cool guy! Thank you.

[@camdendavid]

I appreciate the support!! Hope all is well up in Nova Scotia!

[@daviddean6032]

Thank you, Camden!@@camdendavid

[@daviddean6032]

You are one of the nicest guys, Camden David! Thank you a million times over for your kindness and knowledge!!@@camdendavid

[@SbMathis-c4y]

Yes! Love this format.

[@camdendavid]

Thanks! I'll be making a video in this format for each country :)

[@aliciawynn5520]

Afro- American here expat from US. I have met some beautiful welcoming Portuguese-Angolans and they spoke similar sentiments about Lisbon. I have visited the Algarve and hopped over to Spain and felt that the energy is better for expats in Algarve.

[@filipe2444]

In a sense, many parts of Portugal have become a theme park where rich foreigners are catered to by poor foreigners (they're impossible to miss) and locals. It's sad but it's the result of poorly thought out and lazy economic policies. Tourism is easy money but it's no way to make a country grow richer. The population especially has very little to gain.

[@camdendavid]

Very sad

[@suebowman7258]

Camden, thank you for a great video. I really like the format and would like to see more of it. I agree 100% with your analysis and thoughts of Lisbon. My husband and I lived in Lisbon from 2018-2022. We couldn't afford it, so we moved to the north of Portugal. There is a lot of rain in the winter, but we are happier, and the cost of living is much more reasonable. Keep up the good work!

[@camdendavid]

Much appreciated and glad to hear you're happier up north! I'll make sure to keep this format around :)

[@JenShea]

Great video! You are not far off on many of your observations, and regarding the Golden visa and it’s effects on Portugal. A lot of Lisboettas have been forced to move out their generational neighbourhoods because of the sky rocketed tourism. I lived on the Silver coast for 3 months… fell madly and deeply in love with this magical country and intend to find a way to permanently. They’ve made major changes to the long stay visa programs though. I loved Lisboa. I was very fortunate that the first time I spent the day there I was with a local and although she showed me many of the highlights, we managed to miss the general tourist traps. That was just before Christmas back in2017. I went back a few times… on my own and with friends and family who visited me. I don’t recall the dog poop issue, or feeling like it was a dirty city…but maybe things are different now. Absolutely loved the Algarve. I had a car my 3 months there so I got to explore. It’s known that the buses and trains are pretty good in Portugal and yes… they are known to have some of the best wifi! And their banking system is one of the best worldwide, apparently. Much better than North America. Our system in Canada is way ahead of the US but Portugal makes ours look bad, haha. On one hand, I hope you are right and there will be a new ‘it place’ to go… I loved the pace of live on the Silver coast… loved the people I met and I’m still friends with… but of course if tourism disappeared suddenly it would impact the economy again. We need to find a happy balance. I’ll have to find your other Portugal videos. Cheers ~ Portugal is magical.

[@camdendavid]

Thanks for the thoughtful comment and sharing your perspective! Sounds like you've had some wonderful adventures in Portugal :) And I agree with you -- hopefully there's a happy balance coming in the near future. Do you have any recommendations on places to visit in the Algarve for someone with a car? Curious to hear your thoughts!

[@JenShea]

@@camdendavid Hi Dave, Yes, indeed I had an amazing 3 months there and one day I plan to live on the Silver Coast (near Peniche/Baleal and Lourinhã). I stuck with the Western Algarve, so I'm afraid I cannot speak on the entire Faro/Algarve region. I loved Lagos and I can see myself taking holidays (in the winter months) there... to avoid the height of tourism season. There are a lot of good restaurants (my favourited ended up being O'l Bastards, and it's still there)... amazing Fish & Chips... cooked in different ways. I didn't expect to fall in love with Sagres as I did. I loved how charming the village is and how incredible the cliffs were and the lovely beaches and the (oddly for me) barren landscape. You can easily see why the called it The End of the World. It's more wild, more rugged. I drove up from Sagres back to Peniche, taking my time, via the Western coast secondary highway (no tolls), and it was incredibly beautiful. You'll drive through flat, forests full of cork trees and you'll also experience some pretty twisty, mountainous stretches as well. I would suggest you get off the highway every once in a while and drive over to the coast itself and just take in the stunning beauty. That coastline is less touristy. There are some pretty towns and villages along the way... Aljezur for one. Sines is interesting. It's got a lovely harbour and a castle right up on the cliff... yet it's also very industrial because of it's history with the fishing industry (like Peniche but on a much larger scale) and it has a lot of what looks like refineries, as well... but worth the visit. Between Sagres & Sines, there is also Odeceixe, Vila Novo de Milfontes & Porto Covo... and more! Obviously I can go on and on... and on. :)

[@camdendavid]

@@JenShea This sounds incredible! Thank you so much :)

[@JenShea]

@@camdendavid Any time! :)

[@jeffroberts_tunes]

What a refreshing change from the typical shallow & glib youtuber vagabond!! I really appreciate your thoughtful, circumspect approach and low key presentation. My wife & I think about retiring in Lisbon (we speak Portuguese & she has family there & Algarve) but my last couple trips left me really kinda bummed out about the overwhelming tourism and low culture that results from selling trinkets & sightseeing to hordes of tourists. I would hope that the wave of nouveau tourist/immigrants --those that don't learn the language and look for bargains & English spoken --will dissipate over time. Twenty years ago Lisbon felt like a ghost town in comparison, and of course locals would also say that had its pitfalls for the economy too. Talented young people still go elsewhere in the EU for jobs. It's difficult to get it right.

[@camdendavid]

I appreciate the kind words. Certainly difficult to get right... hoping a better balance will be found :)

[@DiogoF.]

Your photos of Portugal at the end are phenomenal.

[@camdendavid]

Glad you enjoyed them. I feel like I can't take full credit cause the scenery in Portugal makes it so easy to get good shots haha

[@toddboothbee1361]

I loved the culture shock I got from staying in Lisbon--in Belem and then Alfama, in October and November. The train to Sintra and back reveals different neighborhoods and loads of trash and abandoned buildings, residential towers... clothes suspended out of windows (but this is in every hood). Very untouristy, even intimidating, but sometimes beautiful. I spent a lot of time in Sintra, too. A few days in Evora. All of it was entirely different from what I imagined, and this is good. I was surprised (pleasantly?) that outside the Presidential Palace in Belem smelled of human urine on a Saturday night. And for all that, it never felt dangerous. Amazing place of palaces, bifanas, espressos, and Pingo Doce! It's sometimes difficult to imagine it was real and that I was there.

[@anab5270]

You are right. Parts of the city are more filthy now because of the tourism, the nightlife (every single night) and a lot of poverty. Portuguese people are rare to be seen in the downtown (and the downtown is always crowded). Everything is now price tagged to tourists and golden visas. People come, use it and then leave. The north is different from lisbon, lisbon has always been the cosmopolitan place that gathered different people and cultures, porto was kept more genuine, more portuguese. That's why food is better, for example

[@camdendavid]

Makes sense. Thanks for sharing :)

[@ZOCINA]

Great job with doing such a videos!Really appreciated, pls do continue with this type of sharing experience. People need to hear it. Thanks for respecting local values because it is disappearing and shouldn’t. For many of us that is reason why we travel ❤ god bless 🙏

[@camdendavid]

I appreciate the kind words :)

[@anapaulavalentim8975]

If you ask to ten portuguese people, they are always going to say everything is bad. In Finland where they have 6 months of dark days with cold and hundreds of kilometers of borderlands with Russia, they say they are the most happy people in the earth. And we, Portuguese, have Spanish for neighbors and good weather all the year around, everything is always bad 😂😂😂

[@Octaviacliosisley]

You have no idea how much I appreciate this video!! I will be visiting but not living. I will be mindful of the culture. This happened to Venice, Italy! ❤

[@camdendavid]

I appreciate the support and hope you have a great time visiting :)

[@adjmm]

Funny that I should’ve watched this video today as it is the anniversary of the fourth time I visited Lisbon 13 years ago. You’ve broken my heart kid, you see my four visits to Lisbon were all pre-golden visa and so I guess I got to see the real Lisbon, and I have no memory of the pain of which you speak of being experienced, especially by the older people. I found all generations to be happy. Of the great imperial cities of Europe I found Lisbon to be the most charming, the most welcoming, the most real. You are of course right about Porto and the northern part of Portugal as well as the central areas all are different. I have a trip planned for November 2025 back to Lisbon and joyful anticipation has now turned to sad anticipation. Everything you have shared with us today in this video I guess explains why there has been a strong turn to the right in its political dimensions. Oh well, keep up the good work young man I enjoy your thoughts and your input because they are so real. Thanks again.

[@camdendavid]

I hope you still have that joyful anticipation leading to your return :) It's still a beautiful place with so much to offer. Hoping a better balance will be found between now and the time you return. Thank you for the kind words and support. Best wishes

[@ConnectedCaroline]

I really love your videos - thank you and I'll rewatch them before our trip mid Sept '24 - Cheers!

[@camdendavid]

I appreciated the support! Hope you have a wonderful trip in September :)

[@ConnectedCaroline]

In your experience, which seaside town offers a combination of casual elegance and excellent culture and dining. I live in Laguna Beach and love the casual, yet intelligent and active mindset here. Looking for that vibe to possibly relocate part of the year. You sold me on Porto as well. I’m originally from San Francisco and don’t really care for LA much even though I live closer to LA now. I love vibrant seaside towns and am used to summer tourism issues living here and Sausalito CA for many years. TIA! 🎉

[@camdendavid]

Hmmm, great question! Hope all is well down in Laguna -- I spent 6 years living in LA and have 3 sisters living there. Take this recommendation with a grain of salt (I had limited experiences with seaside towns in Portugal). Cascais is the first option that comes to mind. It definitely has tourists but it provides great access to Lisbon (only about 40 minutes on the train). The proximity to Lisbon would give you great access to a wider variety of dining options. Perhaps a local will see this and chime in. Hope that makes sense and helps!

[@ConnectedCaroline]

@@camdendavidwe are going there and Ericeria as well - at least.

[@davidbaptista7904]

As a local for more than 30 years, living in the Bairro de Alvalade, what I can tell tell you is that for me there are some areas of the city that as local I completely avoid. The city centre, Alfama, Baixa Pombalina, Chiado, Bairro Alto are big no-nos. In these areas it's easier to ear foreign languages than Portuguese. These areas are what a sociologist might refer to as "non-places". Gentrification is everywhere, everything is fake (particularly the food), almost no Portuguese people live in these areas (actually not many people live there, since most of it is tourist orientated). I get the pain part in the sense that 15 years ago it was completely different, the city actually belonged to the locals, called "alfacinhas". So, as a local, I avoid these areas, unless when I'm the mood for a particular type of tourism of my own called watch and mock (silently) tourists as they continuously fall for the "genuine" experience.

[@TheOkThx]

I really enjoyed this format, and yes, in terms of food, the north is probably superior generally, but I can also say, in the Alentejo you can also get great food, even tho it's way less populated, there are a few gems over there. But yeah, the more touristy the place, the harder it will be to get a nice meal for a nice price (which part of the fault is actually the tourists who mostly just want steak and fries for some reason are afraid of trying local food)

[@camdendavid]

I need to spend some time in Alentejo during my next visit. Thanks for this

[@MariaHelenaFarris]

Thank you for your honesty. Born in Lisbon but moved to the USA when 8.5 months old. My husband and I in 2-3 yrs have plans to get a flat to spend time there 2-3 times a year. Not sure where but have around there. Setubal is a place a have very found memories of as a child. Thank you again. God Bless and safe travels where you shall go. ✝️🇵🇹🇺🇸

[@camdendavid]

Much love

[@sunnyidaho3135]

Your video describes what is happening in Idaho. The money from those leaving California and Washington State have completely changed the charm of living here. The locals can’t afford living here. The small town charm of cities like Eagle and Star are gone. It is so sad😢.

[@camdendavid]

So sorry to hear that... hope things will take a turn for the better soon

[@KevinLudkin]

Good video and interesting to hear your thoughts. I'm a Brit and I worked in Faro (Algarve) for 18 months pre covid times. In this period I travelled uo to Lisbon on the train and spent time both working and leisure time. As a manager I had responsibility for hiring staff in the Algarve and Lisbon. Look up the minimum wage in Portugal and compare it to Spain next door or other countries. It is appalingly low, Portugal is a very very poor country these days. I dont know how people survive especially in the tourist areas of the Algarve and of course Lisbon. I constantly had to move accomadation as there were few and far between mid or long term rentals. Most are geared up for tourists and the higher pricing that entails. Often in Faro I would end up more on the outskirts and the poverty was there to see clear as day. Theres poverty in most if not all countries and cities including my home country England. But this was something I had never seen before with feral and stray animals wandering the streets, some people living in what could be described as huts/shacks. Animal welfare in Portugal appears to be appaling. I made friends with many young people at the local bars and restaurants I frequented over 18 months. I saw the struggles that my multi national staff had which included local Portuguese, Brazilians, Venezuelans and Europeans. They always tried there best in difficult personal circumstances due to money issues. I found trying to hire Portuguese was largely difficult, they would not turn up for job interviews. My understanding was that the social payments were bot far off the minimum wage so what was the point in working. I find your points abouts the older generation interesting. In my albeit limited experiences I found the older generations wanted little to do with outsiders. It could be that obviosly they are more traditional wheras the younger generation all spoke English and gemerally wanted to get away. The middle aged were kind of inbetween and I found some to be friendly and helpful and others wanted nothing to do with you (the middle aged policeman in charge at the airport seemed to hate outsiders). So I can see how you seem to struggle to categorise the feeling in Lisbon overall. The country has and is going through a whole load of economic and personal pain to the native people who live there. Go away from the tourist areas even a couple of streets and you see the real Portugal, its not all sunshine and beers.

[@camdendavid]

Thanks for sharing all this. Really appreciated the unique perspective. A lot to think about

[@jeffkunce8501]

Golden visa total granted 2012-2023: 12,718 main applicants + 20,424 dependent family members. Significant, yes, but far from a huge number. What's that - maybe 5-10 cruise ships? There have been many more in other visa categories plus the huge boom in tourism. My feeling is that these more transient newcomers, and the resulting boom in short term rentals, has had more impact on the cost of living in Portugal. (I'm just sharing this as an addional thought - not to dispute or detract from any of your thoughts. Thanks!)

[@camdendavid]

I appreciate you sharing! I imagine there’s some truth to that. The cruise ships were a constant throughout my stay and Airbnbs seemed to be everywhere. Thanks again

[@imnolte]

Agree (purely on the maths) the GV is largely a "red herring". It's a far more complex problem - stagnant wages, EU migration, monetary debasement, aging population, EU red tape, failed socialist policies, uninhabited inheritance properties, lack of L/T planning / investment or inefficient implementation thereof etc. A small population, but many hard working & incredibly resilient people. There's a tremendous amounts of extreme beauty, cultural richness, human respect and many pockets of tranquility. A very special part of the world. So much potential with inspirational leadership and a stronger vision of the future.

[@jeffkunce8501]

@@imnolte Yes, true! Plus there are all the post-covid economic challenges that the whole world is facing: inflation, runaway income disparity, corporations who sacrifice everything for the bottom line. You could visit San Francisco, or Washington DC, or NYC, and hear the same stories from long-term residents about how they have been priced out of their home neighborhoods.

[@autumnlynn]

I think a lot of the world has experience this over the past 5 years. I live in Florida and we've had a lot of the same. I'm 9th generation Floridian. Texas has experienced this as well. I think that unfortunately most of the people experiencing these changes in affordability in housing only see our own situations and then demonize everyone else. If you truly look at the GV program, I think it takes the hit for all the vacation homes as well.

[@loganborges5529]

If you think Lisbon is the dirtiest city in Europe i don’t think you’ve been to any cities in Italy…

[@camdendavid]

Similar but definitely different in my experience

[@patriciamartins4185]

Very thoughtful video. Since you asked, as a young adult I was forced to leave Portugal in hopes of getting a better life. I think Portugal has one of the highest emigration rates in Europe. We simply cannot afford to live there and are always trying to find better ways to make a living unfortunately. I still want to go back but probably I will only be able to go back to Europe until I retire because it is impossible right now to be a young adult and live independently. The thing is we are used to the simple things in life so I still consider the best place on earth. You can wake up in the morning go to the beach and catch your meal 😅seriously and you have a good life. But…think everyone is welcomed there but they have to be respectful of the situation the locals are in. So I really enjoyed your video and I hope you have a really good time in Portugal being mindful of the Portuguese situation right now 🙏

[@camdendavid]

Thanks for sharing this :) I had a wonderful time in Portugal and look forward to visiting in the future. Love you perspective and approach to life!

[@OFORIOS]

@camdendavid May I ask what equipment you used to film this video? The quality is amazing!

[@camdendavid]

I appreciate the support! I use a Sony ZV1 :)

[@loretta1799]

I’m leaving for some time in Portugal to be divided into stays in Porto, the Algarve and Lisbon so I appreciate the 3 of your videos that I’ve watched so far. They have made me more nervous though. I do not speak Portuguese but have tried learning some phrases and while I am fluent in Italian and Spanish, they don’t seem to be helping me with the pronunciation so I do hope that I won’t offend anyone with my limited Portuguese language skills and I very much hope to not fall into the tourist traps you and others have described.

[@camdendavid]

I hope the videos have been helpful! No need to stress about the pronunciation :) I had a very easy time using English and most of the locals will be appreciative if you make an attempt with Portuguese. I hope you have a wonderful time :)

[@groovygrouch3105]

Unfiltered, great comments thanks

[@camdendavid]

Thanks for watching

[@rickyism1576]

Portugal is like that state in US that all the Californians move to cause its cheap and beautiful, and end up turning it into the same place they moved away from.

[@camdendavid]

Sad to think about it that way

[@filipe3132]

As my dear grandmother used to say in proper portuguese: A porta da rua é a serventia da casa.

[@gilleygurl]

Visiting Portugal right now. It’s a lovely city but feels overcrowded with younger tourists who party all night. Not necessarily a bad thing but not my vibe. Food, etc seems very inexpensive compared to where I live in Denver, however, housing seems ridiculous. We are now in Faro which is more my taste. Laid back.

[@camdendavid]

I think that’s a good assessment. Always great seeing CO folks here. I lived there for 6 years and most of my family is still there. Appreciate you sharing and hope you enjoy your time in Faro 😃

[@sergiolima444]

Im portuguese, and i can tell you older folk here are "in pain" for virtually anything. Its who they are, the country conditions are irrelevant to that state of being. They were born and raised in a fascist Portugal, a regime that totally castrated any individual development and bred fear, doom and gloom mentality into the people. You can take the man out of the regime, but you cant take the regime out of the man. Felicidades

[@camdendavid]

fascinating perspective. Thanks for sharing

[@VADACHE]

Yeah slave mentality 😢

[@cathythomas2692]

Thank you for this perspective. I have wondered whether this sense of melancholy is why so many Portuguese love Fado music? I believe that my impression of Portugal is that Portuguese live kindness, humility and hospitality. Portuguese think of their lives within the context of being a member of a society. The contrast is so refreshing when you come from the US where most people only think of themselves as part of an economy. 😢 I love the rural villages of Castelo Branco. ❤

[@anapaulavalentim8975]

Camden, don't leave Portugal It's obvious you fell in love with this country ❤

[@camdendavid]

I'll be back

[@user-ys4og2vv8k]

First of all, Lisbon is my favorite European city. I had a conversation with a local Lisboner once and he told me that those who like Lisbon usually don't like Porto and vice versa. And indeed, when I visited Porto later, its vibe was not close to me, I feel much more comfortable and at home in Lisbon.

[@camdendavid]

Glad you found a spot you love in Lisbon! Do you have a favorite area of town or any recommendations for future visits?

[@user-ys4og2vv8k]

@@camdendavid Definitely - ALFAMA! And of course all the Miradouros... 😍

[@buckeyebassinwithericp626]

I really liked the video. My wife and I are coming to Lisbon the end of this May. Would you happen to have a vid or list of the places you consider tourist traps so we don’t fall into them as well? Thanks so much

[@camdendavid]

Great question. I don't have a list of specific places but would generally say Baixa is the area where you'll find most of them. But I can start working on a video to share how I typically spot/avoid tourist traps so you know what to look out for. Lots of other videos scheduled soon but I'll try to get that out before your trip in May. Let me know if any other questions pop up

[@mariliavarelasoaresd]

Simply loved this video! ❤

[@camdendavid]

So glad to hear that :)

[@purpletoo12]

Very useful...thank you!

[@sarahpalmisano9080]

Love that Scorsese film at the end 🎥🎬❤

[@camdendavid]

Impressed you identified his work so quickly hahahah

[@migueloliveira2848]

i would also add the following -Tourism had a huge growth, and the public space (cleaning, pedestrian streets or traffic calming) unfornately hasn´t been up to standard. But I must also point out the - graffitit/tags has been here for ages unfornately. And cleaning has been WORSE than nowadays. One good thing about tourism, it has allowed for massive urban rehabilition of the city centre (Alfama, Bairro Alto etc). I remember 25 years ago, walking near the Castle with almost no ppl/tourists, and buldings were in way worse shape than today and falling apart (and the old portuguese folks with no money were still living there btw). Perhaps you missed the biggest quality of city, for me it´s ppl. Dispite the pain, Lisboet ppl like to talk to others, speak different languages, and are curious about worldy issues. The is also increasingly harder to find because of massive immigration from Brasil and India lately, but if you met portuguese ppl would will understand what I´m saying eventually.

[@camdendavid]

Ah, very interesting. Appreciate you sharing this and would agree on the people. Very engaged community to chat with :)

[@rienekejoanita3033]

How I miss Lisbon, lived in the city for 6 months back in 2009 time frame. It was lovely back then... This video makes me kinda sad knowing the latest fact of Lisbon.

[@camdendavid]

It is definitely changing, but still a great place to visit :)

[@tinglestingles]

We live 45 minutes south of Lisbon. Been here two years from the UK. Prices have increased a lot. I do not think it is as welcoming as it was. We have seen a massive increase in 'International Living' readers. The phasing out of the Golden Visa and also the NHR tax programme will have a very big effect on the economy. The local young people leave to work in higher paying economies in the EU - most do not come back. Older demographics, low birth rate. It may not end well.

[@camdendavid]

Thanks for sharing your experience/perspective. Hoping everyone will find a better balance

[@tinglestingles]

@@camdendavid We have applied for a residency in another country and expect to leave here next year. No regrets.

[@Ichsukatanuka]

Really interesting insight, there's definitely been frustration from locals over immigration and rising prices but it feels misplaced, the government isn't doing nearly enough for people. I think it's a gorgeous city but agree a lot of it looks run down and a bit unkempt

[@bobtapper]

Great video! I’m from the US and spend quite a bit of time in Portugal. In response to your question on how we can help, I believe many locals(excluding businesses profiting from tourism) would suggest we just stay away. Expats, golden visa holders, and others often take up local housing that could have been utilized by workers who need to live nearby their workplaces, resulting in long commutes of up to an hour. The presence of wealthy foreigners can lead businesses to increase their prices, making it difficult for young workers on minimum wage and older pensioners to afford things like a nice dinner out or a cup of coffee. When coupled with inflation, these issues become even more challenging. This situation is not unique to Portugal, but quite common in less wealthy European countries like Croatia, Albania, etc. Additionally, the low wages in these areas contribute to many young people wishing to leave for higher paying jobs in Germany, UK, and USA. Just my thoughts but I enjoy your videos and definitely agree with the amazing food in Porto!!

[@camdendavid]

I appreciate you taking the time to share all this. Lot's to digest and reflect on there. Thanks again!

[@wolframluchner5316]

Pretty spot on, I think, been here for a year and it’s definitely a place filled with conflict. Not something one necessarily recognizes during a short vacation. The place feels overstretched in many ways, housing being one of them. And the “mild” weather (super humid especially in winter) has its own issues. Not as attractive as we thought it would be to live in, considering bureaucracy and the (lack of) quality of services offered. And yes, the originally local population is mostly not participating in the economic boom since the golden visa. Many reasons to blame for that. Still a beautiful place worth visiting.

[@camdendavid]

Thanks for sharing this. Definitely agree it's still a beautiful place worth visiting :)

[@bourgeoisecurdlesnoot2284]

Really loved ad appreciated this video. Please do more!

[@camdendavid]

Thanks you and will do!

[@cobrooke1]

20:00 US expat here been living in Lisbon for 2+ years. It’s difficult to make sweeping conclusions after spending one month here (especially if you’re staying in Alfama) but the general tenor of your comments is correct. Costs here are still at least 20% less than the US- greater if you’re coming from a big city. Point of reference: the 3 bedroom condo we’re renting for 1800 euros would be 6K+ monthly in NYC or LA, probably double in most other mid-sized US cities. Transportation is affordable, free for those 65+ or 25 and younger. It is gritty and dirtier than most other European cities. And like most other cities around the world locals are struggling with wages. How many locals are left in cities like New York, Chicago or LA? It’s not just a Lisbon problem, it’s a global problem. Over tourism is everywhere, there’s no place left to hide. The benefit to being in Lisbon is that it makes European travel so much easier. My two cents: use Lisbon as a base to explore Europe and Northern Africa and then move on.

[@camdendavid]

Thanks for taking the time to share this. Appreciate your perspective. I'd agree that it's a global problem. I see some version of it in every place I visit (some more than others, of course)

[@VADACHE]

I would never live in Lisbon .. Lisbon would be day trip for me

[@antoniocruz8083]

I dont think staying 1 month in a place can be classified as living there. Living in a place involves less of looking at its infrastruture and more of building relationships, interacting with locals in their language, learning new habits, adopting a certain pace of life, accepting the subtleness good balancing with the bad. All this takes years. Unfortunately Americans want to live too fast and often they don't live at all.

[@camdendavid]

Appreciate you sharing your perspective. I would agree that there's always going to be an opportunity for deeper understanding/connection as you spend more time in a place, but I'd challenge the idea that someone couldn't achieve some of what you mentioned during a shorter period of time. I'd say quite a bit depends on the intentionality of the individual. I'll use my past self as the example -- I lived in Chicago and "lived" in the traditional sense. I worked a job 9-5 and had no intentions of moving away from the city. Of course I developed routines, habits, and relationships over time, but in some ways I found myself in a repetitive loop. I had a tendency to eat at the same places, hang around the same areas of town, and deepen the relationships I already had instead of seeking new ones. It'd probably be fair to say had a deep understanding of the little bubble I created for myself. That often came at the expense of interacting with other locals, searching for new activities and habits, and seeking an understanding of the place I was in. But in moving to a new country each month, I find myself putting extra effort into understanding the culture, connecting with locals, and trying to collect a variety of perspectives. A piece of this is recognizing that I only have one month in a place -- that forces me to make the most of each day and really seek out the things you mentioned. But of course, this comes back to intentions. I intend to live outside of my comfort zone and to seek new perspectives. I'd be lying if I said I truly lived this way back in Chicago and I'd attribute that to having the understanding that there was always tomorrow (my fault for letting that mindset take hold of how I lived). I certainly don't want to live "fast." Although I agree that us Americans tend to do so. My desire is to not repeat the same day again and again and call it a life. But I appreciate your perspective and appreciate you taking the time to read this jumbled mess I just wrote out haha

[@antoniocruz8083]

@@camdendavid Thanks for the reply. Now, taking life for granted while in the US doesn't make 1 month any longer than what it is, a holiday break. If I tell you my story you will understand. I moved here from Canada. The first 7 years I basically compared everything to my previous life. Then I learned to enjoy the people, their sense of humour, where they spend their long weekends and month long holidays, their second homes in the interior villages, their traditions mixed with modern life, their strong sense of family, the seasonal seafoods they make a point of eating, the many festivals in every single town not to mention the month long party of Lisbon in June, the specific songs everyone sings at parties with funny connotation to sex, even school kids sing it when on bus tours, the hikes and Mtbike trips in the mountains, the surf, the football, the trillion different foods and desserts according to the town or village, the soup festivals, the different accents and incomprehensible sayings in towns only 20km away from each other, the so many different wines and strange liquors and the way alcohol is not abused like in the US so that it is rare to see someone beyond happy as in dead drunk, the weekend beach addiction, a family environment, no rawdiness, loud music or alcohol, just football and tinny bikinis, ending in a cafe hangout until late at night. I've only skinned the surface but in 1 month you can learn or experience all this? Really? Imagine going to the US and never seeing a family bbq, a parade, a basketball game, going into the wild on a fishing trip, hanging out in cottage country, going shopping in a skidoo up north, having a thanks giving, knowing a single american besides a shallow conversation with a waiter and then saying you've lived there for 1 entire month and know the country.

[@PedroAlvarez-j3t]

awesome video, thank you!!!

[@miamadeira4893]

I know this video is a few months old but I'd like to share my two cents... As a 34 yo Portuguese, I this 'pain' you mentioned is a usual topic of conversation among younger people as well... There's a sense of injustice and resentment toward the government, mainly for the visas - which most Portuguese (in my opinion) regard as the starting point of the increase of the cost of living. It has become close to impossible for a Portuguese person with a local salary to buy or even rent an apartment. We can no longer live in the cities we grew up in, where our parents live, where we work. We've been "driven" to the outskirts, leaving the elderly and the impoverished populations in the older buildings, due to rent control. Parallel to this, for the last (close to) 20 years, our government made virtually no investments in the public transportation, health or education. So we now have commutes of 2-3h to get to and from our jobs, in old trains and few-and-far-apart-buses (the buses did improve in the last year, to be fair, but are still lacking)... we wait 10 hours for a doctor in the emergency room of our hospitals, we have our kids (if we afford to have them at all) in schools with underpaid, undermotivated teachers, and though we live away from the city, our rents are still very expensive for the 'average' salary. As someone who lived abroad, I understand this is - in no way - the foreigners fault and that ultimately, there can be positive results from the visas. But as a Portuguese, I share in the disappointment with how the situation was handled. On a lighter note... If you do return to the capital, consider staying in Oeiras. It's much cleaner than Lisbon, there are parks and beaches, and it's a short drive from the Lisbon city center, Cascais and Sintra. And last but not least, you can pronounce "Ginja" - the drink - the same way as 'ginger', just without the R at the end.

[@camdendavid]

Thank you so much for taking the time to share all this. It's helpful getting to hear these perspectives and I hope a better balance is found. I'll certainly return and will definitely check out Oeiras :) Much love

[@chemitch8474]

Rent in a city is 500 euro.. UK would be 2k ,some house owners Portuguese ie foreign would rent out a house for 500 a month to foreigners.. Immigration brings money.. Up to Portuguese to start business or get subsidy

[@miamadeira4893]

​@@chemitch8474 500 euro is the rent for a room, not a flat. Also, most people in Portugal make minimum wage which is about 800 euros. Living costs are about 200-250 monthly... You end up with 50-100 euros to spare to have a drink or a dinner out... And that's only if you didn't get ill or had to by anything for your home. I don't think it makes sense for someone who doesn't understand the situation 'from the inside', to simplify our situation as you have.

[@chemitch8474]

@@miamadeira4893 oh, yes your correct. I was told 500 for a flat is Lisbon, should have guessed that meant a room.. The situation is the same in any country, if you have no land then your a slave, unless you can afford to live in a capital then you pay for protection.. This is changing! Don't think its immigrants that are creating that power play however

[@chemitch8474]

What's the average salary in Portugal? The average salary of workers with remuneration declared to Social Security was 1,269.34 euros per month in 2022, 29% higher than in 2015, while for young people (up to 30 years old), the average salary was 1,037.57 euros, 40% more compared to 2015.Jan 26, 2023. Some data from the internet, dont know how accurate it is

[@fuchsiaswing15]

Lisboa is overcrowded with tourists, the locals mostly don’t feel that much at home anymore. I would like to hear Portuguese on the streets instead of English :(

[@lurdesfaro923]

Oh you hear plenty of Portuguese on the streets, but now you can hear other languages as well.

[@krisburke1712]

but you didn't travel to Nazare.. I am a Canadian living in Nazare I fall asleep to the sound of the waves wake up and look at the sea from my bedroom window.. here the elder ladies wear the traditional 7 skirts.. we host the tow surfing world championship.. wave height record at the North beach..we are not overrun with immigrants..very few thankful.. I live in a traditional neighbourhood where all of my neighbours are Portuguese exactly what I was looking for..did not want to live amongst expats.. the Portuguese people are fabulous and very welcoming..much culture in this village..my home price has risen by 37% taxes remained the same.. insurance has risen slightly owing to replace cost rising..I couldn't be happier..

[@camdendavid]

Glad to hear you're having a positive experience :) I'll be sure to visit Nazare during my next trip!

[@shawn47240]

Just got back from Lisbon. The “Lisbon isn’t a clean city” is a bald face lie. I was ALL OVER that city as a photographer of city street art.

[@camdendavid]

Glad to hear it’s getting cleaned up!

[@davidmartinspresents]

Looking to move to Portugal later this year, most likely Algarve or Madeira.

[@camdendavid]

You'll have to let me know where you end up and what your experience is like

[@davidmartinspresents]

@@camdendavidSounds good! 👍

[@Dovndyr13]

Stayed in the former Santa Engracia parish of Lisbon. Loved it, not many tourists here. For 5 days I went to the same restaurant in the evening - only once a german couple visited. Els only portugese speaking people. It was in march, also went to Lagos. If you dont like a lot of tourist, then dont go to Lagos. Even in low season in areas i heard more english than portugese

[@camdendavid]

Good to know, thanks!

[@teddydavis2339]

You are very observant. I lived in Portugal some years ago, and I wasn't impressed. There is a lot of poverty. The rich have out priced the local. For people who don't want to learn Portuguese, Portugal is a good place because many speak English. You mentioned the younger generation. Many are leaving the country for better opportunities. Honestly, I believe that many Americans will leave once reality sets in. If and when they learn the language, they will understand the real life in Portugal, and some of it is not so pretty.

[@camdendavid]

Appreciate you sharing. Hoping they'll find a way to keep some of the younger generation from leaving and help the community rebound

[@csmartinho82]

​​@@camdendavidwhen I was about 29/30 years old and finishing my PhD in Portugal our prime minister encouraged all the young people to leave because he would not manage to improve unemployment. I left to the University of Cambridge, am now a professor in the UK. Miss the old Lisbon and my country dearly. But there is very little opportunity perhaps a bit more tourism related. You're probably correct, there's pain 😢

[@rehamja7659]

You such a good soul 💕

[@camdendavid]

Much love

[@margotpurdie1275]

Hey Camden. Really appreciated your video. What are your opinions on staying in the Belem area for a 4-night trip to Lisbon? Yes, out of the city center, but I'm kind of drawn to that. Do you think it would put us at a disadvantage being over there (being far from the main city attractions?)

[@camdendavid]

Hmmm, that's a good question. Belem is definitely a good distance away from the heart of the city but it sounds like you might enjoy that. As long as you're comfortable utilizing public transportation to get to those central areas, I don't see any big disadvantage. It's probably not where I'd want to stay if I were planning a bunch of day trips but I'm assuming you'll be sticking around Lisbon for a 4-night visit. I'd say go for it -- At the very least, you'll get to see the city in a way that most tourists don't ever experience :)

[@margotpurdie1275]

@@camdendavid yes! 4 nights in Lisbon. Thank you for your advice. I think we have pivoted and are now looking at more central areas like Alfama, Estrela, or Graca. Hoping those will all be okay!

[@motherbagheera1700]

Costa Rica has become the same way as you say Lisbon has become with all the foreigners moving here! It’s sad that the locals can’t even afford to live here!☹️

[@camdendavid]

I'm sorry to hear that

[@trconway3067]

is worth taking the viking cruise vs renting a car to visit Portugal for the first time. as well as skim Spain and maybe Morocco.

[@camdendavid]

I haven't done the Viking Cruise and I think a rental car will give you the opportunity to see places that most tourists won't get to. I imagine the cruise will be more convenient but you'll be on their agenda. I'd choose the rental car but that's just my preference. I'm sure you'll have a great time with either :)

[@fosterfoster1218]

I appreciate your videos. However, the situation is complicated. Consider the fact that Portugal's population (like all of its European neighbors) is declining AND aging. That means all the old people are supported by the social welfare programs less and less. Portugal (like Spain) likely needs MILLIONS of immigrants to support its social welfare programs for the retired elderly (and others). The solution I suppose is not to do away with the Golden Visa (which still exists in Portugal for investors) but how to implement it in such a way that it is good for the country.

[@annlgray1512]

Migration is changing in the world. At least from America, where capitalism there is driving many out. I’ve spent my entire life here and worked hard towards my retirement, but am planning to live out the rest of my life abroad. Reverse immigration historically from the land of opportunity.

[@migueloliveira2848]

I would generally agree with the video, but Lisbon is nowhere dirty compared to Naples.Naples is way worse than us.

[@camdendavid]

I haven't been to Naples quite yet so I'll take your word for it haha

[@mindshiftlife_pl]

I lived in Portugal for almost one year. And Lisbon and Porto were the worst for me. But Still love Portugal and you can find many good places to live. And I agree with you about the gold visa. This is going wrong.

[@camdendavid]

Thanks for sharing. Which areas of Portugal did you enjoy most?

[@VADACHE]

I have being living in Portugal last 5 years on in on and it went from authentic charming unique to commercial machine really fast it’s out of control prices sky rocket quality of food and serves is bad everywhere i am disappointed for sure.. especially this obnoxious Real Estate opening and popping up on every corner. Other than that I love Portugal ❤

[@camdendavid]

Sorry to hear that.. appreciate you sharing your experience :)

[@scottmacconnell470]

I appreciate your point of view but i did not get unclean from Lisbon. I did see one dog poop😄 In perspective Lisbon is the largest city and that does also mean the greatest tourism and prices. I wonder about how things were in the recent past that caused the golden visa to be offered. It had to be economic so must not have been that great. Sometimes you have to say great for who. Maybe the older crowd were OK but opportunity was slim for the young? Then there is always politics. How is that new inflow of money being used. Taxes are very high in Portugal and you do get quite a bit from it in the form of healthcare etc. but perhaps some is not used so wisely. My hope is that my living in Portugal would just add economically.

[@tomdemeo2708]

Interesting slant on the city and fiscal disparity. I am wondering if this golden ticket and influx was caused by the horrible economic situation of Portugal and the “ pig “ countries. Tourists money always corrupts but fuels growth and tax money for improvements. Prices are rising everywhere especially after covid.

[@camdendavid]

It definitely feels different in Lisbon. Still have lots to learn

[@IngridBerg-t9p]

David, you must be quite a sensitive person. You talked about the pain of the people in Lisbon, yes the prices have increased greatly lately with the tourism and the expats who moved to Portugal, making it difficult for the local poor people, but tourism and expats have also been good for Portugal. Now that the prices have increased I also see videos telling expats that as Portugal became expensive and advising them where they can more and get a better deal for their money. As for being a dirty city, probably, sorry you stayed in the old part, no offence to the locals but probably dirtier than other parts. I am a Portuguese, I live in Canada, Montreal. Some Canadians visited Lisbon, they found Lisbon charming and so clean, I love Montreal, beautiful city but quite dirty. Thank you for telling people to leave a tip in restaurants, I have seen many videos made by Americans saying do not leave a tip in restaurants this is not a culture of tipping, which I do not understand, I see my family and friends always living a tip for the water, if I pay they always tell me to leave a tip, they deserve and need it.

[@camdendavid]

Thanks for taking the time to share all this. Appreciate you pointing out some of the positives of the tourism as well. And you are right - it still has TONS of charm even in the areas that are dirty. Thanks again :)

[@GuitarheroXXI]

Go to the North and you will experience cleanliness and stillness

[@СтасКолесников-з2с]

I live in Paris and the City become very dirty in the last few years, even in very touristic corners, actually all over. Lots of Life but lots of stress also, rude people…

[@camdendavid]

Sorry to hear that

[@jorgelana]

É isso mesmo.Lisboa perdeu parte da sua alma.Deixou de ser a nossa Lisboa tranquila , real para se tornar um inferno para os lisboetas e um lugar artificial para turistas.

[@Bibcon]

In some vids u say u don't drink in others u talk ab getting drinks. Jus curious if u were a drinker then quit or rarely drink?

[@camdendavid]

Nice catch there! I've never really been a big drinker and tend to avoid it most of the time. I make the occasional exception if there's an opportunity to check out one of the "top" bars in the world or if I feel like a specific drink plays an important role in the local culture (like the port wine). But I'd say I probably consume alcohol less than 10 days a year :)

[@303mitch]

​@@camdendavid I have very similar drinking habits. Good to see I'm not the only one and that I'm not crazy

[@Bibcon]

U should do a vid on best places to visit so far.

[@camdendavid]

I can do that. Is there any specific type of info you'd want to see?

[@Bibcon]

@@camdendavid best places to see or skip in Europe. Ur SA vid was awesome I'm going there next and will stay in Sea point!

[@Bibcon]

Just found ur channel and loving it.

[@camdendavid]

@@Bibcon Will get to work on this. Thanks! And hope you have a great time in Sea Point!!

[@camdendavid]

@@Bibcon Thanks for the support! Let me know if there's ever anything you'd like to see more of or things I should switch up. Always open to feedback :)

[@mr.j3417]

NY has a lot 🐀 and rubbish lol .. in my opinion all turist cities in most countries in the world have the same issues.. Dublin city in the morning.. dejesus ... crazy, full of rubbish in the streets 👀

[@camdendavid]

Some more than others haha

[@Cccoast]

How do you make money during your travels?

[@camdendavid]

Making a whole video on this topic right now but the short answer is this: KZbin is my full-time gig right now. I've worked a variety of jobs throughout our journey and spent a good chunk of it working remotely for a US based company