1st Year Living In Portugal - My Thoughts So Far About Living in Braga

[@Tzippi]

For an active 55 year old that still like to party a we bit, but also likes a nice quiet living environment because I do work from home, where should I move to? I really don’t like crazy crowds and I don’t want to live in a high tourist area. Suggestions? I’ve watched a lot of your videos, and I certainly appreciate your channel than most I have seen. I would have to travel occasionally so being close to an airport or transportation to an airport would be fantastic and once again, I do not want a car. I would like to be able to walk everywhere. And when I mean nightlife, I mean like going out for a few drinks, listening to some music, maybe shaking my booty a little bit. 😂

[@sunworksco]

Fortunately, I grew up in a very populated Portuguese community in California. My father was the treasurer of the Fatima Club. I also had many Portuguese friends. Although I’m not fluent in the language, I will learn fast.

[@RafaelDiFuria]

That’s awesome! For being able to spend time in a Portuguese speaking country it could make a biiig difference, although you might find a few unique words the Portuguese-american comunity has come up with over the years that might be said differently in PT… but maybe not a huge amount… a few words and phrases

[@n701204x]

Wow got my Italian Citizenship and decided to check in.... and you are in Portugal FOR A YEAR, man have I been out of the loop😂

[@karentynan9002]

Thanks Rafael for your informative videos. Looking forward to many more 😊👍🏻.

[@RafaelDiFuria]

Thank you for coming along on the ride and you kind words :)

[@majebrennan5668]

I agree. Learn the language. Here in Bozen/Bolzano I couldn't have done much of anything if I didn't already speak German. That said, I am learning Italian. The rental market has loosened up and prices are down from last year. When we were in the Algarve, my husband tried speaking Spanish and was quickly told that Spain was a different country. English worked just fine. Although, I did learn the greetings to be polite. I'm glad you're having a good time in Portugal.

[@RafaelDiFuria]

It really is so great that you at least had that german under your belt before arriving there! Have you been getting used to their dialect? But yes, there will be many people who make sure that someone from another country understands that there is a separation not only between the countries and languages but will also find it quite rude… but then you do find the odd person who doesn’t really mind. Thanks for coming back to check out another episode Maje :)

[@majebrennan5668]

@@RafaelDiFuria I haven't had a problem with the dialect. I think it's because I'm used to Schwäbische. The German speakers understand me when I use Schwäbische terms. I'm taking an online Italian course, and I can probably say a lot more than I think I can say, but it's too easy for me to slip into German. Although, at the dog park, people will help me with Italian. But I'm going to have to find someone who will just speak Italian to me. Between having to travel to the State, deadlines, and the move my life has been crazy for the past several months. I'm glad to see you're doing well. Braga seems to be a good fit for you. I do wish you were still in Italy.

[@lucchese20]

Thanks Rafael for your videos. 🙏🏻 They are all very helpful and interesting for us. 😀 Looking forward to another 5 year cycle. 🇮🇹 🇵🇹 👍🏻

[@RafaelDiFuria]

Thank you for coming along on the journey and your support for this project 😁

[@itsmetaran]

Agreed - if you can speak the local language, that's definitely great advantage.

[@RafaelDiFuria]

It can be the make or break difference when living in another part of the world 😅

[@tinglestingles]

A local cafe, cha preto - €1.05 last week, yesterday €1.25. BUT seven months of gas and electricity less than €240.

[@RafaelDiFuria]

WOW that’s amazing! Are those the actual calculated rates or the estimated rates for your utilities? Interesting about the price of tea going up, on one hand I’m surprised it’s gone up that much, but at the same time I’m almost surprised it hasn’t gone up more

[@tinglestingles]

@@RafaelDiFuria Actual rates for both utilities. Just put our gas central heating on a few times this month. Setubal has been pretty warm so far. Cha is my wife's drink of choice - I enjoy a galao and haven't really noticed any change. We can still get a small beer for €1.

[@rickchandler2570]

Got a lot of opportunities to speak Portuguese in Braga which was quite nice. Quite difficult to do in Porto/Lisbon/Lagos. I asked my language teacher about why they immediately spoke English to me and she told me it’s pretty obvious to Portuguese people that you speak English…. My wife is Greek and doesn’t speak a lick of Portuguese and it was funny how many women came up to her and asked her directions or questions. She looks Portuguese, I’m just your run of the mill white dude.

[@RafaelDiFuria]

😆 sometimes Southern Europeans get mistaken for one another, I’ve definitely seen that, even people in my own family 😅 Hope you enjoyed your time here in Braga! And yes definitely makes sense why people would go straight for english, sometimes it just can make things easier or speed up the interaction to make that assumption in certain locations that have a lot of tourists. But if you get outside of the touristy areas you’ll find that they just initiate in Portuguese.

[@rolandbeauregard7043]

My wife and I love watching your videos. We are taking our first trip to Portugal next week. Staying in Porto but hopefully we can take a couple of day trips to Braga to check out what the city has to offer. My goal is to retire in a couple of years and move to Portugal. Roland and Carol St Cloud, FL

[@expat2023]

From 🇷🇺 with ❤️!

[@Jordan-hu8ij]

Thanks!

[@RafaelDiFuria]

Thank you so much for the support Jordan ^_^ It is truly appreciated!

[@benjamind3448]

Hi. Where in Portugal do you live?

[@ajdrums8075]

Australia has doubled in price for property over last five years regardless of popular expat area or not. Things are going crazy regardless of expats moving in but the more popular for expats they will always be blamed.

[@katecarter6728]

How would you compare Portugal to Canada?

[@sergiodematostube]

As someone who has lived in both, choose Portugal, Canada is going down the tubes

[@katecarter6728]

@@sergiodematostube Aww thanks for your respond

[@angelosedacca1940]

Rafael, Good evening. Although I have never lived in Europe, I am a citizen of Italy and of Portugal. Can one use the Portuguese health care anywhere in the EU? Or only in Portugal? (I do not have a tessera sanitaria since I am not resident in Italy). Are my wife and dependent children covered under the Portuguese health-care system? I was told that the number on the rear of my cartão can be used in all public hospitals. Is that for my whole family? Please let me know. Thank you. - Angelo

[@Alfablue227]

Yes you can as long as your wife and children have EU ppt. If they do, all you need to do is once you move over, register in person for SNS service at your town's local SNS clinic, and go from there. Now, for the best medical care, I would suggest living in or around the larger cities. If you live in the isolated areas of the countryside, there will be shortage of services and you may have to see SNS MD specialists in larger towns. Suggest you consider also private insurance if you or your family has medical conditions. The rates are quite reasonable. Good luck.

[@angelosedacca1940]

@@Alfablue227 OK. Thanks. So the Portuguese medical card can be used in Italy and vice versa?

[@Alfablue227]

@@angelosedacca1940 if you are an Italian citizen sure, however you do need to have an EU Medical Travel Card, which upon your request (in person at Loja do Cidadão) is issued and then mailed to your Portuguese address free of charge.

[@angelosedacca1940]

@@Alfablue227 Thank you again.

[@TomBarman]

Braga é uma cidade especial no que diz respeito a clima, é a cidade mais chuvosa do país e, por isso, tem a alcunha de “penico de Portugal”. 😂

[@RafaelDiFuria]

Haha wow, I’ve never heard that one before…. Quite the nickname there to give to a place 😅 I’ll admit that I do like the weather though 🤣 … yes even the rain 😜

[@TomBarman]

​@@RafaelDiFuria you probably haven't heard the expression before because you've been in Braga for a year and the last year was a dry one :D

[@brooksmagruder6662]

Neither Galatian or Portuguese is the parent of the other-- rather they diverged from common languages in the middle ages...

[@RafaelDiFuria]

Hmm interesting I’ve heard most of my life from native Portuguese speakers that Galician influenced Portuguese 🤔

[@brooksmagruder6662]

@@RafaelDiFuria influenced each other-- but descended in parallel-- neither the older... As do all languages & dialects.

[@davidmarques93]

@@RafaelDiFuria portugal is born from a county in the galician kingdom so make your own interpretation

[@ilegalalien]

Rafael seems happier and less uptight since after moving to Braga. I guess Portuguese women are more easy going…..