Why Living in Portugal Doesn't Work for MOST Americans

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Hello I'm some guy named Dave in Portugal.
I absolutely love living in Portugal but today we are going to discuss some of the main reasons why I don't think it works for most Americans!
If you're interested in more videos about Portugal, subscribe to this channel and follow my journey!
-Dave
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[@sta5784]

To all the outsiders coming in, please know that as hard as it is for you start a new life here, is it incredibly hard for us portuguese to do the same in our country as the government and some people take advantage of the fact foreigners usually have more money to spend than we do. It is extremely hard for most young people to buy or even rent as the prices have skyrocketed in the past few years and it only seems to get worse the more people get to know and love Portugal. By all means, we love receiving people and welcoming you, we love that you love our country as much as we do, but please be kind to us as some of us feel we are being pushed out and given no choice but to move to another country as we can’t keep up with the prices here ❤

[@user-xt7pp5yy9w]

It seems to be the same issue in every country. I think its actually property being brought and owned by large American real estate companies

[@laurelm349]

This happens here in America. We have a huge homeless problem because people run out of money and can't keep a roof over their heads. The rich push us out just like you are being pushed out. It is happening everywhere and I am not sure what the answer is. The only thing I can come up with is that there are still these beautiful villages with stone houses in Portugal and Italy that were abandoned by the people who lived there for better economic opportunities in the major cities. I did read about an abandoned village in Spain where a group people moved there and fixed up the houses and the businesses. They started with the bakery and took it from there. I don't know if this is even a possibility in Portugal. I don't want to see the Portuguese priced out of their own country.

[@alannahprestaynofbraavos5759]

@@user-xt7pp5yy9w in NYC (where I'm from and still live - for now) our understanding is that properties here are being bought by overseas investors who either want a safe place to store their money or want a place to escape to if necessary. New housing is built that is called "affordable" because it is in the range of 100-130 percent of the adjusted median income (AMI) is well out of the price range of people whose income is in the 40-80% AMI range. People come here from out of town and share apartments that are not made for the number of people who live here. Finally a new law was enacted that started today that prevents people from renting out their apartments for less than 30 days. People would get an apartment and then AirBnB it for much more than the rent while they lived somewhere else. Unfortunately people are being priced out everywhere, so at least I - a not wealthy NYer - have both compassion and understanding for the Portuguese people.

[@thurstonhowelllll948]

What country would a Portuguese person move to that might be cheaper to live??

[@alannahprestaynofbraavos5759]

@@thurstonhowelllll948 there are many countries; the question is whether or not a Portuguese person would *want* to move to certain countries where cost is the only criteria.

[@anacurrier8351]

I'm Portuguese, live in the US and I feel that you were able to put into words in a very honest and nice way the reality of Portugal. Good job!🥰

[@paulasotomaior2222]

Same here. I'm from Pt and live in the US for 23 years now. I'm returning tho, and I'm a bit afraid of the culture shock 😅... but if Dave can handle it, I guess why not me. Dave is ABSOLUTELY right about pt, now imagine how it was back 20 years ago!

[@fotiniwalton]

I’m curious if you and the other native Portuguese commenter (living now in the U.S.) would mind commenting on the motivation for moving to the States and whether you feel like the U.S. has been able to fulfill those wishes

[@Apilif91]

@@fotiniwaltonmore money, we are not treated as slaves by our bosses. Work culture is really bad in Portugal. We pay heavy taxes in Portugal because we are still paying the for German bank’s incompetence as well as our politicians lack of integrity.

[@jddasilva8818]

I'm Portuguese and I live in the US too

[@odetemoura6786]

I have lived and worked in the USA, had the privilege to travel and visit various states. Have reached the conclusion that I rather live in place that is full of problems, not in wonderland. As you we say 'quem não está bem que se mude'.

[@wilhelmsvideon9206]

Interestingly, what Americans have difficulty with is exactly what I like about Portugal. I am from Finland and I have lived in many different European countries and in Portugal I found what I was looking for. The people, which is the most important thing, in Portugal are genuine, honest, helpful, open and at the same time sensitive in a good way, which I think is a nice combination. Many tourists take it for granted that they will be served and they complain when everything is not perfect or goes the way they want. When you show that you care, maybe even want to help and don't take things for granted, in my experience the Portuguese receive you as if you were a family member. In much of the world, selfishness, superiority, materialism, efficiency and superficiality are so present, but in Portugal I found something completely different. The people are just as genuine, caring and friendly even though they are very poor by our standards. Although I walk at night in poor areas, I feel safe, which is something I value greatly. I really hope that those of us who come to Portugal know how to adapt to them and not expect the opposite.

[@carlitoxb110]

People make the place

[@jjcproducer]

Well said! People who are kind and generous and genuine respond to those who act likewise.

[@luisfilipe534]

So rare your atitude in people moving here...

[@cjnge6828]

sendo finlandês como sabes escrever português? só não gostei da frase, que "somos muito pobres"nós não nos consideramos coitadinhos, nem pobrezinhos...não repitas isso, tá?

[@filipemonteiro7398]

Hi Dave. Every American wanting to live in Portugal should read this book "A Cottage in Portugal" from Richard Hewitt. The book is about the adventures and chalenges of an American in the Portuguese bureaucratic system renovating a house. Im Portuguese and highly recomend it. Loved the book.

[@mariajosecosta3336]

I'm portuguese from Lisbon and... yeah, they should read it, i also have the book, both of them!

[@FailedFlea93]

@@user-fk2yk8gg8jno.

[@ellie8602]

OMG! I read that book way back in the late 90s after my first visit to Portugal! It made me want to move here right away. It took me until 2022 to get here, but I have that book on my bookshelf! And now I’m putting together stories of my own that resemble the experiences that couple had with the quirks of Portugal which I love with all my heart!

[@passportandbeer]

Lol that sounds depressing

[@jaanaprall9961]

I'm originally from Denmark and lived in California for many years. I now live in Portugal. I would say one really nice unexpected thing is that I feel so much calmer in Portugal. There is no putting energy into trying to push to make something happen when you're at a business. It's just not going to happen the way it would in the U.S. So, you might as well just go and have a coffee at a nice cafe and chill....

[@ivanbarbosa81]

Nevertheless Portuguese natives are all stressed out

[@dugfriendly]

Appreciate this!

[@meesalikeu]

sure go relax. oh, about that deal? sorry it was taken by a competitor lol.

[@frekehkhouri]

Open your eyes and have a look at how Portuguese people are living. Your reality is a total fairy tale that could basically happen anywhere in the world, it has nothing to do with "Portugal".

[@irenestrmnss4496]

Snakker du fremdeles dansk ? 😉🙋‍♀️jeg er norsk. Elsker Danmark, vært mange mange ganger. Også vært i Portugal for mange år siden. Så vakkert der, men fattig land den gangen. Jeg bor i Norge. Ville heller bodd 1.Danmark 2. Portugal aldri i USA. USA har blitt Crazy. More peaceful in both Portugal and Scandinavia😊

[@georgepiteira7586]

Spot on Dave. As a Portuguese American, I couldn't agree more, but anyone can adapt to snails' pace. There are quite a few areas in the US that are equally just as bad if not worse. As with anything, there are tradeoffs. We recently bought a modern villa in Madeira and we need to get some renovation work done there. Being an island, you have to add the snail's pace + limited supply chain + island time + extra patience to get anything done, but, the overall experience has been priceless because it has reminded us that the world does not revolve around our expectations. 😅

[@seinfeldcostanza9433]

I love Madeira. Only thing is... It's too hilly. Will probably settle for the second best... The Ahhhlgarrrve (as Dave pronounces it). 😊

[@richardabel2402]

just go to the Madeira Home Depot 😂

[@peergerber7609]

Great vlog! Having lived in Portugal for almost 3 years now, I can say with confidence that real estate agents and firms, in general do not work together to share commissions and actually fight each other, to the detriment of buyers. Regarding the snail pace, it is a huge adjustement for most americans, especially those coming from big cities, but it helps tremendously to speak portuguese, even a little bit, because the locals will greatly appreciate the effort. But if they start to speak in english, don't feel bad because most of them just want to practice their english 😂

[@alannahprestaynofbraavos5759]

I don't believe everyone can adjust (or wants to!). For example, I know Madeira would not be for me because I don't want to live on an island (I visited Madeira - it is beautiful - just not for me). Every place isn't for everyone, and that's okay! On the other hand, being from a large city in the northeastern US, I am used to everything not being brand new. In my neighborhood, the people who want to live in new buildings are generally not from my city, but are from other parts of the country where they are used to new everything. Everyone has their preferences; the important thing is to know what suits you so that you don't move and have an awful experience that could have been avoided.

[@gypsygirl9]

Yup..same in Italy. They don't have 50 thousand contractors for every trade to call for an estimate. Lol. No. You have a few that are overbusy and you wait.

[@mariaterezadosanjosferreir4703]

I'm Portuguese born in Mozambique. Lived in Africa for 53 years. Now living in Portugal for 12 years. After Johannesburg, SA I'm enjoying the laid back pace and relative peace. I don't need to look over my shoulder constantly to see if I'm been targeted as a potential victim of crime. In South Africa, I lived under constant threat and high levels of stress & PTSD

[@nancyamaral5620]

Glad to see our Portuguese people are finding their way back home from countries that despise them for contributing to their growth and treating them with dignity

[@ununoctiu]

That description of our waters is what makes our fish so good...cold waters so fish has to have a bit more fat in it, and the strong waters make the fish stronger and meatier.... Great video once again!

[@zhufortheimpaler4041]

its just america is located far further south than europe. portugal is on the same latitude as new york

[@carmenvalmalaartaraz8260]

​@@zhufortheimpaler4041not really, it's actually related to de oceanic streams, Portugal's cold waters are due to the north african atlantic stream that feeds cold water from the depths of the ocean that flows north from the mauritanian coast up to the north of the iberian peninsula, there it mixes with the warm gulf stream that flows eastwards, thus the water is usually warmer in the gulf of biscay than in Portugal.

[@zzzzzz69]

Not only do they have to survive the harsher marine environment, now they have to survive getting fished for their delicious flesh by us too

[@DennisFutball2396]

We retired to Portugal 16 months ago and couldn’t be happier. Nice people, good food and good weather really help overcome the challenges you’ve accurately described. The language and slow response to service calls are the worst, but we have no plans to return to the US anytime soon

[@maryr7593]

Yes, Portugal can be good under certain conditions. I did my college study abroad in Portugal in 1990-91. Bureaucracy, slowness, etc was a problem then too but the internet nor email existed then. Half of the ppl didn't have telephones in their houses because it was too expensive to get installed, and that wasn't even counting monthly service fee, local or long distance minutes. Dealing with bureaucracy of the university, getting a transportation monthly pass (with photo)...barcodes didn't exist then either, renting a room month to month was hard enough with a paperback dictionary. If ppl don't have to deal with service providers (plumbers, etc), cars/driving, and you are a retired person who might be having issues illing the time..then Portugal could be a good fit. But in US, after businesses decided that every encounter could be an 'experience'....ie) customer service on steroids.. As well as for every one business in a city there are usually a couple of competitors who are willing to do anything to get your business. Not having ppl show up or on time is rare unless they are dumb enough to try to use the freeway during rush hour, or they have problems. (In this situation, I was actually charged for the time they sat in traffic...which I thought completely unfair since there are frontage roads to avoid the freeway...but the company wouldn't budge on the charge.) The can-do, as soon as possible spirit of US...will make it difficult for anyone used to the conveniences of 'instantaneous' response ...to go somewhere where they feel like they've gone back in time. How is the language learning going? Taken a class yet? I had had 3 yrs of college Portuguese before I went. I was completely literate...could speak full sentences, could write essays, could speak with a European accent and knew European grammar...but though I could understand my college instructors and other students, it took me 6 months to understand anything that was spoken to or around me. WTH...wasn't expecting that. Turned out that half my classmates were in the same boat but many of them left after 5 months.. (Guess I had the opposite of an immigrant's child...they typically know how to speak/understand but can't read or write correctly (unless their parents spoke exactly grammatically correct..most parents don't and so when one goes to school, you have to unlearn your spoken grammar. Sigh!)

[@maryr7593]

I forgot to say that I enjoyed my year abroad and could understand everything by the time I left. I loved having affordable available transportation to get to most tourist places of the country...except Tras-os-Montes (Bragança area) and Castelo Branco. Made many friendships and had good experiences.

[@thomasbarchen]

​@@maryr7593European grammar? What's that?

[@maryr7593]

@@thomasbarchen European Portuguese is a bit different than Brazilian Portuguese. Portuguese people are more familiar with Brazilian Portuguese because they have soap opera like tv shows. Brazilians might be less informed about the grammar of European Portuguese. I don't know how many tv shows were produced in Portugal and exported to Brazil. Just like British English vs American English..there are differences in words, spellings, and ways of saying things. Many foreigners arrive in US having learned British English and are surprised that Americans don't know these English words. (Well that was experience in 1999-2003....so before internet became mainstream, before we could view tv shows from other countries, before youtube, etc. Example: a student neighbor originally from Switzerland in a college town asked to borrow a spammer. I was at a loss. His dictionary german to English was of no help to me. I asked what you use it for, what does it look like...drawing pictures, hand gestures and it was a wrench. Grr...either wrench or screw driver....cant recall off hand.)

[@user-oi3mz8gs2c]

You are in the honeymoon phase.

[@randyneilson7465]

Dave, we just got here 5 days ago. We've been watching you for a year, so I am prepared for the differences you describe. Also, I've lived in the Caribbean country of Trinidad and Tobago, so I'm familiar with the differences in service between the US and other cultures. That is one of the reasons we came here, to slow down on the last leg of our life's journey. Having had a full life of work, raising kids, owning property and being lulled into the routine of everyday life, this a welcome challenge. One thing I take seriously from you is the importance of learning Portuguese. I know it will enhance our experience here a hundred fold. Thanks for sharing your experiences and advice. We hope to cross paths someday. You're pretty smart for a young guy. Cheers, Randy and Beth

[@Locomaid]

Enjoy!

[@RabidDeathCursed]

Bem Vindos

[@damaliaj]

As a US-based Trini I feel like the challenges he mentions are just a regular day in the life of a Trinidadian. No wonder I fell in love with Portugal because it's just like home...🙃...lol...I can't wait until I can pack up my bags and my two Corsos and move there. In the meantime I will satisfy my daydreams with trips to Lisboa...See you next week💌

[@Locomaid]

I have lived in several countries (and travelled to many, many more. I am not a spring chicken 😂). The hardest part about living abroad is aligning our expectations with reality. The first three months are adventurous, the next three confusing, the following year arduous and then you start to get an idea of where you are. Most people (would be ex pats) I have encountered have returned within three years. Business ex pats often return because their spouse cannot handle the situation, often isolated due to lack of language fluency. The hardest part can be trying to navigate bureaucracy. Moreover, the locals have their own lives and most don’t need people running in and out of them. Real friendships are hard work that bear slow ripening fruit. I have become fluent in several languages, but I always look for ex pats. They make life a bit easier, answering questions and listening to you gripe until they tell you off about not making enough effort! I had thought about trying Portugal, too, but at my age, I think I will stick to vacations (I live in Continental Europe). At any rate, I would do it again and recommend that people try it. Just do your research and homework, so you (think you) know what you are getting into. It will all happen differently, of course, but that is your story to tell.

[@madalenafaria4563]

I also would like to add that young people have better opportunities to socialise in Portugal- the beaches are full, the coffee shops are cheap which attract people from all generations and walks of life. People talk to each other, go to restaurants-they actually know a little bit about what good food is, children are fed the same food as the adults. The influence of the fast food chains is not as pervasive. I live in a beautiful English village but everyone is indoors. Even young people! I know Portugal is in a different social and economical cycle from England but nem muito ao mar nem muito a terra. Wealthy countries have a lot to learn from countries like Portugal. Too much fast food, netflix, computer games, amazon deliveries, spreadsheets to measure inputs and output does not create a happy, creative, healthy society.

[@isabelsilva100]

You are rigth!!!

[@fan2807]

Well said!!

[@coastalhillbilly3419]

Sounds like my neighborhood and kitchen, there is community, morality and swaths of freedom to be had in every US state at this point in time, even in the blue states outside of the densely populated blue cities

[@luisfilipe534]

Boa sorte Madalena.. Caso queiras, espero que voltes um dia, e que os preços impossíveis que esta moda de Portugal entre os estrangeiros ricos não torne impossível um dia comprar casa cá..

[@madalenafaria4563]

Muito obrigada e tudo de bom para si. Sim, eu pago impostos aqui em Inglaterra e trabalho bastante. Com muito gosto, acrescento. Tenho receio que essa moda continue... espero que nao. Portugal tem uma alma grande e generosa mas tem que haver limites.

[@danielgoncalves9756]

Dave, thanks for the video. I’m Portuguese myself and lived in the US for 15 years until I decided to move back home. All of these points are spot on but I think the most stressful points would be professionalism and the lack of ambition by many companies. I guess it’s a European thing where relationships are more important than company goals as a whole. In life we can’t everything but I think Portugal as a whole, vale a pena ;) BTW congrats on the accent!

[@Myko_Life]

"I guess it’s a European thing where relationships are more important than company goals as a whole". More accurate would be to say it's a southerners' thing all around the world. I live in central Europe and businesses are closer to US than to Portugal.

[@Maria-js9ou]

@@Myko_Life So, are you also an expat ?

[@Myko_Life]

@@Maria-js9ou Nope. But I see this trend that the more south you go, the more laid back people are.

[@Maria-js9ou]

@@Myko_Life I agree with that, the further south the more laid back people are. My question is due to the fact that you have a name from Eastern Europe, and since you say that you live in central Europe, I thought you were an expat

[@andrefjbernardo]

​@@Myko_Lifewhy do you think that happens?

[@ariebax3579]

Dave, long time watcher, first time commenter. My family and I just moved to Tavira a week ago. We are from the US, but one of the things we notice is that, since we are from the southern states, South Carolina specifically, and from a region called the LowCountry, but colloquially also known as the “SlowCountry”, the difficulty and slowness of getting things done here in Portugal hasn’t been any different than what we were used to back in the American South. Sometimes actually better here frankly. I guess it is all perspective. We are very happy so far, but that I think is due in large part to great content creators like yourself allowing us to have a true realistic view of what to expect. Keep it up. Will definitely get you a Sagres or Super Bock if we ever meet or you are down here in Tavira.

[@carp6448]

My husband and I retired to Portugal from the US in April of this year. We love the slower pace. We currently rent in Lisbon because of the central location. We have been able to travel to the north and south to try to figure out where we will end up. We love the food, the Portuguese people and lifestyle here.

[@ricardogomes4523]

Maybe the city Guimarães or Braga in the north of Portugal.

[@carp6448]

@@ricardogomes4523 we recently rented a small apartment in Lagos for a year starting in January 2024. I doubt we will be able to buy down south because of the cost.

[@pathkris2984]

@@carp6448 How much are rents (approx. range) for 1 bedroom apartments?

[@anadd6195]

Lisbon, my hometown, is considered so fast paced compared to the rest of the country hahaha

[@Ferreira0504]

I can vouch for Porto and Aveiro

[@madalenafaria4563]

I enjoyed your video- thank you. I am Portuguese , living in England since I was 25. I am now 43. My husband is English so I think I have a good grasp of both countries. Compared with England, service in Portugal is excellent. Honestly... we go back many times to Portugal and I do feel that the service we get there is very good. People are generous and they actually want to help. I also would like to point out that Portuguese people work hard, the pace may be slower but unlike traditionally wealthier countries people actually need to work, in often what I would call very physical jobs, in order to provide for their families. We always drive to Portugal from England - that allows us to explore the country and stay in different areas. Portuguese driving is fine! Yes, you always find the odd selfish/emotional driver but in general driving is good. Driving styles in England can be very passive aggressive. In Portugal, way less so. Portugal is doing really well when it comes to Electric car charging. The infrastructure is way better than in Spain. All service stations in motorways have EV chargers. Small towns have EV chargers! We did not have one single problem driving our electric car in Portugal. The move away from oil is very obvious in Portugal. You go Portugal!! restaurants With all it's faults, I am very proud to be Portuguese. I hope the grit and resilience I see in Portugal is not lost. It is a beautiful thing.

[@voice.of.reason]

Very sad that EVs are catching on in Portugal, they are not green

[@Garcia061]

Agree it’s 100% better than the UK. I moved to the UK via Argentina and the US and spent a lot of time in both Spain and Portugal. Slow is better for me anyway. The UK is mostly just rude.

[@carmenvalmalaartaraz8260]

Portugal has a better infrastructure for EVs because they make sense in Portugal, you can travel from Lisbon to Oporto in one EV charge and from Lisbon you can reach most of the country without the hassle of having to deviate and wait for an hour to charge your car. In Spain that's not possible, distances are bigger and major cities are not reachable between them in one charge, making EVs impractical for travelling in Spain.

[@MultiVisceral]

I'm Spanish and I can say that once you visit Portugal you begin to fall in love with it. In no time you are infatuated with all the beauty that they have. It's one of the best countrys in the world despite all the cons. Love you P.❤

[@nessinhapoeira]

¡Gracias MV! ¡Portugal también ama a España!

[@joanofarcxxi]

Gracias querido. Besos. 💖

[@midei]

Also a Spanish girl here, and I totally agree! I love Portugal and I wish I could live there ❤

[@pmv3857]

I am Portuguese who lived 20 years in the UK having returned to Portugal in the early nineties. I totally agree with all that you have said in this video. Most of my Portuguese friends who have lived abroad have expressed similar frustrations. The real frustration, however, is that things don’t seem to have changed much over the past 30 years.

[@NeverEndingWorldTour]

Do you think we'll see change in the next 30 years with the old timer, old way of thinking "getting out of the way", making way for the new generation + native Portuguese who moved abroad and have returned (bringing their open mindedness and experiences and wisdom back with them) + the ambitious immigrants to make an impact?

[@billhansen6683]

I think having lived in Europe 13 years Portugal for three that some of the Portuguese issues are structural. Denmark Germany and Switzerland prior residences all have their issues with bureaucracy but Portugal takes it to a kafkaesqe level. Petty corruption keeps people employed at SEF, DMV etc that would have not made it past their first 90 days performance review at.any multinational. Private services can get away with poor services because there is no possibility of quick redress by the legal system. A contractor makes a 8500 USD mistake for a 45.00 filing fee you can without an attorney file in small claims court and plead your case. Our newer condominiums outdoor paint peeled all of in one year because of no sealant, no fungicide, with very thin coverage of the paint. We approved a special assessment because we knew regress if possible would likely only be seen by our heirs and would cost more in legal fees.Portugal lacks significant investment capital. Would you want to invest millions where legal regress is so difficult! I would end by saying there is a cultural passivity that translates to a lack of political engagement. You could call this an inability to talk truth to power, or if you think it's problematic now it used to be worse point of view. You still see people over 65 walking with their head down like one used to see in the former DDR in Germany. There is also a soft hands calloused hands dynamic that plays out in the Lussophere. Advanced education is quite good, but for those not wanting that it is six years of primary and they can leave Schoo. There is not the German speaking emphasis on vocational education, one of the reason the showers drained the wrong way. That 2 percent gradient has been known since Roman times.

[@maryr7593]

I was hoping with all the new immigrants would help the vote to help changes for the better. The political party that would to change things should address the immigrant communities by producing some of their political material in English because unfortunately the immigrants won't know enough Portuguese to understand political speech. Google translate works well for written stuff but not quite for verbal debates. (I'm just saying if they were savvy..they would produce materials to get the immigrants involved in the vote. Not trying to say that all material should always be produced in multiple languages.

[@landsea3682]

Things not changing much may, in a way, be an asset. What is called development in rich countries is not necessarily for the better. There is a lot to say in favor of a slower more balanced pace of life rather than chasing stock markets or working all hours for buying a bigger car.

[@donnacosta5633]

@@maryr7593 DO you know something???... Immigrants don't vote. Only portuguese citizens have the right to vote in the national elections. And portuguese is the official language, it will always be. If you want translations you'll have to do it yourself or pay someone who does. And another thing: I'm portuguese and I've lived in UK and France. They didn't translate anything to portuguese either while I lived there. It was up to me to understand their language.

[@barbasbandas6665]

If you are a foreigner and come to portugal, PLEASE do not only stay in Lisbon or Porto, there are beautiful things awaiting in the rest of the country

[@ges4206]

For example?

[@barbasbandas6665]

@@ges4206 Gerês, Aveiro, Coimbra, Nazaré, São Martinho do Porto....

[@perolagrande]

Trying telling that to the Americans. They think Portugal is only Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve!

[@mtngrl5859]

@@perolagrande That also happens when people visit the US, they only go to Vegas, NYC, LA. Very few people visit small towns in the Mid-West.

[@Anne--Marie]

Are there areas where there is land enough for a garden? I'd like to grow my own vegetables. Thank you

[@emanueljmartins]

I'm Portuguese and my girlfriend is Thai. One of the things she really made me aware of, during her visits here, is the indecent state of most public (and even private - as in cafes and restaurants) bathrooms! I am genuinely ashamed of this and I'm surprised at how unaware I was of this problem, considering I am a well-traveled person and I've experienced both extremes, in this respect. I've been in public bathrooms that make you feel like you could live there, ( in Las Vegas, Dubai, and Bangkok). Also, I've been in top-notch places like the "Café de Paris" downtown in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, and when I had to use the bathroom downstairs it felt like I was descending into some scatological nightmare, including the presence of a "Quasimodo" character who hosed down the "stalls" before you could use them. It's not THAT bad in Portugal, but public bathrooms are definitely something we need to improve immensely if we want to accommodate tourists and expats from other cultures.

[@homyce]

My brother and sister were visiting me here and they asked me innocently, "why a lot of people in Portugal speak Russian?" 😁

[@111aem]

i'm not surprised, the americans are very ignorant

[@nelsondesousa9304]

Such a stupid thing to say and shows a complete lack of language understanding!

[@TyMark]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 we share several common phonological features, i myself, born, raised and living in portugal, think often that russians are speaking portuguese if the distance is long enough.

[@timetosee9251]

Thank you for your honesty. So many KZbinrs feel like they have to sell the country they are living in. So they make ridiculously skewed videos. That only show you the fantasy version of the country. Then you get there and the reality leaves you unpleasantly surprised and let down. Finally an honest KZbinr!! I will subscribe just for your honesty. Also you didn't do it in a way to denigrate Portugal. You were kind but honest. I appreciate that.

[@isabelinhagomes9076]

Bla, bla, bla everyone has to do something for a living!

[@timetosee9251]

@isabelinhagomes9076 what a strange response. Whatever, have a pleasant day.

[@CarlosCruz_cc]

@@timetosee9251 I'm Portuguese and, as such, quite sincere and frontal. That was not a strange response, it was a sh*ty one. We also have stupid people in Portugal. We just don't give a rat's as* about them. ;)

[@maryr7593]

​@@timetosee9251 commenter below your original comment meant that Dave does earn an income from his videos. You mentioned he was honest and didnt do it to degrade PT. In fact, Dave probably did it for the thousands of Americans who are moving (or interested in moving) to PT. Give them the "real experience"...as there are many Americans who moved during covid and are moving back because of some of the reasons he listed.

[@kcourtney6826]

I agree with you people are able to be highly critical of the US because we publicize what goes on here, while other countries keep quiet or downplay issues in their own country. The truth is there unpleasant people all over the world, it personally bothers me foreigners that have lived in the US and greatly benefited trash it to other countries.

[@j.heilig7239]

I only have limited experience thus far, but from what I’ve seen, you’re pretty much spot on. But the bottom line, even with all those ‘minuses’, Portugal has a whole bunch of ‘pluses’ that far outweigh them. I know I’m not going to be shot at, the people are warm and genuine, there are no pharmaceutical ads all over TV, and pretty much nobody cares what your politics are or if you’re gay, straight, or otherwise. That stuff is the reason I’m heading to Portugal. I feel like I can breathe there.

[@bendover-bz4bc]

I heard that Portugal is very conservative

[@pedropedro8153]

​@@bendover-bz4bc yes, Portugal is conservative, it is a catholic country and deep roots, but dont confuse it with something like Russia. Gay people are not harassed but are expected to keep their life private as everybody else. Yet there are public gay places, bars in the main cities and gay beaches in some beach towns. Also same for politics, even if people deslike politicians,there is not that divide, that you see in online discussions, which has no ground in real life, may be almost wholly fueled and maintained by political parties and bots.

[@CarlosCruz_cc]

@@pedropedro8153 As a portuguese living in Porto, i agree and i'd ad that it's getting better. Generally people are getting more open minded and acceptance is becoming the norm. Slowly, but we'll get there! Unless Chega becomes a major political force...

[@nessinhapoeira]

@@CarlosCruz_cc lá se vai a ideia de que: 'and pretty much nobody cares what your politics are'! They don't understand & can't read in portuguese! kkkkk

[@MichaelJDay]

Hi Dave, I´ve moved here from SoCal over 10 years ago. I agree with you that Iberian Portuguese sounds like Russian! That´s exactly what I thought when I first came here. I was a fluent Spanish speaker when I arrived here.I had quite the learning curve training my ear and that´s with the experience of learning four other languages. In terms of cycling in Portugal: I will not because the majority of the drivers are disrespectful from my experience (high speed, tailgating, overtaking other cars around blind corners and endandering others). From my experience, most of this "style" of driving is happening in the large cities like Lisbon and Porto but also on the main motorways. The countryside is more relaxed but there are still a few psycho drivers who seem to think they are the only one on the rode. As an American moving to Portugal, customers service levels in Portugal are a complete shock. It´s improving but you´re right, there will be people that will tell you off and be completely rude. "Customer service" for some doesn´t exist in their awareness or vocabulary. Having said all that I still struggle with the sh** customer service experiences and the journey of finding quality service professionals. It´s also a slow pace, but I can fix that by traveling elsewhere. In terms of mindset and the optimism level. I would agree there is lots of pessimism and the "that´s impossible" but if you look hard enough you will find Portuguese that have an appreciation for change, innovation and quality just like many Americans. Every place has its pros and cons. I want to end all of this by emphasizing the things I love about living in Portugal. For the taxes I pay, I actually get something for it. Decent public health care. It's not perfect but it saved my life from a life threatening illness. The quality of food and wine is high. You can eat organic (bio) and not break the bank. Geographically, at least where I live...there is a lot to enjoy. It feels like an uncrowded California with access to surfing, mountain biking, hiking, kitesurfing, wine tasting and more! The amount of sunshine is excellent. The cost of living although rising like the rest of the world is relatively affordable outside of the major cities like Lisbon and Porto (Where the rents and inflation have skyrocketed). Give me a ping when you´re in Sintra!

[@JeOrtiz1]

Portuguese sounds like Russian? Really? To none English speakers Americans sounds more monotone.

[@eugeniebreida1583]

@@JeOrtiz1Yes, as a well-travelled Cuban born US citizen, Iberian Portuguese was as foreign to my ear as Russian and the signage/spelling indecipherable as well. Of course if staying longer than a couple of weeks I would focus on immersing myself…

[@fuchurZero]

​@@eugeniebreida1583portuguese sounds nothing like russian, wtaf

[@RK-cj4oc]

​@@fuchurZeroYes it does. You have the internet at your disposal. Multiple videos explaining why portugese sounds like russian exist. Go look them up instead of leaving ignorant comments.

[@fuchurZero]

@@RK-cj4oc no, I have been to Portugal this autumn and it doesnt sound at all like russian

[@seanodaniels397]

I've always had my best experiences far and away from the tourist route. As an artist, I've had no problems meeting locals and getting access to locals only venues and opportunities. I'm ashamed when ever I see American tourists expecting to be served at every moment. Respect the people and the cities you visit and accept it for what it is. tourists are scammed for a reason.

[@sportinguista09]

Im Portuguese the service is terrible.

[@gracasilver8574]

@@sportinguista09 Em quê ?...

[@franciscopessoa6672]

"tourists are scammed for a reason" is a great honest and true quote.

[@irenleorr5539]

Do you think that all tourists are disrespectful by default?

[@franciscopessoa6672]

@@irenleorr5539 Absolutely not! 99% or more of people are amazing, lovely, actually interested in getting to know the culture, and nice to locals and workers. However, the world is a big place, and sometimes there will be "special" people, who think that they are the center of the world, are extremely rude, and unfair in the way that they treat locals and workers (that's not just tourists by the way, there are obviously local people who are like that as well). I live in Sintra, we get thousands of tourists every day, so I do come across some of those people from time to time. I can give you a very specific example, that happened a few weeks ago. I was going up to the Pena Palace, it's one of the most visited monuments in the whole of Portugal, and to access it, there is only one old and winding road. Traffic was stuck, and not moving. I get out of the car, and walk up the road to find out what is happening. What I found was that there was an angry tourist, who stopped his car in a place where you can't park, on a dangerous corner, and therefore a jam packed tourist bus could not get through. The bus had to stop, and had no room to manoeuvre, and the traffic jam behind it was growing by the second. The angry tourist refused to move his car out of the way, and we are talking about less than 10 feet out of the way literally. He was of course expecting the bus to move out of the way, even when the bus had dozens of people in it, most of them standing because there were not enough seats, while his excellence was by himself in the drivers seat. When I tried to calmly talk to him, he started shouting at me, saying that the bus had to move out of the way, and that he would refuse to move. I kept trying to put some sense in his small head, always politely, and calmly. There was no aggressiveness from my end, but plenty from his. After 5-10 minutes someone else arrived, matching his level of aggressiveness and rudeness. It was not nice at all, tempers flared. He finally moved his car out of the way. To conclude, most people are amazing, I work as a tour guide, and absolutely love what I do, and have never and never will scam people. However, like I said on my first comment, "tourist are scammed for a reason" is a honest, true, and I may add unfortunate quote. Just like you find horrible tourists, you also find horrible "tour guides" (I do not consider them tour guides, some don't even speak Portuguese and make up lies and fake history). Just like the example I gave, I'm sure people can give examples of bad experiences they have had with tourism workers. Those are obviously exceptions, most tourists are cool and most tourism professionals are cool. That is the rule, for which there are, there have been, and there will be many exceptions.

[@anaribeirinho4439]

Hey Dave. Congratulations for your video. Your Portuguese accent is fantastic :). I am Portuguese, originally from Porto but living in Switzerland for the past decade. There are a couple of things you've mentioned in your video that i may have additional input: 1 - the American Entrepreneur vs Conservative Portuguese approach: see it like this - Portuguese see themselves in endless loops of recession since the late 90s. With job instability, its not uncommon to have an approach of "better 1 bird in your hand than 2 birds flying". I must say I once met an American, while traveling in Jordan. He was thinking about coming to Portugal and start a sports performance increase coach business. i frankly told him he would have a hard time doing so - therefore i also called him a dreamer :) - my reasoning was... Portuguese either are broke and will not be able to afford your businesses or they are already professional athletes and have a team of coaches from their club. maybe i was also old fashion?? :D 2 - the real estate person you've mentioned - basically by discussing the issue with her colleague, in her eyes, you handed over her commission to someone else, even if it was not your fault. the issue with real estate agents is that they have low salaries and the majority of their income comes from business they settle themselves, not within a team -nevertheless - highly unpolite and not Portuguese standard welcoming grade, in my opinion. i would have reported her to be honest. 3 -Lack of Professionalism - YES!!! It Drives me nuts. mostly the lack of reliability. And you are spot on, some business are family owned and then you have whoever from the family that needed a job on customer service without a clue of what they are doing, really stressful for locals as well. 4 - Slow Pace - yes, specially in the south. However - the world didn't end, right?? :) Workweek is 40 hr or less in the public sector. Make your hours and enjoy life as much as you can. One last comment - i did have an issue with Americans smiling all the time while talking - it was something i had to get used to as normal but for us - we laugh when something is funny, otherwise its just a "resting bitch" face for the remaining part of the day. However, we are not displeased in general, its just different.. Anyways, enjoy your stay and if you need tips for Porto, I am at your service :)

[@camiller4916]

American here. I am not smiley and my kid often asks if I am ok. It’s just my face, I say. This is what I look like.

[@MariaMedina-lj4kt]

It's funny, I've been to the US and the one thing I noticed first is that whenever you go into a store or restaurant, whatever, is the employees smiling and greeting you. That doesn't happen here (in general), but that doesn't annoy me at all (cause I'm not smiley either, I'm an introvert and don't engage easily with people).

[@Geko2006]

3 -Lack of Professionalism - talk for yourself ok?

[@elyseb674]

Porto, Porto, Porto, Porrrrrrrtooo! Go Dragoes!!! I have a flat in Gaia, that I'll retire to in a few years.

[@majelthesurreal5723]

This is one of the best videos I've seen describing Portugal and delivering info to US citizens that may not understand/know. I live in a small town in MI and was happy that you talked about water temps. That gives us a good comparison of being in the water there. One particular aspect you covered regarding trying to hire someone to get work done really hit home. In the small, coastal MI town where we live we have had the same experience. In one example we needed a retaining wall and 3 different builders came out, accessed the situation, measured and said they would get back to us. Not one did. We tried reaching out but crickets. So maybe that is becoming a more universal problem? In the end we built the wall ourselves. It looks great.

[@ourworldfinallyelaine]

I moved to Portugal during the pandemic. It’s beautiful, people are kind, and food is pretty good. However, it didn’t feel like home no matter how hard I tried. I crossed over into Spain and it’s now my forever home. It clicked really quickly.

[@holikluc6056]

What part in Spain?

[@anna8282]

Interesting.... what is it that's different in Spain?

[@insanemainstream3633]

I was looking into Fatima but now you peaked my interest in Spain. What part of Spain??

[@princesspearlthumb]

Me encanta España.

[@wallywal6139]

We have a property under contract in Portugal and will retire and move full time next year. The biggest adjustment is how long it takes to get things done. Everything moves at its own pace and there is no way to speed things up so best to learn to sit back and go with the flow. It's August and everyone is on vacation in Portugal so not much is getting accomplished. Working on learning the language (with Anita) to help insure a good transition but it sure is a stinker to get the hang of! We like old things from buildings to furniture so the old look of things is a good fit. Excited to shop for vintage and antiques when we get there. New furniture and interiors are all ultra modern and not a good fit for us. We are trying to be realistic about the adjustments to be made and what to expect. Looking forward to coming back to beautiful Portugal in 6 weeks or so for our closing!

[@DarthFurball]

If you like antiques, there are some incredible places to pick up real gems. Enjoy!

[@wallywal6139]

If you have any favorites you'd like to share I sure would appreciate it!

[@egrace3738]

I went to an antique store. Beautifully set up in the showroom. Incredibly overpriced. I found a small half table to put against a wall... this store priced it at 150 euros. Too rich for me. I kept looking around and asked for some wood carving chisels. They wanted 400 euros for 12 chisels bc 'these have wooden handles'. Too expensive for me. I went to Porto to another antique store, and I found the exact same half table for 17 euros! I had taken pictures and proved this to several friends. I stand out as a foreigner and I believe prices were inflated. I had a mover quote me 'American and Brazilian prices'... I told him I wanted portuguese prices. I used another mover who charged me 1/2 of what the other guy wanted. 😐😑

[@MrCasulu]

I’m Portuguese, and your description of Portugal is spot on. 👏🏻 Regarding the cold sea, it’s a bit like S. Francisco. The deep cold water of the Atlantic comes up to the surface in the coast facing west, so it’s always pretty cold. And there are often powerful waves. Once you get used to that water temperature, diving into the waves gives you a great boost of energy.

[@MrCasulu]

Regarding customer service: probably the worst in the world… However, there are some ways to improve your experience, here is my tip. It only works when you become a regular customer (that is, go there at least 2 times 😉). Engage with the personnel, ask their name and they’ll your name. Tell a bit about you and ask them simple things like how long they work there, make a compliment to something you genuinely like (like that gorgeous pastry 😋). Chat a bit and don’t be afraid to ask personal questions like “have you family?” and so on. People are generally open and will not take this like an intrusion, quite the contrary. You are showing that you are interested in them, and that is seen positively. Pay attention to also give some information about yourself to them. Next time you come there greet them person when you arrive (bom dia Sr. António, está bom?). Sit down and see how your service experience will change. You’ll become almost part of the family, people will be so much more friendly , the service will be much faster. Try it out. Don’t be afraid if you are still not proficient in Portuguese, in general people will make the effort to try to understand you.

[@berniefurlong2840]

I'm from Ireland and I love swimming in Portugal! 😊

[@aina2165]

@@MrCasulu The customer service in Norway is terrible as well, and no one can handle a Constructive criticism either. It is very annoying!

[@duartesilva7907]

​@@MrCasuluworst customer service in the world? You haven't travelled young enough

[@lkrnpk]

It's funny I'm from Latvia and I was in Lagos and it was +30 outside and I went into the ocean and i was like - ok, the water is maybe a bit colder than I would expect but not that different from the Baltic most of the summer season. But I looked around and I saw all the people just sunbathing and almost nobody in the ocean... Depends on the perspective I think, in our latitude we do not get really warm water in the sea for a long time, so we take what we get.

[@Gabriel-pk8lw]

As a portuguese myself, you put very well the downsides of the country. Specially the entrepreneurship and the lack of professionalism things. They're basically what made me move.

[@isabelinhagomes9076]

Glad you have moved. Stay where you are.

[@Gabriel-pk8lw]

@@isabelinhagomes9076 ok, por alguma razão em específico?

[@flpReges]

​@@isabelinhagomes9076 Comentário infeliz.

[@joaocosta3374]

​@@isabelinhagomes9076baseado

[@Gabriel-pk8lw]

@@joaocosta3374 Posso saber a razão para uma opinião tão forte sobre mim?

[@dreamcatchersong]

Hi Dave, I'm a regular visitor to Portugal (from Ireland) and I have a little bit of the lingo. I think your assessment is spot on. I would add however that I find the Portuguese to be very friendly, and, I adore old Portuguese buildings and love narrow back alleys, steep cobbled streets and lots of steps. Then again, I'm just a traveller here and not a resident.

[@WarofHammer]

Thank you for having such a nuanced and realistic opinion of your experience here, especially since a lot of it we portuguese also struggle with! And since you went to Gêres I would love to see your take on a city like Póvoa de Varzim or even Vila do Conde! If you plan to go there sometime try to take a week between the 24 - 28 of June because that's when they have the festivities of S. João & S. Pedro and they are two cities that you can visit on foot since they are side-by-side!

[@VITOR-gh4dh]

The problem with moisture it's the lack of proper ventilation systems ( vapor and condensation ). Most houses don't have it and the ones recently built in this century have insufficient/passive systems ( usually only in the bathrooms ). Also the lack of proper wall insulation without any vapor/moisture membrane makes things worst during the winter months where moisture is more prevalent or it's worst due to the temperature differences between the air and walls inside versus outside air. Salt present in the walls could be related with the finishing of the wall during construction, which are common to be made of a mixture between cement and sand. The sand present in this mixture could be contaminated from the source or the place where it was stored ( no properly cleaned, processed or stored ). If you live near the seashore you can also suffer from this after construction especially if the wall is not properly painted for several years and you have small/micro cracks in the cement where water and moisture were accumulated. In US most of places with this levels of humidity have central dehumidifiers, central ventilation and even if you rent some places, like in Florida, you need to have those systems online 24/7 ( even if they don't have the same level of wall insulation compared to the north regions ). Anyhow current construction codes in Portugal force new commercial buildings, like big offices, shopping malls or hotels they all have better ventilation systems. New homes, perhaps at the high end, you can find this systems but I don't think construction code demands it. My country is several decades behind the rest of central/north Europe and US, specially if we talk about ERV or HRV units. In Portugal most people will advise you just to buy an AC unit which just raises the temperature to make your relative humidity comfortable and can condensate some of the moisture but at the expense of a lot of electricity. If we start talking about the high limescale level in potable water, which are common in the south region of Portugal, the existence of equipment to treat it, its another topic people here don't know anything about it. I hope Americans living in Portugal can share their knowledge about this topics and convince Portuguese property owners to improve their houses.

[@homebizproms]

I'm from the Netherlands. I have been visiting Portugal frequently since 2015 for longer periods of time, because I do like the country, the people and the culture. Especially the quality of life, compared to my own country. I can relate to the informative content of your video. Nicely done. Thanks!

[@krisgrotowski2216]

Thanks for another great video. The thing that scares me most about living in Portugal is dampness and mold. I have experienced this when living in Japan and it was a nightmare.

[@rebeccagutierrez1960]

We live with that every single day in Puerto Rico. It's a very moist, humid and tropical island. Even when you pick up a sheet of typing paper, it's limpy.

[@bartstewart8644]

Would dehumidifiers do any good?

[@Isabelle7moons]

It's not everywhere or in every house!

[@nessinhapoeira]

@@bartstewart8644 Clear! And it is absolutely recommended if you do not want to invest in insulation.

[@mtngrl5859]

@@bartstewart8644 Yes, but your utility bill reflects that. I live in another country where the average person supposedly has a $40 utility bill, mine is always over $100 because I use a dehumidifiers.

[@saragomes6242]

Normal as ruas foram feitas no tempo das carroças puxados por burros,cavalos e bois e quando apareceram os automóveis as cidades, vilas ,aldeias já existiam

[@mariahmoy3075]

Aqui nos Estados Unidos eles copiam tudo: eles tem a Veneza americana, Epcot. E ainda tem a cara de pau de falar que em Portugal ( ou em toda a Europa) tudo é muito velho. Que gente estúpida! Quem vai à Europa quer ver o velho, ou poderiam ir para a Austrália, Canada, US, Brasil, etc…

[@joaocosta3374]

São muito basicos os camones...

[@MyTaropist]

Dave, I am a U.S. citizen of Açorean descent currently living in Açores and I agree with your list and could certainly add to it 😅 But obviously, there are issues anywhere you live. People who move from their home country to another to escape certain problems will only encounter new, fun, challenges. I am really happy to see you mention entrepreneurship. That was one of the saddest realities I have seen of living here-the lack of hope, optimism, and hustle…particularly from the younger generation. Now I know why, but it is still quite sad to see and definitely something I would generalize as an American trait.

[@dickobrien1577]

I love your videos! I am moving to Lisbon in a few months and this information is very helpful. Keep up the good work!

[@krisburke1712]

Canadian happily living in Portugal..my first scouting trip the agent was late.. did not notify me and I had to physically find him... then he took me to none of the houses I had planned to see ... one house was destroyed by mould which this agent treid to say the black was because the owner did not know how to use the fireplace... absolute waste of time.. next I booked an airbnb the host was a real estate agent he was wonderful... a fabulous experience.. Dario Jesus Remax Sao Martinho.. I live in Nazare.. I love the brutal honesty of the people.. I love the elders of Nazare.. I fall asleep listening to the waves wake to a iew of the ocean...

[@2615ParkAvenueAssociates]

Dave, I so enjoyed your informative video. What intrigues the most is how a boy from Michigan, who swam in Lake Tahoe and understands the cold, ended up in Portugal and what occupation sustains your livelihood there. Thank you again, Del

[@DecemberNames]

I just wanted to take a moment to say how amazing your video was! I was really impressed with the quality of the footage, the editing, and the overall presentation. You did a great job of explaining the topic in a clear and concise way, and I learned a lot from watching your video. I also really appreciated the way you made the video engaging and entertaining. You kept my attention throughout the entire video, and I never felt bored or lost. I would definitely recommend your video to anyone who is interested in learning more about the video.

[@Ohelojam]

Sounds a little like island life! Iʻll be visiting next year in the fall and will keep listening to your videos Dave. Such a detailed and respectful view of Portugal- your now home. Thank you!

[@TyMark]

as a portuguese i agree with most of what you said, and gave some good laughs. generally speaking i got used to it and find ways to avoid what bothers me the most. nevertheless, i would like to add some context: 1st - we were not attacked during the ww2 as most other europeans countries, so we did not have to rebuild nothing, thus no upgrading in the urban structures/planning, so we have lack of bike and walking paths and super narrow streets just proper for the XIX century. 🤣 2nd - we have a serious lack of people working in several areas (for example, everything related to break back man labour, be it for home reno or other similar areas) thus to avoid getting white hair earlier, we usually call people that were advised us from other friends/relatives BUT even like that, in no way we can avoid to deal with tremendous delays - those workers/companies have always someone that knocks on their door that is incredible needy, know them better than us, offer them a better payment, etc, so indeed, we need to add always a huge margin to the deadlines when managing properly our expectations, lol 3rd - in most touristic services, retail, and in the construction field, atm we dont have a lot of portuguese people working in the country, but instead people from our ex-colonies that are arriving massively since last 2 years - good portuguese professionals from those areas (specially from the construction sector that has a shortage of man labour all over the europe) prefer to work on northern countries where are way better paid. finally, i would like to apologize for that rude real estate agent. we are not like that at all. we are nice and polite - born and raised in portugal people. if something like that had happened to me, i would fill a complain about her to the company she was representing. is is totally inexcusable.

[@LilyGazou]

All the Portuguese people I met while hiking around were very kind to me. It was my favorite country to visit, looking back.

[@maryr7593]

Just curious, filing a complaint...does that mean writing in the complaint book that is located at the business? Can you write in English as I doubt Dave's Portuguese is good enough to write a complaint.

[@donnacosta5633]

@@maryr7593 Yes, all businesses are required by law to have a complaints' book, that has a seal by the local council and cannot be tampered with. Yes, you can write your compaint in English. For better effect, after writing in the "Livro de Reclamaçoes" also write a letter to the business headquarters and copy to the local Camara to make sure the issue will be dealt with. In case of estate agents, there is a trade that regulates them, but I can't remember the name.

[@maryr7593]

@@donnacosta5633 I was curious if filing a complaint against business (whatever business) meant the same as the Livro de Reclamações. US has something called Better Business Bureau in each state...where you can register your complaint, but it just records a complaint so others can see. If you want state investigation, there's a separate place "consumer protection agency". Also one that files complaints about professionals with a license (MD, RN, or skilled trades (plumbing, electricity, etc), lawyer, etc). I wasn't sure if when someone says you should file a complaint, if they mean there is a separate govt agency that takes these complaints and investigates the issue. Some of the agencies, I listed are just a place to record such complaints so others know ...beware, this is what they tried to charge me, etc. Thanks, I understood what you said about filing with regulating govt org.

[@edSabio572]

​@@maryr7593it always worked for us. They do address your issue...🥊

[@soaring8467]

I fell in love with Lisbon and am planning to move there one day seasonally. This video is accurate and the only thing I wanted to add is how slippery the cobblestone walks are! I’m a runner, pretty fit but the cobblestone streets especially when it rains , omg, better not leave without insurance!! Love this, and give me the inspiration to find a way to live/work from there soon.

[@JS-ir7wh]

Nice video, Dave. I appreciate your perspective and craftsmanship.

[@bertnijhof5413]

I'm Dutch and I like Portugal and I still remember it fondly. I have worked there for approx. half an year on the airport in the second half of the eighties. I remember the wines, the red Douro wines and the Vihno Verde (young greenish white wine). I remember the fado music, the restaurants in Lisbon with fado musicians; the beaches in Praia de Rocha; Sintra with the old Royal Palace and many other historical places. Occasionally I still listen to the Fado music and it is a nice contrast to the bachata in the Dominican Republic, where I live now.

[@nathalieschmeiss8129]

Honest opinions are good. The only real way is to go and see for yourself. Thanks for sharing important things to know. Especially liked the input about Idealists. Keep making and sharing these videos. We'll get to check it out in less than 90 days!!!!

[@debraderoos5225]

I visited Portugal in April. I didn't know much about it and decided to go 8 days before I went. I LOVED it, especially Lisbon. I went to Porto but I liked Lisbon more. I can't wait to go again!

[@mariahelenalynch3365]

Oh, I loved your video so honest and not abrasive. I am Portuguese living abroad in the US since I was 18 and I have a younger son who is a professional who has much of the Portuguese personality and wants to move to Portugal and I just forward this video to him because I’ve been trying to tell him it’s not all what it seems to be and you just hit on the nail all the difficulties in a very straightforward and honest way, so thank you so much for your video.

[@TheStunlaw1]

Dave I feel this is your best video thus far! Bravo! Well done and realistic. Most helpful.

[@davidmartinspresents]

Portuguese ocean waters are same temperature as Northern California and maybe a couple of degrees cooler than Southern California. Americans moving to Portugal are up at least 20% year over year, now close to 10,000 Americans in Portugal, although some have left, more are moving in than moving out.

[@Batman-vl8yj]

Depends where, sea waters in Algarve for example are much warmer compared to the rest of the coast.

[@davidmartinspresents]

@@Batman-vl8yj Same thing in California. Water temperature in Huntington Beach was 69 degrees today, water temperature in San Francisco was 56 degrees.

[@quifix1]

this year sea currents have gone wrong, cold water all along the coast. It is normal in the Algarve to be pleasant, it has been in June/July, maybe at the end of August it will be back to normal@@davidmartinspresents

[@camiller4916]

It’s called upwelling and occurs on all western coasts of all continents in the northern hemisphere.

[@giannipaz8632]

First, you're a very good speaker. I was impressed by how you described your experiences and perspective. I'm not American but lived in your country for years and I think the points and advice you provide apply to most anyone wanting to live in Portugal. Fantastic video!

[@imianco8079]

thanks for keeping it real and balanced! love the video

[@harpoharris8919]

I went to Portugal and it was so relaxed that my luggage stayed there 3 days longer than I did.

[@1755Lisbon]

I am Portuguese. As I have just retired, I sold my apartment in Lisbon last year and bought a house in the countryside. Both real estate agents were fabulous! They were always available, very friendly and accommodating. The girl that helped to sell my apartment in Lisbon even went with me when I signed the deed for my new house! I have only good things to say about them and their real estate agencies!

[@davidleong6606]

Thx for sharing your experience!! Could you share the Agency and people so we can support their well run business? Abrigado!!!

[@1755Lisbon]

@@davidleong6606I have tried to reply to you several times but my post keeps disappearing. I don’t know what is happening.

[@jadedjhypsi]

Hey, I noticed you do not have an intro yet. I am also an American expat living in Portugal and along with my husband we have an animation studio. We are trying to get off the ground and I thought that we would be a perfect fit to deliver you a fun intro/outro =) I really enjoy your video and honesty and wish you continued success!

[@LilyGazou]

People skip intros and outros now.

[@jadedjhypsi]

but creators keep using them.... @@LilyGazou

[@carlacosta4896]

Portuguese here from Porto who spent 12 years abroad, and loved getting your perspective of things. Absolutely spot on on everything ❤

[@BuergerPT]

We've lived here in the Lisbon area for seven months, now (originally from TX). Everything you said here definitely resonates. Well done.

[@chrishewitson7135]

Maybe the thing to remember is that Portugal is not the US.

[@anabatalha2991]

Hi Dave, I'm portuguese and have to say that I like watching your videos because they show an outsider's view of portuguese life, that's most of the time pretty accurate. I've lived abroad for a long time and now, having returned to Portugal, I tend to see things very differently and just had to get re-used to some things. One thing that you said once made me laugh a lot, the fact that in Portugal public services mostly NEVER answer the phone, and that just drives me crazy as hell!!! Wish you the best and hope you can still enjoy this beautiful but crazy country.

[@ColdandRain202]

I hate answering the phone and door. My favorite flower is lavender. I love cold water so much so that I moved to New England in America, some years ago. I move like a turtle. I have a love for chillies and capsicums I was asked if I had Portuguese origin or Brazilian all of my life (I denied it) Did a DNA test and come to find out I am part Portuguese🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🙆🐢🐢🐢🐢 I too take my time like a snail and I speak my mind. I would love to live in Portugal!

[@theodorajuskiw2957]

Ha not just in Portugal

[@JLTravels]

Learning soooo much from your videos. Some of the best of Portugal on KZbin! Thank you!

[@jennyoung586]

Your videos are so helpful. My husband and I ( Americans) are considering a move to Portugal, and are coming this September to tour the country by rental car for three weeks. I feel better prepared to embrace all Portugal and it's people have to offer thanks to your channel! Obrigado!

[@maryr7593]

Because you are a female, you would say Obrigada. The gender of word depends upon who is speaking the words. So an ex: you, female, say Obrigada; your husband, male, says obrigado.

[@sarasantos6594]

@@maryr7593 As you say, it is more correct for a woman to say "obrigada" and for a man to say "obrigado". However, in colloquial Portuguese conversation women often say "obrigado" and nobody cares about it. It is not a strict rule.

[@nessinhapoeira]

@@maryr7593 respondemos a uma mulher: obrigada. E a um homem: obrigado. É assim. Não é pq se é mulher q se diz obrigada, e pq se é homem se diz obrigado lol

[@matthewrubaii7051]

I do really appreciate your honest opinion of Portugal. I have been watching many Videos and listening to many opinions about their experiences in Portugal as Expats; your experiences are very close to what others have related. We are planning on retiring in Europe and have not visited Portugal, yet; we will visit Portugal and follow your guidance on what to see and avoid is very valuable. Thank you Dave for the Valuable info.

[@odetemoura6786]

Glad you are not planning to move here. Dave, is not giving the full picture, it is even worst. That is the reason why, so many 'expats' live here.

[@joaocosta3374]

It's horrivle. Go to London or Birminghan. You're better there. We're full.

[@Spoopy_man]

​@@joaocosta3374Boa 😂

[@agillan2930]

Excellent as ever. As an "ex-pat" living in Italy many of your observations ring very true here too! P.S. Your brief clip of "Rome" with the amphitheatre is actually Verona.

[@paulabastos3125]

i am portuguese lived abroad ( Japan , brazil and Germany) for ages and your video reflects exactly what we have been through on our returning, 😮well done!

[@xio.oceano]

Yes, I appreciate that we have to work a little harder here. I have been living here for 3 months now and enjoy the slower pace. Again, obrigado for your videos, Dave.

[@malaysiapearl]

I was in Portugal 30 years ago and listening to you, sounds like nothing have changed!!!!

[@maryr7593]

I was there 30 yrs ago as well and I have since learned nothing really has changed in the points he refers to.

[@susanacoito1050]

The issue with the real state agents is that then win by commission. By talking to a different person, it means that the new woman is going to get the deal, and not the first one you talked to, that is why she got upset. But that is an issue between them, that should not come out to the customer. People often mix personal conflicts and issues with work and that is ugly and obviously nonprofessional.

[@richarddaly7279]

I just discovered your site. Loving your insights and honesty. I have friends who moved from Brussels to Lisbon and cut their living cost by 2/3. I’m torn between Portugal and Spain as a place to be. I’m torn. I had a Brazilian roommate at boarding schools but feel more comfortable with Spanish. Regardless, you have a great Chanel and I love learning more about your life experiences in Portugal.

[@jamesrainbow2118]

You are so right on! Have followed you and others and this straight forward, "tell it like it is" message is needed and [ I ] appreciate. We've explored twice now and do plan to move in 2024. Thank you or I suppose I should say "Obrigado!" :)

[@davehinman8326]

Uber drivers are my best friends to practice my Portuguese.. they really are helpful and I like to help their English too! Love your videos.. I study PT every day when I am not there, and studying in US

[@cabrui]

Dave, I love your videos. As a Portuguese Canadian with plans to move to Loulé in 2024, your videos give me insight on what to expect once there. In the process of buying a property there, I have already experience the slow pace of getting things done, whether it’s the bank, the attorney, the builder, etc… after spending my entire life in Canada, I wasn’t expecting the bureaucracy… I will take your advice and try to slow down and chill… keep the videos coming and maybe one day I’ll buy you a Sagres or a Super Bock!😊

[@holikluc6056]

Heya! What do you want to leave Canada for Portugal?

[@123VideosMy]

I'm Portuguese. I love your video. It is very true. Thanks for coming and living life in my country. ❤

[@fernandonagle]

Good job, Dave. I'm brazilian and I am moving to Portugal next month so I've been watching a lot of videos about Portugal over the last months. I'm sure I will also suffer some sort of "cultural shock," but not as much as an American. Although language differences may be a minor problem, getting used to the local habits may take a while. But it would be the same if I moved from a big metro area to a small countryside town in Brazil or for an American also doing the same within the US. I think anyone moving to another town or country must understand that they are the "intruders" and must respect local culture and habits and try to fit in.

[@maryr7593]

I have heard that Brazilians suffer discrimination in PT...fyi. The Portuguese can understand the Brazilian accent because of Brazilian telenovelas....but depending upon where you go and your experience with European accent. I am American, learned Portuguese 30+ yrs ago in US and in Lisbon...so when I went back to states, many of my classmates went to Brazil, teacher had to translate a lot. Also I have interacted with Brazilians in the states, they are very surprised with my accent and some said it was like their grandmother speaking. Most of the time I get the very confused look when I would speak to them...not sure if that is because of the shock of someone speaking Portuguese in Wisconsin or if it was my American European accent....perhaps both.

[@Quidproquo1143]

​@@maryr7593 I've heard that Brazilians suffer discrimination in US... fyi.

[@maryr7593]

@@Quidproquo1143 that's awful.

[@fernandonagle]

@@Quidproquo1143 I think all migrants may suffer discrimination. Discrimination and prejudice are consequence of some local people that got annoyed by some things some migrants might have done and instead of judgng that individual behaviour they tend to generalize it for the whole country or region the migrant came from. And all migrants are subject to misbehave (in the eyes of locals) because they come from a different culture, with different habits and usually don't speak or understand the local language. That's a door wide open to misundertandings. If one brazilian does something absolutely normal in Brazil but off limits in the US (like walking around holding a bottle of beer), it's likely that the local community will see all brazilians as rule brakers.

[@sdn7474]

@@maryr7593se ele anda pelo KZbin, certamente já viu milhares de vídeos de brasileiros falando horrores de Portugal e dos portugueses. Na ignorância não virá.

[@DrumandBassPortugal]

Eu vivo em Portugal desde que nasci, e sou luso-americano. Comparando com os E.U.A. temos na mesma quantidade coisas boas e coisas más, diferentes entre si. E apesar de sermos um país antigo, mas com história. Não destruímos tudo por onde passamos.

[@raisatainan]

Como assim "não destruímos tudo por onde passamos?". O legado colonial de Portugal em suas colônias no Brasil, Moçambique, e Angola é sangrento! Muito conveniente de sua parte esquecer-se do genocídio indígena no Brasil, da escravidão, da prática da "derrama" em suas colônias.

[@DrumandBassPortugal]

@@raisatainan amigo, queres comparar USA com PT? E eu sei. Vocês brasileiros queixam-se bastante do passado, que foram os portugueses que deixaram o Brasil na merda. Mas não meus caros, vocês estão completamente corrompidos e nem conseguem viver no vosso país, por causa de vocês. Essas retórica de burro sem cérebro já ficou lá atrás.

[@rickchandler2570]

Great video Dave. I got frustrated with your content a few months ago and I appreciate you adapting to the reality of Portugal. Much of what you said I’ve heard from my portuguese teacher. I highly recommend people wanting to learn portuguese find a teacher in Portugal. You really get a much better understanding of the culture and how people really are. I’ve been taking lessons for over a year now and damn, I sometimes watch a video and wonder if that’s actually portuguese because I didn’t understand a word of it…. It’s a journey though and anything worth doing is difficult.

[@Batman-vl8yj]

Wait what? You say you've been taking lessons for over a year but sometimes when you watch a video you don't understand a word? Some lessons, huh? My friend, I'm afraid your teacher has been teaching you another language, not portuguese lol.

[@AlvesInfinito]

Check the channel Portuguese with Leo. He speaks slowly, it's easier to understand when we are learning.

[@michelekalish2091]

I agree with you fully. Everything you said was so true and we have had the same experiences living there too. All the best to you Michele

[@elainepazera9152]

Excellent video just right on! Brazilian here, São Paulo native. I’ve been to Portugal, familiar w Portuguese and living in the U.S forever! Couldn’t be more genuine! Good job!

[@TiagoRodrigues-vr1mi]

I have to say that you are very welcome to Portugal if you want of course because I think you are making a effort to adapt to environment without losing your essence!

[@helenabadr.realestate]

When it comes to the lack of ambition and the old buildings, I totally agree with you, Dave, and these issues bother me too. When it comes to the ocean, though, I think you're focusing on the coastline upward Lisbon, when in fact most beaches downward are so much warmer and flatter. In fact, thousands of people come every year just to spend their vacations by these beaches in the Algarve, for example.

[@maryr7593]

Isn't there an inheritance law in PT that makes it difficult to sell or renovate if all parties that inherited the property don't agree. Can you give any information on this?

[@joaocosta3374]

Já alguma vez viste alguém promovido por ser competente ou foi mais o alguém desse competente que se promoveu??? A desmotivação tem causas e no nosso caso é a escarcidade de capital. Só quando formos um quarto do que somos hoje com a mesma riqueza que temos, aí é que conseguimos gerar capital para investir e termos uma quslodade de vida decente. Até lá estás em modo de sobrevivência.

[@chrismedeiros3201]

Great video. I believe if you want to move to Portugal, you have to be in the proper mindset. This video does a great job of explaining that. If you're expecting Disneyland, probably it's best you just spend your money going to Disneyland. Chances are, you may be disappointed there too...

[@meliacogan1586]

Very eye opening! Thank you for this very much 🙏🏽

[@beatrizgyori9965]

Thank you! I can’t wait to watch your video about E-Bikes in Portugal. I will be in Portugal in September and will to visit Aveiro, Porto and Lisboa! I love your videos!

[@paulavitoria1798]

Aveiro is very bike-friendly. In fact, it was the first portuguese city to have public free bikes; they call them "biclas" (short for "bicicletas" = bicycle). Enjoy your trip and don't get scared by Dave lol.

[@paulavitoria1798]

Aveiro is very bike-friendly. In fact, it was the first portuguese city to have public free bikes; they call them "biclas" (short for "bicicletas" = bicycle). Enjoy your trip and don't get scared by Dave lol.

[@beatrizgyori9965]

@@paulavitoria1798 Muito obrigada! Acho que vou me apaixonar por Aveiro.

[@strollingthroughparadise353]

I was in Portugal for 3 months a from November 2022 through February 2023 and even though that’s a short time (I was just seeing what I could see around Sintra near Lisbon), I agree with your description. Of course, visiting there and living t😊here are two different situations. I found Portugal to be interesting in its own way, but the narrow winding roads were generally not safe for walking, though I walked them anyway. I was used to the graffiti after visiting Italy at another time. And you are so right that speaking Portuguese would be essential if you want to live there. I was lucky that my Airbnb host was a wonderful and friendly woman, who spoke very good English, who took me to many places I never would have gone to alone. And you are so right about the moisture which is everywhere no matter how dry you try to keep the house, even with a dehumidifier running every day. But I did enjoy my time in Portugal with all it’s interesting and beautiful features!

[@verbatyn]

Oh may good, do you have to speak portuguese in Portugal? are we crazy? what do the portuguese think they are to speak portuguese in their own country?

[@purpledream1045]

Good to know . Thanks for the information🎉

[@cristinagarciacalvomurga4665]

Fantastic animo. We've lived in Spain for 34 years, and I've been to Portugal several times, as a child when I lived in Spain and later with my family when we moved from America to Spain. We love it. Your presentation is wonderful.

[@martina5923]

I'm half German & half American, and if you were trying to steer Americans away from moving to Portugal, you got me sold. I was planning to move to Portugal, but I think I'll take my family to Germany instead. Thanks for the heads up!

[@Quidproquo1143]

Well, if it helps a lot of people not to come, then the video was worth it.

[@antoniodasilva1230]

Thank goodness

[@111aem]

Do not believe in everything you heard in this video. The vast majority of what he speaks is not true. I have already lived and worked in 11 countries, now I am living in Portugal and all the countries where I live Portugal is the best! I recommend Portugal ..

[@gracasilver8574]

Martina - Porque não experimenta você mesma passar umas semanas na Alemanha e outro tempo em Portugal e então decidir pela sua própria experiência ?...

[@ricardogomes4523]

Germany 😂😂😂

[@Daddydorf13]

Portuguese here. Lived in Cali for a while about a decade ago. Loved the people, hated the country. People there were lovely but the hustle mentallity was killing me, I just wanted to chill and do my job and people around me just wanted to work more and more, it was exhausting and got judged because of it xD Totally understand why some Americans want to come here for the more peacefull, slow paced type of life.

[@vthetravellingwriter]

I have been living in Lisbon for 6 months and agree with everything you said in the video! Thanks for the honesty and love the part about the Portuguese being authentic which is a rare commodity in the USA

[@Justagirloutintheworld]

I’ve lived in Portugal nearly 3 years, India for five years and various other SE Asian countries for shorter terms. Portugal reminds me very much of India, my car has been at the shop 4 months now, for parts, the difference between here and India is that in India someone would know someone that knew someone and boom, problem solved, in Portugal there aren’t the work arounds there are in India, after all the motto is., nothing is impossible and it’s true. None the less, it’s a beautiful country with beautiful people, adapt or die, or leave…

[@draperlamarcakes]

This video is invaluable, in my honest opinion. Really helpful for someone researching different countries in the EU to potentially immigrate to. Thank you, Dave. 😊

[@brunofatela9093]

As a portuguese, I back you on all you said. Many of the things you have pointed out are among the reasons why I have moved abroad. But yes, unfortunately is all true. Portugal lives on the shadow of the "has all to be a great place to live" idea and that is it, them who ever tells that, seats down and waits for someone to start doing something and, the minute someone starts doing something, that person is demotivated to the bones with all sort of procrastinations from which very few manage to be able to emerge from...and nothing gets done. When is not this, is the corruption that exists at all levels of the society. The example you gave of the state agency staff, that I would say is simply and pure malpractice and incompetence due to "I am not doing the job I like and my work environment is so nasty that I have my colleagues stealing my clients from me because I am too lazy to be competent enough to keep my clients details behind safe doors": is far too common anywhere in Portugal. But you have nice people too, people that do their work in the most helpful manner they can and you and any foreigner have the advantage that the portuguese really likes to be a bit more helpful to people that are from abroad: the in your face exception will be if you present yourself as being too full of yourself, better than everyone else, I am so loaded I can buy your company as many times as I want attitude: at this point anything and everything will take you waaaayyyy longer and will be as expensive as the person in that office with whom you dealing with can make it to be and the person will spread the word to as many of the people that you may have to also deal with which will do the same to you, with no remorse whatsoever. So, yeh... welcome to Portugal, a country full of nice people that can became very nasty in one wrong flip of a coin :D I hope you enjoy your stay ;)

[@augustogoncalves9098]

Hello Dave ... I'm a Portuguese living in Colorado, USA, and I must say, you are right on; in fact, I'm surprised how correct I believe you are. Great honest overview of the not-so-great things about Portugal. Keep it up, my friend.

[@visitor5009]

I will be traveling to Portugal very soon to evaluate some areas of interest for possible retirement in several years... especially in Central Portugal. Let's see how it goes... Your video is very good and provides great down to earth information. As an Italian descent, I can relate and understand what you've explained. Thanks !

[@diogorodrigues747]

11:35 Spain is a bike friendly country? No, it's not. Of course there are some cities that are indeed bike friendly, like Barcelona or Valencia, but if you go outside of those few cities into the countryside Spain is clearly not a bike friendly country.

[@diogorodrigues747]

​@@Diogohenriquescaralho Yes, and? Do you have any problems with reading comprehension?!

[@lindadorman2869]

Things have definitely changed in the US. Americans used to be known for being direct and honest. There are no more niceties or politeness. Now they're just plain rude, loud, self-centered and mean. And I'm American so I know how bad it really is.

[@titaniumpete]

very accurate and well articulated. Thanks!

[@PriscoBusinessGroup]

Dave, you just gave the most amazing and accurate overview about Portugal, congrats and enjoy this beautiful and strange land 🇵🇹 Regards, Fabiano Prisco

[@reneedover1863]

I think that's why it's so attractive about Portugal, laid back, kind, helpful, relaxed people, respectful. The simple life is wonderful. From BC Canada