Why You Shouldn't Move To An Island | International Living On Madeira

[@Track_Us_Down]

🏝Just a fun and "Islandy" video this week! 😉

[@cloureiro]

Wow!! What a show!! You've beautifully expressed love for an island. It is very well-written and showcases a high level of professionalism. Well done, indeed!! Congrats

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello! Thank you so much for watching and for your kind words. 🙏🏻💕 We are passionate about island living ! Cheers! M&D

[@dianapitt5665]

Me and my husband $ dog Aspen just arrived to Madeira! couldn't be happier, local people have made us feel in the right place, the views of the mountains and ocean make our hearth sing. We did it!!

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Diana and husband and Aspen! Welcome to Madeira!! 🏝️ We are so happy to hear that you are feeling the warmth of the people and the island. Thank you for watching and for following along all this time. We appreciate it. Enjoy it all! Cheers! M&D

[@chrismedeiros3201]

This week on Madeira MythBusters, Doug & Monique explore 10 myths that can keep you from living your dream on Madeira. 😍That clip with Leo riding in the back of your car always cracks me up! He's got his eyes on you the whole time Monique. 😂

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello! Yes well… I’m Leo’s mama! Lol 😂 Your comment made us laugh! Thanks for watching and commenting. We are passionate about this amazing island! 🏝️ Cheers! M&D

[@Mr.S65]

We will visit Madeira in the future. We want to spend sometime there to experience it firsthand. For the time being we continue to explore Portugal and all the Spanish cities to which we have access as they’re so close. We have visited Ayamonte, Huelva and Seville while in the south. Ciudad Rodrigo and Salamanca while in central Portugal. Now, we’re going to be in the north and cross to Vigo and Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. From Salamanca, Toledo and Madrid are close via their bullet train. We enjoy staying at monasteries and convents converted to hotels in both Portugal and Spain. Since immigration is on the chopping block of politicians, we won’t buy any property until we know where we stand. We sold our house in Boston but we kept our condominium and just spent three months there with friends and family. It felt good to be back home. We also kept our US health insurance policy and used it while there. We aren’t sure about anything, but we’re sure of one thing - we aren’t immigrants in the U.S.!

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello! Thank you for sharing your experience and journey with us. You don’t have to be sure about anything -just one step at a time and make the decisions that suit you best! That’s really what a “Better Second Half of Life” is! Enjoy exploring, as well as back home time with family and friends! It sounds wonderful. Thanks for watching! Cheers! M&D

[@nadinechevolleau8604]

"You can't dismiss how important it is to see beautiful things everyday". I just had this conversation with my husband this morning as I was looking at our vacation photos from Portugal (including Maderia) and Spain. Looking forward to permanently making a move in the next to years. Great vlog!

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Nadine! Yes it’s so true. Beauty is important in everyday life. For so long we lived in a grey dull city with little beauty. I see that now that every day is full of color and so incredibly picturesque. It adds a joy to life. Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D

[@buckw65]

Thanks for these video's. We're researching for our retirement stay. Hoping to be on Maderia 2025.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello! That’s great! 😃 it’s always a good idea to research and find out all the information. Madeira awaits you in 2025! Thanks for watching! Cheers! M&D

[@john300]

You forget during Covid there were very few flights available. Also when the volcano erupted on your neighboring island Palma flights were restricted for that period of time. Nothing and no where is perfect.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello John! Very true that nothing or nowhere is perfect. We were here during Covid and for us it was an amazing place to be during a terrible time. We are ok with flights being cancelled due to occasional unforeseen events. We just work around it. Thanks for watching! Cheers! M&D

[@ruinunes8251]

Yes you are right, "Nothing and no where is perfect." Even if a volcano erupts somewhere, are you flying everyday? Surely you can work things out.

[@manuelpita5319]

@@Track_Us_Down No place on this planet is 100% safe, and the covid thing was something that affected the planet and in Madeira it was much more pleasant for that terrible moment that humanity experienced planned by the criminal elites that govern the world, but with your negativity any place will always be bad, connect with the positive, don't be so dark-minded

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello! I’m not sure who you are saying is negative? As we said in the comments above we were in Madeira during Covid and it was an amazing place to be at that time.

[@ruinunes8251]

Hi Doug and Monique. We hope you guys are well. As a native Madeiran, I agree 100% with you guys on these "myths". Nice shirt Doug. Hopefully we can meet soon for a drink.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Rui!! Absolutely! Look forward to it! As always, thanks for watching and keeping in touch. Cheers! M&D

[@Wiola-zr9qy]

Yes and also missing hikers never to be found....

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello! Yes unfortunately that’s true as well. Thanks for watching. Cheers! M&D

[@TheRetirementality]

I lived in the Virgin Islands for a couple of years. It was fun, but it was the cost of living that got us to leave.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello! Nice to hear from you! Yes we can imagine the cost in the Virgin Islands. We have also heard the Bahamas are quite expensive as well. We are fortunate here in Madeira for sure! Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D

[@TheRetirementality]

@@Track_Us_Down We're hoping to move to Spain if we can get our house sold.

[@anna3046]

I love Madeira!

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Anna! It’s amazing isn’t it? Thanks for watching! Cheers! M&D

[@anna3046]

I’m quite bias though as I’m a local! ☺️

[@SallySparks]

great list! One thing people have said is living on the mainland in Portugal would give them access to drive to see Europe. But they forget that Portugal is a long way from typical Euro sightseeing spots like Rome, Munich, Paris, Amsterdam. You'd likely fly anyhow. I lived in Germany and Belgium for many years and ALWAYS flew to visit Portugal or Spain.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Sally! You make as very interesting point! So true- you could drive … but mostly people fly! So for us it’s the same! Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts! Cheers! M&D

[@manuelpita5319]

Thank God that we are far from those cities that have a low level of harmonious quality of life to live in tranquility.

[@mentezari]

Thanks again for your informative video. Would you do one on your RV tour of Portugal, please? Thanks.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello! Thank you so much for watching and for your kind words. We have a whole playlist on our channel of our RV adventures on the mainland. Please check it out! Cheers! M&D

[@pasharmsby742]

Thanks for the vid Monique and Doug; very interesting. It’s not really an island issue,but a concern for me, living long term anywhere else would be having to learn another language. I’m sure one can get by with just English, but I think that would cause some problems. Locals find it respectful. How do you both manage? We go to Madeira at least twice a year, and advocate visiting. We see signs that Madeira is planning more tourism, which is a bit worrying. Do you agree?

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello! Thank you so much for watching and for your kind words. We have been using an app UTalk to learn Portuguese Portuguese, not Brazilian Portuguese. We have a link on our about page. It’s a lot of fun. We will also supplement with language class in the fall. You can get by easily on English alone and the Madeirans speak English perfectly although they always apologize but there is never any need. A few of the older Madeirans only speak Portuguese. We want to learn the language in order to get out Portuguese passport, as well we are starting to make Portuguese friends and we would like to “ chat” casually as well as function on a deeper level out and about. Yes Madeira is growing in tourism which is great for the island and the Madeirans. They are happy to have the business. We love it here the island and the people. Cheers! M&D

[@pasharmsby742]

@@Track_Us_Down Great positive attitude to learning the language, and the increased tourism. I ‘m being selfish. I’m sure you’re right that most Madeirans welcome it, though we hear that some worry about increased property prices due to demand from foreigners. No protests yet, as there have been in Tenerife. They are such lovely people, sharing their wonderful island. 🤞it stays that way.

[@Northern_Squirrel]

Great video, thanks for sharing. Definition of an island is a piece of land surrounded by water. Therefore, NY city is an island, Montreal is an island and if you look from a distance, planet earth is an “island”😂 keep up the great work and enjoy Madeira, PT

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello! Well said and so true! We honesty felt like we lived on an island or for sure felt land locked, living in a city in NA with nothing around and no great direct flights anywhere. Madeira feels connected! We love it! 💕 Thanks for watching and sharing your insights. Cheers! M&D

[@Northern_Squirrel]

@@Track_Us_Down We spent a week in Azores, Sao Miguel, and about 12 days in Lisbon and the Algarve last year, it was a great trip. Madeira is on our bucket list. Keep exploring and please continue to share your experience, we love it ♥️.

[@ritaalways-alone4618]

Tomorrow I'm on my way! See you soon!

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Rita! Safe travels - Madeira awaits you! Thanks for watching! Cheers! M&D

[@JP7onEarth]

Hey D and M, agreed on your thoughts on the video. One question, can you name all of the Fruits in the video at about the 7:50 mark? i see similar here in Porto and wonder what some are called. JP Porto

[@Track_Us_Down]

Help JP! Yep we sure can- only because we have the app that tells us! Lol! 😂 Otherwise nope! Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D

[@jessicab3642]

Are there any cities or areas of Madeira that a couple could live and not need or wish for a car? I see in your videos you often explore by car, but no mention of trains/buses/etc.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Jessica! Yes absolutely there are places you can live in Funchal where you would never need a car. We do know people who do. We also have experience living here without a car. Check out our apartment tour video- one of our first videos. We lived in Sao Martinho and walked and bussed everywhere. There is also other areas you can do the same. Then if you what to explore outside Funchal you can rent a car for a day or week end or take a taxi or Bolt. Public transit within Funchal is very good. Thanks for watching! Cheers! M&D

[@bob-007]

first! :P

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Bob! Thanks for watching and congrats on being first! Lol! 😂 Cheers! M&D

[@zhannakryukova8676]

Hi, our der friends! Glad to see you again! Question...You know, I have tried to find a good art gallery in Funchal. Google suggested just a couple of private art stores (kind of a one artist studio). You are more knowledgeable now!!! Please, could you suggest some good ones or visiting art exhibitions maybe? We are in Arco, having a huge modern art Museum here, but really of a limited paintings to enjoy! Merci bien!!! All the best to you both!!! :)))

[@ruinunes8251]

Not sure I understood your point. "huge modern art Museum" in Arco? Arco da Calheta?

[@zhannakryukova8676]

yes, yes, in Arco da Calheta, just on top of the Praia da Calheta. Museu de Arte Contemporanea da Madeira (Mudas).

[@ruinunes8251]

@@zhannakryukova8676 Ok, Casa das Mudas is not in Arco da Calheta, it is about 5 minutes drive from Arco da Calheta.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello! And hello Arco da Calheta!! Love ❤️ it there! We have been to the Modern Art Museum. Not really our thing, but the building is incredible and the little bar serves amazing Madeiran Rum drinks! In terms of art in Funchal. We do pop into little studios - drawings/ paintings and ceramics. There is of course the Mamma modern art- again not really our thing. For older pieces of art there is the Sacred Art museum with paintings and sculptures. Mostly religious, as most art in that time period. We also enjoyed the Atelier Vincent Madeira photography museum. They also have a little studio with changing artists. Of course art / paintings can be found at all the little galleries and the of course the painted doors. We also love the architecture of the buildings in old town. I have no doubt there is more that we haven’t seen or don’t know about! A few friends have mentioned other places, I can’t remember! If you also have any further suggestions- let us know! Have a wonderful day and thanks for watching. Cheers! M&D

[@ruinunes8251]

@@zhannakryukova8676 The “Museu de Arte Contemporânea da Madeira” previously known as “Casa das Mudas” is not in Arco da Calheta, it is about 5 minutes drive from Arco da Calheta.