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Just A Dream?

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Hello! I am a 56 Y/O man from the US. Like many others here, I have become very disillusioned with living here, and I have thought a lot about relocating somewhere abroad. After learning about the Azores, they have become my prime destination. However, I am afraid my current situation might not make this possible. I would like to get a little input on this, if I may.

First off, I am not wealthy. I would need to find sustainable work. This of course would have to be suitable for someone my age. Is there a good job market in the Azores? Where can I find info on available jobs? And are work visas required?

Are there lots apartments and houses available for rent, and if so what are the prices like?

Is there good public transportation, or would I need to buy a car?

What are the steps to becoming a citizen?

What is the quality of healthcare, and how would I even qualify for coverage?

Basically, my intent is to simplify my life as much as possible, and own as little as possible to get by. Of course another goal would be to have my three grown kids eventually be able to move there too, if they wanted to.

So, am I just dreaming, or could this possibly happen? I realize that these are basic questions that require more info from me to be able to answer them accurately, so just basic in the ballpark replies would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

James Treible

  • Robert Hahn

    објавио/-ла је  у Азорес Форум 

    Where's your pub? May I came visit one day and say Hello.

  • Kevin Barry

    објавио/-ла је  у Азорес Форум 

    Hi I'm Irish but I lived in America since I was 17..I came to the Azores a year ago for vacation and never left..i opened up the first Irish pub here in August and I brought investor from Saudi Arabia and starting a boutique hotel here in a few weeks...I put my number above so call me on Watts app and I can give you great info..best regards kevin

  • Wandering Soul

    објавио/-ла је  у Азорес Форум 

    Dear James,
    I am sorry to hear that you have become disillusioned with your beautiful country. Sao Miguel is a refuge for several of your countrymen who feel the same way as you. But, if your situation is as you say it is, there is good news but a good deal of bad news too. So, in response to your questions:

    You are not wealthy...On Sao Miguel, you wouldn't need to be. The average family (note...FAMILY, not individual) lives on around 1000 euros a month. Utilities (electricity etc) are really cheap. Food is very cheap. White goods are very cheap. Funny things (like ironing boards and rubbish bins) can be curiously expensive.

    Will you find sustainable work. I would say, definitely, no. Although most people seem to speak some English here (having relatives or having spent a good deal of time in North America during the great migration in Salazar (the dictator's) time, but you would need to speak Portuguese in order to work here and it's not an easy language to learn, but in any case, there isn't a great deal of employment on the island and what there is will probably go to the locals.

    No, there aren't a lot apartments/houses for rent. Most rental accommodation is reserved for holiday lets. People are reluctant to do long term lets because if somebody refuses to leave the accommodation and stops paying their rent, it is a long expensive legal battle to get them out of that accommodation. If you want to check out what is on line, do a search on the 'Idealista' website.

    There is reasonable public transport in the bigger towns, but you would need a car.

    The quality of healthcare is pretty good in our experience and once you're a resident, you would qualify for free healthcare.

    I know an American who is close to moving out here (waiting for his old dog to die first). If you want me to put him in touch with you, let me know. In the meantime, if you have questions, let me know. I hope you can, somehow, find your way out here. It's a lovely lifestyle.

    All the best.

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