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Hi Amanda and Joseph! How exciting to hear about this new chapter you’re starting — welcome in advance to Portugal!

I read your post carefully and wanted to say that I have a house that matches exactly what you’re looking for: it’s a detached home with a spacious yard, located in a quiet area surrounded by nature, with great natural light and plenty of outdoor space for your furry friends. Pets are absolutely welcome here!

The house has 3 bedrooms, is in excellent condition (no mold or damp issues), and is located in a semi-rural area with easy access by car to a medium-sized town that offers good job opportunities, including in the restaurant/culinary sector.

The only thing I’m not sure about is whether it fits your budget, since I understand the exchange rate from Colombian pesos to euros can be a challenge — but depending on what you’re aiming for, it might be worth taking a look.

If you’re interested, I’d be happy to share more details, photos, the location, and pricing for you to consider. Feel free to message me privately!

Wishing you the best of luck in this journey — Portugal has so many beautiful places to call home, and I’m sure you’ll find the right one. 😊

@AmandaSol

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@AmandaSol, Hi and Welcome.

Portugal - Type of Visas:

/forum/viewtopic.php?id=950421

Pets:

Bringing pets to Portugal from a non-EU country requires careful planning, but it's generally manageable if you follow the regulations precisely. You can find some tips here:

A sharing of experiences about bringing pets with you:

/forum/viewtopic.php?id=917045

(Post #22)

Location:

Rural areas and smaller towns will generally offer more economical rental options compared to major cities or popular coastal tourist spots.

Areas known for more affordable living:

Central Portugal (Silver Coast, but also further inland): As you've identified, the Silver Coast (Costa de Prata) can be more affordable than the Algarve or Lisbon region, particularly slightly away from the immediate coast. Towns like Caldas da Rainha, Leiria, Alcobaça, Tomar, and Torres Vedras offer a good balance of amenities and more reasonable prices. Going inland slightly from the coast will further reduce costs.

Alentejo (North/Central): Areas like the northern Alentejo, around towns such as Santarém, Portalegre, or Évora (though Évora can be touristy), offer very rural living and lower costs. Transportation might be more challenging outside of the main towns.

Beiras Region: This region, encompassing areas like Coimbra (a university city, so good job prospects and transport), Viseu, and Guarda, also offers more affordable living and beautiful natural surroundings.

Rental Prices (very general estimates, depend heavily on size, condition, and exact location):

2-3 bedroom detached house with garden in a rural/semi-rural area: You might find options ranging from €700 - €1200+ per month. Economical would be closer to the lower end of this scale, and these will likely require more extensive searching. Areas further inland will be cheaper.

Transportation:

Having one car is a good starting point, especially for rural living. However, you'll need to strategically choose a location if both of you need to be mobile for work without a second car. You can find reasonable 2nd hand car here:

How to buy a car (new or second-hand vehicle):

/forum/viewtopic.php?id=909129

Good Transportation Hubs (for your criteria):

Caldas da Rainha: Excellent bus network (Rede Expressos) to Lisbon and other major cities. Good local bus services. Train station, though not good option at the moment.

Leiria: Similar to Caldas, a regional hub with good bus connections and a train station.

Tomar: Has a train station with direct connections to Lisbon. Good local bus services.

Coimbra: A major university city and transport hub with excellent train (Alfa Pendular/Intercidades) and bus connections across the country. It's a city, but you could easily live in a surrounding village and commute in.

Santarém: Well-connected by train (intercity) and bus to Lisbon. Offers a more rural feel outside the city center.

Job Market (Especially for a Cook):

The hospitality and tourism sectors are great employers in Portugal, so a cook should find opportunities, particularly in areas with a strong tourist presence.

Areas with good prospects for cooks:

Coastal Towns (even smaller ones): The Silver Coast has many towns that rely on tourism, like Nazaré, Peniche, Foz do Arelho, São Martinho do Porto. These areas will have restaurants, cafes, and hotels.

Major Cities (and their outskirts): While you prefer rural, living on the outskirts of Lisbon or Porto would give access to a vast number of restaurants, hotels, and catering businesses. Commuting from a nearby village would be feasible.

University Cities: Coimbra has a vibrant student population and tourist flow, supporting a good number of restaurants.

Algarve (though potentially more expensive for living): The Algarve has a massive tourism industry, so job opportunities for cooks are abundant, but rental costs can be higher, especially during peak season. However, inland towns in the Algarve might offer more affordable living with a commute to coastal work.

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Useful links:

Job opportunities available in Portugal for english speakers

/forum/viewtopic.php?id=907675

Experience sharing about Visas to Portugal (D7 & others)

/forum/viewtopic.php?id=971460

Renting Management Companies (Short/Long-Term Rentals)

/forum/viewtopic.php?id=908693

Some remarks on Rental/Lease Agreement/Contract

/forum/viewtopic.p … 93#5075332

(Posts #9 ... #12)

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Regards