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Hi Gabriela.  I am moving to Portugal next year but have not settled into a city yet.  Interested in Porto.  What do you see as the pros and cons of Porto ?  Also, have read that it is VERY difficult to find an apartment in Lisbon to rent.  An expat posted this on the internet about Lisbon -
2018 Update: it seems the housing situation has gotten even worse. Do not come to Lisbon expecting an easy time finding a place to live. It’s truly like a Hunger Games style deathmatch right now with everyone fighting for even the crappiest apartments. You can still find something if you’re determined (or have much more than the usual budget) but I’m just saying that it’s probably not going to be easy!
How difficult and expensive to find an apartment to rent in Porto ??  Airbnb as an example seems very expensive for a 1 bedroom in the city ?  Thanks,

Moving to Porto next year from Australia. Have spent two Christmases and New Year in Porto and Lisbon. Both I love but are different. Love Porto, very relaxed and not as ‘big city’ as Lisbon. Felt very at he there. Thats my choice anyway...

Thank  you

Adventure123,
I think the current situation in Lisbon is like that.
In Porto is difficult to find as well, lack of options, but the prices is not SO expensive as in Lisbon!

We can find a Studio or 1bed aptm for about 550€/month in Porto
If you want to buy, you can find good options between 90.000 and 110.000€

When I came with my husband we rent for 3 months and after we bought an aptm because the loan we got is 1/3 the price we used to pay in rent per month

About the pros and cons of Porto, the only thing I had as complaint was solved: find a decent place to live.
It is not a very big city, but we have good public transport, good food, beaches, airport. It's very comfortable live here.
I've already lived in Faro, Algarve, but in my opinion, for sure here is much better because we have things to do the whole year, not just in the summer like in Algarve.

Hello all,

A new thread has been created on the Porto forum from this post for a better interaction.

Cheers,

Alexia
¾ÅÉ«ÊÓƵ Team

Hi I am trying to move to Porto Portugal. I have lots of questions mainly about entry. I live in California, Napa Valley.

The consulate in San Francisco has not been useful. I can't speak to anyone and email has not been answered.

I think I can come on US Passport for 90 days but read where if I want temp visa to stay past 90 days I have to apply now, however it is asking for details I cannot provide; date of arrival, entry port, reservations for stay etc. I cannot speak to anyone to get clarification.

Can you please help me, or forward to someone who might be able to provide information as to entry past the 90 days.

Dear pleasuredome:

Here are two articles that should be of help to you. The demystifying the paper trail has everything you need to apply for a residential visa which you must have before moving to Portugal. At the bottom, the article includes specifics that the consulate in San Francisco requires.

I am about to leave for three weeks to Portugal. The intention of the trip is to secure a 6 mo. rental, get a NIF number, get a bank account, procure a financial guarantor and a local reference. Fingers crossed I will be able to accomplish this all in three weeks. The San Francisco consulate requires a financial guarantor (which can be anyone willing to sign a paper guaranteeing you will be financially responsible although often it is an attorney. It can also be your real estate agent or landlord.) You will also need a personal reference who is a Portuguese national.

I have found the San Francisco consulate to be intermittently helpful. They respond to some emails and not others.

You will need to have all of your ducks in a row. Once you have, you file an online application for your Visa with all your addresses, dates, etc. The consulate once they receive this, will schedule a face to face appointment. If they are happy with everything, then they will issue you a Visa. They say the process takes about two months but you can't begin the process more than three months from your departure date. And despite your departure date, lease agreement, airline tickets, there is no guarantee they will 1) approve your visa or 2) approve and mail your visa in time for your departure. Fun right?


Hope these help and good luck....



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Michael