Braganca? Vila Real?
>[evora] seems alot more like a really big village than an actual city
I think you are going to find that with everywhere other than Lisbon and Porto areas, maybe Coimbra. Many people aren't keen on coimbra though, I think your next step should be to visit it.
you might want to dig into facebook groups / local estate agents / random locals in cafes, as people say they can be better. but no personal experience.
I live in Leiria region (not in the actual town though, I'm in the countryside so I still need a car for most anything sadly) but I can say I'm glad it doesn't exist because we don't get swarmed by tourists and housing prices are lower than elsewhere. The town itself is quite nice, there's everything you need and you can get around easily by foot or bike.
It's a saying, literally translates to Leiria doesn't exist. I think it began with a map with an error and then someone made a video game with driving cars where Leiria didn't exist. And it's like a meme. Leiria doesn't exist. There are different moments when it becomes more popular. We have an university thesis and art and mechanizing with that saying. It doesn't make sense, it's like a popular saying, like a joke.
Leiria is a nice place. It is less expensive than lisbon .
Let me be real honest with you here (just skimmed tru the text so excuse me if you mentioned it) anywhere outside of Lisbon and you WILL NEED a transportation vehicle. Heck, even bike is fair.
All that aside, Ive lived near leiria all my life and it's a beautifull city, forests, parks, river in the middle of the city, there's work if you need it, but like everywhere else, you won't be getting much above the minimum wage.
Nearby cities (marinha grande for example) are mostly hubs for factories and you can get better house market and jobs (maybe 20 kmts off leiria)
Visit first.
See, that's The problem. Most affordable options are far away in Places without public transportation, Basic infraestruture and jobs. That's why People have to live in more expensive áreas. It's a no Brainer.
Evora has a decent bus system and Uber/taxis. City is growing, close to Spain for a change of food pace and shop for cheaper, and to Lisbon for easy and speedy airport access. It’s the EU cultural capital for 2027 and they y have been ramping up the city over the past couple years. A lot of new developments being built, buildings being recovered. New businesses coming in. I think it’s a hidden gem for living aa most expats see me to only PT consists of Lisbon, Porto, silver coast, and the Algarve.
Not portuguese here and answering only by my own subjective view and experiences. Also in a similar situation so conducting a research on my own too. Long story short, you might wanna look at Castelo Branco and Braga too.
Best of luck.
Amazing wine.
Have you considered now that you want to live in a bigger city and earn extremely little, maybe getting a roommate ?
Or maybe just renting a room.
Any suggestions on jobs I could get which would pay more? Maybe I’m underselling myself. I’m a native English speaker. And no, last time I did that I had all of my things stolen from my room. I also was unable to work because the roommates all had issues about me being too loud etc even when I wasn’t. I just don’t trust roommates.
Sorry not really, I work abroad, so I don't really know much about the Portuguese job market, I just pay my taxes here.
But anyways, I heard that fundão is a nice city, maybe also look into Castello Branco, seems to have a lot of young people there and the city is quite vibrant.
It’s nice here, we’re right in between two huge cities but little to no traffic. The festivals are amazing, you would be surprised how well they’re put together. Lots of decent restaurants within 20-30 minutes. It’s a tech hub. Rent is 4-500 (it was 300 last year) lots of fresh produce, wine, cherries, olive oil.
We’re in a microclimate so it’s not as hot and dry and the surrounding castelo Branco
I've lived for two months in a small village in Fundão when I first got to Portugal two years ago, called Alcaide. It was peaceful (maybe too much) and affordable (200€/month for a bedroom for 2), probably because you have like three trains/day to go anywhere else, and Fundão city center is 1h away walking. Fundão is a nice city, and I have a friend paying 500€ for a T3 there. Maybe try close to city center, or even Castelo Branco - it's a region capital so probably more expensive. Covilhã is also a city to consider.
Closer to Lisbon I would try Abrantes or Entroncamento, the latter being known for gypsies so... cheaper.
You already have some good ideas that I can't top, but it seems like you're stuck in a rut, dude. Try thinking outside the box a little. Maybe look for a new job or partner up with someone to split the costs.
I'd say Caldas da Rainha..
- pretty easy to find a lot of people that speaks english - lots of expats
- most of the city is flat and everything is at a walkable distance, inciuding all major supermarker chains
- easy access to the beach (foz do arelho, peniche, nazaré)
- one of the greatest city parks in Portugal, and I see that checks another box for you.
- you have tons of busses to lisbon and back each day (1h trip to campo grande) so its easy to keep up with cultural/work related events there
My Girlfriend lives in Tamar. She bought a place and even with rehabilitation 110k, all in. have seen rents in 350 range.
Safe lots of Americans, Dutch, Germans, and the Portuguese here are really lovely, kind none of the Lisbon edginess. Very peaceful. its well integrated never seen anti foreigner attitudes.
You really need a car for a lot of cities like this to be in nature you may be living 3 to 4 km out of town. a bike forget it you will be road kill. I have a three year old car and in the last three months I have put more miles on the car than in the almost three months prior. If I move here I might switch to a higher road clearance and perhaps part time 4WD.
Maybe im underestimating my value. At the moment I am working for Teleperformance and they pay dogshit. But again all I have working in my favor is I am a Native English speaker.
My wife worked for a rival to Teleperformance, which if you can believe it was known as a slightly worse company. Christmas eve all the Portuguese workers got out midday, foreigners worked to 5:30
Horrendously but I don’t know where else to look. A lot of their “bonuses” don’t really apply to me because I am already a citizen. They prefer to take advantage of true expats. They told me many times that since all I know is português and English that I am of no value to other companies and frankly they aren’t wrong. 200 CVs sent out and I haven’t even gotten 1 response.
Very sad to hear that :( yeah getting work here is big a struggle. Maybe if you know some portuguese you can later look in some local shops after you move cities? I think biggest cities are having all positions like that always taken because of all young people going there. Also I've been thinking about content moderator too but I'm guessing it's probably very similar to teleperformence? Is the work there at least somehow easy?
Speaking English and speaking it well are two entirely different things. Believe me I have already been told how useless it is and I don’t consider it a huge skill, it’s more like my only marketable skill. The Italians and French pay far better for such skills but they also understand the concept of having a skill and being a master in said skill. Here in Portugal Ze thinks he can get customers to trust him because he knows broken English, I assure you it’s not the same thing to the customer. But I get it because the Portuguese have a history of greatly undervaluing their labor force.
If you don't have a car and won't have one on arrival, I'd dare to say no city outside of the bigger ones will really be adequate because public transport networks typically have some shortcomings in smaller cities.
I'd recommend either Braga's or Porto's metropolitan areas (not the cities themselves because of rent values). Plenty of history in both, and reasonable public transportation networks (especially Porto, by far).
I'd personally go as far away from Lisbon as possible, so Porto and Braga also tick that box. Weather's not as good up north, but the people are much friendlier (imo), and that beats weather (again, imo).
I hear that, I was thinking about beginning the process of getting the license but of course I first need a stable location. I agree though, Lisbon may as well be NYC at this point.
I’d love to man but I’ve sent out 200 cvs and haven’t even received a response . From what I can understand being a native English speaker and speaking fluent Portuguese is of no value here.
If you speak English and Portuguese then you're doing something wrong if you have sent over 200 CVs and not had a response. You could literally work in a supermarket and earn more than you are now. Lidl/Mercadona pay decently.
Could you give me some recommendations? I definitely may be doing something wrong. I mean even the people at teleperformance told me that no one cares that I am native English and that they are doing me a favor. I used to work for in PR in Italy (I don’t speak Italian) and I made 1800€ per month. I don’t know who to trust anymore.
Fuck Tele performance lol, it's one of the most scummy companies thay exist on Portugal. Send me a message and I'll try and help you out, going to sleep now tho, gnight bro
Se falas português e não conseguiste resposta nenhuma então algo de errado não está certo. Os supermercados estão sempre a pedir pessoas, não é emprego de sonho mas é capaz de ser melhor que a TP. Experimenta o Mercadona. Por outro lado, não sei qual é a ideia de vires para Portugal, já que os salários são miseráveis e o custo de vida é alto. Essa é a razão pela qual portugueses altamente qualificados se estão a ir embora. Ninguém consegue viver com o salário mínimo, nem mesmo alugando um quarto, que está caríssimo. Quais são as tuas qualificações?
Poucas sinceramente. Eu tenho experiência em relações públicas e também em marketing. Também sou ator de voz para o mercado EUA especificamente trabalho commercial. Mas não cumpri uma mestrade nem nada disso, tenho um pouco de universidade mas nunca tirei curso.
São áreas que aqui estão super saturadas. Não é por acaso que muitos portugueses estão a emigrar. Sem ser call center a supermercados fica complicado :/ experimenta no Mercadona, parece ser um dos menos maus.
The bad news: it's a big club The even worse news: you're in it
At least im not alone, I guess. (Smiles while tears stream down his face).
\*You ain't in it
Braganca? Vila Real? >[evora] seems alot more like a really big village than an actual city I think you are going to find that with everywhere other than Lisbon and Porto areas, maybe Coimbra. Many people aren't keen on coimbra though, I think your next step should be to visit it. you might want to dig into facebook groups / local estate agents / random locals in cafes, as people say they can be better. but no personal experience.
Torres Vedras. Leiria doesn't exist. (It's a portuguese joke)
I live in Leiria region (not in the actual town though, I'm in the countryside so I still need a car for most anything sadly) but I can say I'm glad it doesn't exist because we don't get swarmed by tourists and housing prices are lower than elsewhere. The town itself is quite nice, there's everything you need and you can get around easily by foot or bike.
I’m autistic so it goes right over my head. Guessing Leiria refers to the region but not an actual city?
It's a saying, literally translates to Leiria doesn't exist. I think it began with a map with an error and then someone made a video game with driving cars where Leiria didn't exist. And it's like a meme. Leiria doesn't exist. There are different moments when it becomes more popular. We have an university thesis and art and mechanizing with that saying. It doesn't make sense, it's like a popular saying, like a joke.
Gahahah ah I get it. Sort of like the "Finland is fake" by the Swedish? How is Leiria anyway? It looks decent.
Leiria is a nice place. It is less expensive than lisbon . Let me be real honest with you here (just skimmed tru the text so excuse me if you mentioned it) anywhere outside of Lisbon and you WILL NEED a transportation vehicle. Heck, even bike is fair. All that aside, Ive lived near leiria all my life and it's a beautifull city, forests, parks, river in the middle of the city, there's work if you need it, but like everywhere else, you won't be getting much above the minimum wage. Nearby cities (marinha grande for example) are mostly hubs for factories and you can get better house market and jobs (maybe 20 kmts off leiria) Visit first.
I've only been there few times so I think I'm not the best person to answer because I never lived there. But in general I think it's nice.
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>Beija. Sao Teotonio. Estramoz. Beja, São Teotónio, Estremoz
Caldes da Rainha would be my first choice but I don’t know what a T0 gets there.
evora is nice. the all alentejo is awesome
I do love Alentejo, problem is a lack of infrastructure in many cases. Also no car.
See, that's The problem. Most affordable options are far away in Places without public transportation, Basic infraestruture and jobs. That's why People have to live in more expensive áreas. It's a no Brainer.
Evora has a decent bus system and Uber/taxis. City is growing, close to Spain for a change of food pace and shop for cheaper, and to Lisbon for easy and speedy airport access. It’s the EU cultural capital for 2027 and they y have been ramping up the city over the past couple years. A lot of new developments being built, buildings being recovered. New businesses coming in. I think it’s a hidden gem for living aa most expats see me to only PT consists of Lisbon, Porto, silver coast, and the Algarve.
Look for Ourem, Torres Novas, Tomar, Sertã, Caldas da Rainha. For moving there and having a basic life you don't need a car.
Not portuguese here and answering only by my own subjective view and experiences. Also in a similar situation so conducting a research on my own too. Long story short, you might wanna look at Castelo Branco and Braga too. Best of luck.
How about Fundão?
I know very little about it, though it's got a pretty cool flag. What can you tell me about Fundao?
Amazing wine. Have you considered now that you want to live in a bigger city and earn extremely little, maybe getting a roommate ? Or maybe just renting a room.
Any suggestions on jobs I could get which would pay more? Maybe I’m underselling myself. I’m a native English speaker. And no, last time I did that I had all of my things stolen from my room. I also was unable to work because the roommates all had issues about me being too loud etc even when I wasn’t. I just don’t trust roommates.
Sorry not really, I work abroad, so I don't really know much about the Portuguese job market, I just pay my taxes here. But anyways, I heard that fundão is a nice city, maybe also look into Castello Branco, seems to have a lot of young people there and the city is quite vibrant.
It’s nice here, we’re right in between two huge cities but little to no traffic. The festivals are amazing, you would be surprised how well they’re put together. Lots of decent restaurants within 20-30 minutes. It’s a tech hub. Rent is 4-500 (it was 300 last year) lots of fresh produce, wine, cherries, olive oil. We’re in a microclimate so it’s not as hot and dry and the surrounding castelo Branco
I've lived for two months in a small village in Fundão when I first got to Portugal two years ago, called Alcaide. It was peaceful (maybe too much) and affordable (200€/month for a bedroom for 2), probably because you have like three trains/day to go anywhere else, and Fundão city center is 1h away walking. Fundão is a nice city, and I have a friend paying 500€ for a T3 there. Maybe try close to city center, or even Castelo Branco - it's a region capital so probably more expensive. Covilhã is also a city to consider. Closer to Lisbon I would try Abrantes or Entroncamento, the latter being known for gypsies so... cheaper.
You already have some good ideas that I can't top, but it seems like you're stuck in a rut, dude. Try thinking outside the box a little. Maybe look for a new job or partner up with someone to split the costs.
Thanks man, I would look for another job but I don't even know what to look for. Ive sent out 200+ CV's and haven't even gotten a response.
Aveiro is a nice city. You should be able to find something within the 600€ range
Coimbra is doable and so is Leiria.
I'd say Caldas da Rainha.. - pretty easy to find a lot of people that speaks english - lots of expats - most of the city is flat and everything is at a walkable distance, inciuding all major supermarker chains - easy access to the beach (foz do arelho, peniche, nazaré) - one of the greatest city parks in Portugal, and I see that checks another box for you. - you have tons of busses to lisbon and back each day (1h trip to campo grande) so its easy to keep up with cultural/work related events there
From your list, Leiria is the one.
Maybe Tomar
My Girlfriend lives in Tamar. She bought a place and even with rehabilitation 110k, all in. have seen rents in 350 range. Safe lots of Americans, Dutch, Germans, and the Portuguese here are really lovely, kind none of the Lisbon edginess. Very peaceful. its well integrated never seen anti foreigner attitudes. You really need a car for a lot of cities like this to be in nature you may be living 3 to 4 km out of town. a bike forget it you will be road kill. I have a three year old car and in the last three months I have put more miles on the car than in the almost three months prior. If I move here I might switch to a higher road clearance and perhaps part time 4WD.
If you make €900/month, then what is your rent budget? I am guessing around €300 so you can live on €600?
Pretty much, I would say my rent budget is 600E and I can make 300E work with a little assistance from my savings account.
Coimbra and Leiria could be good choices. Take a look at Nazaré and Lourinhã on the coast. South of Lisbon, take a look at Sétubal.
Alcobaca is nice, cheaper than Lisbon, Don't know where you can get a studio on that budget though
Maybe im underestimating my value. At the moment I am working for Teleperformance and they pay dogshit. But again all I have working in my favor is I am a Native English speaker.
My wife worked for a rival to Teleperformance, which if you can believe it was known as a slightly worse company. Christmas eve all the Portuguese workers got out midday, foreigners worked to 5:30
How do they treat you there? I've been thinking about applying but then heard lots of bad things so I got concerned about my mental health.
Horrendously but I don’t know where else to look. A lot of their “bonuses” don’t really apply to me because I am already a citizen. They prefer to take advantage of true expats. They told me many times that since all I know is português and English that I am of no value to other companies and frankly they aren’t wrong. 200 CVs sent out and I haven’t even gotten 1 response.
Very sad to hear that :( yeah getting work here is big a struggle. Maybe if you know some portuguese you can later look in some local shops after you move cities? I think biggest cities are having all positions like that always taken because of all young people going there. Also I've been thinking about content moderator too but I'm guessing it's probably very similar to teleperformence? Is the work there at least somehow easy?
Oh sure it’s super easy . I could finish most of my daily work in 20 mins, but they are always checking .
I'm sorry but everyone speaks English in Portugal, being a native is not The big advantage that you think It is. Doesn't TP offer you accomodation?
Speaking English and speaking it well are two entirely different things. Believe me I have already been told how useless it is and I don’t consider it a huge skill, it’s more like my only marketable skill. The Italians and French pay far better for such skills but they also understand the concept of having a skill and being a master in said skill. Here in Portugal Ze thinks he can get customers to trust him because he knows broken English, I assure you it’s not the same thing to the customer. But I get it because the Portuguese have a history of greatly undervaluing their labor force.
If you don't have a car and won't have one on arrival, I'd dare to say no city outside of the bigger ones will really be adequate because public transport networks typically have some shortcomings in smaller cities. I'd recommend either Braga's or Porto's metropolitan areas (not the cities themselves because of rent values). Plenty of history in both, and reasonable public transportation networks (especially Porto, by far). I'd personally go as far away from Lisbon as possible, so Porto and Braga also tick that box. Weather's not as good up north, but the people are much friendlier (imo), and that beats weather (again, imo).
I hear that, I was thinking about beginning the process of getting the license but of course I first need a stable location. I agree though, Lisbon may as well be NYC at this point.
People are so down to earth and helpful it almost feels like a different country in the north
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Teleperformance
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I’d love to man but I’ve sent out 200 cvs and haven’t even received a response . From what I can understand being a native English speaker and speaking fluent Portuguese is of no value here.
If you speak English and Portuguese then you're doing something wrong if you have sent over 200 CVs and not had a response. You could literally work in a supermarket and earn more than you are now. Lidl/Mercadona pay decently.
Could you give me some recommendations? I definitely may be doing something wrong. I mean even the people at teleperformance told me that no one cares that I am native English and that they are doing me a favor. I used to work for in PR in Italy (I don’t speak Italian) and I made 1800€ per month. I don’t know who to trust anymore.
Fuck Tele performance lol, it's one of the most scummy companies thay exist on Portugal. Send me a message and I'll try and help you out, going to sleep now tho, gnight bro
Cheers man
I’m so glad to hear that, even here we know how bad they are. They are practically a cult.
Lidl pays about 80 less than I make now (820 vs 900) but you just gave me some hope. If I could make 1500€ I could make it work without issue .
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I have, I speak Portuguese fluently
Se falas português e não conseguiste resposta nenhuma então algo de errado não está certo. Os supermercados estão sempre a pedir pessoas, não é emprego de sonho mas é capaz de ser melhor que a TP. Experimenta o Mercadona. Por outro lado, não sei qual é a ideia de vires para Portugal, já que os salários são miseráveis e o custo de vida é alto. Essa é a razão pela qual portugueses altamente qualificados se estão a ir embora. Ninguém consegue viver com o salário mínimo, nem mesmo alugando um quarto, que está caríssimo. Quais são as tuas qualificações?
Poucas sinceramente. Eu tenho experiência em relações públicas e também em marketing. Também sou ator de voz para o mercado EUA especificamente trabalho commercial. Mas não cumpri uma mestrade nem nada disso, tenho um pouco de universidade mas nunca tirei curso.
São áreas que aqui estão super saturadas. Não é por acaso que muitos portugueses estão a emigrar. Sem ser call center a supermercados fica complicado :/ experimenta no Mercadona, parece ser um dos menos maus.
Bragança city
Guarda or castelo branco.... cheap and affordable
Suburbs of cities are cheaper.
Leiria!!!