Hi Rylan 45,

success in Portugal is not so much depending on the color of your skin but the contacts you have and the family you were born. The contacts generated in a Portuguese family are very important. Often chances are given to somebody because he or she is a cousin (primo) of a member of the family, or is the friend of a friend. So being active in Expat-forums could be a substitute for family contacts.

Most people of African origin seem to live in the Lisbon area, but as far as I remember the people of Porto are more open and friendly. You will meet lots of people, who had been living in Africa, especially Angola and Mozmbique.

You have to be prepared to lots of bureaucracy, especially as you come from outside Europe. I could send you a link to portuguese legislation about imigration, if you are interested - of course in Portuguese language.

I am actually German, married to a Portuguese woman with nearly 30 years of experience in Portugal. Although I am a citizen of a member- state of the European Union, moving to another country inside Europe can not be compared to a move inside the US. I am living in the Lisbon area.