Living in rural portugal

[miradouro]

If 3000 dollars is likely to be a major impact, I'd advise saving up a little more before making any leap. On the plus side, rents in rural Portugal are very low. It might also be an idea to consider helpexing early on Portugal volunteer work exchanges

[canoeman]

Only downside to motorhome if you don't own one is price, they are neither cheap to buy or hire here
Standvirtual is major Portuguse internet site for vehicles and will give you some idea Venda Autocaravanas, Autocaravanas Usadas e Comprar Autocaravanas no Standvirtual

Plenty of sites throughout Portugal, private and public, nearly every Camra has a camp site, as it's a popular pastime here nationals and visitors.

[Dennis]

Originally Posted by Waterdog

Re Motor Homes;

They may even have their own forum?

Best of luck in your quest.

Yes they do, several........here is three to be going on with......<HERE> <HERE> and <HERE>.
My first introduction to Portugal was with a motorhome and if I can be of assistance just ask.

[Waterdog]

Great stuff Dennis, as you may gather, although I have been in the motor home game. I have no practical experience in Portugal or Spain.

Whilst there are local council & private sites, mindful of cost, am I right in saying that the authorities in Iberia have a fairly relaxed attitude toward wild camping?

[Dennis]

Originally Posted by Waterdog

Great stuff Dennis, as you may gather, although I have been in the motor home game. I have no practical experience in Portugal or Spain.

Whilst there are local council & private sites, mindful of cost, am I right in saying that the authorities in Iberia have a fairly relaxed attitude toward wild camping?

Hi Waterdog
It is true to say that Portugal has a more relaxed attitude to wild camping especially central and northern Portugal but experiences with irresponsible motorhomers with regard the disposal of "black" water and overstaying their welcome in the Algarve has made the authorities tighten up and regular policing of wild camping areas has made parts of the Algarve virtual no go areas for motorhomers.
There are many places to "stopover" in central and north Portugal and I have included part of a thread from a motorhome forum that gives details of some of the stopovers used by the forum members.
I personally had no problem when I toured souhern and central Portugal for many weeks prior to buying and settling here permanently.
Have a look <HERE>
Good luck.

[AidanMcK]

So any more insights into life in rural Portugal then? I've heard from someone (not here in these forums) that its all very doom and gloom and miserable there now with the economic crisis and all, and its the last place you would want to consider moving to, any thoughts?

He also mentioned the seemingly biggest problem there (seems to me anyway) of abandoned puppies everywhere, and tied-up dogs everywhere, and barking dogs everywhere.

[siobhanwf]

Originally Posted by AidanMcK

:

He also mentioned the seemingly biggest problem there (seems to me anyway) of abandoned puppies everywhere, and tied-up dogs everywhere, and barking dogs everywhere.

you will find in most rural areas there will be several dogs in one house, or rather garden. They will generally all be chained. They therefore get bored and start barking. They will bark at anything!
The Portuguese in rural areas look on dogs differently than we do. Very few if any are neutered so stray dogs can be a problem.
There is very little you can do about it.
As the owner of two one year old boxers, the lady who helps in the house thinks I am nuts to have them indoors.
Most of my neighbours have four + dogs. I have just earned to live with it. Even the cats are on chains.

[Waterdog]

We dogs are taking over - 2 simultaneous threads! Woof

[siobhanwf]

Originally Posted by Waterdog

We dogs are taking over - 2 simultaneous threads! Woof

No Waterdog we don't. This particular thread is on living in rural Portugal

[miradouro]

Originally Posted by AidanMcK

So any more insights into life in rural Portugal then? I've heard from someone (not here in these forums) that its all very doom and gloom and miserable there now with the economic crisis and all, and its the last place you would want to consider moving to, any thoughts?

He also mentioned the seemingly biggest problem there (seems to me anyway) of abandoned puppies everywhere, and tied-up dogs everywhere, and barking dogs everywhere.

-- Yup, there's plenty of doom and gloom about right now. The thing to remember is that this is nothing new... the miserabilism of fado lyrics reflects a Portuguese way of living and the relative absence of joie de vivre.

-- The way rural Portuguese (and Spanish) treat animals is certainly shocking, but it's something that we all hope will be ironed out as the Portuguese encounter - and perhaps even enforce - EU animal welfare legislation (for Northern Europeans who care about the issue, see the dogsofportugal website). On top of the dogs-on-chains and strays issues, you also have the problem of hobbled goats/sheep (you often see limping animals with atrophied legs... horrible), and at this time of year, the redneck hunters in camouflage gear who'll shoot anything wild, as long as they get a macho day out in their jipe or pickup with a snorkel on the bonnet.

To summarise
The plus-sides of rural Portugal are: slow pace of life; climate; views/landscape; fun neighbours (esp. the expat downshifters); relatively cheap property in many areas (although some rural areas of France/Spain/Italy/Germany are just as cheap); cheap wine/market food; very low council tax rates (but expensive internet/electricity); excellent rural restaurants (Sao Rosas in Estremoz, Praca Velha in Castelo Branco, Bussaco Palace near Coimbra); fun Helpexer communities/hosts; fabulous B+Bs to spend occasional weekends away; excellent surf beaches; a choice of low-cost flights within driving distance (Faro/Porto/Lisbon/Valladolid/Madrid/Seville).

The downsides are: crap shops; slow pace of life; the economy; bureaucracy; the dourness of many natives (but not all); generally poor customer service; distance from the rest of the EU (6-10 hours to the French border); no excellent universities nearby for self-education; a lack of plannng rules, which has already led to concrete/villa sprawl and uglifying of some areas (Algarve/Lisbon Coast/Silver Coast).

Tip: Look up the Emma's House In Portugal blog for good insights on rural Portugal: the good, the bad, the quirky, the spectacular.