having read the contributions of "loving the algarve" reminds me of a quote from a recent BBC show about a couple trying to set up a business in costa rica....one local expat there said it was "paradise in hell".....I think its true here also.....its paradise if all you have to do is to drink at bars and go to restuarants and go the beach...buts it hell if you try to do any work or get paid or try and start a business.

I couldn't agree more...

its a good thing im aries!reading the various comments being made, no wonder it seems to an outsider there is no chance of making it in portugal.are u saying its for the chosen few after the .........................?

Yes but I think that you also have to remember that some people have managed.

I'm not saying it's easy and probably a very different process to what we are used to in whatever country we come from but nothing it totally impossible.

It's just understandable that somewhere as small as Carvoeiro could easily become over crowded with the same ventures. However, it should not stop people from trying to open a business should they wish to and they just have to be aware of the difficulties they will be faced with.

Nothing is easy!

But I am so fed up of people being constantly down in the dumps about things. To be honest, I've had the month from hell and I don't think it could get much worse and the only thing that's keeping me going is that in 5 months time, I will be moving to hopefully better things. (sorry! had to have a bit of a whinge) Rant over now.

Why the month from hell?

Sorry

Nah it's ok. Just nothing going right really.
Hate my job, just broken up with someone, my cat has just nearly losts an eye in an accident.... you know the kind. It never rains it pours!

But there is light at the end of the tunnel. The month finishes in a couple of days so I'll be looking forward to the next one (nothing will beat this one in the badness stakes) and then in February I move to CVO.

maybe we should try a "rules for survival in the Algarve?"

1. Learn Portuguese - it REALLY helps.
2. Expect everything to be done 10 times slower than it works back home.
3. Expect people not to get excited about making more sales
4. Ego rules, common sense or capitalism doesnt.
5. Hold on to your hat in the car, the drivers here are in "super-rush" mode in their vehicles, but when they step out they slip back to a permament go-slow.
6. Make time for the sun every day, no matter HOW busy you are, thats why you moved here.
7. What works back home doesn't always work here.
8. Make sure your accountant knows what he/she is talking about, I am on my third one...
9. Enjoy food and wine, even if you are driving last years car.

Oh and I really love the Algarve - every day I wake up and the sun shines and the crime is negligible


(P.S. Many of these points are blatant generalizations so apologies in advance for offending the PC crowd . )

I think point 6 should be a number one priority!

Is your new accountant any good?

Oh I am so excited. I'll probably start sounding like a little girl about to go to Disneyworld nearer the time. Oh no, my mistake, I still actually DO get excited at the thought of going to Disneyworld.

hehehe, yeah my Accountant is good, he knows how to use the Internet so even though he works in Quarteira, which is a good hour's drive from CVO, it's worth it.

Oh and I always get excited about little boy things even though I am 35 (must be 16 in my head)

Ah that's good to know. And living in London 1 hour's drive is nothing to me.

I'm nearly 30 going on 7 or 18 depending on the mood!

Falcon That was all so true. Had a good laugh (hey, and I'm Portuguese).

I can only rely on memory for what it can be like to be resident/work in Algarve..and all the many frustrations/tearing your hair out days we encountered....
But I also recall the time...after being here 6 months or more...when my brain seemed to be going to sleep ...
for despite working hard..and all the red tape/and trying to get paid probs....I suddenly started to worry that....I wasnt worrying about anything
Does life in the land of wall to wall sunshine..sea..beautiful sandy bays/beaches and 'Vinho'...send those who reside here just slightly ' Ga Ga' ??
Okay..maybe be Im getting too much of it on this months vacation...also theres a 'full moon' tonight..... ..Boa noite queridas....E xx

Wats the old storey about the yank and the mexican fisherman ,anyway the jist is the fisherman is telling the yank about how he only fishes about three hours in the morning because then he goes home and has lunch,then a siesta with his wife for a couple of hours and in the evening he plays with his grandchildren and later they all sit down at a big family meal before retiring for the nite ....well the yank is shocked ..but why dont you fish eight hours a day he asks ..why says the fisherman ?with the extra money you could save up a buy another boat and hire a crew ..but why asks the fisherman? with two boats you could catch more fish and make more money..once again the fisherman ask why?..so that in a couple of years you could buy a fleet of boats ,but why he asks? well then you wouldn,t have to work as much and you could take more time of f , and? asks the fisherman then says the yank you could spend more time with your wife and family take long siestas and play for hours with your grandkids.The fisherman just smiles and said but sir thats what i do now.