Working & Living in the Algarve

nosey_parker · Post by **nosey_parker** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 12:51 am

I'm sure this topic has come up many times and you all must be thinking "oh, not again" but personally I get more and more frustated as time goes by. I'd like to ask what attracts people here and what makes them stay?

Is there anyone out there planning to return to their home countries?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 7:23 am

coming here is like joining the Foreign Legion..you forget why you came..then find you cant escape!!!

Dr Phil · Post by **Dr Phil** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 8:58 am

I think being happy no matter where rest on certain aspects , you need to have:

1 love, sex, warmth
2 money for housing, food and well fare
3 sense of security
4 social circle
5 The ability to grow spiritually

There is some maslow influence in this.................

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote : love is a severe form of mental Illness......... - Plato

digger · Post by **digger** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 9:25 am

I don’t think this topic has ever come up before…….it’s a good one….

Top of the list is the weather; next the beautiful coastline; next ah hmm…

Ms Parker, I’ve said it before….you’re too young to be living in Algarve. It’s a better option for people over the hill, but for young ones wanting to make something of their lives, this is not the place…..

Gambrinus · Post by **Gambrinus** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 10:30 am

I second Digger's remark - it is very hard to make a living in the Algarve.

On the one hand you have a full on haute/baisse environment that demands a lot of discipline. You can only make good money whilst everybody else is having fun and when everybody goes home you will have a hard time finding things to do.
On the other hand, you have a wonderful country with (mostly) friendly people, great weather, beautiful landscape and a ton of opportunities waiting to be siezed.

I have lived here most of my life and although Lisbon was a great experience and loads of fun, I would not want to exchange my little algarvean town for anything in the world.

The Algarve has something in the air that makes it addictive and I am convinced, that anybody who spends a certain amount of time down here will get hooked on it.

kteee · Post by **kteee** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 10:50 am

We had very busy lives in the UK running two businesses and had had enough of the 'running to stand still' way of life in the UK, plus the high cost of living and, of course, the weather.

We came out here with very little idea of what we would do for work, (we are in our late thirties/early forties) but luckily both of us found jobs quite quickly and they are year-round - actually busier in winter than summer.

We have been lucky and it could very easily have gone the other way, but we already had a property out here and some capital from the sale of our businesses/property in the uk and had been spending more and more time here over the last 18 years.

The red tape does get you down, especially at the beginning when there are so many things to sort out, but I still don't want to go back to the UK. I haven't been back at all yet, not even for a visit.

The atmosphere is more laid-back, the cost of living is cheaper (although rising), the better weather means a more outdoors lifestyle all year round, and it feels safer here. I'm not sure it would suit anyone younger than us, or our age and more ambitious, but we feel we've had our time of that and now we just want to relax a bit.

I feel quite settled here now - I'm not saying it's forever and it's certainly not perfect - but for the moment we are happy here.

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 10:55 am

Morning Su!
I concur with Dr Phil and Diggers comments.
....Dr Phils 'Plato' quote reminds me of a line in an old song :
"Im not sick..Im just in love"!......(think its from show "Call me Madam")
But that doesnt only apply to people..you can also fall in love with a country! or in this case Algarve!

Su my dear..you have youth,talent, enthusiasm, and high intelligence..I know your dreams..and love to see them fulfilled for you...
but unless you strike lucky in Algarve ..
I believe Digger and Gambrinus are right!
But dont give up on your hopes /dreams Su..you have time & eagerness (in abundance) on your side

love elliex

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 11:01 am

kteee wrote:We had very busy lives in the UK running two businesses and had had enough of the 'running to stand still' way of life in the UK, plus the high cost of living and, of course, the weather.

We came out here with very little idea of what we would do for work, (we are in our late thirties/early forties) but luckily both of us found jobs quite quickly and they are year-round - actually busier in winter than summer.

We have been lucky and it could very easily have gone the other way, but we already had a property out here and some capital from the sale of our businesses/property in the uk and had been spending more and more time here over the last 18 years.

The red tape does get you down, especially at the beginning when there are so many things to sort out, but I still don't want to go back to the UK. I haven't been back at all yet, not even for a visit.

The atmosphere is more laid-back, the cost of living is cheaper (although rising), the better weather means a more outdoors lifestyle all year round, and it feels safer here. I'm not sure it would suit anyone younger than us, or our age and more ambitious, but we feel we've had our time of that and now we just want to relax a bit.

I feel quite settled here now - I'm not saying it's forever and it's certainly not perfect - but for the moment we are happy here.

lovely story!

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 11:05 am

p.s.sorry to be ignorant Dr phil..but what is maslow influence?

Maslow · Post by **Maslow** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 11:12 am

Maslow postulated the theory of Hierarchy of Needs. There are 5 stages, starting with physiological needs, and moving up in stages to self actualisation needs. One cannot move to a higher stage until you have substantially satisfied the needs at a lower level.

Milkman · Post by **Milkman** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 11:54 am

Maslow wrote:Maslow postulated the theory of Hierarchy of Needs. There are 5 stages, starting with physiological needs, and moving up in stages to self actualisation needs. One cannot move to a higher stage until you have substantially satisfied the needs at a lower level.

"GUEST"! Is it you again?The one who corrected me with the 'Fresh Milk Topic'?......... lol! I think you are! Let me see your face.....

Ellie, like guest mentioned The Maslow Theory is also know as the 'High Rocky of needs' theory. With on one end the most fundamental needs a human has and the other end the highest peek of self actualisation.....

My friend Dr Phil meant that these aspects influence if you are a happy person regardless of where you live......

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 12:44 pm

I reckon most of us have been conned ....instead of being taught how to enjoy our lives we have been given a set of ideals based on the accumalation of wealth and nobody ever told us how to put the brakes on..to be able to say i have enough now so i,m going to enjoy it ..and i don,t mean when were seventy...its not wrong be be low on ambition..don,t mind the neighbours.. their killing themselves trying to keep up with someone else...jaysus i could preach on this for ever..
gerry

Disillusioned · Post by **Disillusioned** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 12:52 pm

I also believe that the Algarve is more suitable for older, retired people, preferably couples and not for anyone in their 20's to 40's and certainly not for anyone single. Yes, there is the sun, cheap food and wine but it is not utopia. When it is chilly, grey and damp in the winter there isn't anything to do other than go to "Algarve Shopping" and spend money you haven't got.

There is very little all year round work and certainly nothing well paid. The Algarvians are friendly on the surface but in general rather closed and conservative and socialising mainly seems to evolve around the family, and friends they've known since school. Even when you speak quite good Portuguese they still don't seem to accept you into their groups, or worse (in my experience) the few that do only end up s**ting on you. There are few entertainment options and to see a decent show or band you have to go to Lisboa.

Sorry to be negative. I am sure that there are younger people here, who do enjoy the quiet life and good luck to them but if you have a low boredom threshold and need lots of stimulation, both in terms of work and social life, it isn't the place to be. No country is perfect, so each of us has to decide the place for us, where there are the most positives and the least negatives. Unfortunately I've so far only managed to satisfy one of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs ie Number 5 "The ability to grow spiritually". Any experience of life, good or bad, helps you to grow as a person don't you think?

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 12:55 pm

Ive always thought this a place of learning

and I take in your theory mr Maslow...and hope youl forgive my not having heard of you before

Thanks to Milkman to and collegue Dr phil.youre improving my education in leaps and bounds...
but then .what would we do without a Milkman? Milk never tastes better than straight out the bottle!

Of course the practicalities in life dominate us dont they....my ma used to say..first a job/money enough for roof over head and food in cupboard..
but to be truly happy ??
yes..you need love,warmth..sex? Ive put it in slightly different order

Dont know about others here..but the 'social circle' bit is vital to me and afraid it doesn't abound where I live

whats your thoughts Su?

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 1:05 pm

we get your point disillusioned darling!

Hope Milkman and his good friend Dr phil saw/got mine ok?

Nice to talk here...isnt it?

Working & Living in the Algarve

Working & Living in the Algarve

Being happy

You again