Help and Advice for a Newbie

[ConfusedBuyer]

Hi all,

I am hoping to complete on a property near Vale Do Milho next month. All very exciting, but also a little daunting, so I just wondered if anyone had any advice about things to look out for, and pitfalls to avoid with regards to settling in. For instance, is there a specific energy company I should use, a good broadband provider, pool and garden maintenance people, reliable and not too expensive house cleaners, whether to purchase a Portuguese car or bring one over from the UK, the best restaurants in Carvoeiro, sports clubs in the area....that sort of thing!

Thanks in advance.

[e-richard]

Congratulations on your pending purchase and I'm sure you'll get years of joy from it.

To answer all your questions, try browsing around this site a little. You'll quickly see that there is a lot of useful advice, and also a lot of conflicting advice. It all adds up to a lot to think about.

One suggestion, however, is to pose specific single questions one at a time on this forum.
Things very soon get confused when you ask about so many different issues in one blanket posting. Its hard to know what to reply to.

[alf1956]

sent you a couple of pm's Doug

[ConfusedBuyer]

Hi Richard,

Will do.

Thanks

[sam]

There is a wealth of info on here. Try doing some topic searchs. If you want specific info not found then ask one or two questions at a time, you will get better responses.
Welcome and good luck.

[ConfusedBuyer]

Thanks Sam. Will do.

CB

[Alison]

Welcome to cvo and to the forum - have sent you a pm.

[LICY]

Hi all,

I am hoping to complete on a property near Vale Do Milho next month. All very exciting, but also a little daunting, so I just wondered if anyone had any advice about things to look out for, and pitfalls to avoid with regards to settling in. For instance, is there a specific energy company I should use, a good broadband provider, pool and garden maintenance people, reliable and not too expensive house cleaners, whether to purchase a Portuguese car or bring one over from the UK, the best restaurants in Carvoeiro, sports clubs in the area....that sort of thing!

Thanks in advance.

I answered your PM.
do not expect to find lots of service providers for utilities or broadband which also means prices are not so competitive. Broadband, when we were looking on the SAPO (Ithink) site it seemed to be about €35 per month. EDP are the usual electric company. If you have a villa manager they will give you info about gardeners, pool men etc. I am mindful not all providers are truthful with the amount of work, ie a pool man that should attend once a week in the winter and twice a week in the summer. If you go to the property a lot and fancy gardening you could instruct on an ad hoc basis. Get recommendations from owners not just agents. If you rent you need a tourist license. Check with the current owner if they have one. If they dont you may have to spend a pretty penny up-daing things, such as electric and acoustics to comply with regulations. Restuarant wise go on trip adviser. Our preferred ones in the village are, Taste, Primavera, Ele & Ela and Happy's.

[ConfusedBuyer]

Thanks Licy,

I have responded to your message. There is no licence and there is no sign of any health and safety notices around the pool or house, although it has been let out apparently.

CB

[pato]

Hi all,

I am hoping to complete on a property near Vale Do Milho next month. All very exciting, but also a little daunting, so I just wondered if anyone had any advice about things to look out for, and pitfalls to avoid with regards to settling in. For instance, is there a specific energy company I should use, a good broadband provider, pool and garden maintenance people, reliable and not too expensive house cleaners, whether to purchase a Portuguese car or bring one over from the UK, the best restaurants in Carvoeiro, sports clubs in the area....that sort of thing!

Thanks in advance.

I answered your PM.
do not expect to find lots of service providers for utilities or broadband which also means prices are not so competitive. Broadband, when we were looking on the SAPO (Ithink) site it seemed to be about €35 per month. EDP are the usual electric company. If you have a villa manager they will give you info about gardeners, pool men etc. I am mindful not all providers are truthful with the amount of work, ie a pool man that should attend once a week in the winter and twice a week in the summer. If you go to the property a lot and fancy gardening you could instruct on an ad hoc basis. Get recommendations from owners not just agents. If you rent you need a tourist license. Check with the current owner if they have one. If they dont you may have to spend a pretty penny up-daing things, such as electric and acoustics to comply with regulations. Restuarant wise go on trip adviser. Our preferred ones in the village are, Taste, Primavera, Ele & Ela and Happy's.

C'mon LICY you didn't write that, cheat!

[ConfusedBuyer]

Well, Im just grateful to Licy for taking the time to post this very useful information.

[LICY]

CB i think Pato said that as i have trouble with what i want to write and what the iPad writes. Standing joke. You'll also see i'm a little naughty, but the likes of our dear very mature Pato love it.

[Michael Crane]

Mmm, did you cut&paste it from somewhere?

[LICY]

Mmm, did you cut&paste it from somewhere?

Not this time.