Are there expats living year round in Vila Real de Santo Antonio - Page 3

Hi Margo,

I am hoping to arrange a container to bring out some stuff ,trying to get a reasonable grote.i have bikes in storage in Dublin,I could have a spare bike,I know I have kiddies bikes to bring out.Shall I tell my landlord that you  are interested in his apartment,it is overlooking the ocean.i know alot of my bikes were ruined as we live by the beach at home and I was tired trying to keep them covered and the salty windy ruined them,but have found a handy man to fix them up here.We have had atrocious wind and rain here for last 10 days.we were able to save alot of things but my boxes were ruined just an inconvenience really,made do with collecting boxes from Aldie and will cover them.At least the wind is warm.You have snow at home,hope its melted by 23rd.i have put up some decorations I made so I feel its Xmas,but everywhere is deserted.Just looking forward going home in 10 days time.Have you set a date to come over

Joan

Hi Joan

I have sent you a private message so let me know if you got it!

Thanks

Marga 

Hi Joan

I have sent you a private message. Let me know if you got it!

Regards

Marga

Good afternoon all

I am currently in VRSA carrying out a bit of reconnaissance before hopefully moving here later this year. (I recently retired, and am bringing a boat through the French canals en route to the Med, and from there to Portugal where I hope a shiny new D7 visa will be waiting for me)

Are there any regular meeting spots or events for expats in this area, or is it simply a matter of eavesdropping non-Portuguese conversations and then politely introducing myself (as I did earlier today)?

Many thanks for any thoughts, guidance, or suggestions as to where I might find cheap "accommodation" (as in "I don't actually want to live here yet, but I need to prove I have "accommodation" available as part of the D7 visa application process)

best regards

Andrew

There is a sports bar in the main square, I think that is a place for meeting people

many thanks

Have a safe passage on your your boat travels.

There are quite a few expats living full-time in VRSA including us. We are not sure what sports bar in the town square you are referring to but there are many friendly restaurants and locations serving cocktails (especially in the warmer months).

Suggestion: The  D7 gives you 120 days to stay in Portugal. If you are planning to obtain a residency card which gives you 24 months of authorized stay, do not under-estimate the need to have a residence that you can use for SEF approval. Requirements have tightened significantly in the last 12 months. AL type leases and AirBnB contracts are not as aceepted as they used to be and it helps to have at least 1 utilities agreement in your name. Acceptance at SEF can vary depending on location and the staff member that you are assigned.    

many thanks for this guidance

I think that one of the most daunting challenges for a newcomer - certainly post-Brexit - is the apparent variability in both the regulations themselves and the rigour with which they are (or are not) applied

I am using an agency to manage the D7 process, and, yes, I will be looking for the 2-year temporary residence permit once actually established; the long term intention is to not just live aboard my boat, but to travel with it (not just to e.g. the Azores and Madeira, but also potentially back along towards the Med). Historically it has been possible to show a long-term marina contract (or, in the case of motor homes, a pitch agreement) but I sense I may need to opt for either a very-budget 12 month rental, or perhaps a room share (neither of which I would ever intend to actually occupy), at least until the formalities are completed

best regards etc.

We were boaters in the US for 10 years and still  miss those days. Before we moved to Portugal, we actually considered buying a 45 trawler, crossing the Atlantic and living at at a marina. Concept never gained footing. Never che ked to see if long term marina rental would be accepted. Let us know what you find. There are several marinas in VRSA.  

Carole and Wayne

Hi that sports bar is on the first floor of a building on the square which is directly opposite the town hall.

As far as I know there are games there, snooker etc.

Hope that helps. 

DANIEL