International Living Community

I am a 73 year old who has lived in many places in the World. I have 2 Passports - UK and Australia. I have been happily living in Thailand for nearly 20 years. Recently I was diagnosed with throat cancer and my Thai Health Insurance wouldn't cover the treatment so I returned to UK and the Cancer was removed in an operation from which I am recovering. As soon as the Doctor gave me clearance I returned to Thailand even though the UK Hospital want me to undergo 3 monthly check-ups. I lived in the UK in rented accommodation for 4 months while receiving treatment. I haven't settled back into Thailand as well as I thought I would. I don't think I could happily return to UK full-time because of the winters. I have been looking at European properties to rent. I know Greece and Portugal well from both Holidays and working periods. Until recently Portugal had been top of my list but recent political changes mean it doesn't look as easy to get a long-term Visa there. Italy currently seems to have the cheapest rental properties, depending where you choose to live but Greece isn't far behind. I wonder whether other members can advise me on which is actually the easiest place to get a long-term Visa. I speak some Greek but very little Portuguese or Italian. Any Advice? I did buy a copy of European Living in 2023 and have read it but wonder how much has changed in the last couple of years?

I began in Lisbon then caught the train to Porto. I then used the train to return to Nazare. I then caught the train back to Sintra. From Sintra I caught the train back to Lisbon then Cascais. I trained back into Lisbon where I caught the Bus from Sete Rios to Portimao. From there I caught the bus to Lagos. From Lagos I caught the train to Tavira. Next trip I want to visit central Portugal

I too am trying to find a permanent home in Portugal. I have visited many times. The South is probably the nicest area if you like year round sunshine and never too cold. Porto is very nice up north but it tends to get high rainfall in Winter. The south is the most expensive place to buy a property. The silver coast has some interesting coastal towns. Lisbon is probably the cheapest Capital City in Europe to purchase property and is a beautiful city. Good Luck. Ian

I suggest you download Idealista and you easily draw a map of where you want to live and they notify you of all rental properties in that area. You will easily find an apartment in Caminha for between 600 and 800 Euros per month. Good Luck it's a great place to live