Moving abroad during retirement is a dream many Britons share. Some turn to the Westernmost parts of Europe, namely Portugal, in search of a warmer climate and a slower pace.
Relocating to a new country is always a daunting task, however. One expat has warned that moving to Portugal can present challenges to the ill-prepared.
Posting from the YouTube account This Is Yulia, the content creator shared a cautionary tale about the European hotspot, warning viewers about the slow pace of life, language barriers, and the winters.
“Before you take the leap, I’m here to tell you why you might NOT want to move here," the YouTuber declared.
Yulia claims Winters in Portugal can be tricky
YouTube / This Is Yulia / GETTY
“From the overwhelming bureaucracy that might leave you frustrated to the scorching summers that can be a real struggle, Portugal isn’t all sunshine and roses."
Starting with the language barrier, she cautioned that it can be difficult for non-Portuguese to get by without any command of the local language.
“If you don’t want to learn Portuguese, why bother moving to Portugal?” She asked. “While you can get away with not speaking Portuguese while living in Portugal, I highly recommend that you take some courses.”
Failing to pick up Portuguese can present challenges when dealing with Government institutions, she warned.
“You need a health number? They speak Portuguese. You need to exchange your driver’s licence? They speak Portuguese. You need to do something with your tax papers? They speak Portuguese,” pointed out Yulia.
Winter in Portugal was the second point raised in the expat's video because, in her experience, the buildings in the country aren’t always equipped to deal with low temperatures.
“Don’t move to Portugal if you have not experienced the Portuguese Winter,” she said. “It is freaking cold inside of the apartments. If your apartment is not well built and well insulated, you might get cold.”
Another overlooked factor is the slow pace of life, which Yulia warns can test one's patience.
“Portugal is slow,” the content creator explained. “One thing I can’t get used to is going to the post office."
She discouraged moving to the country “if you’re not prepared for the potential hardships that come with the picturesque views and delightful cuisine”.
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Portugal offers expats a slower pace of life
GETTY IMAGESIt comes as another content creator shared several reasons Portugal is a top pick for expats. Posting under the username Expat Money, the travel enthusiast cited healthcare as a major perk.
“Healthcare in Portugal is top notch and [the country] is famous for its hospitals," he told his followers.
He continued: “If Europe is where you want to live, Portugal ticks a tonne of boxes for the perfect location to settle down in. Here are just a few of the reasons why.
“Portugal has amazing weather, which is probably one reason that most people move there. Arguably, Portugal has some of the best golf courses in Europe."