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Tomorrow we will likely sign to purchase a house in Monte Gordo and can already see our orientation towards VRSA. So your post was so apropos. We both golf and I’m going back to pickleball so hope to make new friends soon! Thanks!!!

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Oct 26, 2022·edited Oct 27, 2022Author

Try Quinta do Vale a great course and great people. Since we are the only pball in the area, I suspect we will meet soob.

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Thank you! We’ll look at it! Signing POA with attorney today. Who will act as fiduciary. It’s more complicated to buy a house partially constructed than either an existing property or a plot. It’s getting real!!!!

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Good luck. Most importantly, set realistic (or nearly realistic) expectations for building. Our permitting process was pretty smooth in VRSA...but we have friends just next store in Castro Marim that have been waiting for over 8 months. As i previously wrote, the hardest thing is we don't know the questions to ask at the beginning and at each step.

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Our house is about 3/4s of the way done. Should be ready for occupancy by March. Not our forever home but a great price point to make the leap! So now it feels very real!!!!

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Please invite us to your first housewarming party.

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Will do. It’s going to be a great party house. The rooftop terrace is the entire floor plan of the house including the garage!

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Oct 25, 2022Liked by Nancy Whiteman

“Diverse international group of friends”, indeed!

I came to USA many years ago and making international friends was the best part of it!! Hope I could join you all in vrsa

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You are very diplomatic. Be ruthless, the Portuguese can be irrationally greedy since they became euro zone members. Just saying...

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€1100/month?! Expats, the gift that keeps giving...grief to struggling natives. Bless your wallets.

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I’ll admit we aren’t the best shoppers. Friends have a similar apt, same building and pay 700.

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Sounds like a dream come true. What an adventure. What about healthcare? Do you have to travel to a bigger city?

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Yep…..read this post https://expatinportugal.substack.com/p/back-to-the-hospital

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Excellent answer. Thanks!

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Two positive outtakes, for me, from today’s blog: I will return to picking up a few pieces of trash when I walk Harley. (I had given up…) and I will explore VRSA’s industrial area for a body shop! thx!😎

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Toby, there are several body shops. When traveling south following our last trip, a stone hit the windshield. I was looking for the PT equivalent of SafeLite. I stopped in one of the body shops, the guy got on the phone and within 15 minutes GlassDrive showed up. He fixed the window (€73) and provided the paperwork for our insurance. Just have to walk and ask.

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I’m from Orange County, currently live in Cascais and am considering a move; so this post struck a note. Very interested in your process to relocate to VRSA. Would you share? Maybe via PM.

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Mary you can email or call me at anytime to discuss. Email me at ncwhiteman@gmail.com.

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Good things take time. We’re glad it’s feeling more like home for you 💗

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Of course we miss you and Rafa. Hope his schooling is going well. When you can, we would love you to visit.

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Oct 25, 2022Liked by Nancy Whiteman

We’re thinking about a quick trip next month ;)

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Nancy, the amazing thing about your journey is you both could have made home in many other villages anywhere in Portugal. That’s just who you are. Bom Sucesso, Foz, Villamoura, Royal Obidos …………Glad you are settling in as your new home starts to come together. It’ll be fabulous.

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Thanks!

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Nancy, the amazing thing about your journey is you both could have made home in many other villages anywhere in Portugal. That’s just who you are. Bom Sucesso, Foz, Villamoura, Royal Obidos …………Glad you are settling in as your new home starts to come together. It’ll be fabulous.

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