Value in the Algarve? - was "Reality Check"
- Thread starter Homer
- Start date
I see homer you went for Alvor after looking in Villamoura - did you find more sensible / reasonably priced properties there?
Hi Mechman
Alvor is not quite as expensive as Vilamoura, but it's close to a very good beach and therefore still a lot dearer than you will pay if you're prepared to move inland a few miles.
The reason we are buying in Alvor is because we really like the 'feel' of the place; there are lots of nice, relatively inexpensive restaurants; you don't get the lager louts or have to deal with loads of very noisy night clubs (they're all about three miles down the road in Praia da Rocha) and there is the aforementioned beach.
We've gone there five of the last eight years and find we're starting to bump into people we recognise from previous holidays. We've chatted to some of them and there was one couple who have been going there every year for the last twenty four and are thinking of moving there when they retire, there are several Irish & British who have settled there and there seems to be a nice community spirit.
This might be some people's idea of hell, but it's what we like about the place. If you are thinking of looking there, go to one of the local agencies (ERA or Remax) and ask them what they have by way of resales.
Regards
Homer
[broken link removed].
I found this website invaluable when purchasing my apartment in spain 2 years ago. I know it is spain not portugal. Mark Stucklin who runs this forum writes for the sunday times - I find him very good.
Where I bought has lived up to expectations and more. One piece of advice try to be relatively near an airport.
good luck with research - angela59
I found this website invaluable when purchasing my apartment in spain 2 years ago. I know it is spain not portugal. Mark Stucklin who runs this forum writes for the sunday times - I find him very good.
Where I bought has lived up to expectations and more. One piece of advice try to be relatively near an airport.
good luck with research - angela59
G
Guest127
Guest
couldn't help noticing our old ' friends' are also banned from discussion or mention on that site. surprise surprise.
http://www.expatsportugal.com/phpBB2/index.php is a well established site/forum and also a new site www.nativeportugal.com is worth a visit.
Sarah W
www.mortgagesoverseas.com
Sarah W
www.mortgagesoverseas.com
Got a PM today re Alvor, but got an error message when I tried to respond by PM.
This is pretty much the text of my response. If the poster wants to PM me again, I'll have another go at responding directly. I'm also happy to talk to you if you want to PM contact details to me.
Regards
Homer
By coincidence, we’re just back today from Alvor. We bought the place in July and have been over twice since, in August and this week. Still plenty of life there this week, although many of the restaurants and bars are closed. The place we bought was fully furnished, but we wanted to buy a camp bed and we were advised to go to Decoradora Mourinha in Portimao. Doesn't look like much from the outside, but they have a great range of furniture and the staff are very helpful (and speak English). Only drawback is they don't accept credit cards.
If you want to find the store, head for Continente in Portimao (used to be Modelo) and continue past Continente (heading away from Praia da Rocha) until you reach a roundabout (you will see a car wash with an elephant logo on the left hand side just before the roundabout). Turn left at the roundabout and Decoradora Mourinha is on the left hand side just after the roundabout.
As regards utilities, it's probably best to open a Portuguese bank account and set up direct debits. We used BPI on the road at right angles to the road with all the restaurants on it.
You also need to appoint a fiscal representative in Portugal and the lawyer who handled your puchase should be able to help you with this or you could appoint a local lawyer or accountant.
Best of luck with your new property.
Regards
Homer
This is pretty much the text of my response. If the poster wants to PM me again, I'll have another go at responding directly. I'm also happy to talk to you if you want to PM contact details to me.
Regards
Homer
By coincidence, we’re just back today from Alvor. We bought the place in July and have been over twice since, in August and this week. Still plenty of life there this week, although many of the restaurants and bars are closed. The place we bought was fully furnished, but we wanted to buy a camp bed and we were advised to go to Decoradora Mourinha in Portimao. Doesn't look like much from the outside, but they have a great range of furniture and the staff are very helpful (and speak English). Only drawback is they don't accept credit cards.
If you want to find the store, head for Continente in Portimao (used to be Modelo) and continue past Continente (heading away from Praia da Rocha) until you reach a roundabout (you will see a car wash with an elephant logo on the left hand side just before the roundabout). Turn left at the roundabout and Decoradora Mourinha is on the left hand side just after the roundabout.
As regards utilities, it's probably best to open a Portuguese bank account and set up direct debits. We used BPI on the road at right angles to the road with all the restaurants on it.
You also need to appoint a fiscal representative in Portugal and the lawyer who handled your puchase should be able to help you with this or you could appoint a local lawyer or accountant.
Best of luck with your new property.
Regards
Homer