That's it, here I go. Back to my home country the Netherlands for a while. Why does it feel so different this time? I used to LOVE traveling. The entire idea of moving, moving forward, seeing places, meeting people. Alone or with friends, it didn't matter, as long as I was going somewhere. The feeling of true freedom, so exciting! But this time it feels different. It feels like I'm leaving my safe house. I...
I intended to write an 'end-of-the-year-blog' where I would look back on the year 2016, but it is much more fun to think about the future! There is so much to look forward to and I like to tell you about our plans! In YEAR 2017 we continue to grow our property selection and consultancy services. Y ou are priority number 1. Our clients are the reason our company exists. In whatever buying stage you...
With a bottle of Jeropiga (Portuguese alcoholic beverage made with grape juice and Aguardente), and my photo camera, I wanted to eternalize some of the beautiful Portuguese people during this special time of the year. I passed several villages and stopped where people were I saw people picking olives. I met all very sweet and hard working people. The Portuguese are seriously dedicated to the harvest...
This blog is a bit later than planned, but I was hunting mushrooms all weekend! This is such a great time of the year for collecting free delicious food in the pine forests around Castelo Branco. But becareful, you have to know what you are doing! It is what they say here, you can eat every kind of mushroom, but there are some you only eat once.... Since we love to pick them and make meals out of them (I...
Portugal welcomes Web Summit Portugal welcomed the Web Summit this year for the first time in Lisbon. This event is founded by Paddy Cosgrave and first took place in 2009 with a mix of 400 bloggers, journalists and technologists in Dublin. Now, in 2016 it is the ‘best technology conference on the planet’ with 53,000 attendees. This event attracts leading investors, international media and the most...
Most frequently asked question What is the cost of living in Portugal? Everyone considers the cost of living before moving to Portugal. I see this question asked many times on expat pages on Facebook and I will give you the true, right answer: it depends on your lifestyle. It depends on your lifestyle, because I don't know if you will be drinking champagne and eating oysters or bake your own bread and...
With the days getting shorter, colder and wetter, I dedicate this weeks blog to heating! There are many different ways to generate heat such as using electric, gas, wood, and pellets. I personally prefer the old fashioned way, burning wood to keep my nose warm. If you are thinking of buying the proper heating for your needs, this blog might help you. I will here briefly discuss the fireplace, wood burner...
Opening a bank account in Portugal Speaking Pordunglish After a few questions from the slightly nervous Dutch couple Tom and Inge about opening a bank account in Portugal, I decided to offer my help to go with them to the bank. When we arrived at the bank we asked for an English-speaking employee. We got the best they had: João. Luckily, I know my Portuguese fairly well by now and I told to him...
I am feeling numinous! Hello good people! :) Today is the day of my first blog post for Home Key Portugal. And I am feeling numinous about it! Numinous; the word that best describes my feeling about Portugal. My personal and professional experiences in Portugal make me fearful yet fascinated, awed yet attracted. A feeling of being overwhelmed every time again! What can you expect from this blog? I will...
