Lisbon, Portugal Report of what it's like to live there - 09/15/08
Personal Experiences from Lisbon, Portugal
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
No. Guatemala City, Lusaka, Accra, Copenhagen, and Stockholm.
2. How long have you lived here?
2 years.
3. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Government.
4. Travel time and best routes to this city from Europe or the US:
Continental flies direct from Newark, any other major airline via transfer.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Best housing I have ever had, although we live in downtown Lisbon with a family; something not everyone would want to do. We were the only family with school-age children to live in the city when we arrived, but several others have made the same choice since then.our commute is under ten minutes, while the suburbanites are about 40 minutes if they leave the house by 7:30 am, or much much longer if they leave later. Kids commuting to the American school from the city go counter-traffic and make it in small vans in about 30 minutes.kids in the suburbs ride big buses and it still takes them 30 minutes or more due to all the stops.of the suburban houses, I've only seen one that I wouldn't want to have.all the apartments are nice, but the downtown ones have character and convenience to city life and the ones on the outskirts of town have amenities like pools and tennis courts. The embassy also has a pool and tennis court, so we use that on weekends.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Groceries are pretty pricy, except for fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish. The Embassy has a military supermarket on the premises for all processed and/or frozen foods at rock bottom prices.thanks to this military supermarket, our food bills dropped considerably by coming here.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Summer clothes, auto parts.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Portuguese food is magnificent, especially Alentejano cuisine. Good, relatively inexpensive restaurants are all over. Expect to spend some time at each meal though. One is expected to linger and service isn't very fast. All the international fast food chains are here.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
I have APO, but Portuguese Post works fine if a little slowly.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Available at about 7-10 euros per hour, depending on what you want done.
3. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
ATMs everywhere. Credit cards at major places, but many smaller shops/cafes only accept debit cards.
4. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Yes, all.
5. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
Weekly English paper isn't particularly informative.it's more of a digest of the past week's news. Cable TV has plenty of English language options.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
You can get by without it, but it is so much more enriching to be able to have at least simple conversations.unlike other places, the Portuguese are extremely pleased that one would make an effort to learn their language and are happy to overlook your errors.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Cobblestones are difficult for everyone; I can't imagine negotiating steep cobblestoned sidewalks with crutches or a wheelchair. The suburbs are much easier in that respect.
Transportation:
1. Do you drive on the right hand side of the road or the left?
Right.
2. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Yes and yes.
3. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
The smaller the better. Streets are narrow, parking spaces are short, gas is expensive, and tolls are doubled for SUVs.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes. I'm guessing 30 euros per month.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
They seem rather expensive, but competition is starting to push that down.
3. What is the best way to make phone calls back home?
VOIP.
Pets:
1. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
You would need Portuguese for most jobs.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Suits for business/government.people are usually well-dressed although not formally dressed for social events.
Health & Safety:
1. Pollution index (Good, Moderate, Unhealthy, or Very Unhealthy)?
Good.
2. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
None.
3. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Medical care is professional and competent, if sometimes a bit dated.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Crisp clear days about six months of the year, hot bright summers, and chilly rainy winter.all of the seasons are actually pleasant, including the winter.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
CAISL -- the American School -- is, well, adequate. Not bad, mind you, but nothing more than adequate. They will eventually build a sports field, but for our three years here there was nothing but a dirt patch. Teachers were hit and miss; we were lucky with some good ones, but bad ones do not seem to get weeded out.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
I was told CAISL does make accommodations, but I don't know anyone that has made the request.
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
For embassy folks, there is a daycare in the embassy. I'd never seen that anywhere else and it was fantastic.the center also does summer camp when school is out, so we eat lunch with our kids all summer.there is a pool, tennis/basketball court, and playground at the embassy, so the kids enjoy it here immensely.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Seems pretty big. I wouldn't hazard a guess on numbers
2. Morale among expats:
We're happy as are most of the people we know.
3. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Anything you can imagine is available. Portuguese are late risers and late diners, so I haven't had success with brunches, but dinners and cocktails are very easy to do. Football (soccer) matches are loads of fun and hugely important to social discourse. Choose Benfica, unless a Sporting fan brings you to your first match.
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Yes to all.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
I would presume so, since the society is very relaxed.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
The Portuguese are very open about discussing such things, so it may appear commonplace. I believe, however, that the openness of the Portuguese to discuss such matters actually indicates that it is not a problem. There is certainly wide religious and racial diversity here and women are at the highest levels of society and government.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Beaches everywhere, plus mountains, castles, and palaces. Festivals and cultural events almost every weekend somewhere nearby. Sports of every kind (including, believe it or not, American football and baseball for those who want to pretend they are in high school again).
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Wine, pottery, lace, painted tiles, cork products (they make everything out of cork).
9. Can you save money?
Yes, but at the cost of doing things.museums are free on Sundays, so you can plan to do those things then.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes and I'd run over you to get here.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
SUV and your running shoes for anything other than actually running.
3. But don't forget your:
Sunscreen and sunglasses.
4. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
A Small Death in Lisbon. Even if you don't like the genre, it is astoundingly well-researched. Not only is it an incredible source for 20th century Portuguese history and politics, it can almost serve as a guidebook for wandering around the city.
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
A Small Death in Lisbon. Even if you don't like the genre, it is astoundingly well-researched. Not only is it an incredible source for 20th century Portuguese history and politics, it can almost serve as a guidebook for wandering around the city.
