Anyone moved to North Portugal/Spain?

[Skeptisk]

We are currently in Denmark. For various reasons we are thinking of leaving. A key one is that my wife can’t see us living here long term and doesn’t want to learn the language.

If I want to carry on working (at least in my line of business) it looks like we have two main options. Possibly Germany (we are both fluent) and I’m exploring that option of moving with my company. I’ve heard recently that they changed their citizenship rules and it is now possible to get a passport after just 3 years and you can have dual passports. That would be one way of getting back our EU passport, which would be great looking forward as we would have the flexibility again to live anywhere in the EU.

The other working option is to return to the U.K. but I would probably have to work in London. I’m not that keen on commuting again.

The other option is to give up work and move to Spain or Portugal under their golden visa rules. However I am not that keen on the heat so don’t think I could live in much of Spain. San Sebastián seems a possibility or perhaps in or around Porto.

Does anyone have experience of moving to North Portugal or North Spain?

[POIDH]

If your wife isn't keen on learning a language now, what would be different in Spain or Portugal?

[vaud]

POIDH said:

If your wife isn't keen on learning a language now, what would be different in Spain or Portugal?

In big cities and towns in Portugal it might not be an issue. The Portuguese govt invested a lot in English language education over the last 30 years. Many services (public and private) are available in English. Strong expat community. Even banking, etc, they will have someone that speaks English.

I was in Lagos last year chatting to the owner of the English Book Shop and he said he had been there 20 years and had tried to learn Portuguese but had never actually needed to. Ok, top holiday destination but I understood his point. English is learned not to talk to the Brits alone, but as a "bridge language" for Germans, Dutch, etc

[Skeptisk]

POIDH said:

If your wife isn't keen on learning a language now, what would be different in Spain or Portugal?

She is more interested to in living there. She is also fluent in French, which is quite similar.

[languagetimothy]

Skeptisk said:

POIDH said:

If your wife isn't keen on learning a language now, what would be different in Spain or Portugal?

She is more interested to in living there. She is also fluent in French, which is quite similar.

Im a Brit in Portugal, central about 10 km from Nazare. I’ve been here since Dec 19 (running away from brexit).

I don’t know about French being similar, maybe but I’m pretty rubbish with languages despite attending Evening classes which were free government sponsored.
I’ve never really had a problem getting by a lot of Portuguese people speak English here. If all else fails reach for translation on your phone!

Where I am you do get some very hot days in the summer but not continually. Just use those to sit in the shade with cold and cheap beer. A typical summer day is late 20s. Today has been around 20 and sunny with a slight breeze. If you can stop work… why not?

[vaud]

languagetimothy said:

Im a Brit in Portugal, central about 10 km from Nazare. I’ve been here since Dec 19 (running away from brexit).

I don’t know about French being similar, maybe but I’m pretty rubbish with languages despite attending Evening classes which were free government sponsored.
I’ve never really had a problem getting by a lot of Portuguese people speak English here. If all else fails reach for translation on your phone!

Where I am you do get some very hot days in the summer but not continually. Just use those to sit in the shade with cold and cheap beer. A typical summer day is late 20s. Today has been around 20 and sunny with a slight breeze. If you can stop work… why not?

Once my kids are off to work/university Portugal is high on my list to spend 6-8 months of the year.