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I've been living in rural Portugal for a little while now, and these are some excellent comments. Especially the first point. I'd also add that there is still
by adamcharnock 6y ago
I've been living in rural Portugal for a little while now, and these are some excellent comments. Especially the first point.
I'd also add that there is still a Heroin problem, albeit diminished. It is not unusual to see someone walking though the local village, out-of-their head drunk at 9am on a Wednesday. It isn't alcohol though, it's Heroin. But it is also an economically poor area. The weather is amazing and the place is gorgeous, but for someone raised here who doesn't manage to escape it can also be a trap. Many of the older people work in the fields in the morning, the in the late afternoon they meet in the cafes and chat about village life. Coffee is $0.15, a beer is $0.7. There a very few younger people. Those that can leave have left for a city. The ones who remain are that ones who were not able to leave. I spoke with the local President last week and he himself said that the area has become a skills desert.
So yes, I think the route to Heroin addition looks something like this. Get financially stuck in the local area. Get a bad reputation for being lazy. Try to become YouTube/Insta famous. Give up. Turn on those that tried to help. Drink & smoke weed as an escape. When those stop working try Heroin. I know a couple of people in my village that are on this path right now.
There is some crime here. It seems to fall into two categories. First is petty crime where something goes missing that's worth about $100. That's enough to quickly sell for immediate cash (likely for some form of drug). This has happened to me twice, and I don't really mind.
There is more 'organised' crime where a place gets methodically burgled when someone is away. I know people this has happened to.
There is a rapidly growing contingent of foreigners here now, and we're mostly accepted. Economically, I get the impression that most businesses prefer to deal with the foreigners. Even the guy that sells firewood says that 95% of his customers are now foreigners, and that he prefers it that way. There are lots more foreigners arriving too (leaving cities due to covid, basically), very few Portuguese people being added. Most people in my village are over 60. It'll be interesting to see how the demographics play out over the coming years.
Anyway, maybe that is of some interest. The region of Portugal I am in is Castelo Branco. I'm starting an ISP here too: https://gardunha.net https://gardunha.net
- hypnotist 6y agostarting ISP - that is very cool! What about Portuguese language ? do you need to able to speak to be accepted there ?
- deleted 6y ago[deleted]
- sergiosgc 6y agoIn urban settings, most Portuguese natives 50 or younger speak English (fluency varies, naturally). I can't really speak for rural areas. In order to integrate socially, however, you'll find it's easier if you speak Portuguese -- i.e. if planning to stay for a few years, learning the language is a good investment.
- galfarragem 6y agoNitpicks. Prices are good (specially outside of large cities) but I believe that "Coffee is $0.15" is a typo. A coffee will hardly ever cost you less than 0,5€. And $0,7 is for a 200ml beer not a pint. > most businesses prefer to deal with the foreigners. Businesses prefer to deal with costumers able to pay more (or quicklier) for the same services/products. (edited - typo)
- geocar 6y ago> Nitpicks. Prices are good (specially outside of large cities) but I believe that "Coffee is $0.15" is a typo. A coffee will hardly ever cost you less than 0,5€. And $0,7 is for a 20ml beer. 20ml is a very small amount of beer. Maybe you meant something else?
- jamexcb 6y ago"I've been living in rural Portugal for a little while now" Not long enough! I'm from Castelo Branco and coffee is not $0.15... not even a "carioca de limão". Needle exchange program started 1993 along with other programs like "metadoda" to help addiction. With a needle they also provided condoms and an open door if you wanted help. During the 80's you could find needles everywhere, people stealing from their own parents, houses, business, everyone knew someone with drug problems. Was a mess. And even worst in big cities. The government also start ending slums. Decriminalization was not the start of this "war"! The situation is not perfect, and will never be, but is a LOT better than before! Portugal is a lot safer. The crime that you talk about is probably not drug related and probably not local people. Just read the news. Did you find any place to sell used things? No except for gold. And if you find someone "drunk" at 9am you bet he is drunk lol "evita a ressaca, mantente bebado" something like "void hangover, stay drunk" every village has a chronic drunk! Maybe now the biggest problem is alcool, not heavy drugs. Why do you think police stop people at 9am and force them to do an alcohol test? They are drinking since 6am! Regarding your ISP. Your target is people in a rural area? In one of the most less dense population area in Portugal? I will be waiting for the pricing. Good Luck.
- richrichardsson 6y ago> And if you find someone "drunk" at 9am you bet he is drunk People "gouching out on smack" do not look like they are drunk, so I think you're correct.
- adamcharnock 6y agoI stand corrected. It's good to hear from another HNer in the region.
- mping 6y agoBest of luck on your ISP venture, hope the bureaucracy isn't too much to handle