Given the nature of the video, it almost felt symbolic that when you started the video the sky was overcast and on the final shot you had a clear blue sky. Everything became clear. 🙂
I would love to be on a large piece of land, but it’s not what will be suitable for me. I am near retirement, single and don’t want to own a car. So a small village, an electric bike and bus routes to larger towns is more realistic for me. I don’t want to spend my old age on a tractor pulling weeds on a hectare, I think it could easily become overwhelming. You have given good advice. Sometimes the dream isn’t a reality or practical or suitable.
@@ourportuguesehomestead Like you, Leah, I am an introvert. Since I am well into retirement a village or close to the village house is what I would like. A gracious home, a large garden, neighbors to interact with when the desire to socialize is present and with whom I can build friendships and who might notice if I were not active in my normal routines. Aging in place also requires proximity to healthcare as our active maintenance of good health becomes more of a priority. Proximity to groceries, pharmacies, transportation and such become more important too. Unfortunately, Covid has made spur of the moment jumping onto a plane to cross the Atlantic and search for a home more problematic. At this point it is a waiting game that requires patience to be able to search for that home.
Hey Lea, really good tip about the water - if you'd allow me to add a couple of things on that. If you are planning to move to Portugal and use stream water to water gardens or for animals it's paramount to ask for a permit - well at least in the North of Portugal:) We're lucky in the North our streams don't dry as often as in the middle or south of Portugal. :) And Yes, Martin is right, being kind to your neighbor is so important here. Portuguese people are some of the friendliest and will generally want to help out nice people we're also seeing this in the North. Contrary to other countries we've lived in, in Portugal people love foreigners and they are so surprised when someone picks their area. LOL I mean, we're just clearing our land now and it's the talk of the village. People come to see us with eyes wide open and full of hopes and still cannot believe that we pick their hamlet to set up a new life. People here are humble and being equally humble goes a long way.
A very useful video Leah. We are on a remote farm in Scotland and we love it. I dont like crowds or even having neighbours too close. I was born and lived in London and I always wanted to get away. We love being alone with nature, our own family and pets. Its not for everyone, but it works for me. I love to go to the city which is 50 minutes drive away, but I'm always glad to come back to the farm. Do what makes you happy!
Good morning for you . 3 years now 😯...time passed so quickly remember Puck still a baby in your videos. It's so nice to see you all " grow". I think these advices are so pertinent , you selected them based on your own experience but these are advices for any lifestyle.
Very realistic advice whatever country you wish to relocate to. I have seen the same mistakes made here in rural Ireland. Also people who are nearer to retirement age wishing to live and set up a homestead in a rural area need to think very carefully about their capabilities to physically to manage the land, to be realistic about the need and cost of tools and machinery needed to keep the land in reasonable condition, the remoteness of the property and the distance to a town with shops and medical facilities. I am coming up to 68 and have been farming in a remote area since I was 35, there are aspects of my lifestyle I am having to change, adapt to and cut back on.
A very reasoned account of the realities of purchasing land in Portugal. So many buy what they believe is going to be a beautiful life and seriously underestimate just how hard they will have to work to achieve their dream. Your tips about having a pot of money put aside to meet your needs is very important, as many underestimate the costs involved in either renovation and the equipment needed. We bought a ruin in SW France and have had to spend as much on renovation as it cost to buy the property. Land does not maintain itself and again, it requires a lot of hard work. We have an acre of land and it is enough for us to manage sensibly. Wise words Leah and maartin.
@@ourportuguesehomestead it certainly does Leia, we very much underestimated the costs involved, which meant that I needed to go away to work back in Wales, UK to keep the money flowing whilst hubby carried out renovations. It was hard work.
Absolutely right on all points. Also, it can be very hard on relationships and there is little support. When money becomes a stress it can seem very hard. I completely agree with your comment on being humble. It really helps to fit in.
Your advice is a right on. I live in SE AZ where people are rapidly buy land unseen. Without a plan. It makes me sad when their dreams fail. All of what you have said applies here as well. Across the ocean halfway around the world.
I love the common sense of both of your suggestions. The best (but not the only) great point was: "be humble" and "don't be a dick". That would exclude a lot of Americans (I am one) who go abroad and expect to be catered to in governmental matters as well as their neighbors' behavior. Blending into an established culture is something we have forgotten since our ancestors came over from the Old Country. Great points and blended so well into what I have seen myself after having lived abroad and visited more countries than I can count and have seen exactly what you are talking about. Not only Americans, but, generally, almost all nationalities find themselves doing the same thing. Those who are humble succeed. Those who are not lose their shirts when they find that they can't buck the system.
And I believe if you know you want to move to a country start learning their language BEFORE you get there. As Maarten said, you are a guest in their country. It's a matter of respect.
What a great list of advice. It saddens me to think of people who make the big move and it doesn't work out for them 😒 Especially when they think that they do not have to change their way of living, not wanting to conform to local traditions laws etc! Keep up the good work, the children are thriving and you are happy .
I totally agree with Jean. You Leah and Maarten have made some great decisions, already creating a good lifestyle for yourselves and Puck and Bo. Full of admiration for what you've achieved so far. Xx
I'm another totally agreeing with these points. I'm on the Algarve so there's a few different points to consider down here too. IMO fitting in with the locals and building relationships will help you more than anything.
Great video that highlights the detail and thought one must exercise before embarking on such an endeavor. I’ve been very fortunate…I have lived and travelled quite a bit overseas. Nothing makes me more uncomfortable than to hear “in my country we do it this way ” or “this meal doesn’t taste like in my homeland”. Not appreciating / honoring the cultural differences misses the point of traveling to or experiencing other locations IMHO. Keep up the great work…Be well…
That was great advice. I e seen people make similar mistakes in France. Too rural, too much land, they don’t like hunters and they’re too far from medical services.
Really useful advice, well done! I remembered many of our issues touched on your points when we bought our land. If I can just add a couple of things to your points people may find useful... The water contamination issue also has to take into account arable land nearby, as phosphates and chemical fertilisers can get into streams and wells. Also, the flexibility in your list of needs is, from my point of view, the most important point. We ended up buying something totally different to what we originally wanted, simply because when we found it we realized it was what we ACTUALLY wanted and not what we THOUGHT we wanted. 🤣
I live your videos. Especially that you both are so realistic and grounded. We once owned 63acres of land and spent our lives taking care of it. Now we live in the Yucatán with a small house and garden and can enjoy life! Best of luck in your future.
When you said you are both introverts and sometimes don’t even talk to each other during the day, I had a good chuckle because my husband and I are the same way.
Great advice, thank you! It's very important to not buy something in a hurry. First think, look and experience before you decide to buy something expensive and change your whole life. 3 hectares sounds pretty much to me to maintain with only two people and no tractor. But it looks like you are doing really well.
@@ourportuguesehomestead Good that you have some useful tools (that ground-tiller is awsome :) I feel so much respect for you! Because in places where it rains only occasionally, the compacted dirt must be really tough to deal with. You are brave! BTW These last couple of years I have lived in the Polish countryside near Wisła river (moved here from the capital). I heard that before WW2 there used to live some Dutch people here (on flooded area, in springs) and they managed the land beautifully and cleverly. Just like you two :) Sorry for this comment 4 months later, but I have just discovered your channel and am so involved :)
Another great vlog. As you guys said, rural homesteading takes time, money and work. Usual manual labour, sometimes building, managing power tools, rotine chores if you have animals, etc. Its things most of us used to city life and mental jobs are not used to. It takes time to realize and learn and get use to it. Its possible to trade some time and work for money. Even so, it will take more time and work that most people think. I have seen lots of places, the more and most well established are the small ones ( under 1 hectar, usually less then 1/2 hectar), most of them owned by older north european countries couples that choose pt for retirement... A point i would consider is: buy land with a decent building, usually not off grid, and connected to good roads, that you can live in straight away. It saves lots of time, work and money. I would say it saves a decade...
Nicely done. And right on point. Italy as well has very strict land use rules. They don't allow residential building on agricultural land. You can only apply for a permit if there was a structure there before and can be proven on the land registry maps. But in actuality, it has only been a little over 100 years in Italy where maps, contracts or anything like that was required to buy or sell property. So finding proof could be tough, even if there is still a square of foundation stones lying there. Same approach with children inheriting property. On old contracts often you see several people in one family who own it, and their spouses. That's because the parents had no will. That same situation still exists today. Italians I know don't have wills. They know the parent's property automatically goes to the children in Italy. "Let them sort it out for themselves" seems to be the attitude haha. This is another reason why so many big houses and land are divided up so each family member can have a piece of the inheritance. Even so, the Comune may not allow the owner to build on agricultural land with an old foundation, or it could take years, I have heard stories where it can take up to 10 years to get a permit. I kid you not. And if you build before you have the permit, they literally make you tear it down, or they will send workers to do it. Also, you can make all kinds of changes inside your house (of course you have to pay a surveyor and notary who is like a property lawyer in Italy to change the floorplan) but if you want to create a door, or add a window, or God forbid, add an extension haha, it really become a very expensive challenge that can also test a person's patience. I think Portugal may be easier than Italy in these matters, as you know you can build a home on your land. I thought to share all this because for me, since I live here, it's very interesting, and a definite reflection of the wonderful Italian culture. Many people come here because it seems to never change, and keeps its charm. Now you know why haha. God bless you all.
@@ourportuguesehomestead or ,like yourselves ,get a motorhome which u can live in(and tour the area) to start with and after sell it on or matriculate.
Good points to remember. I would spend all in all one third of my money for the land and involvement, and if there's a building reno..it will take more on the budget... It is easy to buy a piece of land but it will take a lot more to work it.
Very good for you to remind people that reel and real are two different things.. dreaming is easy but people need to be real..more realistic with their hopes and dreams while chasing such a life changing experience
@@ourportuguesehomestead yes..they do, you guys are the proof of that :) Unlike other places less established, you're not only buying land but you also take/become part in a community with everything bordering your land (neighbours/villagers etc) and with that comes benefits but also "inconveniences"
I am deeply grateful for your willingness to share your thoughts I am Portuguese and I have lived abroad, and found your sharing about respecting the Land One finds him or her self in, as a Guest very wise. Also loved the description and explanation about Young Nature! Wish You both health and success to all Your Projects.
Great advise, I have made my list and it keeps growing. I am so tempeted to buy property from here, but thankfully my little voice says NO!!!!!!!!!!!!! mistake, go see the surrounding land, etc As I said before very good advise. Thank you for taking your time to share it. From an old biddy, what a lovely family you make.
Great video, advice, ideas, opinions. I’m positive you’ve helped out those with concerns about buying off grid land. Marteen, I liked your point about being a guest in a foreign land and to be humble. Then something about being a d……! 🤔I had to ask my son to listen to see if I heard right. 😝 You both seem very happy there in Portugal on your off grid land, choosing to work on what you like and want to do and raising your children there whom are for sure benefiting from this lifestyle. 😊We can’t wait to see your plans for the house and future projects.🤗 Puck is learning Portuguese and so how about you guys? Good work guys! Sam
Hi Lea and Martin The idea that you're a guest in Portugal is very important. One of more obvious points is that you'll will have to learn Portuguese to communicate your needs and wants. Although in many larger urban cities students are taught English, it cannot be assumed that in rural areas that this is always the same. Plus there are regional accents as well. If people count on how they lived in their original country to be the same as Portuguese culture, then they're going to be in for a great surprise. As my language teacher told me that the language is the culture. I'm sure Puck and Beau will have an advantage to be tri-lingual. There is definitely a large disconnect between dreams and reality. Thank you for the sage advice.
I am so happy that I found you. You are where we want to be in three years and it’s so close to out plans that it’s almost eerie to see. We live in the Netherlands for years now and grew disillusioned by the careers and lifestyle. Having worked on farms in New Zealand in the past, lately we came to the conclusion about what the next move needs to be for us, and with greater clarity than about any other project before. We are currently saving up all we can to make this happen but we are also coming down to Portugal this April to scout the regions and have a better grasp of what should we be looking for and where. Being able to join a community of like-minded people is one of the two top priorities for both of us. Sounds like Castelo Branco is a good region for that but due to other potential plans we would like to also look closer to the coast, maybe in Santarem. I’d love to visit your lovely family and farm some time. I’m currently in the stage when it’s hard to focus on my work because I want to catch up with all your videos. I’ll become a patreon for the first time in my life because this channel is invaluable for me.
We’ll, I realise that it took you a couple years to be where you are. By the three years I mean that this is when we want to move, unless it’s possible for my partner to finish up his PhD remotely somehow from Portugal. Could be very difficult from a camper van, while building and gardening with hopefully a baby around. But being locked at home or in the lab, tied by the schedules and money pinching is also tiring.
Hi Leah thank for the video. Nice to see all of you well, happy and healthy. Time has fly. Remember Puck still so small and now she's so big already and Bo just looking like his sister😄. Great advice for anyone. Love to see your veggie garden, everytime something else that your buzzy with. Hope to see the foundation of your new house 🏡 one of these days😅🧐😄. Greatings Melinda from South-Africa 💕🙏🏻
Thanks for the very useful information. We are at present looking for land in Portugal, like yourselves we are most happy when not having to interact with random humans!
There are pros and cons when people move to another country, Being Portuguese myself, I know there are challenges when one wants to live off-grid. Your honesty and advice will help others make concise decisions when considering buying property abroad! Love to watch your rambunctious little boy all happy!
only live one's!!!!! that's the statement I really like...... in a few weeks I buy a car and go and look for property's/land in North of portugal... "go and see"!!! wish me luck😊
Great video very informative. I would add that trying to learn the language is essential. Also keep in mind that coming to live off grid does not mean that people will create their own mini-state with their own rules (or no rules). Sometimes people think they are coming to the jungle and consider the local people as primitive. A minimum of respect (and civilised behaviour) is essential no matter how isolated one chooses to live. Those with children should take the opportunity to learn the language in local schools and live with other children. Do not create your own ghettos. Sometimes you read about people who want to implement home schooling. I don't think it's a great idea if this style of schooling is exclusive; as a complementary one it would be ideal. As for feelings of entitlement to this and that, it is better not to be arrogant as there are not only rights but also obligations and responsibilities. I think you are doing great, slowly and realistic but well settled.
This is one of... no! the best advice one could hear before moving away from the city. The only thing one might be a bit anxious about is old age because there is hard work involved. However, I know a lady who is 86 and still manages her garden nearby, mowes, plants tomatoes and strawberries herself, prunes fruit trees, etc. So maybe there is hope :)
Wise words indeed about buying and living in a foreign land. Be realistic, respect the rules and as Maarten says "Don't be a dick". Sunday morning laugh....😂😂😂
You both do what lots of others dream of. 🤗 Pioneers for a new life and survived. It must be difficult sometimes but all can see there is progress. 🤗 How about the local life, are there nearbye facilities like shops, schools, hospital, marketplace ?
@@ourportuguesehomestead Sounds good , I saw some area near Castelo Branco, middle of Portugal. When i was young i already looked for opportunities to live abroad. I was fadup living in my birthtown Deventer, you maybe know that city 🙂
All very true. And with all the channels I watch, I see it sometimes that people buy overgrown land, with only 50 m2 flat usable land and all else very hilly and overgrown. Having been told that there should be a well but don't know where because it's all overgrown. I also see lots of people receiving helping hands and produce from their neighbors, despite of the initial language barrier. It seems that the local Portuguese are very welcoming and hospitable, if you're modest and friendly and trying. I would love to live secluded (I think I am about the only Dutch person that hasn't felt affected by the pandemic social distancing thing) and would love to move to Portugal but realistically: I have two horses and hay prices are expensive in the Netherlands and I am sure it's way worse in Portugal where you have to feed hay (I think) for 9 months at least. I love your reference of buying a 9 ha plot of land and scamming people by splitting it up in smaller pieces of land and selling it to them. What a douche!
