Showing results by author "Bruce Joffe" in All Categories

In a world where the USA's isolationist policies have left many feeling disconnected, "Portuguese Passports" follows the journey of an American couple navigating the labyrinthine process of obtaining dual nationality in Portugal. Amidst bureaucratic challenges and cultural misunderstandings, they uncover not just the privileges of a Portuguese passport, but also the resilience of human connections across borders. As they strive for a new beginning, their story reflects the complexities of belonging in an increasingly divided world.

Here in Portugal, there are more than 500 groups just for “expats.” They cater to every possible want or need: buying property or second-hand furniture, advice on visas, home renovation, caring for the land, restaurant recommendations, hiking and horse riding, local events and happenings, rehoming pets, connecting women, connecting singles, connecting various LGBTQ immigrants. If you can think of a niche or particular interest, there is a Facebook group for it.

"Spain & Portugal - Before You Go" offers an insider's guide to navigating the quirks and complexities of life in Spain and Portugal. Drawing from personal experiences, the author highlights practical tips on everything from local customs and driving rules to healthcare nuances, while also revealing unexpected challenges and delights of each country. It's an insider's guide to navigating the quirks and complexities of life in Spain and Portugal. This essential read prepares travelers and future residents for a richer, more informed experience in these vibrant nations.

Spending less than $20,000 per year on comprehensive health care, car and property insurance, taxes, heating and air conditioning, furnishings, water, twice monthly cleaning, trash pick-up, and all living expenses, we’re maintaining three properties — two in Portugal and one in Spain — on my early retirement Social Security payments of $2,250 (about €2,100 at today's exchange rate) per month.

The European Union aims to enable EU citizens and legal residents to study, live, shop, work, and retire in any EU country while enjoying products from all over Europe. To accomplish this, it ensures the free movement of goods, services, capital, and persons in a single EU internal market. Sounds like a great idea! By removing technical, legal, and bureaucratic barriers, the EU also allows people to trade and do business freely in this single market. That’s all well and good. But moving beyond principles to practice, let’s see if and how this market actually works. To simplify matters, ...

Living in Portugal, one learns to be patient. The bureaucracy is tedious, never ending, and long-winded. It's frustrating enough when dealing with government agencies ... but systematic negligence and incompetence when dealing with retailers and service providers are legion. ANACOM, which regulates and oversees Portugal's communications sector recorded more than 125 thousand complaints against communications providers in 2020 alone. MEO received the most complaints, with 35% of the 87.6 thousand complaints about telecommunications, followed by NOS with 32%, Vodafone with 30%, and Nowo with ...

Your indispensable guide to feeling at home in Portugal ... even before you get there. Loaded with vital information, contacts, and connections, this little book tells you what webinars, blogs, podcasts, and Facebook groups don''t. Here's the stuff about Portugal living that takes years to learn without experience!

"I want to take you on a musical travel of sorts." Beginning in the 18th century and spanning the centuries through today's modern music, here's what you want to know about Portugal's music ... interspersed with Youtube links that complement the brief narrative.

Who's the rude ones: us or them? “Traffic jams, badly behaved children, disagreements between couples, red tapes, and queues all add up to make the Portuguese the mount irritable, bad tempered, and explosive nation in Europe.” This was among the shocking results of a public survey carried out in 17 countries throughout the European Union by Reader’s Digest in conjunction with leading universities. The leading question made in the survey was this one: “What irritates Europeans the most?” According to Jorge de Sá, professor of sociology and an expert in vox pop surveys, the ...

Imagine relocating to a different country where you don't even speak the language. So many things you need to buy--including, first and foremost, a car to take you around. You shop the local online classifieds and find the vehicle you want. After following all the instructions -- and receiving all of the paperwork and documentation -- you learn that you're the latest victim of spamming: Internet thievery. How did this happen? What can you share with others to warn them to be careful? Read the learning lesson one new Portugal resident from the USA learned ... the hard way.

Sacred Texts, Sacred Lives explores biblical texts concerning same-sex relationships. The book challenges traditional interpretations that marginalize same-sex relationships and seeks to provide a framework for understanding these relationships as part of the divine creation. Historical perspectives on homosexuality in religious texts are examined to understand evolving interpretations, while a comparative analysis of different religious views on homosexuality highlights diversity in beliefs. The book emphasizes the impact of scripture on LGBTQ+ lives and the need for inclusive theological ...

"There has been a very concerning rise in far-right racist attacks in Portugal, confirming that the hate messages are fueling more aggressive tactics that target human rights defenders from racial minorities,” states the European Network Against Racism (ENAR), calling for an urgent institutional response. Religious discrimination and hate crimes are on the rise in Spain, as well, pushed by rhetoric from far-right political movements.

Wherever you want to buy (or rent), the same general rule applies: Housing costs more in Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, Silver Coast and their suburbs (Portugal) ... or Madrid, Barcelona, Ibiza, and Málaga (Spain) than comparable inland properties. But, if you know what you want and are willing to reside away from the major tourist traps, you can get one heck of a deal in both Portugal and Spain. Whether you're looking to live in Portugal full-time or seeking a vacation retreat that you can rent out when you're not there, Portugal offers many "soup-to-nuts" opportunities for less than US $...

It’s been well over six years now since we relocated to Portugal from the USA, time enough to evaluate our life and experiences here. Overall, we do love Portugal—for what it is, not for what it’s not. Too many people focus on the reasons why they’re leaving their homelands, rather than why they’ve chosen to live in another country. Some people are thrilled to acculturate and absorb Portuguese culture; others, however, are unable to adapt to the ways of their adopted country, and shuttle back and forth as foster children… ultimately deciding that Portugal isn’t for them. ...

Discover the vibrant grocery shopping scene in Portugal, where local flavors and international products meet in a diverse array of supermarkets and specialty stores. From budget-friendly chains to artisanal markets, this guide highlights the importance of choosing local ingredients and offers insights into navigating the unique challenges and delights of shopping in this beautiful country. Embrace the rich culinary heritage of Portugal while fostering sustainability in your pantry.

After owning a vacation home in southern Spain for 18 years and two properties in Portugal for over six, we’ve started to notice and track a variety of not-so-subtle lifestyle differences between the two countries. When or if comparing your expectations or experiences with ours, please bear in mind that we live in towns and villages – not coastal cities – where our neighbors are natives, and many don’t speak English. We’re comparing typical suburban settings, not urban ubiquities, between the two countries.

I asked AI to predict what could happen if the entire government – executive, legislative, and judicial branches – was Republican … albeit with one critical caveat: the president was a convicted felon. At first, AI was baffled, stumped, and spent much longer than usual in its “thinking” mode. Then, it spit out an answer: the sordid story of Donald Trump and his criminal activities. From 1973 until he was first elected in 2016, Trump and his businesses were involved in over 4,000 legal cases in the United States federal and state courts—including battles with casino patrons, ...

Secession, a term that resonates deeply within American history, refers to the act of a state withdrawing from the Union. This concept has emerged in various forms throughout the nation’s past, often driven by political, economic, and social motivations. The debate surrounding whether states should secede from the United States is not merely theoretical; it raises important questions about governance, identity, and the very fabric of American democracy. States like Texas, California, Alaska, and Vermont have entertained the notion of secession in modern times, reflecting ongoing ...

Seeking to relocate abroad? Are you considering the sun-kissed lands of Iberia: Spain and Portugal? You definitely should ... as both countries offer a high quality of life and a lower cost of living. While Spain and Portugal share much in common, they also are very different. Here's a concise examination of the similarities and differences between the two in terms of what really matters to relocation: culture, language, places of interest, cost of living, etc. This book is the perfect place to begin your expat or immigrant journey and help you choose whether Spain -- or Portugal -- is for ...

Through anecdotes and research, Joffe’s narrative explores why we fear and hurt so much: “For many, this need to adjust – to a hostile environment, uncertain economic times, tensions tugging at war and terrorism, extremist politics, racial injustice and religious intolerance, marginalization, spiritual voids, social disconnections, conflicting realities, artificial intelligence, etc. – is threatening, because it removes us from the safety nets and security blankets of our personal comfort zones, whatever they may be,” he says.