Job Discussion Forums

cait · Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 4

Can anyone tell me ANYTHING! about living and working in portugal and specifically the Cascais area -I would be grateful for any infomation!
Thanks

queenkp · Joined: 22 Apr 2004 Posts: 18

Cascais is pretty slim with regards to schools. There's a British Council and a couple of very small places, but keep in mind most people in Cascais speak English already. There are some schools on the Lisbon-Cascais train line (Speakwell, British Council) but don't expect to secure a position before coming. The people I know (myself included) who have had jobs prior to coming have been personal referrals from former or current teachers at a particular school.

Living here is fantastic - it's 27 and sunny as I type this - and it's completely worth the headaches of sorting everything when you come. It's not easy at all - bureaucracy is ridiculous and finding accommodation is really difficult - but if you want to make it work you can. Just know that nobody's going to hold your hand when you move here.

cait · Joined: 01 Apr 2004 Posts: 4

Thanks for your message queen kp. I have secured a job in the Cascais area but I do not have a clue where to start looking for accommodation. Is there any chance say of getting accommodation before you arrive or is it more a situation where you'd have to start looking once you arrive? where is the best place to start?- newspapers? Thanks,.

queenkp · Joined: 22 Apr 2004 Posts: 18

Congrats on the job! Accom changes, depending on where you are. In Cascais, or Estoril, or where? There are universities and cafes in Lisbon where accom. info is posted on bulletin boards, etc, but it's a bit more difficult in Cascais (and much more expensive). If you live alone, plan on 600-800/month, and to share usually runs 300-450. Estate agents love to get their hands on foreigners, though you can't sign a contract unless you are an EU citizen, so that can get tricky; they do have fab places though. Most places want a deposit too, so make sure you come with 1000 or so available before you move in. Depending on when you arrive, pensions should be reasonable; June and early July will skyrocket due to Euro2004.

Hope this helps! Good luck