What It's REALLY Like in Ponta Delgada, Portugal

Ponta Delgada is the capital of The Azores. The Azores are a group of Portuguese islands in the Atlantic Ocean. Ponta Delgada is on the island São Miguel. What would life be like living on this island? Would it getting boring? What is there to do? Can you work? Josh and Kalie from ExpatsEverywhere talk about visiting Ponta Delgada and the whole island of São Miguel in the Azores. They talk about being a tourist there along with moving to, living in, and working in the Azores.

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Josh and Kalie left the US for a life abroad in 2009 and haven't looked back. They have lived in Spain, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and are currently in Portugal. Yes, they realize they only moved to countries starting with the letter "S" until they spoiled that streak with their move to Portugal. Follow ExpatsEverywhere as we aim to get information to you through expat interviews, city breakdowns, expat life, travel, vlogs, and more.

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[jamesv]

My ancestors lived there for 500 years..I’m considering retiring there, more like a snowbird. Spend 5 months a year there and the rest of the time in New England.

[lucyoliveira]

The accent is not "strange", just different. If you spend some time travelling around Portugal and the different autonomous regions they all have different accents and even different words for certain things.

[herenow]

Interesting video - I spent Christmas and New Years in Ponta Delgada a few years ago (from the UK, solo traveller, female 50's) - I had an amazing time - stayed in backpackers but had a single room with en suite - perfect mix of privacy and social meeting other travellers. I was very lucky with the weather - it was warm sunshine for my whole trip - sleeveless top weather. I did lots of hiking, hired a car and explored, went to the hot springs at Furnas (def recommend - awewsome) and partied on NYE with a free firework display at the harbour followed by a free outside nightclub / dj set in the main square intil 2am followed by a club at the harbour until 5am...needless to say, a lie in next day. A very friendly place and with a reasonable modern shopping mall on the edge of town with a cinema and some restaurants. All in all, a beautiful place - clean, safe, the freshest air you could hope for, beautiful flora and fauna, - loved it. I could spend 6 months there but think that would be my limit.

[kimberlytownsend]

It is so funny that I found this video today. We currently live in Ponta Delgada. We moved here a few months ago. We came sight unseen as we wanted a calm landing spot in Portugal. It is stunning here and the people are so welcoming. It is definitely difficult to learn Portuguese living here. I do great listening to the tv or my lessons but I can't understand most of what people say. Rentals are also impossible to find. In fact, we are leaving the island for this reason. Our rental is being turned into an Airbnb and we aren't ready to commit to buying a house. It is also very expensive to leave the island. I just bought tickets to Lisbon for over 400€. The only plus side is that, as residents, we are reimbursed for the ticket cost after the flight. You just have to have the money to shell out initially.

[robgilbert]

Really good video. On point, lots of information. We were in the Azores last year. I think you're right about island living being a "stage in life" decision, especially in the Azores with its laid back vibe. I think older people who perhaps grew up in the country and are looking for affordability (I believe the VAT on the island is 5% lower than on the mainland?) would enjoy the island lifestyle on a longer term basis, where younger folk might more be interested in short term "life experience" visits before moving on. Keep 'em coming!

[filipematos]

Loved the video, and having worked in the tourist industry for nearly a decade, I can vouch point per point on your opinions, as I usualy used to say a very similar description! One small detail that I found funny, regarding our accent (I'm from S. Miguel, obviously), alot of the first colonists on the island originated from places like The Netherlands, Belgium, and France, and so our creole / French influence in our accent is actualy due to that! 😊

[egrace]

I lived on sao miguel for an entire year. Summer is wonderful. Beach bars everywhere. It is windy, cold and rainy in the winter...and restaurants close down for several months. It was 'in the 50's' (sounds good, right?) at night in the winter. The rains regularly wash out small town roads, bridges and houses.
Houses are not insulated, so you have really damp cold...which means moisture on the walls=black mold. It is exceeding difficult to get a professional company to come out to repair a leaking toilet---after 7 weeks, I had to call the previous homeowner who had to call their nephew. This cost 45 euros! I even overheard a commercial airline pilot say they would only stay on the island for 2 or 3 days. Electricity and gasoline is EXPENSIVE. Car rental was almost 200 EUROS a DAY (per a taxi company). Buying a used car is very costly---9, 000 euros for 12 yo car and 170, 000 km. Yes, you will want a car or you will wait on a bus---which run twice a DAY. The only movie theatre is in the mall in ponta delgada. Bigger supermarkets will have good selection but you will wait for months to get things out of stock. Too far from the mainland. Everything these folks say is accurate. Visiting is great. I moved to the mainland.

[MarinoCustomWorks]

Very nice, thanks! And yes living in the Azores a wonderful reality.

[lc]

Think twice before moving there! Experience of my friends: law wages, my friends struggling to make ends meet. Houses constantly get mouldy. Every purchase becomes a challenge: one small shopping mall, no appliances and furniture stores, everything delivered from mainland and takes months to arrive. No professional growth.

[livylou]

I love it their my family originates there and i love learning about my culture

[TonyMontanaDS]

No Amazon or Home Depot, Wal-Mart or variety of foods from around the world. While nice, you will have to do without all the conveniences you are used to. Even buying furniture can be difficult and houses are made of concrete so doing renos is not easy either. Unless you are retiring I would not recommend. As for the accent, that island had an influx of French immigrants way back in the day, hence the Portuguese/French accent. Even Portuguese people have a hard time understanding them.

[duanenidia-foodtravelandfun]

Nice video! My parents were born in the Azores, and I love visiting! I see myself spending most of my retirement there when I get to that point in life... It is amazing, and inexpensive, and I love the natural beauty and culture of island life!

[jennifermello]

A magical Island. I have family there. I also wouldn't live there but have considered purchasing for a rental. Ponta Delgada does get very busy during July and August.

[TessaHill]

Enjoyed your video, but this is incorrect. “Ponta Delgada is the capital of The Azores.” Ponta Delgado is the capital of São Miguel. There are three administrative centers for the islands, including also Angra do Heroísmo on Terceira e Horta on Faial. São Miguel is a lovely island but the people on the other 8 Azores Islands might steal your heart. I have more to do on Terceira than I have time for. Of course, we are the Party Island :-). Also, although it takes time, building community is what makes a place a home and a wonderful place to live and there are no warmer people on earth than those in the Azores.

[moward]

Excellent review that is a signature of your work! Awesome example of being our eyes and ears. You guys are a scouting trip on steroids! I love when you do these videos! Josh and Kalie, you rock! I seriously appreciate you both! ❤

[qing]

Wonderful video. How would you compare living in Azores versus Madeira?

[janmaaso]

Thanks for sharing. You must have been there only a week or two after us, I guess. And we loved it too. = )

Ciao from Faro. Yin and Jan.

[Yasin_Affandi]

Thanks for this wonderful video n for showing d beautiful island, Azores.

[Soloplus]

The island looks stunning, so green 😍
Thanks for sharing and covering the pros and cons :)

[Mrmaids]

Every where you live people have their own accents … even in the USA. Every island Im has there own accent even on the main land Portugal each town has its own accent. Every Portuguese island has their own accent.😊