Home Real Estate Madeira and Azores Islands in Portugal – The Best Place to Live?

Madeira and Azores Islands in Portugal – The Best Place to Live?

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Madeira and Azores Islands in Portugal – The Best Place to Live?

Tiffany and Niko are expats who have lived in Madeira and Azores in Portugal. So which set of islands do they think is better? They talk to Josh from ExpatsEverywhere about the cost of living, public transportation, the weather, the food, meeting locals, and more. What area do they like better? After hearing what they have to say, which island fits your lifestyle more? Could you move there?

Want to follow Tiffany and Niko? Check out their details below.
YouTube – Tiffany Leah
Instagram and TikTok – @tiffanyleah_ & @rewildingnomad
Instagram – @niko.rotta

* ABOUT US *
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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Chapters

00:00 Introduction
00:40 Is this your first experience in Madeira?
01:00 How did you adapt to life in Madeira?
02:58 What types of things did you do to adjust to life there?
04:48 Do you cook at home or eat out?
06:53 What is difference between your budget on Madeira and Açores (the Azores)?
09:40 What islands in the Azores have you visited?
10:35 How long have you been on São Miguel?
10:40 Compare the adaptation between Madeira and São Miguel
13:30 Compare the process of making friends on São Miguel and Madeira
15:40 How is the level of English there?
18:16 What kind of person fits Madeira and/or São Miguel?
21:08 What content can we find on your YouTube channel?
23:34 Cost of Living between Madeira and São Miguel
29:40 How has living abroad transformed you life?

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25 COMMENTS

  1. My mother is from Sao Jorge. So when we looked for a place to retire in 2005, we bought a house on nearby Faial island. We moved here permanently in 2013. There is no place on earth that is better.

  2. Another great video Josh! Madeira is indeed a more established tourist destination with many resort style hotels and a stomping ground for the Brits for the past several decades. The Azores are coming into their own as a hot trending destination, eco/environment focused and a nature lovers paradise. Prior to Covid the Azores were experiencing a boom and for sure this summer and over the next several years the destination will be in high demand. People looking to escape city life, become one with nature and take things a bit slower will find paradise in the Azores.
    I’ve had the opportunity to visit 6 of the 9 islands and look forward to starting our home construction on São Miguel hopefully this year.

    Note: Niko can find a gym at Sol Mar Avenida Center in Ponta Delgada and there is also a supplements store in the same shopping center across from the gym (2nd floor if I recall correctly).

  3. My family is from the Azores and I lived there for a few years in the military in the 90s. I loved it. When I’m able I’ll go back. The reason they are so strict on the meat is I lived there in the 90s during the madcow disease out break and all the animals where destroyed . It really hurt a lot of people financially. So they are very strict now. Me and my children can no longer donate blood because of it.

  4. Azores is the most beautiful european archipelago. Its like New Zealand brought to Europe. You didnt show its most beautiful views and islands. Also Ponta Delgada, Angra do Heroismo (used to be the capital of Portugal), some of the prettiest cities.

  5. Azores is a bikers paradise. There are places where you can´t go with a car, but there are others where you can´t go fast without a bike. So I insist with the Brompton 6 speed folder which you can put in a car, so the bike doesn´t get too dirty from Azores rain. The only thing I´m really afraid of are active volcanos in Azores. Carnivals are an excellent opportunity to socialize and learn portuguese. Thank you for the nice video! 🙂

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