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@annamcgonigle2712

4 күн бұрын

Camden. My family and I lived in Portugal for a year(2022) it’s one of the most beautiful places we have lived. You were spot on with your observations. I don’t think people realize the Impact westerns can have on a country when we being all of or money to a country and make all of the housing and food prices skyrocket. We also lived in Indonesia for 7 years… the same sort of thing happened there. So much I could say about the impact that western thinking and money makes on countries that have lived On a much lower income. Tourism is great, but it can also mess up the ecosystem of a country in a way that people can’t understand if they’re just a tourist.

Do you want to see more videos like this in the future or should we stick with the "tips" format?

@Eddieo-sl8jf

3 ай бұрын

The fact that you are living downtown Lisbon you feel more that pain of the people. specially the older people. In the majority of European capitals there was a renewal of the city centre, people with more money, new shops, major brands, however due to the type of construction and all the hills around Lisbon, the city centre became an old city, with the exception of a couple of barrios, in Lisbon the majority of the people that actually live in the city centre are poor and they can live there because historically if you had a old rental contract the landlords could only raise a very small percentage, so you will see people in their 60's, 70's that pay 50€ of rent per month in the centre, note that those people have a pension of maybe 300€. At the moment the city centre of Lisbon is a mix of older people 60's, 70's and up, they may have kids but they grew up in some poverty and south east asians that came to work, live live in the city centre because they dont mind sleeping in a room with another 10 in bunker beds, pay a 2000€ rent but split by 10 people, wish a Portuguese person would not accept, at least in Portugal. The fact that there was a boom of tourists also helped with the increase of scams, tourist traps, price increase, the economy had a boost, the prices hiked at least 70% in the past 10years, but the salary increased maybe 20% in that same period. I guess this type of video is interesting, when i am shopping for something new, i always go and check the bad reviews first, but i guess 1 month is a short period of time to define a city or country, and i have lived in 9 different countries (6months minimum) and travelled 72 countries.

@daviddean6032

3 ай бұрын

Please do more videos like this, as I do like unscripted, and it is as if you are talking to me on the street so that’s pretty impressive. Thank you.

@vmoses1979

3 ай бұрын

Yes this is really good because it gives any serious and thoughtful traveller an insight into the reality of life there rather than the tourist hype or the lists of what to see and do.

@pheidippidesmarathon4176

3 ай бұрын

Yes please do more videos like this. Great job! I’m an expat from U.S. and I can relate to much if not all of what you said.

@katiewillson7759

2 ай бұрын

I really appreciate this type of one on one

Camden I really appreciated this video. I am an American, fluent in Portuguese because I am married to a Brazilian. We went to visit Lisbon for the first time in Dec 2023/ Jan 2024, and were really disappointed. We agree with all of your thoughts about the city, and you kept coming back to this one word: pain. We were guests of friends of ours who are locals who live in Belem. We have the language skills to speak with the locals in their native tongue. And pain is the perfect word to describe what they are going through. We literally could not find ONE local who liked living in Lisbon, whether our friends, or waiters, taxi drivers, or people on the street. All of them desperately want out of the city. They are barely scraping by. The tourists have completely overwhelmed the city, even in the winter. I can’t imagine what Lisbon is like in the high season, it must be unbearable. We have heard from numerous sources that the north is a much friendlier place, so on our next trip to Portugal I think we would focus on Porto and Braga. But we certainly felt the pain of the Lisbon locals. I hope there is a solution to the mess there, because it honestly felt like a city that had lost its soul.

@camdendavid

3 ай бұрын

Thanks for taking the time to share this. Very sad to think about this and hoping the end of the Golden Visa program will help alleviate some of that pain. I hope you enjoy your future travels in Portugal :)

@wallywal6139

3 ай бұрын

We've been to Lisbon, Porto and Braga. I highly recommend Braga if you want a city. It's a bit smaller, not so many tourists and the center is very walkable and beautiful. We spent a month there. Ultimately we purchased a home in a small town within 30 minutes of Coimbra and it's a piece of heaven!

@goncalomeneses5611

2 ай бұрын

What rubbish.

@user-hq8jv5ew2t

25 күн бұрын

I lived in a place called Aveiro and in all honesty, all Portuguese people there too talk about the low income and that they can not afford many things. This is what most Portuguese people talk about and it is very sad. Lisbon is considered to be a higher earning area...but yes, it is more on the dirty side. Everything is slow...except for internet speed as you mentioned !

@annamcgonigle2712

4 күн бұрын

@@goncalomeneses5611what? What do you mean??

Hello Camden. I enjoyed your thoughts on Portugal especially Lisbon. We were in Portugal in 2016 before so many people began immigrating. We stayed in Lisbon and Faro, then went to Southern Spain. We had the opportunity to visit with a local guide during a day trip to Sintra and other areas in that region. He spoke to us about the years of Salazar, Portugal's dictator. He told us that his grandparents and most Portuguese of that time were not allowed an education and that it has taken years and they are still struggling to recover. He said that many young college educated Portuguese leave Portugal for better paying jobs in other countries. He wanted to stay and help contribute to his country. It's difficult to understand how terrible that time period was and it's takes years to recover.

@camdendavid

3 ай бұрын

This is great info and I really appreciate you sharing. Sad to think about how a decision from so long ago can have a lasting impact in this way... thanks again

@marujito22

Ай бұрын

I was born in the following years of the end of that period (Salazar). To blame the state of my country on that period is just nonsense. Portuguese are a peculiar people. We do things at our own pace. Often, we are lazy to actually change things that we know are wrong. We have this way of being that is reflected in one expression: Let's see (how it will play). That's why things change very slowly in Portugal, which is ironic because at the same time we can be quite an industrious people. Go figure!

No disrespect to the rest of the country, but for me, the soul of Portugal resides in the North. Porto, Braga, Guimarães, Viana do Castelo, Barcelos, Ponte de Lima, Moledo, Peneda-Gerês National Park, the Douro River, Cávado River, Lima River, Minho River, etc. We have it all here: history, culture, food, people, the ocean, rivers, mountains, heavy rain and shining sun. If you ever do come back to Portugal, make sure to spend some time in the Northwestern corner (Viana do Castelo, Braga and Porto districts). Go see the mountains (they're beautilful in the summer and it snows in the winter); go smell the Atlantic Ocean, the sea up here is cold, raw, unfiltered and smelly, it's life itself. Eat until you feel like you're gonna blow up. Drink some green wine (the Minho specialty). I love Portugal North to South, and I admit I'm very partial to this (I'm from Braga), but there is nothing like the North. And yes, for a lot of the locals, the country got very expensive in a very short period of time. It's not your fault our politicians are mediocre.

@camdendavid

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the thoughtful comment. I will make sure to add some of those spots to my list for the next visit :) Thanks again!

@TravelAlwaysOfficial

Ай бұрын

Great description! I've never been to Portugal and I'm intrigued!

I just recently found your channel and I loved your content on Porto. I'm a retired US citizen and I've been living in Portugal for a little over 2 years. I live in Vila do Conde which is a northern suburb of Porto. It's a perfect place for and older guy like myself, it's easily accessible to Porto by Metro but the pace is much slower here. I live on a fixed income and it's quite affordable. I don't have or need a car, Vila do Conde is very walker friendly. The beaches are spectacular and only a 15 minute walk from home. We don't get many tourists here, mostly the Pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago. The locals are very accommodating and I've made some good friends. Keep up the good work and I'll be tuning in again!

@camdendavid

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing and welcome to the channel! Sounds like you've found a great spot :)

@jonathansargent6224

26 күн бұрын

I will be making a stop at Vila do Conde later this year during my journey on the Portuguese Camino. Thanks for highlighting it and hope I have the opportunity to meet locals like you in route through this beautiful country.

Lisboa is my 'home' and I love it! You must spend more than a month here to know how magical it is!! I lived in Avenidas Novas and experienced a lot of local culture and my take away is that they are a peaceful people and are not in 'pain'! They are hard working, family oriented and so friendly!! I love 'my' Portuguese people and appreciate living in my adopted country!

@camdendavid

3 ай бұрын

So great to hear this! I definitely plan on spending more time in Lisbon 😄

@LFANS2001

2 ай бұрын

I'm a local who used to live in Campo de Ourique that's where Tram 28 starts its way to Graça. I used to love Lisbon. Since 1990 I moved to Porto and nowadays I can't stand Lisbon at all. I think the "pain" for the locals started at the moment the bread, butter and olives were not free anymore. What a small detail making all the difference... Signs of times... Gold VISA and OA (orthographic agreement) were two of the most obnoxious policies ever taken in Portugal by the incompetent political class.

Totally appreciate this video and your honest thoughts. Too many blogs only share the filtered highlights and not the unfiltered realities. Wish I had found your channel before our most recent trip! Thanks and keep up the great videos

@camdendavid

Ай бұрын

Really appreciate the support! Welcome to the channel 😃

I loved how thoughtful this was. Thank you for sharing. Going to Portugal this week and I’ll try to keep in mind the struggles locals might be facing. It sounds like unfortunately Portugal might have the same relationship with wealthier Europe/the UK as Mexico does with the US. People coming to party and move in, and driving up prices.

@camdendavid

Ай бұрын

I appreciate the kind words and support. You're spot on with the comparison. Hope you have a wonderful time visiting this week :)

Great video! You are not far off on many of your observations, and regarding the Golden visa and it’s effects on Portugal. A lot of Lisboettas have been forced to move out their generational neighbourhoods because of the sky rocketed tourism. I lived on the Silver coast for 3 months… fell madly and deeply in love with this magical country and intend to find a way to permanently. They’ve made major changes to the long stay visa programs though. I loved Lisboa. I was very fortunate that the first time I spent the day there I was with a local and although she showed me many of the highlights, we managed to miss the general tourist traps. That was just before Christmas back in2017. I went back a few times… on my own and with friends and family who visited me. I don’t recall the dog poop issue, or feeling like it was a dirty city…but maybe things are different now. Absolutely loved the Algarve. I had a car my 3 months there so I got to explore. It’s known that the buses and trains are pretty good in Portugal and yes… they are known to have some of the best wifi! And their banking system is one of the best worldwide, apparently. Much better than North America. Our system in Canada is way ahead of the US but Portugal makes ours look bad, haha. On one hand, I hope you are right and there will be a new ‘it place’ to go… I loved the pace of live on the Silver coast… loved the people I met and I’m still friends with… but of course if tourism disappeared suddenly it would impact the economy again. We need to find a happy balance. I’ll have to find your other Portugal videos. Cheers ~ Portugal is magical.

@camdendavid

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the thoughtful comment and sharing your perspective! Sounds like you've had some wonderful adventures in Portugal :) And I agree with you -- hopefully there's a happy balance coming in the near future. Do you have any recommendations on places to visit in the Algarve for someone with a car? Curious to hear your thoughts!

@JenShea

Ай бұрын

@@camdendavid Hi Dave, Yes, indeed I had an amazing 3 months there and one day I plan to live on the Silver Coast (near Peniche/Baleal and Lourinhã). I stuck with the Western Algarve, so I'm afraid I cannot speak on the entire Faro/Algarve region. I loved Lagos and I can see myself taking holidays (in the winter months) there... to avoid the height of tourism season. There are a lot of good restaurants (my favourited ended up being O'l Bastards, and it's still there)... amazing Fish & Chips... cooked in different ways. I didn't expect to fall in love with Sagres as I did. I loved how charming the village is and how incredible the cliffs were and the lovely beaches and the (oddly for me) barren landscape. You can easily see why the called it The End of the World. It's more wild, more rugged. I drove up from Sagres back to Peniche, taking my time, via the Western coast secondary highway (no tolls), and it was incredibly beautiful. You'll drive through flat, forests full of cork trees and you'll also experience some pretty twisty, mountainous stretches as well. I would suggest you get off the highway every once in a while and drive over to the coast itself and just take in the stunning beauty. That coastline is less touristy. There are some pretty towns and villages along the way... Aljezur for one. Sines is interesting. It's got a lovely harbour and a castle right up on the cliff... yet it's also very industrial because of it's history with the fishing industry (like Peniche but on a much larger scale) and it has a lot of what looks like refineries, as well... but worth the visit. Between Sagres & Sines, there is also Odeceixe, Vila Novo de Milfontes & Porto Covo... and more! Obviously I can go on and on... and on. :)

@camdendavid

Ай бұрын

@@JenShea This sounds incredible! Thank you so much :)

@JenShea

Ай бұрын

@@camdendavid Any time! :)

So very helpful. Thank you so much for your insights. I love how you see beauty in the grit and let us know where to find authentic and fabulous food. Also appreciate how you share the reality of pain and vibrancy in the people. We are definitely taking your experience to heart as we plan our visit for May.

@camdendavid

3 ай бұрын

I appreciate the support and hope you have a wonderful trip :)

There were elderly women selling shots of Ginjinha as I walked my way down from the top of the Alfama back in 2019. There was plenty of new construction and renovation then in the city, cheek by jowl with abject poverty. I think that the increased cash flow of the Golden Door program was the final wave of increasing unaffordability for those just getting by, preceded by party culture coming to Lisbon (and Porto) with its readily available cash, hit hard later by COVID (even though Portugal dealt with it early and effectively), supplemented by a lot of that same local youth you mention leaving Portugal to find a career they want outside a home that educates well but doesn't have the level of entrepreneurial social infrastructure - the sense of "we can create that here" - that you'll find readily available by comparison in Spain, even in the midst of that nation's significant increase in unemployment over the last few years. If those young people you saw stay and build something new for Lisbon, for Portugal - and if society will give them the space and the means to do so - there will be a much better Lisbon and Portugal as a result.

@camdendavid

3 ай бұрын

Thanks for taking the time to share all this. Lots to think about there... cheers!

Thank you for you honest and thought provoking video. I am planning a trip in October and I this was really insightful and something I will take to heart.

@camdendavid

3 ай бұрын

I appreciate the support and hope you have a wonderful trip :)

This is a wonderful, insightful and thought provoking commentary! Thank you

@camdendavid

3 ай бұрын

Thank YOU for the support :)

I've been quite a number of times to Portugal... different periods of the year, different cities, regions... and I think you're on point. The Golden Visa, although it was good to refurbuished a lot of abandoned buidlings had some consequences that were not meant to have. And there's hope for the younger generation with local unemployment rates are getting better and minimum income is on the rise (not by a lot - not fast enough), but still. Keep doing those.

@camdendavid

3 ай бұрын

Appreciate you sharing this

I loved this video so much. The fact that you realize and sort of internalize the pain that the older generations of locals are feeling says a lot. I'm glad you shared this, hopefully people who plan to move there will be more respectful of the locals??? We will see. I also like that you included the hidden places and restaurants that are not geared toward tourists. I can go to an all inclusive hotel in cancun if I want "tourist-y". We would like to move to Portugal in the coming years and this gives so much perspective on what the country and the people are going through with the influx of immigrants and what to expect. thank you.

@camdendavid

3 ай бұрын

So glad to hear this. I appreciate the support and wish you all the best with the future move :)

It's refreshing to see someone being this honest and insightful, especially a fairly young person like yourself. Thank you.

@camdendavid

Ай бұрын

Thanks for the support :)

Great point of view. I have been to Lisboa a couple of times many years ago and your point of view about today's situation is very interesting. Thank you

@camdendavid

3 ай бұрын

I appreciate the support

Thank you, Camden David! I’m watching this from Nova Scotia to learn more about Portugal! You are a pretty cool guy! Thank you.

@camdendavid

3 ай бұрын

I appreciate the support!! Hope all is well up in Nova Scotia!

@daviddean6032

3 ай бұрын

Thank you, Camden!@@camdendavid

@daviddean6032

3 ай бұрын

You are one of the nicest guys, Camden David! Thank you a million times over for your kindness and knowledge!!@@camdendavid

You just pointed my very feeling about that country. I was ready to take advantage of the golden visa but when I thought of the economic pain it will bring to the locals who cannot afford their own country, I decided not to move there. I made my dearest friends in Lisbon and Porto and I just cannot in my conscience displace them from their place just because non Portuguese people with money can buy properties at higher price. I love that country and its people!

@camdendavid

3 ай бұрын

Props to you for being so culturally aware and choosing to follow your conscience. Appreciate you sharing and hope the country continues to heal :)

@tomdemeo2708

2 ай бұрын

Don’t forget the economy is coming out of a massive recession along with the “pigs”. The government is trying to bring money into the economy as fast as possible. It filters down to everyone, people aren’t burring the money it gets spent. Imagine if no tourists went, what pain would they be feeling?

I’m leaving for some time in Portugal to be divided into stays in Porto, the Algarve and Lisbon so I appreciate the 3 of your videos that I’ve watched so far. They have made me more nervous though. I do not speak Portuguese but have tried learning some phrases and while I am fluent in Italian and Spanish, they don’t seem to be helping me with the pronunciation so I do hope that I won’t offend anyone with my limited Portuguese language skills and I very much hope to not fall into the tourist traps you and others have described.

@camdendavid

Ай бұрын

I hope the videos have been helpful! No need to stress about the pronunciation :) I had a very easy time using English and most of the locals will be appreciative if you make an attempt with Portuguese. I hope you have a wonderful time :)

Good video and interesting to hear your thoughts. I'm a Brit and I worked in Faro (Algarve) for 18 months pre covid times. In this period I travelled uo to Lisbon on the train and spent time both working and leisure time. As a manager I had responsibility for hiring staff in the Algarve and Lisbon. Look up the minimum wage in Portugal and compare it to Spain next door or other countries. It is appalingly low, Portugal is a very very poor country these days. I dont know how people survive especially in the tourist areas of the Algarve and of course Lisbon. I constantly had to move accomadation as there were few and far between mid or long term rentals. Most are geared up for tourists and the higher pricing that entails. Often in Faro I would end up more on the outskirts and the poverty was there to see clear as day. Theres poverty in most if not all countries and cities including my home country England. But this was something I had never seen before with feral and stray animals wandering the streets, some people living in what could be described as huts/shacks. Animal welfare in Portugal appears to be appaling. I made friends with many young people at the local bars and restaurants I frequented over 18 months. I saw the struggles that my multi national staff had which included local Portuguese, Brazilians, Venezuelans and Europeans. They always tried there best in difficult personal circumstances due to money issues. I found trying to hire Portuguese was largely difficult, they would not turn up for job interviews. My understanding was that the social payments were bot far off the minimum wage so what was the point in working. I find your points abouts the older generation interesting. In my albeit limited experiences I found the older generations wanted little to do with outsiders. It could be that obviosly they are more traditional wheras the younger generation all spoke English and gemerally wanted to get away. The middle aged were kind of inbetween and I found some to be friendly and helpful and others wanted nothing to do with you (the middle aged policeman in charge at the airport seemed to hate outsiders). So I can see how you seem to struggle to categorise the feeling in Lisbon overall. The country has and is going through a whole load of economic and personal pain to the native people who live there. Go away from the tourist areas even a couple of streets and you see the real Portugal, its not all sunshine and beers.

@camdendavid

Ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing all this. Really appreciated the unique perspective. A lot to think about

Simply loved this video! ❤

@camdendavid

21 күн бұрын

So glad to hear that :)

Camden, thank you for your honest insights, we are planning on visiting Portugal the first two weeks of May, we are seniors, usually we go on our own, we do not enjoy joining tours, your contribution gives me an idea how to plan this trip.

@camdendavid

2 ай бұрын

I appreciate the support and hope you have a wonderful time! Let me know if any questions pop up :)

@roxanae5785

2 ай бұрын

@@camdendavidthank you!

Your photos of Portugal at the end are phenomenal.

@camdendavid

3 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed them. I feel like I can't take full credit cause the scenery in Portugal makes it so easy to get good shots haha

It’s the third of your videos I’m watching, and I’m already in love with your content. I really enjoyed your Porto tips. But your unfiltered thoughts on Lisbon and Portugal are really good and thoughtful. Super nice! Keep it up, please! So natural and real! The only thing I missed are the German Christmas markets! They are, for several reasons, the best. I’m not saying it because I’m German and we sort of invented them. But trust me, I’ve visited lots of Xmas markets, even the capital de Noel Strasbourg. But by far, the German markets, to my mind, are the nicest and most authentic ones!

@camdendavid

2 ай бұрын

I really appreciate the support and am glad you're here! You're right -- I definitely need to spend some time at the German Christmas markets :) If you ever have any suggestions on what you'd like to see in the videos (or things you're not liking), feel free to shoot me a note. Thanks again!

@Impudicus82

2 ай бұрын

@@camdendavid I’ll make you a little list and sent them in a couple of days

In a sense, many parts of Portugal have become a theme park where rich foreigners are catered to by poor foreigners (they're impossible to miss) and locals. It's sad but it's the result of poorly thought out and lazy economic policies. Tourism is easy money but it's no way to make a country grow richer. The population especially has very little to gain.

@camdendavid

2 ай бұрын

Very sad

Really interesting insight, there's definitely been frustration from locals over immigration and rising prices but it feels misplaced, the government isn't doing nearly enough for people. I think it's a gorgeous city but agree a lot of it looks run down and a bit unkempt

Unfiltered, great comments thanks

@camdendavid

3 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching

I really liked the video. My wife and I are coming to Lisbon the end of this May. Would you happen to have a vid or list of the places you consider tourist traps so we don’t fall into them as well? Thanks so much

@camdendavid

3 ай бұрын

Great question. I don't have a list of specific places but would generally say Baixa is the area where you'll find most of them. But I can start working on a video to share how I typically spot/avoid tourist traps so you know what to look out for. Lots of other videos scheduled soon but I'll try to get that out before your trip in May. Let me know if any other questions pop up

You are right. Parts of the city are more filthy now because of the tourism, the nightlife (every single night) and a lot of poverty. Portuguese people are rare to be seen in the downtown (and the downtown is always crowded). Everything is now price tagged to tourists and golden visas. People come, use it and then leave. The north is different from lisbon, lisbon has always been the cosmopolitan place that gathered different people and cultures, porto was kept more genuine, more portuguese. That's why food is better, for example

@camdendavid

2 ай бұрын

Makes sense. Thanks for sharing :)

Funny that I should’ve watched this video today as it is the anniversary of the fourth time I visited Lisbon 13 years ago. You’ve broken my heart kid, you see my four visits to Lisbon were all pre-golden visa and so I guess I got to see the real Lisbon, and I have no memory of the pain of which you speak of being experienced, especially by the older people. I found all generations to be happy. Of the great imperial cities of Europe I found Lisbon to be the most charming, the most welcoming, the most real. You are of course right about Porto and the northern part of Portugal as well as the central areas all are different. I have a trip planned for November 2025 back to Lisbon and joyful anticipation has now turned to sad anticipation. Everything you have shared with us today in this video I guess explains why there has been a strong turn to the right in its political dimensions. Oh well, keep up the good work young man I enjoy your thoughts and your input because they are so real. Thanks again.

@camdendavid

Ай бұрын

I hope you still have that joyful anticipation leading to your return :) It's still a beautiful place with so much to offer. Hoping a better balance will be found between now and the time you return. Thank you for the kind words and support. Best wishes

Hey Camden. Really appreciated your video. What are your opinions on staying in the Belem area for a 4-night trip to Lisbon? Yes, out of the city center, but I'm kind of drawn to that. Do you think it would put us at a disadvantage being over there (being far from the main city attractions?)

@camdendavid

Ай бұрын

Hmmm, that's a good question. Belem is definitely a good distance away from the heart of the city but it sounds like you might enjoy that. As long as you're comfortable utilizing public transportation to get to those central areas, I don't see any big disadvantage. It's probably not where I'd want to stay if I were planning a bunch of day trips but I'm assuming you'll be sticking around Lisbon for a 4-night visit. I'd say go for it -- At the very least, you'll get to see the city in a way that most tourists don't ever experience :)

@margotpurdie1275

Ай бұрын

@@camdendavid yes! 4 nights in Lisbon. Thank you for your advice. I think we have pivoted and are now looking at more central areas like Alfama, Estrela, or Graca. Hoping those will all be okay!

I really enjoyed this format, and yes, in terms of food, the north is probably superior generally, but I can also say, in the Alentejo you can also get great food, even tho it's way less populated, there are a few gems over there. But yeah, the more touristy the place, the harder it will be to get a nice meal for a nice price (which part of the fault is actually the tourists who mostly just want steak and fries for some reason are afraid of trying local food)

@camdendavid

Ай бұрын

I need to spend some time in Alentejo during my next visit. Thanks for this

is worth taking the viking cruise vs renting a car to visit Portugal for the first time. as well as skim Spain and maybe Morocco.

@camdendavid

2 ай бұрын

I haven't done the Viking Cruise and I think a rental car will give you the opportunity to see places that most tourists won't get to. I imagine the cruise will be more convenient but you'll be on their agenda. I'd choose the rental car but that's just my preference. I'm sure you'll have a great time with either :)

Portugal is like that state in US that all the Californians move to cause its cheap and beautiful, and end up turning it into the same place they moved away from.

@camdendavid

2 ай бұрын

Sad to think about it that way

Love that Scorsese film at the end 🎥🎬❤

@camdendavid

3 ай бұрын

Impressed you identified his work so quickly hahahah

In some vids u say u don't drink in others u talk ab getting drinks. Jus curious if u were a drinker then quit or rarely drink?

@camdendavid

3 ай бұрын

Nice catch there! I've never really been a big drinker and tend to avoid it most of the time. I make the occasional exception if there's an opportunity to check out one of the "top" bars in the world or if I feel like a specific drink plays an important role in the local culture (like the port wine). But I'd say I probably consume alcohol less than 10 days a year :)

@303mitch

Ай бұрын

​@@camdendavid I have very similar drinking habits. Good to see I'm not the only one and that I'm not crazy

i would also add the following -Tourism had a huge growth, and the public space (cleaning, pedestrian streets or traffic calming) unfornately hasn´t been up to standard. But I must also point out the - graffitit/tags has been here for ages unfornately. And cleaning has been WORSE than nowadays. One good thing about tourism, it has allowed for massive urban rehabilition of the city centre (Alfama, Bairro Alto etc). I remember 25 years ago, walking near the Castle with almost no ppl/tourists, and buldings were in way worse shape than today and falling apart (and the old portuguese folks with no money were still living there btw). Perhaps you missed the biggest quality of city, for me it´s ppl. Dispite the pain, Lisboet ppl like to talk to others, speak different languages, and are curious about worldy issues. The is also increasingly harder to find because of massive immigration from Brasil and India lately, but if you met portuguese ppl would will understand what I´m saying eventually.

@camdendavid

2 ай бұрын

Ah, very interesting. Appreciate you sharing this and would agree on the people. Very engaged community to chat with :)

Very thoughtful video. Since you asked, as a young adult I was forced to leave Portugal in hopes of getting a better life. I think Portugal has one of the highest emigration rates in Europe. We simply cannot afford to live there and are always trying to find better ways to make a living unfortunately. I still want to go back but probably I will only be able to go back to Europe until I retire because it is impossible right now to be a young adult and live independently. The thing is we are used to the simple things in life so I still consider the best place on earth. You can wake up in the morning go to the beach and catch your meal 😅seriously and you have a good life. But…think everyone is welcomed there but they have to be respectful of the situation the locals are in. So I really enjoyed your video and I hope you have a really good time in Portugal being mindful of the Portuguese situation right now 🙏

@camdendavid

25 күн бұрын

Thanks for sharing this :) I had a wonderful time in Portugal and look forward to visiting in the future. Love you perspective and approach to life!

We live 45 minutes south of Lisbon. Been here two years from the UK. Prices have increased a lot. I do not think it is as welcoming as it was. We have seen a massive increase in 'International Living' readers. The phasing out of the Golden Visa and also the NHR tax programme will have a very big effect on the economy. The local young people leave to work in higher paying economies in the EU - most do not come back. Older demographics, low birth rate. It may not end well.

@camdendavid

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing your experience/perspective. Hoping everyone will find a better balance

@tinglestingles

28 күн бұрын

@@camdendavid We have applied for a residency in another country and expect to leave here next year. No regrets.

Visiting Portugal right now. It’s a lovely city but feels overcrowded with younger tourists who party all night. Not necessarily a bad thing but not my vibe. Food, etc seems very inexpensive compared to where I live in Denver, however, housing seems ridiculous. We are now in Faro which is more my taste. Laid back.

@camdendavid

Ай бұрын

I think that’s a good assessment. Always great seeing CO folks here. I lived there for 6 years and most of my family is still there. Appreciate you sharing and hope you enjoy your time in Faro 😃

How do you make money during your travels?

@camdendavid

Ай бұрын

Making a whole video on this topic right now but the short answer is this: KZread is my full-time gig right now. I've worked a variety of jobs throughout our journey and spent a good chunk of it working remotely for a US based company

You are very observant. I lived in Portugal some years ago, and I wasn't impressed. There is a lot of poverty. The rich have out priced the local. For people who don't want to learn Portuguese, Portugal is a good place because many speak English. You mentioned the younger generation. Many are leaving the country for better opportunities. Honestly, I believe that many Americans will leave once reality sets in. If and when they learn the language, they will understand the real life in Portugal, and some of it is not so pretty.

@camdendavid

2 ай бұрын

Appreciate you sharing. Hoping they'll find a way to keep some of the younger generation from leaving and help the community rebound

Looking to move to Portugal later this year, most likely Algarve or Madeira.

@camdendavid

2 ай бұрын

You'll have to let me know where you end up and what your experience is like

@davidmartinspresents

2 ай бұрын

@@camdendavidSounds good! 👍

20:00 US expat here been living in Lisbon for 2+ years. It’s difficult to make sweeping conclusions after spending one month here (especially if you’re staying in Alfama) but the general tenor of your comments is correct. Costs here are still at least 20% less than the US- greater if you’re coming from a big city. Point of reference: the 3 bedroom condo we’re renting for 1800 euros would be 6K+ monthly in NYC or LA, probably double in most other mid-sized US cities. Transportation is affordable, free for those 65+ or 25 and younger. It is gritty and dirtier than most other European cities. And like most other cities around the world locals are struggling with wages. How many locals are left in cities like New York, Chicago or LA? It’s not just a Lisbon problem, it’s a global problem. Over tourism is everywhere, there’s no place left to hide. The benefit to being in Lisbon is that it makes European travel so much easier. My two cents: use Lisbon as a base to explore Europe and Northern Africa and then move on.

@camdendavid

3 ай бұрын

Thanks for taking the time to share this. Appreciate your perspective. I'd agree that it's a global problem. I see some version of it in every place I visit (some more than others, of course)

@MadinaVadache

Ай бұрын

I would never live in Lisbon .. Lisbon would be day trip for me

U should do a vid on best places to visit so far.

@camdendavid

3 ай бұрын

I can do that. Is there any specific type of info you'd want to see?

@april6212

3 ай бұрын

@@camdendavid best places to see or skip in Europe. Ur SA vid was awesome I'm going there next and will stay in Sea point!

@april6212

3 ай бұрын

Just found ur channel and loving it.

@camdendavid

3 ай бұрын

@@april6212 Will get to work on this. Thanks! And hope you have a great time in Sea Point!!

@camdendavid

3 ай бұрын

@@april6212 Thanks for the support! Let me know if there's ever anything you'd like to see more of or things I should switch up. Always open to feedback :)

I have being living in Portugal last 5 years on in on and it went from authentic charming unique to commercial machine really fast it’s out of control prices sky rocket quality of food and serves is bad everywhere i am disappointed for sure.. especially this obnoxious Real Estate opening and popping up on every corner. Other than that I love Portugal ❤

@camdendavid

Ай бұрын

Sorry to hear that.. appreciate you sharing your experience :)

Interesting slant on the city and fiscal disparity. I am wondering if this golden ticket and influx was caused by the horrible economic situation of Portugal and the “ pig “ countries. Tourists money always corrupts but fuels growth and tax money for improvements. Prices are rising everywhere especially after covid.

@camdendavid

2 ай бұрын

It definitely feels different in Lisbon. Still have lots to learn

but you didn't travel to Nazare.. I am a Canadian living in Nazare I fall asleep to the sound of the waves wake up and look at the sea from my bedroom window.. here the elder ladies wear the traditional 7 skirts.. we host the tow surfing world championship.. wave height record at the North beach..we are not overrun with immigrants..very few thankful.. I live in a traditional neighbourhood where all of my neighbours are Portuguese exactly what I was looking for..did not want to live amongst expats.. the Portuguese people are fabulous and very welcoming..much culture in this village..my home price has risen by 37% taxes remained the same.. insurance has risen slightly owing to replace cost rising..I couldn't be happier..

@camdendavid

14 күн бұрын

Glad to hear you're having a positive experience :) I'll be sure to visit Nazare during my next trip!

Wanna go and do a Viking tour!

If you think Lisbon is the dirtiest city in Europe i don’t think you’ve been to any cities in Italy…

@camdendavid

Ай бұрын

Similar but definitely different in my experience

The young generation is leaving, 30% already gone. As a nomad did you visited the nomad village in Madeira Island?

@camdendavid

Ай бұрын

I haven't visited Madeira Island quite yet. What's you take on it?

I live in Paris and the City become very dirty in the last few years, even in very touristic corners, actually all over. Lots of Life but lots of stress also, rude people…

@camdendavid

Ай бұрын

Sorry to hear that

I lived in Portugal for almost one year. And Lisbon and Porto were the worst for me. But Still love Portugal and you can find many good places to live. And I agree with you about the gold visa. This is going wrong.

@camdendavid

18 күн бұрын

Thanks for sharing. Which areas of Portugal did you enjoy most?

I would generally agree with the video, but Lisbon is nowhere dirty compared to Naples.Naples is way worse than us.

@camdendavid

2 ай бұрын

I haven't been to Naples quite yet so I'll take your word for it haha

Im portuguese, and i can tell you older folk here are "in pain" for virtually anything. Its who they are, the country conditions are irrelevant to that state of being. They were born and raised in a fascist Portugal, a regime that totally castrated any individual development and bred fear, doom and gloom mentality into the people. You can take the man out of the regime, but you cant take the regime out of the man. Felicidades

@camdendavid

Ай бұрын

fascinating perspective. Thanks for sharing

@MadinaVadache

Ай бұрын

Yeah slave mentality 😢

NY has a lot 🐀 and rubbish lol .. in my opinion all turist cities in most countries in the world have the same issues.. Dublin city in the morning.. dejesus ... crazy, full of rubbish in the streets 👀

@camdendavid

2 ай бұрын

Some more than others haha

Comes down to money. The rich just keeps getting richer. Same story everywhere. Take away the tourists and people moving there and you have what you had 20 years ago. Very poor country. Not sure how you fix this but same thing was happening where I lived in Portland, OR.

@camdendavid

3 ай бұрын

Hoping there's a better balance we can find moving forward

@rickchandler2570

3 ай бұрын

@@camdendavid Yeah I think they will find one, it just takes a bit of time for it to catch up.

Very surprised you think Lisbon is dirtier than Edinburgh 🤢🥴

@camdendavid

3 ай бұрын

It definitely seemed dirtier that Edinburgh but I also spent far more time in Lisbon so it's possible my perception is skewed

David, thanks for the sincerity. I have to disagree in one point. Portugal is not at all a dirty country and I know a lot of them including US. Perhaps the dog poop made you think like that? It's very true the dog poop in the streets, it's a shame, but I challenge you to film what you consider dirty. There are no young people living in the place where you are now, just recently with turism people started to go and live there, thats the reason why you encounter old generations that look unfortunate. Those people are mainly retirees that never worked ( never payed taxes as we do in modern times) so their income is very low, some of them maybe never payed social security. They feel sad you are right and hope one day government can give better pensions to those people. The Youngs are vibrant because we are very social and that contrast with that older generation. I'm sure you saw the lifestyle after all. Hope you liked, you are very wellcome. Cheers

@camdendavid

3 ай бұрын

Really appreciate you taking the time to share all this. I do think the dog poop had a lot to do with my perception of dirtiness but I'll make an effort to film the other aspects during my next visit. And you're right, I definitely saw a younger crowd outside of Alfama. Really enjoyed hanging around the outskirts of where mosts tourists would be. Such a beautiful country with so much culture. I had a great time and look forward to visiting often. Thanks again for sharing your perspective :) Cheers, Camden

@rickshae1525

Ай бұрын

Dude, Lisbon is *really* dirty. One of the dirtiest capital cities I’ve ever visited. It has many great attributes but you can’t be serious that it ain’t grubby

@bernardopiano7153

Ай бұрын

@rickshae1525 Grubby, it may be in the places that are over packed with tourists.

David, you must be quite a sensitive person. You talked about the pain of the people in Lisbon, yes the prices have increased greatly lately with the tourism and the expats who moved to Portugal, making it difficult for the local poor people, but tourism and expats have also been good for Portugal. Now that the prices have increased I also see videos telling expats that as Portugal became expensive and advising them where they can more and get a better deal for their money. As for being a dirty city, probably, sorry you stayed in the old part, no offence to the locals but probably dirtier than other parts. I am a Portuguese, I live in Canada, Montreal. Some Canadians visited Lisbon, they found Lisbon charming and so clean, I love Montreal, beautiful city but quite dirty. Thank you for telling people to leave a tip in restaurants, I have seen many videos made by Americans saying do not leave a tip in restaurants this is not a culture of tipping, which I do not understand, I see my family and friends always living a tip for the water, if I pay they always tell me to leave a tip, they deserve and need it.

@camdendavid

3 ай бұрын

Thanks for taking the time to share all this. Appreciate you pointing out some of the positives of the tourism as well. And you are right - it still has TONS of charm even in the areas that are dirty. Thanks again :)

Very informative video, thank you. But please try to not smack your lips so much. It comes across very loudly in the video.

@camdendavid

2 ай бұрын

Haha sorry about that!

You felt more with the older génération because the younger already left 🥲

@camdendavid

3 ай бұрын

Have they been leaving? I still found plenty of young folks around the city. But they seemed to hang out in different areas compared to the older generations (feels like that’s the case in many cities). Curious to learn more

@TheRicas100

3 ай бұрын

Yes, Portugal has the higher émigration % among young people. There is a lot of problems but we just can not afford to live in our own city (i am portuguese myself and leaving) the country is getting more and more expensive and salaries are still super low (3/4 of young peoples income is less than 1000€) and if you want to live in your own city you have to have 2 Jobs and no quality of life We only can leave our parents house when we are 30’s, divorced couples sometimes live togheter because they can not afford to search for a new house and I think lisbon is so gentrified that it’s a shame to leave Such a beautiful country with such good people. (Btw Portugal is great on summer!!!! You would love lisbon on summer much more and you should visit madeira and azores island)

@camdendavid

3 ай бұрын

@@TheRicas100 Really appreciate you sharing all this. Sorry to hear the circumstances are making it so challenging to stay. I'll definitely make sure to visit Madeira and Azores during my next visit. Such a wonderful country and can't wait to spend more time there. Thanks again for sharing your experiences!