Winds of Change

Winds of Change

On Friday a former colleague visited us in the Charity Shop. To say goodbye. After eight years in the Algarve, she and her husband decided to go back to England, where their children live. Really sad news. As they are a really nice and popular couple. Friendly and easy. Perfect colleagues and neighbours.

Brexit meets Covid. Many British people of retirement age here in the Algarve live off their UK pension. Until now, the exchange rate of the British pound against the Euro has been clearly in favour of the UK currency. In good times, one could get up to € 1.40 for a pound, which increases the pension by 40%. Not bad. But now, in the uncertain post-Brexit times, the currency ratio may be heading towards equality.

On top of this comes concern about the future of health care, which is free for EU citizens here in Portugal, at least in its basic version. This secure framework could also be at stake for the British. Recently, the newspapers reported that British banks will close the accounts of compatriots living in the EU or in Portugal. So what's next?

And on top of it: Covid and all the associated risks and side effects. Anyone who had already thought about returning home for good will be given the necessary support by the so-called pandemic to make a decision

The property market is also affected. At the moment the estate agents are still issuing their usual optimistic press releases. But for a long time these will not stand up to reality.

Another colleague (the couple in their early seventies) wants to sell her country house incl. a huge plot of land since more than a year and is aiming at something smaller in the north of Portugal. The house for sale would be perfect for people who are looking for nature and peace and quiet, who love gardening. Horse stables are also part of the estate.

The current crisis is making many people hesitate to make long-term decisions and put several hundred thousands of euros for a property on the table.

But as life goes on. Our colleague updated us that a serious prospective buyer had backed out for other reasons. She loved the house and the wonderful gardens with the fruit trees.. It was perfect for her two dogs and herself. Far from the city, lots of space and pure nature. And stillness. She really loved it. But her family did not agree in the end as her children and grandchildren wanted her closer to where they live. And finally she decided to meet their request. With a heavy heart.

Nothing seems certain anymore and everything seems possible. A time, made for people who are looking for more freedom, out of the fixed structures of the past. And much more challenging for those who have become dependent on the present system and have to painfully recognise the disadvantages of their decision bit by bit.

Translated with the help of DeepL

Proofread by the author

Photo by Estela Romero on Unsplash