James Cave

James Cave is the founder of Portugalist.com, a website he created in 2016 to make moving to Portugal more simple.

He’s also the author of Moving to Portugal Made Simple, now in its second edition and with more than 400 reviews on Amazon. Through Portugalist, James has helped thousands of people plan their move and settle into life in Portugal with clear, trustworthy, and up-to-date information.

Portugalist has been featured in countless publications including the WSJ, New York Times, and Independent.

Follow him on Linkedin and Amazon

20+ Foods That American Expats Living in Portugal Sometimes Miss

A stack of pancakes topped with melting butter, syrup, and a small American flag on a plate. Fresh strawberries and blueberries garnish the plate. Additional bowls of blueberries and strawberries are in the background. The scene is set outdoors.

Portugal has some fantastic food (pastéis de nata at the top of that list) but there are always some home comforts that you’re going to miss, regardless of where you’re from. Thankfully, you’ll be able to find a lot of these products in Portugal, particularly long-life products. However, some products (like dairy products) are harder to find, due to the distance, and some items are more related to American culture rather than a certain food (e.g. American-style takeaway coffees). If …

For Americans buying a new home in Portugal, whether residential or for investment, you might first think of using Zillow, the leading property portal in the U.S. and Canada, familiar for its extensive listings and user-friendly interface. However, this Zillow isn’t used in Portugal. Instead, Portugal has its own websites which cover the local real estate market. Unlike the US, Portugal doesn’t have an MLS system. In practice, this means that there isn’t one website or database that lists every …

The exterior of a Costco Wholesale store, featuring a large red and blue company sign above the entrance. The building has brick accents and several red bollards and trash bins lined up in front. The sky is clear and blue.

Costco doesn’t have a store in Portugal, at least currently. There are, however, Costco stores in neighbouring Spain. Although Costco has stores in a handful of locations in Spain, the most popular store for people living in Portugal is the Seville store. If you live in Faro, the drive time to Costco in Seville is just a little over 2 hours. If you live in Lisbon, the drive time is around 4.5 hours, depending on traffic. For those living in …

The Algarve VS The Silver Coast: Finding Your Paradise in Portugal

When dreaming of moving to Portugal, the sunny Algarve and the charming Silver Coast often top the list of potential new places to live. Each has its own unique appeal, from climate to community, making the choice between them a matter of personal preference. Let’s dive into what sets these two beautiful regions apart. The Algarve Let’s start with the Algarve, the most popular place for prospective expats considering a new life in Portugal. Best Weather The Algarve’s biggest draw …

A person wearing a plaid shirt is sealing a cardboard box with packing tape using a tape dispenser. The scene appears to be indoors, with other boxes and a small potted plant blurred in the background.

If you’re thinking about moving to Portugal, you’ll get different advice on what to bring. Most people will tell you to come with as little as possible and avoid the challenges and costs of shipping your stuff. However, re-buying everything is expensive, particularly in Portugal, so there’s definitely an argument for at least thinking about shipping your stuff. There are some things you probably shouldn’t bring, particularly if you’re coming from outside Europe. This includes electronics that won’t work here …

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair is wearing a gray tank top and holding two white pillows over both of her ears. Her facial expression appears frustrated or annoyed. She is indoors, with a neutral-colored background.

Lisbon, with its vibrant culture and picturesque landscapes, can sometimes be a noisy place, posing a challenge for light sleepers. It’s crucial to do your homework before settling on a rental space, whether it’s an apartment rental or an Airbnb, as adaptation to the city’s sound levels varies greatly among individuals. While some areas of Lisbon are tranquil, noise levels can fluctuate significantly even within quieter neighbourhoods, largely due to the unpredictability of neighbours. Unfortunately, it’s just one of the …

A woman with sunglasses and a braid is lying on a striped blanket at the beach, reading a magazine. She is wearing a white sweater and appears to be relaxed, with the sea and sky in the background.

Portugal has been the setting for numerous captivating novels that bring its essence to life. These books, especially those written by Portuguese authors, offer an immersive experience into the country’s soul, perfect for those wishing to learn more about its unique culture. And, if you’re unable to visit Portugal in person, these books promise to transport you there, whether that’s to the streets of Lisbon, the beaches of the Algarve, or post World War I Madeira. The Year of The …

Four friends sit on a sandy beach, laughing and enjoying each other's company. Two women and two men are dressed casually in striped shirts and jeans, with one man wearing a denim shirt. The background is bright and sunny, indicating a warm, cheerful day.

One of the most challenging (but also most fun) parts of learning a new language is learning the unique cultural expressions, idioms, and colloquialisms that are used in the language. Learning European Portuguese is no different: you’ll find lots and lots of unusual turns of phrase here. If you want to learn more, Practice Portuguese has at least two units that cover idioms and expressions at the B2 level. Vai Chatear o CamõesInstead of saying “leave me alone,” the Portuguese …

An older woman and man sitting at a table looking concerned. The woman is holding paperwork and red glasses, while the man has his hand raised and is looking at a calculator. A pink piggy bank is placed in front of them on the table.

If you’re thinking about moving to Portugal, you are probably wondering how much money you need to have in order to live there. This is quite a difficult question to answer, but it can be broken down into two parts: Income Requirements for Residency Moving to Portugal long-term involves obtaining residency there. There are different processes depending on whether you hold EU/EEA/Swiss citizenship (e.g. you have a French or Irish passport) or whether you hold a citizenship from the rest …

James Cave

20+ Foods That American Expats Living in Portugal Sometimes Miss

Is Zillow Used in Portugal?

Are there Costco Stores in Portugal?

The Algarve VS The Silver Coast: Finding Your Paradise in Portugal

What To Bring When Moving to Portugal

Is Lisbon Noisy? Where Are the Noisiest & Quietest Neighbourhoods

24 Must-Read Books Set in Portugal

31 Weird & Funny Portuguese Phrases

How Much Income Do You Need to Live in Portugal?