Retiring in The Azores

A scenic view of lush green farmland on Pico, Azores, divided by hedgerows on a sloping landscape leading to a coastline with deep blue ocean waters. A few scattered houses and farm buildings are nestled amidst the patchwork of fields, with hills in the background and a partly cloudy sky overhead.

Is Portugal better or is the grass just greener?

Nestled in the heart of the Atlantic Ocean, the Azores offer a unique retirement destination for those seeking tranquility, natural beauty, and a slower pace of life. As an autonomous region of Portugal, these nine volcanic islands combine European charm with a remote, almost mystical atmosphere. In this guide, we’ll explore what makes the Azores an appealing retirement choice and what you need to know before making the move. The Azores: An Overview The Azores archipelago, located about 1,500 kilometres …

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Azores Food: 20+ Azorean Dishes You Have to Eat

A plate of cozido," featuring chunks of tender beef shank with visible bone, surrounded by vegetables including corn, cabbage, potatoes, and green beans, all served in a broth. The plate is set on a white textured tablecloth reminiscent of Portugal's rustic charm.

If you’re visiting the Azores, the first question you have is probably: what should I eat? Don’t worry! I had exactly the same one. I’ve travelled across all 9 islands of the Azores, sampling all of the wonderful different foods that these islands have to offer. This is a unique chance to try Azorean cuisine, which is very hard to find outside of these islands. There are some restaurants specialising in Azorean food in mainland Portugal, but overall, Azorean dishes …

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The Pros & Cons Of Living in the Azores

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There are places in the world that are genuinely, almost unreasonably beautiful — and then there’s the Azores, which manages to be both of those things while also sitting in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, three and a half hours from anywhere, in a region that gets more rainfall than Seattle and where the inside of your house can feel colder than the outside in January. That’s not a warning. It’s the beginning of an honest conversation. The Azores …

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Interview: How Tricia & Griff Alker Started a Beef Jerky Business in the Azores

A display of beef jerky products labeled "Azores Beef Jerky," with one package of pork jerky in the center. Each packet is paired with a bowl of jerky pieces. The setup is decorated with a festive red and green plaid border on a burlap cloth.

In this interview, Tricia Alker explains how she moved from the US to the island of Pico in the Azores. She talks about how they had initially planned to start another business within the seafood industry, but life had other plans and they ended up starting Azores Jerky, a beef jerky company. What motivated you to move from California to Pico island in the Azores? In 1998 my husband was asked by a colleague/friend in California to help in a …

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