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Some places around the world will do that ... pay the taxes up to date and you get the place for free, subject to you have to fix it up and get an occupancy permit within a given amount of time. Everyone wins - the municipality has their taxes paid and doesn't have to tear it down, the new owner brings a lot of money into the town in the form of materials, contractors, etc, and local builders have more work to do ...
I've been looking at a lot of places in Italy. Not many are in that bad shape. Some are amazing 200+ year old stone houses that just need some love. OK, some love and 200K Euros in renovations.
I really want to live someplace that I can ride all year around, comfortably.
I didn't specify that this is on top of the purchase price of 150K Euros and up. They usually have a bit of land also, an acre or two, maybe more, depending on the location.
I didn't specify that this is on top of the purchase price of 150K Euros and up. They usually have a bit of land also, an acre or two, maybe more, depending on the location.
Well what do you know - Cycle Canada has article on Portugal !!
Quoted from Cycle Canada
“IN THE HEART OF THE COUNTRY: EXPLORING CENTRAL PORTUGAL
We won't venture south or north, but will instead travel inland and slowly discover the wild beauty of central Portugal. It's here that the Serra da Estrela, the country's highest mountain range, beckons Portuguese motorcyclists with its winding roads and panoramic views.
On the first day of the trip, Paulo immerses us in Portugal's rich history. The fortified village of Óbidos is frozen in time. Its narrow streets and high walls make me imagine arriving here on foot, on donkey, or on horseback, rather than on my modern motorcycle. We walk along the top of the fortress walls and quickly realize we're not in Canada, as there are no proper barriers or handrails to prevent visitors from falling off the wall! A rather impossible thing in our country where every tourist site is highly secure.
We then get back on our bikes and head up the Serra de Montejunto. A beautiful winding road leads us to a superb viewpoint. Unfortunately, the fog obscures our view a little, but that doesn't bother us too much; we have plenty of scenery ahead of us. A quick visit to the Real Fábrica do
Gelo (Real Ice Factory) is a testament to the power and indecency of the ancient monarchs. This well-preserved royal ice factory's sole purpose was to make and store fresh ice for the kings' drinks during the summer months. Explanatory signs assure us that it was better to be part of the elite than the plebs in medieval times.
Sitting at the seaside bar in the small town of Baleal later that day, we reflect on the lives of kings and queens of centuries past while watching the aspiring surfers. Trying to master the art of surfing on the small, steady waves this place offers sounds quite enjoyable.
Our second day begins under grey skies, but the seaside cliffs of Peniche offer a magnificent view of the sea. The ragged rocks along the coast resemble black Gruyère cheese deposited in the waves of the rough sea.
We quickly pass along the circular beach of São Martinho do Porto and stop for a few minutes to enjoy the view of the famous surf spot of Nazaré, learning a lot about the legends of its giant wave.
Then, the beautiful, less crowded beaches of Paredes da Vitória and São Pedro de Moel offer us other incredible views. But the little spot Paulo shows us is "Cabana da Lou." The place belongs to a young French couple who have chosen to park their kitchen trailer on the edge of a cliff
to offer cocktails and snacks. The vibe is good, and we enjoy a drink while admiring the view.
On the third day, we leave early to head towards the Miradouro de Chão das Pias, a first viewpoint. The view of the surrounding mountains gives us a glimpse of the region we'll be riding through for the day.
We then stop on a tiny country road to admire the ruins of the Castelo de Almourol. A medieval castle nestled in the middle of the Tejo River, it once protected the region from invaders.
The impressive Sanctuary of Fátima left us speechless with its splendour and the immensity of its square, where masses are celebrated by thousands of pilgrims every year !
Our highlight of the day, however, will be the Baloiço Panorâmico Montanelas swings. These unique swings are made from old scooters, which we eagerly climb onto to take photos. Children with a new toy!
The next day, the long mountain road leading to the Wind Turbine Park – Parque Eólico de Pampilhosa da Serra – gives us a close-up look at these immense energy collectors found throughout Portugal. Next, the village of Piódão, with its schist houses and slate roofs, is a tourist spot worth the detour. This small village nestled in the heart of the mountains is truly unique, and we take the opportunity to wander, or rather climb, its steep little streets that put our calves to the test. This village is part of the Route of the Historic Villages of Portugal. Moreover, the winding road leading there is a delight for motorcyclists.
The next day, the road from Folgosinho to Manteigas via the Caminho Natural offers us one of the most beautiful roads in Portugal. We then head to Torre to reach the summit of the Serra da Estrela. It's the highest point in mainland Portugal, and the view is spectacular.
CULINARY DELIGHTS: A FEAST FOR THE SENSES
No trip to Portugal would be complete without indulging in its culinary delights. From fresh seafood grilled to perfection in coastal tavernas to hearty stews simmered in rustic country restaurants, Portuguese cuisine is a celebration of flavour and tradition. At each stop, you can choose from a few local specialties like bacalhau (salted cod), grilled sardines, and pastéis de nata (custard tarts).
Of course, you can explore Portugal on your own. But doing so with a local guide who knows the cool spots and the best motorcycle routes allows you to maximize your investment and simply enjoy the ride. Our guide, Paulo, showed us his Portugal, and our adventure ended all too quickly. We have no choice but to return, as we still have the north and south of the country to explore. That's good, Paulo already has a lot of road to show us.”
So after traveling around Portugal this spring, like we did in Ireland last spring, I started thinking about where to spend an extended holiday.
( I don’t think ‘we’ could move to Europe “Permanently” )
I was coming to the conclusion that it might be best to pick some smaller NoN Tourist attraction city, so you don’t have to deal with the Tourist season flood !
It’s bad enough getting out of my small town when going for a ride ( 15 - 30 minutes of traffic ) , bigger towns would only makes it worse…
A picturesque little middle of nowhere place, where your maybe 30 minutes to an hour from a Big city if you feel the need for a traffic jam !
You would already be In the country side ,ready to jump on your bike a discover someplace New !