Just got my visa approved this week

[TwixVoy]

Well my schengen visa has been approved. Took long enough. My son has been living in Portugal with his spouse for the past 2 years. I realize it's a little pathetic for dad to be moving in, but until I am able to get on my feet again that's where I'll be staying. Plus in order to get the visa they have to be providing me housing for the time being. I'll be in the process of getting a residence visa after getting there.

I'll be leaving probably in July/August depending on when I can finish my business here. I've been in the process of selling the few items of value I have left. Have to figure out the best way to get my dog over there too. One would think this would be a sad time of my life, but I actually feel more free than I ever have in years.

I realize that the shit will be hitting the fan in Europe just as it is here, but at least in Europe people have the balls to take to the streets. I'll be in those protests. I'll be damned if I'm going to go out silently like the vast majority of the sheeple here.

I really fear for what's going to become of this country. Yesterday I was in line at the grocery store talking to some 20 something in line with me who had just graduated with his bachelors. I asked him what he thought of the oil disaster and he asked me "What oil spill?". Fu** if this nation isn't in some trouble if this is the kind of awareness new college grads have.

I've gone through my life trying to do the right thing. Even though being a black man I've been denied a lot of opportunities in life I've never let myself get in to trouble. I've always done my best to hold down a job and take care of myself honestly. I had years of solid work history. Even had promotions and supervisory experience. Can't even get a real job anymore. All I want is a fair shot and a fair deal. I've gone through most of my life as a 2nd class citizen, and I don't think it's too much to ask that the last years of my life aren't spent worried about which corporation is going to screw me over next. Eventually you just got to know when to walk away from the fight.

[DesertFlower]

1. i wish you the best. nt

[orion007]

2. That's great news, especially being with family.

Enjoy your new life, the culture and the food.
Living in such "iffy" times, being near ones kids is a gift.
The best to you!

[Liberal_in_LA]

3. Congrats on the Visa. Sounds like an adventure. I wish you the best

:hi:

[Warren Stupidity]

4. How difficult is it to get a residence visa in Portugal?

I share your anxiety about the future of this country. My brother moved overseas years ago and his family is settled in Europe now. I envy him. When my last kid gets through college I'll have the freedom to make some major life decisions, and where I choose to live out my years is certainly high on that list.

[tavalon]

30. Just remember, that as America centric as we are on this list

The whole world is going to join in so it's a matter of which seat you want to have to watch the show.

[Terra Alta]

5. Good luck to you.

I fear for this country as well. Especially seeing how so many in my generation are apathetic and ignorant about current events. I'm very worried about the future of this country.

[Kievan Rus]

20. When peak oil hits, we're completely screwed

With the exception of the major cities with decent transit like New York City, Boston, Washington, Chicago and Philadelphia, our car-centered society will utterly collapse when peak oil hits. Europe won't be a bed of roses either, but they'll get through it a lot better than we will. I wouldn't be shocked if this country descends into an anarchic Mad Max scenario when peak oil gets really bad.

[tavalon]

31. Many people who've been watching closer than me

say that Peak Oil appears to have happened in 2005. But people who haven't been watching at all think that means that we hit a brick wall but that won't happen right away. It won't be gentle or nice, however.

[Ikonoklast]

6. Wherever you go, there you are.

Best of luck.

[Fire1]

7. That's wonderful Twix!! I truly envy you. Enjoy your new

life! You deserve it, my friend.

[LooseWilly]

8. Now you've got Kenny Rogers going through my head.. "know when to walk away...

... and know when to run."

Hmm, come to think of it, I might have to try to convince my son to marry a European too. Good luck... unless you've got Wall St. experience, I'm thinking this economy is gonna take longer to produce anything worth a damn for anyone than it took after the last Bush... and in the meantime desperation will be breeding pay cutting. Good time to make a run for it.

[Ahpook]

9. Me and my brother are feeling the same way.

We have a friend in England that used to live here. The cops picked at him to the point he went back. Thankfully, he is willing to help my brother out till he is set, then i am out of this country as well.


Just being there, we are out of here, and can make plans otherwise.

Let the shits have what they want. I can guarantee they will not like the outcome.

Fuck you America, you racist, hateful, worn out plastic society.

On edit: Certainly don't mean all of America. There is some lovely people here

[tavalon]

33. As I said upstream

America (while definitely one of the worst offenders) is not the only country going down. Europe is going to have a very hard road too. The difference, if there is any, is that they are less apathetic. Whether that will make the fall less or more dramatic, has yet to be seen.

[FedUpWithIt All]

10. A huge part of my soul resides in Europe. Best wishes to you.

:toast:

[Warpy]

11. Portugal is one of the PIIGS

so be careful of how you invest and even how much money you exchange for Euros in the very short term. We should know the worst by the beginning of next year.

Portugal is also the country that sparked the beginning of Amnesty International when a student received a jail sentence for shouting 'Freedom!' in a bar.

Just be aware that their laws and protections are not the same as ours, although I haven't heard of any real human rights outrages for many years there.

My friends who have lived there for any length of time adore the country and its people. Just be on your toes about the financial situation and you should be a very happy Portuguese clam.

[Swamp Rat]

12. Muito bem

No futuro, a gente pode falar em português. ;)

[earth mom]

13. Good luck to you. Wish I could take off to Europe myself...

:thumbsup:

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

14. I hope you'll post about your new life.

Good for you for being adventurous. I wish you the best.

[zane25]

15. Looking into it myself

I am looking to get my family out of the US as well. I spent a good deal of time overseas throught my life and I want to get my familty out of here. I know things are different and nowhere near pefect elsewhere, but the US is turning into groups of fanboys on both sides of the aisle. Never getting things done or making anything better. At least there is a chance of a better life somewhere else.

[dixiegrrrrl]

16. Thank you for all you have done in posting about Target.

Your insights educated a lot of people here.

Hope you will stay on at DU when you get there and be a long distance tour guide to the area.

:hi:

[lunatica]

17. Bon Voyage and may all your days be happy ones!

And may you get the first class citizenship everyone deserves. I admire people who can make these huge decisions about their lives and do it. If you love your family then it's always far more important that citizenship.

[Book Lover]

18. Good luck to you!

Remember - you gave your son a home, love, support, and so forth. I'm sure he's happy to do his loving duty and repay his dad. My very best wishes to you all.

[Kievan Rus]

19. I wish I could move to Europe too

If I had to list every reason why I wanted to move to Europe, I could write a book longer than War and Peace.

When I'm lucky enough to leave this country, I'll feel like Andy at the end of the Shawshank Redemption when he breaks out of prison and raises his arms in the creek during the rainstorm.

[tpsbmam]

21. Absolutely nothing pathetic about your move at all

In my opinion, that's a modern American prejudice that, out of necessity, will once again become more common. (Articles out there support it happening already, e.g., http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35921787.)

That's how we used to live -- multigenerational homes were common in our past history and that of many other countries. They're still common in some places.

I think it could be something that ultimately ends up being good. We've become segregated and selfish. One way of healing ourselves as people could be a little more reconnecting to our past when we lived more simply, we relied on each other more, we not only remained together (or came together) as families but we did so as neighborhoods & groups where we really knew each other, celebrated together & grieved together....

It's not shameful at all. It's a wonderful adventure & a great thing that you, your son and his spouse are making this happen. Hope you'll come back to DU ASAP after you move and share the experience.

And yeah, I'm more than a little jealous!

:hi:

[kaiden]

22. Wish you peace, Twixvoy.

I read your corporate stories with sadness and finally, with horror. You deserve the best. Please keep us posted.

[tsuki]

23. You will love Portugal. It is a beautiful country with warm, wonderful

people. Best wishes.

[depakid]

32. As well as some of the "warmest" hot sauce on the planet

Piri Piri.

[TheWatcher]

24. All The Best To You Twix, And Good Luck.

Check in with us when you can.

My partner and I have been looking into leaving as well, and that's all I will say on the subject.

Cheers To You, my friend.

[UndertheOcean]

25. So , did it take you 15 years to get the Visa ?

That is what takes a Mexican Citizen with a relative in the US other than a spouse , if he or she is lucky ! .

Visa to Europe for someone from a Third world country , almost impossible .

You are blessed , just by being born within the US you have much more options than the most of humanity ! make good use of it , and try to make this world a better place.

Wish you luck

[Nite Owl]

26. Best of luck and much peace

to you. I hope you will let us all know how things are going. I so envy you, if I could find a way to leave now I would.

[HillGal]

27. Are you going to be able to get a job there though? the economy is bad in Europe and there's

high unemployment, is there a good chance they would pass over a Portuguese person to give you a job? or do you have experience in a field where they need that type of expertise?

Good Luck to you.

[canetoad]

28. Best of luck Twix

Looking forward to your despatches from Portugal. :thumbsup:

[tavalon]

29. I'm really happy for you TwixVoy

I hope this doesn't mean you'll be leaving DU. Oregone didn't.

I'm afraid you may be getting a few nasty notes but don't worry about it. This is a perfectly sane response to an insane situation.

[Imajika]

34. Good luck, but things are no better in Portugal...

Europe is imposing austerity measures to get their debt under control - and that includes Portugal. People can take to the street all day, but public sector and benefit cuts are happening anyway. The money isn't there and "taking it to the streets" is not going to prevent much of anything. Just about everyone has overspent and been badly affected by the global recession. Greek unions for example have been protesting all Spring and failed utterly to stop these austerity measures.

Portugal is the P in PIIGS. One of the Eurozone nations in the most serious trouble. By leaving here to go there, you may find yourself in perhaps a worse political climate.

I applaud your taking a chance and starting a new life, and I wish you the very best of luck. I envy your willingness to just pick up, take a leap and try something new. Very best of luck to you!

Still, be careful. The Eurozone is in a bad way, and anti-immigration and right wing sentiment is on the rise. You can find many clueless people in the US who don't understand the oil leak situation, but there are ignorant people everywhere - including Europe.

[JCMach1]

39. Unfortunately, correct...

:(

But good luck! Many people are not even brave enough to try! :)

[michreject]

35. I had never heard of a schengen visa

Got curious and had to look it up. If this is true, won't you be back before Christmas?

http://www.schengenvisa.cc/

The Schengen Visa has made traveling between its 15 European member countries much easier and less bureaucratic. Traveling on a Schengen Visa means that the visa holder can travel to any (or all) member countries using one single visa, thus avoiding the hassle and expense of obtaining individual visas for each country. This is particularly beneficial for persons who wish to visit several European countries on the same trip. The Schengen visa is a “visitor visa”. It is issued to citizens of countries who are required to obtain a visa before entering Europe.

The purpose of the visit must be leisure, tourism, or business. Upon the issuance of the visa, the visa holder is allowed to enter all member countries and travel freely throughout the Schengen area. It is strongly recommended to plan your journey within the timeframe of the Schengen Visa as extensions can be very difficult to obtain, thus forcing you to leave to stay in compliance with the Schengen rules and regulations. A Schengen visa allows the holder to travel freely within the Schengen countries for a maximum stay of up to 90 days in a 6 month period. The first step in the application process is to download the Schengen Application Guide.

[TwixVoy]

43. sigh.....

Learn how to read much?

"Plus in order to get the visa they have to be providing me housing for the time being. I'll be in the process of getting a residence visa after getting there."

The Schengen is just so I can get in and is easier to get approved quickly.

[OhioChick]

36. I wish you the best....

:hug:

[area51]

37. I'm happy for you.

Please consider posting on DU again once you get settled in. I'd like to know how things are going. I'd love to be able to move to a first-world country. :toast:

[tango-tee]

38. Best wishes to you, TwixVoy!

I live in Europe as well... although a bit to the north of you!

As far as taking your dog along is concerned: Make sure you research Portugal's requirements. Some countries require vaccinations at least 30 days prior to entry, but no more than one year. Requirements vary. You'll save yourself a lot of grief if you do this quite a bit ahead of time.

All of that said, again, best wishes to you. And it's so good you have family there to make the transition easier.

[Greyhound]

40. K&R. Please keep the updates coming.

:kick: & R

[dghll]

41. there are import requirements for dogs entering an EU country.

If you follow these, there should not be any quarantine time, otherwise, there may be a three month quarantine.

Import Requirements for Dogs and Cats Entering an EU Country:

1) Your dog needs to be microchipped

2) Rabies vaccinations

3) .....follow the link


http://www.petrelocation.com/resources/international-regulations/portugal

[Subdivisions]

42. Wow, Twix! What an exciting new life adventure you're about to embark on. Please,

TAKE ME WITH YOU! Man, I wish you all the best. :bounce:

And don't stop posting once you get over there! I want to hear all about it.

:hi:

[laughingliberal]

44. Great news! Wishing you the best! nt

[Blue_Tires]

45. kick