Interested in gardening/living in the Azores, Portugal?

After several decades of organic farming my husband and I moved to the Azores islands (1,000 km west of Lisbon) to continue our self-sufficient lifestyle, but with less land and fewer animals (just a dog and a few hens now.).  We’re interested in producing as much food as we can on the few acres we now have and in just having a simple, quiet life in a beautiful place with a climate that allows year-round gardening.  In our growing, whether plants or animals, we avoid the use of any substances that would be harmful to us, the environment or our fellow creatures, but we don’t adhere to any strict gardening/farming “rules”. We use a lot of common sense and experience in whatever we do and working outdoors is an essential ingredient in our lives.  We would like very much to find a like-minded person who would like a different kind of life. We can not offer wages, but we can offer a separate house, some land and the food we can produce together, in addition to a beautiful view of the ocean. What we ask in return is someone who can work with us in our ever expanding gardens and help us out with other projects when needed.  We don’t have a clearly defined plan for cooperation, some things just have to be worked out at a later stage. I know it’s a long shot that we find someone on this forum, but we’ve often been very lucky at finding what we needed at exactly the right time, so maybe someone out there is looking for an opportunity like this.

Hi Susan,

I just found your post and even though we don't exactly fit your description I feel it couldn't hurt to send you a message
We just landed on this forum and I wrote an introduction post about our situation over here:  
https://permies.com/t/149840/Young-couple-small-kids-small

We are quit open minded and like you we have no defined exact plan. We can imagine a situation where we can help you guys out in several ways and it might give us an opportunity to learn and develop. If possibilities do arise then maybe we can grow together in work/friendly kind of way.

If your positive about discussing further details we'll be happy to be in touch!

Kinds, Matt

Hi Matt,
Thanks for your interest in our post.  I’d certainly be open to further exploring ideas and options. Many things in your post made me nod my head in agreement and/or interest.  I just stumbled onto this site a few days ago after trying in vain to figure out a way to reach people who might be interested in sharing part of the wonderful world we live in here to the benefit of all concerned.  Similar to what you said in your reply, our situation might not be exactly what you’re looking for (we’re the wrong generation - at least one ahead of you,but still learning and doing many new things!) , but I can see that we have a lot in common and it’d be nice to just find out more of what we both have in mind and whether we might be able to cooperate in a way that makes us all happy.  I can give you more information about our situation and life on the island in general, but would probably prefer that we do that directly rather than on a public post,  Do you know if that’s possible on this site?  Any suggestions?  
Regards to the whole family, especially the 2 boys who are lucky enough to have parents who want to homeschool them!
Susan

Susan Ribeira wrote:
I can give you more information about our situation and life on the island in general, but would probably prefer that we do that directly rather than on a public post,  Do you know if that’s possible on this site?  Any suggestions?  

He has posted an e-mail link on his profile

Thanks, Burl. I missed that somehow and appreciate your help.  Matt also sent me a message, but kind of you to point that out. I’m still learning to navigate through the wealth of information on this site!

Wow! I envy the opportunity for his children to be home-schooled in the Azores and become bi-lingual. I've often thought about retiring in the Canaries just to enjoy the inexpensive wine and cheese, brought in from the mainland I guess.

Hi there,
Since me and my partner are interested to move to Azores too, I wondered if it's ok to ask if there are any limitations to know about farming in the Azores.
We also wonder why there seems to be so many fields and lots looking appropriate for agriculture, why are they just (wonderfully) green but not used for growing produce? Are we missing something?
And lastly, is any of the islands not suitable for self sustained farming?
Thanks

HiSusan, your offer is very intriguing…I am interested. It sounds like it could be a great match, Wondering if you are still looking. I sent you a personal Message also.

It’s over half a year since your post so I’m going to keep this short with a sure my wife and I would be interested in working with you to develop your small farm. We are well into starting our 25th season in our small organic farm here on The eastern tip of LI. Also been looking to combine farming and adventure in a different part of the globe. Our kids are grown and off living their lives and we figure we have a number of years before we’ll hopefully grandchildren are in the picture. If you are at all interested we can talk more details. Thanks for your time and look forward to hearing from you.
Best Paul H

I’m interested in something like this. I work from home and can work from anywhere in the world. I am learning homesteading on 1 acre outside of Dallas. Although I grew up on a farm there’s a lot to learn and re-learn.
It’s just me and my 27-year-old son who is partially disabled from an accident, prosthetic leg and paralyzed arm. I also like to do sculpture, big stuff usually and would sometimes metal or stone.
Interested in hearing ideas and learning about the possibilities a homesteading in Europe.

Hello! I'm interested in moving to Portugal and might be a steady candidate for your farm. Don't like dogs, but am a capable gardener. I'm semi-retired and still do online teaching.

Hi!

I'm just curious how your experiment is working out.  Farming in the Azores is intriguing, though I don't think we'd have been good candidates for your plan.  I do some gardening, and I have studied Portuguese a little on Duolingo, but you probably need people who have done more.  I was just wondering if you are happy with your decision, and what you've learned so far.  

Hi Susan,
I am wondering how your homestead in the Azores is going?  My partner and I have been very interested in the Azores for about a year now and it feels to be our next step in life. We moved from the mainland US to the island of Saipan 3 years ago and have learned so much (mostly by trial and lots of error haha) on our little (rented) homestead here. We now have some experience growing fruit trees and various other edibles in the tropics and free range chickens, and look forward to learning and doing lots more to be self sufficient and live in harmony with Nature. We were musing over finding some islands with a slightly cooler climate, and suddenly my partner discovered the Azores, which neither of us had ever heard of before!  
I actually found this thread accidently while searching for someone I think I might know of from another group, who apparently replied to your thread.  So since I'm here now, I just thought I'd say Hi since I was obviously led here for some reason....;))
Take care and hope to hear from you!

Hi, I'm interested in moving to Portugal and might collaborate if the Azores homestead doesn't work out. I'm just a gardener who would like to keep a small part of the planet pristine and exit corporate usa.

-- Lynne

Portugal is on my expat shortlist!
I’m planning on visiting soon to check it out. I would love to meet with other likeminded people.
Contact me if you’re interested.

Hello,

We're Dominika and Michał.
We're a young couple currently traveling and working, now we are in Terra del Congost in Catalunya. We would love to continue our travel and work experience by coming to join your project.

In privet message, we would write about us something more.
Please let us know if our help would be needed.

Dominika and Michał

Hi, Susan!

Very interested!
No replies, it seems, from your side on this thread in a long time.  Is it still available?

I feel like I'd be a good fit.  I also falo portuges.

Obrigado!

My sincere apologies to all those who sent a message and I didn’t respond.  I (mistakenly, it seems) thought I would receive an email when there was a reply to my post, as happened with the first few.  I therefore never went back and looked to see other responses.   So very sorry I missed the several posts above!
Until quite recently, it looked like a friend and her family were going to join us.  After nearly a year of making plans, they didn’t find the courage to make the move from Germany.  So we still would like to find someone and the state of the world makes it even more desirable than a few years ago when I first posted  We had a very busy summer and we’ve increased our level of self-sufficiency quite a bit in the meantime with solar, a cistern, a wood-burning stove that heats water and a few other useful things.  What we still lack is the time and energy to keep up with food production for ourselves and our animals.  For that, we need help, but it’s very important to us that we find someone or a couple that we get on well with and share common ideas.  I’d be happy to exchange more information with anyone who might be interested.

I’m moving forward on moving to Portugal. I have found some interesting property in Central portugal that I am working toward acquiring. It’s about 10 acres with the Vineyard and olive trees and a large house with multiple buildings. Would make a great place for vineyards and Permaculture and a hotel venue.
I’m interested in hearing from anyone that might be looking for a place to live and work as well.

John Chisolm wrote:I’m moving forward on moving to Portugal. I have found some interesting property in Central portugal that I am working toward acquiring. It’s about 10 acres with the Vineyard and olive trees and a large house with multiple buildings. Would make a great place for vineyards and Permaculture and a hotel venue.
I’m interested in hearing from anyone that might be looking for a place to live and work as well.

Hi John, I just joined the site and I am in Portugal. Near Alcobaca / Nazare. Coming across all the posts about Portugal is encouraging. If you have any questions i would happy to try an give some answers if i can. Recenyly I just lost my farm partner(my Dad) I am trying to decide if I stay or not. Sell, look for someone to join me etc. Before i bought my little piece of paradise i strolled all over Portugal in an old jalopy checking all the nooks and crannys valleys, hills and plains. Portugal is diverse alot to choose from
Abraco!

Hi Susan, my name is Jorge and I've been looking for an offer like yours since forever.
This aligns perfectly with my dream of self-sufficiency that I've tried in my backyard for 7 years in Toronto, Canada, very successfully in terms of health and finance even with only 5 productive months a year.
I'm a very good gardener and a stone mason, I would love to design and create 3 gardens, one for food, one for business and another one for study of plants and agricultural technics. I'm 51 years old and my wife is from the Açores too, and grew up with similar conditions, so I believe that we would be a very good fit and help for you and your farm.
Just wondering if someone already has taken your offer from 4 years ago and is living there?
Sincerely and gratefully Jorge Miguel Graça

Hi Jorge, I've sent you a message (or at least I think I have), if it didn't work, let me know.
Susan

John Chisolm wrote:I’m interested in something like this. I work from home and can work from anywhere in the world. I am learning homesteading on 1 acre outside of Dallas. Although I grew up on a farm there’s a lot to learn and re-learn.
It’s just me and my 27-year-old son who is partially disabled from an accident, prosthetic leg and paralyzed arm. I also like to do sculpture, big stuff usually and would sometimes metal or stone.
Interested in hearing ideas and learning about the possibilities a homesteading in Europe.

four years later!
I am still trying to get to portugal. I have now sold almost everything I own and ready to get there.
My son is now 31 and wants to come with me
My goal is to restore and build houses for the middle class With gardens and also communities.
I found another guy doing the same thing there. I will be using my own money as well as Investors
I'm single and looking for a life partner as well. I grew up on a farm and ranch in Kansas, four years of woodshop and a degree in wood technologies, built two houses in high school and worked in construction and furniture making in the 80s. I now mostly do sculptures For my creative Out, and flip houses. I sold my Homestead May 2022 years ago and miss it.
I would love to connect with Others interested in the same things.

I am on Instagram at StepBeyondJohn

SHOULD WE START A PORTUGAL GROUP? IF YOU'RE IN PORTUGAL OR INTERESTED IN IT COMMENT BELOW AND DM ME ON INSTA

Hi Susan!

Did you find the right people in the meantime?

I'm interested!

Kind regards,

Liza